Cork hotel development to commence work in 2024

An Bord Pleanála has granted full planning permission to Hibernia Star for a new 165-bedroom hotel, and more than 10,600m2 office buildings overlooking Cork harbour on the Douglas Estuary at Jacob’s Island, Cork. The project will be delivered by McCarthy Developments and will have a capital value of almost €100m.

The Cork developers behind a new hotel Jacob's Island in the city say work on the development will commence next year.

As reported in yesterday's Irish Examiner, the final planning hurdle has been cleared for the €100m 165-bedroom hotel and more than 10,600 square metres of office space overlooking Cork Harbour on the Douglas Estuary.

Tom McCarthy, Managing Director of the backers McCarthy Developments said the project is the next phase of the Jacobs Island Master Plan, which they have championed over the past 20 years. "This new phase of development has a significant impact on Cork’s economic development, providing a new hotel for business and leisure visitors as well as substantial office accommodation required to fuel further investment and create significant employment in the Cork Region," he said.

The company has already delivered more than 400 homes at Jacob's Island on the 50-acre site, which has access to Cork’s Greenway which links Mahon, Rochestown and Cork city. A planning decisions is also awaited on a further 489 apartments planned for the site.

The Jacobs Island Master Plan also include the development of several parks and recreational areas, ‘play and stay’ activities, communal courtyards, green streets, ample pedestrianisation, cycle paths and considerate landscaping. In line with the zoning and planning guidelines, the mixed-use development will provide a vibrant urban area with a mix of residential, employment, childcare and other uses.

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the hotel and office despite objections lodged by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who said the proposed development would “put at risk the public investment made and being made in the M8, N40, and associated junctions”.

However, the planning body granted permission for the development acknowledging it would add to traffic but that was to be expected in an urban area.