Cork’s streets are having a moment.

The shortlist for the 2025 Cork Better Building Awards just dropped, and it’s a love letter to the city’s most inspiring spaces — from meticulously restored heritage gems to bold new builds redefining what Cork can be.

Organised by the Cork Business Association with support from Cork City Council, the awards celebrate the people shaping Cork’s built identity — those who restore, rethink, and reimagine the places we live, work, and wander. This year’s nominees include public favourites alongside expert picks, making for a shortlist that feels as eclectic and full of character as Cork itself.

Comedian Tommy Tiernan pictured outside Bakestone, Perry Street.

Judging duties fall to an impressive new panel of design and planning experts, including Mary McCarthy of the Crawford Art Gallery, Clara O’Neill of Total Planning Solutions, and Gwen Jordan, Senior Planner with Cork City Council, who leads the team.

The shortlisted nominees for the Cork Better Building Awards 2024 are:

Best in Heritage, Conservation & Sustainability

Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park
Nadur Deli, Douglas St
The Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain St

Best Retail Frontage

Here’s Health, Oliver Plunkett St
Aunty Nellie’s, Oliver Plunkett St
Planet Beauty, Winthrop St

Best New Development
Moxy Hotel
MTU Learning Resource Centre, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown
Munster Rugby

Best Commercial Development
Axa, South Mall
Irish Examiner and The Echo Office, Oliver Plunkett St
Kuma Bikes, Ship St

Climate Resilience Award
Munster Rugby
Ballyphehane Community Centre
Café 115

Best Café / Restaurant
Mantra Indian Restaurant, Princes St
Bayou, MacCurtain St
Boname, North Main St

Best in Tourism and Arts
Bakestone, Perry St
Cork Public Museum
Potteria, Douglas St

Best Pub Front
Pier Head, Blackrock
Costigans
The Roundy, Castle St

City Living Award
Springville House, Blackrock
Errigal View Social Housing Development, The Glen,
3 Lower Grattan St
Cora Murphy, Douglas St

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in The Metropole Hotel on Friday, November 7th, where a special Judges’ Choice Award will also be revealed.