McCarthy Developments Cork Ltd.
OBR Construction Group + O’Mahony Pike Architects

149 New Homes Under Construction at Jacob’s Island, Cork

Construction is gathering pace at Jacob’s Island in Cork, where McCarthy Developments and OBR Construction Group, in partnership with approved housing body Respond, are progressing a new 149-apartment scheme.
Significant progress has been made on Blocks 7, 8 and 9. As of August 2026, the façade of the first of the three buildings was approaching completion, while Sapphire Balconies had commenced installation of the first of 115 balconies planned for the development.

The scheme will introduce 149 modern one- and two-bedroom apartments, providing new homes within one of Cork’s key waterfront locations. Construction across the three blocks is expected to reach completion between May and November 2027.

The latest phase forms part of the much larger Jacob’s Island master plan, which continues to expand. Planning permission has recently been secured for another 556 homes across four additional blocks, further increasing the scale of the emerging neighbourhood.

Set along the waterfront at Lough Mahon, the location offers convenient connections to Cork’s South Ring Road and wider motorway network. Residents will also have access to nearby retail destinations, employment centres and public transport links, while the waterfront setting adds a distinctive element to the development.

The 149 apartments currently being built represent Phase Two of the Respond Crawford Centre project, which will ultimately comprise 218 homes. The first phase delivered 69 social homes, together with a creche and retail units, while the second phase is focused on the 149 cost-rental apartments scheduled for completion in 2027.

Future proposals for Jacob’s Island include a range of additional commercial and community amenities. These plans feature bars and restaurants, a 165-bed hotel and approximately 20,000m² of office accommodation, helping establish the area as a major mixed-use destination.

Once fully developed, Jacob’s Island could accommodate approximately 5,000 residents. Its combination of waterfront promenades, recreational areas, housing, employment opportunities, retail facilities and strong transport connections is helping create a new and increasingly active Cork neighbourhood.

The transformation of the site began two decades ago, when McCarthy Developments embarked on plans to redevelop 41 acres overlooking Lough Mahon into a major mixed-use community. Today, Jacob’s Island has evolved into an established destination, already providing homes for hundreds of families and supporting a growing range of activity and amenities.

– Paddy Brennan, Features/PDB.Ireland – September/ 2026

.

---

---

SUPPORTED BY: