Construction of one of Cork's largest residential developments to start this year

Work is ongoing to decontaminate the Live at the Marquee site

Computer-generated image of the planned new housing development by Glenveagh Properties on the Live at the Marquee site.

Construction of more than 1,000 homes on the former Live at the Marquee site in Cork is due to begin in the second half of this year, property developer Glenveagh has said.

Planners were given the go-ahead for the site back in 2021 but minor works on the site only began in October last year.

The development is located at the former Ford Distribution site on an approximately five-hectare parcel of land, bordered by Centre Park Road, the Marquee link road and Monahan Road.

The development involves the construction of 12 apartment blocks, some will be 14 storeys high, and are targeted at the build-to-rent sector.

Work is currently underway to decontaminate the Live at the Marquee and former Ford Distribution site. Pic: Larry Cummins

Stephen Garvey, chief executive of Glenveagh, said that the Marquee site is currently undergoing decontamination which includes clearing the site and that it should be ready for construction “sometime into the third quarter” of this year.

"The likelihood is we'd be working with a State agency on that development and it will be a mixture of affordable purchase, cost rental and element of social units as well,” Mr Garvey said.

Glenveagh purchased the land for the development in 2018 for a reported €15m. The site has a long planning history, as it was once earmarked by the now-defunct Howard Holdings for major development after they acquired the land in the mid-2000s for a reported €35m.

In addition to the Marquee site, Glenveagh has a number of other developments ongoing or nearing completion in the county.

In November last year, the company received approval under the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme to develop 274 owner-occupier apartments for sale on the open market in Blackrock, Cork. Development is anticipated to begin in the middle of this year with sales expected during 2026.

The company’s Maple Woods development in Midleton is currently on the market.