Cork City Council grants three-year planning extension for quayside tower hotel

Tower Development Properties Ltd has secured a three-year planning permission extension from Cork City Council for a 140m, 34-storey tower hotel on Custom House Quay, with the developer committing to commence specified works by 1 February 2027 including obtaining fire certification, approving construction contracts and commencing quay wall upgrades, demolition and conservation work.

Irish Examiner reported that the extension request was approved last month, giving the developer additional time until 2 June 2029 with no additional conditions beyond those imposed in the original grant. Planning consultants McCutcheon Halley stated the construction period is expected to be in the region of 20-24 months, with conservation prioritised when constructing the development.

The 240-bedroom hotel project, with a gross footprint of 31,064 sq m, includes conservation and repair work on a series of bonded warehouses described as part of the most important site in Cork city. A 16.5m high glazed atrium linking the former Custom House building to the warehouses is planned, with significant elements of the Custom House itself integrated into the development.

Cobblestone paving will be retained and re-used whilst improvements to the public realm are included in the scheme. The proposal has strong backing from the local business community, including IBEC and Cork Chamber, both of whom wrote letters supporting an extension to the original planning grant due to expire in May.

Cork City Council can extend the permission by another two years, totalling five years, if the developer seeks to do so within a specified timeframe and provided planners are satisfied the development will be completed within a reasonable timeframe. Tower Development Properties Ltd is headed by Kerry man Kevin O'Sullivan.

Access complete project specifications and timeline details for the Custom House Quay development.