34-storey hotel in Cork docklands ‘would have adverse impact on existing businesses’
Plans for a new hotel in what would be Ireland’s tallest building in the Cork docklands would have an adverse impact on existing hotel and hospitality business in the wake of Covid-19 according to a new planning submission.
Tower Holdings is proposing a 34-storey hotel, of 140 metres in height, at Custom House Quay, on the old Port of Cork site.
The €140m project will include retail units, restaurants, office space, recreational areas, and a micro-distillery. It could create up to 800 jobs.
Cork City Council planners had asked the developers for further information on the project, which was submitted in March.
Among the documents was the Marriott chain’s expression of support for the development of the skyscraper hotel. The letter said Marriott is interested in exploring the prospect of bringing one of its “upper-upscale hotel brands” to the Custom House hotel.
It would be Marriott’s first foray into the Cork hotel market, though the letter represented an interest in the property, not an agreement.
However, a submission lodged this month in response to the further information states that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing significant economic and social dislocation and is likely to do so for the foreseeable future.
In his submission, Brian O’Dwyer from Cobh said: “The medium- and long-term effects of Covid-19 will bring new challenges to Cork’s existing hotel and hospitality businesses. It is likely that existing businesses would be adversely affected by the economic impact of the excessive scale of this proposed development.”
The submission also states that there are approximately 1,700 new hotel and hostel rooms in the planning pipeline for Cork in 13 separate developments.
Separately, construction has resumed on Tower Holding’s €20m Prism office development at the rear of Parnell Place Bus Station.
The sod was turned on the development in March but was halted along with all other construction work when the Covid-19 lockdown was put in place.
Positioned on a triangular-shaped brownfield derelict site and with a footprint of 310 sq m, the tower will stand at 15 floors tall, offering office space with views over the city.
