The Ursuline convent lands are located in Blackrock, Cork and are characterised by the prominent 18th century convent building, its landscaped gardens, and the vista over Blackrock Harbour.
The project involves the sensitive conversion of the convent, a protected structure, into residential use, and the masterplanning of the site into a new neighbourhood. The masterplan is structured by the existing landscape features – the formal gardens to the south of the protected structure, lined by mature lime trees, becomes the central green area, giving the community a sense of place, and respecting the antiquity of the site. A tree lined avenue links this space to the surrounding network of streets and squares, and the parkland to the north of the convent becomes a public amenity, linking the scheme with Blackrock village and the waterfront. The masterplan accommodates a cycle and pedestrian linkage to the greenway that runs along the western site edge, along the line of the former Passage to Cork railway line, improving connectivity and permeability in the wider area.
The masterplan accommodates c. 600 units, in a variety of building types, including apartments, duplexes and family houses. The project has been implemented in phases, and is now nearing completion.