€50m Capitol development a ‘game changer’ for Cork

Planning permission is today being sought for a €50m development that aims to be "a catalyst project for Cork city centre, a game changer".

It is for a major mixed-use project on the derelict site of the former Capitol Cinema on Grand Parade — linking both to the famed English Market and to St Patrick’s Street, with a food innovation centre, and retail and office uses proposed.

The 85,000 sq ft development, on a prime 0.64-acre central site, will accommodate up to 450 jobs, with three floors of shops and two floors of offices, as well as a food-related profile, proposed by John Cleary Developments. The firm is also building a €50m office scheme — largely let already — near City Hall on Albert Quay, and are also set to further develop offices in Mahon for foreign direct investment firms.