Cork council to go ahead with €8.2m redevelopment of Shandon Butter Market

Project to create a community and enterprise hub expected to be completed by mid 2028

'The proposed development will bring back into active use the Butter Market and Weighmaster’s Complex, which has been derelict for some time,' the council said. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM

Cork City Council is pressing ahead with an €8.2m redevelopment of Shandon’s Butter Market and Weighmaster’s House but has admitted “timeframes are tight” ahead of an expected 2028 completion date.

It has gone out to tender for a range of consultancy services associated with the project ahead of plans to begin construction in just over 12 months’ time.

In September, the council said it had been awarded funding of €7m under the Government’s Thrive-Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme to see the historic site reimagined as the Shandon Exchange.

The project to create a community and enterprise hub will see the complex refurbished and transformed into a publicly accessible and creative space while maintaining its historic and cultural integrity.

“The proposed development will bring back into active use the Butter Market and Weighmaster’s Complex, which has been derelict for some time,” the council said.

“The proposal will ensure the conservation and future safeguarding of the building complex, by providing an active new enterprise and community use, ensuring their ongoing occupation, maintenance and protection.

“This proposed re-use of the prominent site offers a new focus for activity in Shandon, and the opportunity to activate council-owned buildings in the area.” 

It said site investigations would be required early in the design process, with a civil and structural engineer, mechanical and electrical engineer, project and archaeologist and fire consultant all required at this early stage.

While €7m was provided under the Government scheme, the tender documents state the estimated construction contract value for the purposes of the application was €8.2m plus contingency.

The site investigations and detailed design of the project are set to take place between March and May 2026, before moving to procurement. It is expected the works contract for the actual construction of the redevelopment is set to be published next August.

After a contractor is appointed and construction begins in January 2027, it is expected the project will be “substantially completed” by late June 2028.

“It is acknowledged that the timeframes are tight and will require significant resource input in order to manage both work packages and speedy completion of third-party processes such as site investigations, disability access and fire safety certification, etc,” the council said.

Long called for by local activists, it is hoped the project breathes new life into the Shandon area.

At the time it was announced, James Nolan from the Shandon Area Renewal Association said: “For the people of Shandon, the exchange is more than a building — it’s a symbol of renewal.

“It will bring new opportunities for the local community, create a stronger link with the city centre, and ensure this historic part of Cork continues to thrive. We are proud that the community has been at the heart of shaping this project from the very beginning, and that they will have a role to play in the redevelopment and future operations.”