Long overdue facelift for Cork street under major refurb and expansion plans

Proposals for new shops, restaurants and apartments would transform a city centre street that has long been in need of some TLC.

With derelict buildings, empty shop fronts and neglected properties lining the road, Castle Street has long been overdue some attention. Now, a large portion of the street is earmarked for a total transformation, with plans to boost both retail and residential.

Holren Properties has proposed a major project that would bring the underused historic block from 10-13 Castle Street back to life. They have applied for works on the two/three storey buildings and plans to make the ground floor former jewellers into a betting shop.

Under the same plans, number 7 South Main Street – another former retail unit sitting empty for years – would also be made into apartments.

Read Next: Historic city centre townhouse could become swish new riverfront apartments

Read Next: Renowned East Cork restaurant to close after 16 years of business

They have also proposed the demolition of walls between the units on Castle Street. The first and second floors of the buildings are to be changed from storage to residential use comprising 6 one-bedroom apartments, one studio apartment and 3 apartments with mezzanine.

On the same street, the popular Sonflour restaurant is planning to expand into the next-door former Gold Reserve shop. They have applied to demolish some internal walls and the existing shop front in a project that will nearly double the size of the restaurant.

The two projects will be a huge investment into the neglected streetscape, and hopefully breathe some new life back onto what is a very historic street. Above the shops on Castle Street is the historic former Catholic Young Men’s Society hall, dating back to the 1870s. Also on Castle Street is the historic ‘Drummy’s’ property and three more former townhouses, built in the 1830s.