Conceptual image for the proposed redevelopment of the Port of Cork site.

CIF welcome for skyscraper plan

THE Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has labelled proposals for a 40-storey skyscraper in Cork as a “statement of intent” for the future development of the city.

Plans were revealed this week for the €100m building at the Port of Cork’s Custom House site in the docklands. The glass and steel structure is proposed by Kerry developers Kevin and Donal O’Sullivan and is more than twice the height of the Elysian tower.

Conor O’Connell, regional director for the CIF in the southern region, said the ambitious project can be a landmark development for Cork.

“It is great news. It is a very exciting development which, alongside the plans for Anderson’s Quay, Albert Quay, the Beamish & Crawford site and others could transform the city over the next few years.”

While there have been some questions asked about the proposed height of the new structure, Mr O’Connell said that he expects people to get behind the plans.

“I think anyone with an interest in development and in Cork will see this as a great boost. It is a statement of intent for the city, a landmark project that signals Cork’s intent to move upwards and forwards.”

It will answer a demand for hotel, retail and commercial space, Mr O’Connell added.

The project should also see a huge boost in employment for the city’s construction industry, with hundreds of jobs expected to be created if plans are approved.

“There is still capacity to expand in the industry,” Mr O’Connell said.

“This exciting development is very much welcome in that regard.”

Under the city’s development plan, the site is zoned for commercial use, but it is not one of several sites earmarked for ‘tall building’ development.

These sites are, instead, on the south side of the Lee, including several sites on Kennedy Quay, Monahan Road and Mahon.

It means that the project will likely need a material contravention of the city development plan before it can proceed.