It’s one of Cork’s last great examples of mid-century industrial design.

Now a group of citizens, architects, graduates and students have joined forces to fight the proposed demolition of the Cork Distiller’s Bottling Plant on the North Mall.

In a petition posted online last night, the group said they are ‘alarmed’ at the potential loss of such unique Cork architecture in light of University College Cork’s plans to tear the building down and replace it with a new development that will form part of the Tyndall National Institute.

“Completed in 1964 by renowned Cork architect Frank Murphy, the Cork Distillers Bottling plant (later Irish Distillers) has a wealth of design and eccentric materiality with visual details which are unique and unusual for a utilitarian building found in Cork City,” explains Conor English, who started the petition.

“Distinguished by glossy bright yellow glazed brick and a neat window arrangement with sculptural cast concrete, it faces the river on a former island distillery which originally bottled Paddy Whiskey and Cork Dry Gin on the North Mall, Cork City until 2007.”

This is a beauty, would love to see this retained, repurposed for local, circular indy product design & making, plus cafe, cultural area, recreation down to River Lee

Design Frank Murphy, originally Cork distillers bottling plant, then Irish distillers to 2007#cork #heritage https://t.co/l78jjSuf7x pic.twitter.com/jE8QNupxCP

— Frank O’Connor (@frank_oconnor) February 4, 2021

While the building is not protected, the group believes Cork’s mid-twentieth century heritage adds to the city’s character and history.

“Of course, buildings must evolve over time. The proposed development is to be a new wing of the Tyndall National Institute. A welcome and important project.” said Mr English.

“In the case of the Bottling plant, it is a factory, an embodiment of adaptation, reuse and constant updating of systems. It would be relatively simple to remove the non-structural internal partitions, create new large extension wings, or replace the roof.”

Supporter Catherine Forde agrees: “I pass the Glass Bottlers building every day on my way to and from work in UCC. This building has many unique and lovely features and should be preserved and renovated as part of Cork’s history. Please protect our historic heritage.” she posted.

To find out more about the petition or add your support, visit change.org.