The Metropole, Cork
Reddy A+U have been commissioned to undertake a major redevelopment and extension of one of Corks landmark hotels which will deliver a 342 bedroom development. The restoration and renewal of the 1897 hotel will create 43 bedroom suites and restores the façade to the original configuration including the return of the retail units to Mac Curtain Street. The inclusion of the adjacent PJ O’Hea site allows for the significant growth and long term viability of this legacy hotel and the city.
This hotel project is a major €50 million redevelopment of the historical 120-year-old MacCurtain Street Metropole Hotel and involves the construction of a new model urban hotel on the adjoining former PJ O’Hea site to create a new 342 bedroom hotel development.
It is proposed that the mid-20th century block to St Patricks Quay will be demolished and replaced with a new building consisting of 140 new bedrooms, hotel lobby, spa, restaurant and bar facilities with a roof top function room and terrace garden providing expansive and elevated views across the city and river. Located in the heart of the development is a double height winter garden which can function as a venue, social meeting space, bar and restaurant which will be flooded with light and life. This new building will be built over a two-level basement car park access. The new building will incorporate the façade of No.25 Patricks Quay, into the design in order to maintain a continuity of the historical streetscape along the quayside.
As part of the same development the new “M” hotel will be provided. This will be a new contemporary urban style hotel consisting of 159 boutique bedrooms over a central lobby, bar, meeting, and relaxation space where all the front of house hotel activity happens in the same zone providing a living room for the Cork city experience. The development is in a prime location benefiting from the new Harley Street Pedestrian Bridge which will provide a vital link from the Victorian Quarter to the St. Patrick Street retail city core through the centre of the proposed hotel development. This enables Reddy A+U to generate a new vibrant public realm urban space, primarily activated by this major hotel development which will help deliver a sense of activity and vitality for the city.
The overall project comprises of more than 25500 sq m of hotel and retail development with a double basement car park providing 342 much needed hotel bedrooms and ancillary hotel functions for Cork City. It is an opportunity to restore and renew a much-loved landmark 120-year-old historical Hotel as well as providing a contemporary and unique designer hotel experience for tourism and business guests as well as for the citizens of Cork.
