Plans for Ireland’s tallest building are approved

The Cork City Council has granted planning permission for a new € 140 million development in the old port of Cork, which will include the tallest building in Ireland.

The tower at Custom House Quay will be 140 meters or 34 stories high and will house a five-star hotel with 241 rooms.

The developers, Tower Holdings, welcomed the news that approval had been obtained for the mixed-use development, which includes retail stores and an interactive visitor center focused on maritime culture and heritage.

“We worked closely with the Cork City Council throughout the design process to ensure we were meeting all requirements, particularly with regard to the conservation and integration approach to the existing historic buildings,” said a spokesman.

“We now have to fully examine all planning conditions and certain details in order to determine their effects on the system.”

London-based global architecture firm Gensler led the design process with local architect Henry J Lyons, with Arup doing the engineering.

Aecom, along with fifteen other consultants and sub-consultants, carried out the public realm design.

The historic customs house will be restored, as will the customs warehouses, which will be open to the public for the first time.

There will also be retail, food and beverage outlets in the complex, as well as a new micro-distillery.

As part of the planning process, Cork City Council planners had obtained additional information from the developers to justify the height of the building and raise other concerns.

Ireland’s tallest building is currently the 22-story Capital Dock in Dublin.