Out with the new and in with the old

THE truly remarkable aspect of the Cork city centre Better Buildings Awards 2003 announced yesterday is that without exception the first prize winner in every category — including that for Best New Development — went to old buildings.

Victorian red-brick and graceful old, cut-limestone facades swept all before them in diverse categories which ranged from best retail frontage through best pub front, best commercial frontage, best signage, best new development and the judges own choice, a restaurant and living over the shop development at Bridge Street.

Cork does not lack new buildings and the all the winners have carried out development works on their impeccably maintained premises. But the message coming through possibly much more loudly and clearly than anyone intended is: "Out with the new and in with the old".

This should give pause for thought in a city which is to be the European Capital of Culture in 2005 now barely 13 months away and where a raft of developments on landmark city centre sites have started or are about to begin. Despite the nearness of this deadline Cork continues to be a city where the word "potential" most ably describes the physical infrastructure.

What has happened in Cork amounts to a clear admission that far too many developments throughout Ireland unfortunately the problem is not confined to the southern capital are downright ugly, lack taste, good design, character, class, proportion and developed out of a failed planning system where blatant corruption played a significant role.

The builders, architects and designers who operated when money was not so freely available bequeathed graceful structures and edifices which have stood the test of time. The same will not be said of this generation.

The best retail frontage went to Lynes and Lynes, an antique shop in an ornate Victorian red brick on MacCurtain Street; the best pub front is at the Bodega, a 19th century cut limestone facade on Cornmarket Street; the best commercial frontage is at O'Flynn Exhams, a long established firm on solicitors on South Mall in a restored Georgian red brick; the best signage (the judges were looking for discretion) is at The Mardyke, a converted limestone warehouse on Sheares Street and the best new development is CDGA Engineering in a restored Victorian red-brick landmark location on Patrick's Quay. Star Anise, the judges' choice is a restaurant in an antique structure on Bridge Street.

This is a very worthwhile competition which demonstrates a growing interest in maintenance, style and design. Liz McAvoy, of Cork City Challenge, which organises the event annually along with Cork City Council, remarked that in the late 1990's there were about half a dozen entries. This year there was about 150. Judges were unanimous and comments were more positive than in previous years.

There was "the usual dismay" at the amount of clutter, untidy wires and obsolete signage as well as the apparent disregard by some businesses for the value of soap and water in cleaning their buildings. The treatment of upper floors, often left unpainted or derelict, continues to be a problem.

The judges were Frank Hanley retail consultant on behalf of the Cork Business Association, Donogh O'Riordan architect on behalf of Cork Chamber of Commerce and Dominic O'Brien, town planner with Cork City Council assisted by city conservationist Pat Ruane.

Lord Mayor Colm Burke said the city would spend 32 million before 2005 on developments like the refurbishment of Patrick Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and Shandon Street, the new footbridge from the Coal Quay to Pope's Quay.

The challenge for the City Council is to make that investment into something is stylish and worthwhile, to create structures where good design is not to play second fiddle to money-spinning opportunities, to destroy the developer Taliban mentality and get the message across that better buildings make better business. If that is to be achieved Cork might look forward to a future where the best new development is actually new.