Lee Point Student Accommodation, Brewery Quarter, Cork
This 420 Bedroom Student Accommodation development is part of a comprehensive mixed-use urban regeneration project, including a new events centre, on the former Beamish and Crawford Brewery site in the historic medieval core of Cork city. The site is between South Main Street and a turn in the south channel of the River Lee. A new pedestrian bridge and street, Lamley's Lane, will form a new east-west route linking the University to the city centre.
Architecture
Student Accommodation is provided in 4 linear blocks, in dual and triple aspect clusters of between 4 and 8 en-suite bedroom units, with generous shared kitchen, living and dining areas. The blocks are kinked in plan to respond to the bend in the river and a turn in the historic city wall at this location on the site, which makes for more interesting courtyard spaces and improves the aspect and views from the student rooms. Glazed link bridges join the blocks at the upper levels maximising the cluster to core ratio and providing pleasant circulation space.
A centrally located group study room or social hub on each floor offers an alternative to solitary bedroom-based study. There is a Student Common Room at courtyard level, in the centre of the plan, along with laundry facilities, a café, reception and administration space and a 24 hour concierge office.
Apartments will be booked, managed and maintained by an operator offering an inclusive fee covering accommodation, broadband, tv, insurance, utility bills, maintenance and weekly cleaning and waste management. Secure covered bicycle storage is provided at courtyard level adjacent to each entrance. Short term summer lettings to language students are planned to ensure year round occupancy. There is a retail unit on South Main Street and a west-facing riverside restaurant beside the new bridge.
