A major redevelopment plan of the former Odlums Mills site was announced earlier today by O’Callaghan properties.
The developers say that the project, which will create over 5,000 jobs, will involve a 1 million sq ft development on Kennedy Quay in the city centre, completely transforming the area into a massive driver of economic activity.
The redevelopment project, designed by architectural firm Henry J Lyons, includes plans for a 130-bed rehabilitation hospital, three high-rise office/mixed use buildings, an eleven-story building comprising of 80 ‘build-to-sell’ apartments, and the development of a new ‘public realm’ space leading onto the river.
The former Odlums Mills building, which is the centre of the redevelopment, will also be restored and repurposed to create two seven and nine storey buildings, including 84 apartments (one, two and three-bed), a cinema, food hall, office space and a brand new 360-degree rooftop destination.
The developers aim to retain all of the significant historic fabric to the front, rear and side facades of the Odlums building, which was built in 1933, while also retaining and restoring structural elements to the interior and removing later construction to the south and Western sections.
Speaking about the project, the developers have mentioned: “The original Odlums building is not a simple structure but it does, once stripped back and isolated, present a building volume that is open to re-use and extension with little or no impact on the quality of the original structure.”
The historic R&H Hall grain silos however, will be demolished as part of the plan due to major structural issues which make repurposing the building impossible to achieve. The development of a new Silo building will echo the former structures, according to the developers, who also plan to dismantle and persevere the archaeologically significant grain drying and conditioning machines which still remain inside.
The 122,000 sq ft rehabilitation hospital proposed will be the second only dedicated facility in Ireland, and will be operated by French healthcare group ORPEA.
Speaking about the project, O’Callaghan Properties MD Brian O’Callaghan mentions: “Docklands will drive rapid economic development for Cork and already has shown itself capable of hosting large scale multinational and indigenious investment projects. It is largely under utilised and presents a wonderful opportunity for the City to expand eastwards.”