An Taisce hits plan for 10-storey Cork tower
An Taisce has criticised a proposal for a 10-storey cylindrical tower as part of a major redevelopment of Government Buildings in Cork city as “an unacceptable intrusion” in a medieval part of the city. Ascon Property Developments is proposing to demolish Government Buildings on Sullivan’s Quay and build three blocks around a central pedestrian street and a courtyard, mostly four to eight storeys in height apart from the tower. The development includes a 183-bed hotel, around 4,500sq m (48,437sq ft) of shops and 925sq m (9,956sq ft) of offices. In an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, An Taisce says the 10-storey element on the corner of Sullivan’s Quay and Meade Street, would create a “canyon effect” on a narrow stretch of river. It says the tower wouldn’t complement the quayside, river or Grand Parade vista “and does not properly address the existing urban form in the city centre of Cork”.
