US fintech to take up Apple's former Cork office space

John Cleary Developments acquired the city-centre retail and office site in January 

Upgrade/fit-out work is ongoing by Summerhill Construction at Half Moon Street. Picture: Larry Cummins

A leading fintech firm is set to move into the former Apple offices on Cork city’s Half Moon St, which developer John Cleary bought in January in a deal valued at around €30m.

Empyrean Solutions, who are currently based in Penrose Quay, are due to relocate to the prime riverside location at Half Moon St/Lavitt’s Quay next month. In addition, a jobs announcement is due to be made mid-May by the IDA client company.

Additional roles are not likely to exceed 100.

Empryean Solutions has been working out of Penrose Quay, also owned by John Cleary Developments (JCD) for the past few years, utilising its Flexi Workspace, a “landing pad” that gives new arrivals and upscaling companies the option of taking a Grade A office space, without signing a long-term lease or investing upfront in a costly office fit-out.

Now, however, Empryean is set to move into its own offices at Half Moon St, also owned by JCD, where they will be early tenants at the refurbished building. JCD previously said it was investing €5m in upgrades and in improving the building’s energy credentials.

At the time, a spokesperson for the developer said the upgrade works would make the riverside building “best in class”.

The Wilson Architecture-designed premises was developed by O’Callaghan Properties and completed in 2010. It extends to over 115,000 sq ft (c 10,700 sq m).

Tech giant Apple Europe previously had offices in the building, before relocating in 2021 to BAM/Clarendon’s new development at Horgan’s Quay.

JCD purchased the city centre building from global property investment company Kennedy Wilson, who paid O’Callaghan Properties €36.3m for the mixed-use development in 2019. Retail tenants include Boots pharmacy flagship Cork store, Matthews outdoor wear specialists, Koppers hair salon, and MDM Solicitors.

Empryean are likely to be the first tenants in the revamped office section of the building.

The fintech company specialises in building software that helps banks and credit unions plan better, manage risk, and understand their financial performance.

Last year the company was named a Category Leader by Chartis Research in all six asset and liability management (ALM) categories, including areas like liquidity risk, budgeting and planning, and profitability.