Latest news with #AlisonMiles
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
New vision for Cork's Marina Market includes event centre and a 5-star hotel
Cork's hugely successful Marina Market could become a new cultural precinct, with an events centre, a covered street food market, a grand hall that opens out to the river, and a five-star hotel, under ambitious new design proposals. Conceptual images published today, Wednesday, show how award-winning architects have drawn on the site's industrial history, and channelled the pioneering spirit of the Ford Motor Company and its architect Albert Kahn to reimagine a new future for the south docklands site. 'As a 'Factory for Fun', the development will offer a unique cultural mix for Corkonians and visitors alike,' the architects say. The Marina Market team, which has been working for several months with London-based Níall McLaughlin Architects on their vision for the site, stressed that the images are conceptual. They have also been working with AEG, one of the world's leading live entertainment and sports companies, on the proposal. AEG, which owns and operates some of the biggest arenas across Europe, including the O2 in London, the Accor in Paris, and the Barclay's Arena in Hamburg, has been liaising with the architects on the design proposal. The proposed Marina Market project includes the continuation and expansion of the successful street food market, but enhancing its infrastructure, to include a spacious central market hall beneath a large canopy. Marina Market said their design proposals demonstrate their ambition for and potential of the site off Centre Park Rd. However, it is not yet clear if they will be able to engage in the new tendering process for the tens of millions of euro in State aid which is being made available by government to secure the delivery of an events centre in the city. Níall McLaughlin Architects said Marina Market has become a shining example of successful urban regeneration, transforming a former industrial warehouse into a thriving hub of food, culture, and community, and highlighting the demand for vibrant, multifunctional spaces that bring people together. They said: As Cork looks ahead to the next decade, the Marina Market stands as a model for how the south docks can evolve into a dynamic and inclusive urban quarter. Their design shows how the site could be transformed into a vibrant cultural hub that unites a state-of-the-art event centre, the spirit of the successful Marina Market, a contemporary art gallery, and a 100-bed five-star hotel. Young people taking part in The Big Busk for Focus Ireland in Cork's popular Marina Market last month. File picture: Alison Miles The project includes the continuation and expansion of the already successful street food market, but enhancing its infrastructure, to include a spacious central market hall beneath a large, lightweight canopy creating a weather-protected space, with rows of market stalls lining the hall which opens out to the riverside, where a new pontoon could facilitate boat and small ferry access. The Marina Market is adjacent to Kennedy Quay in Cork's south docklands. File picture: Larry Cummins The event centre hall will be designed as a highly flexible, state-of-the-art venue with capacity for 4,000 to 5,000 people, to accommodate live music, theatre, comedy, community events, weddings, and conferences. It will have a tiered upper level with fixed seating for enhanced viewing, with bars and amenities on both levels, and a dedicated VIP bar and meet-and-greet area on the upper floor. When not in use, the area will open out towards the food market area. The architects stress that much more work is required before a planning application could be even considered. Building well underway earlier this month at the office and residential development at Horgan's Quay in Cork City — just across the Lee from Kennedy Quay and the Marina Market. File picture: Larry Cummins It comes ahead of a planned visit to the city's docklands on Friday by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and housing minister James Browne, which will include a visit to two major housing schemes being delivered by the Land Development Agency. Some 302 new cost-rental apartments are being delivered on Horgan's Quay in partnership with HQ Developments, with 337 new homes being delivered at Marina Depot as part of a 1,178-unit development by Glenveagh Properties.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
The park with a stunning bluebell walk that's just 45 minutes drive from Beckenham
If you're looking for a day out in nature, this park with plenty of spring flowers is just 45 minutes away by car from Beckenham. Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent is set to open for Spring on April 1, which will be a time when many spring blooms like daffodils, tulips and magnolias are out in full force. This 16-acre dog-friendly park, which is just a short drive from the historic market town of Tenterden, is a prime place for a walk, with many photo-worthy spots to capture the first signs of spring. Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent is set to open for Spring on April 1. (Image: Alison Miles) The gardens, offering open parkland with views of the Kent countryside, were originally created by Colonel Arthur Barham following the trauma and losses he experienced during the First World War. During the spring the gardens are teeming with spring colour, from pink magnolia and tree blossom to brightly coloured tulipson the lawns and woodland areas with azaleas. One of the key areas to find floral colour is in the Centenary Walled Garden, which was re-designed in 2023 in celebration of 100 years since the gardens first opened to the public. The Centenary Walled Garden was re-designed in 2023 in celebration of 100 years since the gardens first opened to the public. (Image: Alison Miles) You can also spot daffodils and crocuses by the Egg Pond, where you can also see topiaries at the yew topiary walk, making it a great place to snap some shots. Another highly anticipated spring spectacle to see is bluebells, and Hole Park Gardens is home to a stunning bluebell display which attracts thousands of visitors a year, which you can see from mid-April until mid-May, and visitors can find out how the bluebells are doing with a 'bluebell barometer'. Hole Park Gardens is home to a stunning bluebell display which attracts thousands of visitors a year. (Image: Stuart Kirk) Hole Park's Head Gardener Quentin Stark explains: "When people see bluebells in full bloom it can be more than tempting to just step into their midst to take that perfect photo. 'But trampling these delicate plants doesn't just spoil the view for others that year; it actually causes long-term and possibly irreparable damage to the bulbs beneath the ground, due to compacting the soil from persistent footsteps." But aside from bluebells you can also find other late spring flowers like wild primroses and wood anemones. But aside from bluebells you can also find other late spring flowers like wild primroses and wood anemones. (Image: Alison Miles) The park will also mark the bluebell season with a 'Bluebells and Bubbles' evening woodland tour, where guests will have a glass of sparkling wine along with canapés and a talk on this iconic flower led by Edward Barham. The bluebells will then give way for another natural spectacle, where the woodlands will be full of wild garlic. The bluebells will then give way for another natural spectacle, where the woodlands will be full of wild garlic. (Image: Alison Miles) Over by the house and pergola walk, visitors can also find fragrant purple wisteria, which usually flowers around May. Alongside the natural spectacles the garden has to offer, visitors can also see the work being done to the gardens, including a new planting scheme around the Italian-style pond and access to the tropical border walk. After a stroll you can also stop off for a cup of tea at the Coach House Tea Room, open from 11am.
