A historic Counting House complex on South Main Street in Cork is set to be transformed into the city’s new library.
The €35 million plus VAT acquisition by Cork City Council at the former Beamish and Crawford site will replace the current library on Grand Parade, which first opened in 1930, reports Breaking News.
The Counting House complex measures just over 83,600 square feet and is more than three times larger than the existing city library.
The redeveloped site will include 300 study spaces, a shop and café, lecture, exhibition and performance areas, a new entrance and concourse, as well as expanded sections for children, teenagers and young adults, reports Breaking News.
The music library is also set to be enlarged.
The plaza at the front of the complex will be used to host concerts and public performances, reports Breaking News.
The Counting House complex was selected as the preferred location for the new city library following an extensive process involving national and international experts in libraries, architecture and engineering.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy, welcomed the announcement, reports Breaking News.
“The purchase of this historic building marks an exciting new chapter not just for our library service, but for our city.
“Transforming such a landmark into a vibrant public library beautifully honours its past while giving it a meaningful future in the heart of the city centre”, reports Breaking News.
Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said the Counting House complex is centred around a prominent heritage building whose historic character makes it an ideal location for a flagship cultural institution.
She said its redevelopment reflects international best practice, pointing to cities such as Helsinki, Aarhus, London and Montreal where historic industrial and commercial buildings have been successfully transformed into modern libraries and civic attractions, reports Breaking News.
James Browne said the acquisition represents the final part of almost €47 million in Government investment promised under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the Grand Parade Quarter project.
“The Grand Parade Quarter development as a whole is transformative and will combine with other complementary developments in the area to create a vibrant quarter where culture and learning acts as a catalyst for business and tourism”, reports Breaking News.
The purchase was completed with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Government’s Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.
The site was previously owned by JPDC Ltd, which is part of the BAM Contractors Limited group in Ireland, reports Breaking News.
Earlier this year in March, library users and former library employees marched at City Hall, calling on the local authority to commit to building a new purpose-built library for Leeside.
Members of the Cork Library Action Group said a new library had the potential to become one of the most attractive buildings in Cork city, reports Breaking News.
A public consultation and planning process will now take place before redevelopment work begins.
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