The Elysian is a landmark building by virtue of its height of up to seventeen storeys. The 3-acre site was previously occupied by An Post. The development brief was to provide a mixed-use scheme incorporating residential, commercial and retail uses to create a sustainable, vibrant district that would integrate with the wider city.

McCutcheon Halley was centrally involved in the scheme from its inception through the planning process and into the construction phase. In July 2005, planning permission was secured from Cork City Council for over 200 residential units, 6 retail units, a child care facility, a gym and basement car parking.

It comprises two buildings, a tall structure accommodating office and retail sections, and an adjoining lower building, accommodating residential uses with ground-floor retail.

Key issues of the development proposal included:

Masterplanning and Site Optimisation

The site was seen as a key strategic site by Cork City Council and one that required a careful masterplan to optimise its development potential.

Height/Visual Appraisal

The Elysian remains the tallest building in Cork and was subject to a very detailed visual appraisal to justify its scale and height.

Mix of Uses

Providing an appropriate and viable mix of uses, especially on the ground floor, to complement the residential uses on the upper floors.

Traffic Impact

Construction and operational traffic impacts were a major consideration, given its location at the intersection of several busy arterial routes serving the City.

Residential Amenity

A careful design approach, including the provision of a high-quality internal landscaped courtyard, to ensure a high standard of residential amenities is a key reason that the development has been highly regarded.

Result:

Construction was completed in 2008 and the scheme is now fully occupied. The Elysian has created a new civic gateway and a landmark building for the city of Cork.