Construction BUSINESS

A €90 million office block aimed at resolving a chronic shortage of commercial space in the city centre has been given the green light. The Navigation Square complex comprises four separate blocks on a 2.25 acre site in the heart of Cork city centre and provide accommodation for up to 3,000 employees and more than 310,000sq ft of office space.

It ranks as the largest development of its type ever undertaken outside Dublin. An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has confirmed the withdrawal of all remaining planning appeals to the development.

The project was granted planning permission by Cork City Council last September but a number of planning objections were lodged. The withdrawal of all appeals now means that construction work will begin immediately.

O’Callaghan Properties boss, Brian O’Callaghan, hailed the ABP confirmation as “a great day for Cork and for the region”.

“Navigation Square is a flagship, ambitious development that further confirms that Cork city is capable of hosting large scale multinational and indigenous investment projects,” he said.

The plan also seeks to address the lack of office space in the city centre. The project will involve more than 350 construction jobs and is scheduled to be completed within 18 months. Coupled with a parallel project on Andersons Quay, O’Callaghan Properties will provide 460,000 sq ft of office accommodation in the next two years.

‘Navigation Square’ will also include roof terraces with spectacular views of the city, two stand-alone restaurant units and staff facilities.3131