The development, a partnership between Cork City Council and Tuath Housing, has resulted in the transformation of a derelict office block into 35 new A-rated homes.
The 17,600 sq. ft development, was originally constructed in the 1960s, and four years ago the Council applied for a change of use to facilitate the development of 31 apartments and 4 new build bungalows.
Springville House is designed to cater for older residents as it offers privacy and security, and this Council initiative allow residents aged sixty and over to move to more suitable homes, freeing up existing properties for younger families
The project was funded via a loan from the Housing Finance Agency and Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.
Minister Michael McGrath expressed his delight at the successful completion of the Springville House project, highlighting its alignment with Government's commitment to exploring creative solutions to housing challenges. “Converting vacant office blocks into residential spaces promotes sustainable urban development by revitalising neglected urban areas, improving city living conditions, and fostering connected communities. Springville House is an exemplar of innovative thinking and collaboration between the public and private sectors. It is important we continue to deliver similar initiatives to effectively address Ireland's housing challenges.”
Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Colette Finn noted “The delivery of this beautiful new development is a testament to the transformative power of innovation through partnership. By using a pre-existing building, this project has minimised the impact on the environment, reducing carbon output compared to demolishing and starting anew. More importantly, this project has brought a new community of people together, while at the same time enriching the existing one. I commend Cork City Council, Tuath and all the partners involved for their hard-work and commitment to enhancing the residential landscape of our city.”
Barry O’Leary, CEO of the Housing Finance Agency stated “I want to congratulate Tuath Housing on the delivery of this innovative project, which involved the retrofitting and repurposing of a formerly vacant office building. We know these types of projects can be challenging, but Tuath has done an impressive job, providing 35 new high quality, comfortable homes at Springville House. The HFA is proud to have provided financing to support this development and we wish residents every happiness in their new homes.”
Member of Tuath’s Voluntary Board of Directors, Angela Murphy, noted “Developments like Springville House demonstrate our capacity to not only deliver more homes, but deliver sustainable housing solutions. It is vital that we continue to repurpose existing, vacant buildings that can transform an underutilised space into a thriving residential community. Tuath will continue to support local authorities and government in this manner, as we look to find more ways of investing in people, places and communities.”
Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, stated: “Cork City Council wishes to congratulate Tuath Housing on the successful delivery of this innovative Rightsizing scheme, which revitalises and transforms a formerly derelict office building into a new residential community and demonstrates the power of partnership in housing delivery. By using the innovative EU Competitive Dialogue procurement process, pioneered by the City Council and the Part 8 planning procedure (Planning approval by the Members of Cork City Council), Cork City Council with MMD Construction, Tuath Housing Association and supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage & the Housing Finance Agency took the innovative step to search for and promote housing solutions for the conversion of a former commercial site for housing in a central sustainable location. Central to this was a meaningful stakeholder engagement process for this project on the Blackrock Road”.
