A proposed new UCC student accommodation building (the 255-bed development at Victoria Cross) is set to rise to eight and up 10 storeys, across four linked blocks, on the former western suburban site of the Crow’s Nest bar.

The project has been allowed to be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála, after the board ruled it qualified for rapid planning consideration under new Strategic Housing Development (SHD) terms. SHD regulations were introduced in June 2017 as part of the Rebuilding Ireland Government initiative, and projects of 100-plus houses, or 200-plus student apartments are eligible, with a ruling timeline for the board to consider all aspects, including objections, set at 25 weeks.

Project Team leaders, McCullough Mulvin Architects, and the university says “the proposed building will rejuvenate this important site, which has been derelict in recent years”. The college has made close-to-campus student accommodation a priority in its Strategic Plan 2017-2020 and adds “this proposal seeks to address some of this demand in a high quality, purpose-built facility”. It will be managed by the UCC’s student accommodation subsidiary. Proposed are 255 student bed-spaces, ancillary student facilities, a health and wellness centre, a public café onto Victoria Cross as well as bicycle spaces, ancillary site and landscaping works.

BMP are delighted to be working on this his high profile project and building on our Student Accommodation experience from the 400 bedroom facility for GSA in Mill Street, Dublin 8