Developer of iconic Cork city department store refit seeks change in plans granted by Council

Permission to amend the planning application granted for a landmark retail building on Cork city's Patrick Street has been submitted to the city council with the developer seeking to increase the floor area of the largest retail unit. Tricondale Limited is seeking a change of plans for the former Debenhams/Roches Stores building on the city's main thoroughfare. In December last year the company was given the go-ahead by the city council to divide the former department store on 12-17 Patrick's Street into four separate retail units, each with its own entrance — two on St Patrick's Street and two on the adjoining Maylor Street. It is now seeking permission for changes to the floorplan in Block A that would result in a reduction in the number of retail units from four to three. Retail Unit 4 is to be entirely amalgamated into the Retail Unit 2, resulting in an increase in overall area from c. 4,586 sqm to c. 4,862 sqm. Read more Cork city housing estate waiting a decade for council to take it in charge The proposed development would also see changes to the other unit's floor areas with Retail Unit 1 decreasing from c. 476 sqm to c. 358 sqm while Retail Unit 3 would increase from c. 415 sqm to c. 459 sqm. The original floor plan submitted with last year's planning application. The developer is also seeking permission to replace the existing Debenhams signage on Maylor Street with updated branding. A decision on the application is due from Cork City Council on December 22. The application is currently being validated by the council's planners. The early 20th century 'Beaux-Arts' style department store building has been idle since April 2020 and is often cited as one of the largest unused buildings in the city. It has attracted significant vandalism to its windows and façade, as well as the main entrance on St Patrick's Street being used as a shelter for rough sleepers. A hotel with up to 180 bedrooms is planned for the building's Block B. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.