20 October 2026
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Damian Boylan visited Horgan’s Quay to mark the opening of the Land Development Agency’s (LDA) first Cost Rental applications in Cork.
They were joined by representatives from the Land Development Agency, Cork City Council, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), and HQ Developments Residential Company Ltd, which is a joint venture between Clarendon Properties (Holdings) Unlimited Company and BAM Contractors Limited.
The development includes 302 homes, comprising 108 one-bedroom and 194 two-bedroom apartments, as well as a creche, shops, offices and the refurbishment of the historic Station Master’s House.
The first 192 homes at Horgan’s Quay will be made available as Cost Rental. 70 of these apartments will be initially prioritised for applicants whose place of work is within 5km of Horgan’s Quay. The application process will open Tuesday 27 October at 12pm, and eligible applicants can apply through the LDA website. Full details on eligibility criteria for Cost Rental housing may be found here.
Monthly rents for homes start at €1,395 for a one-bedroom and €1,520 for a two-bedroom apartment. The remaining apartments will be made available later this year.
Cost Rental is a relatively new tenure, which provides a secure, long term rental option with rents at least 25% below market rates. It is designed to assist those who do not quality for other state supports, but who are struggling to afford to rent at private market rentals.
A recent survey of the LDA’s Cost Rental tenants found high satisfaction rates, with the vast majority of respondents (94%) saying that they would be “very likely” (69%) or “likely” (25%) to recommend a cost rental home in their development to a friend.
The apartments at Horgan’s Quay are being delivered as part of the LDA’s Project Tosaigh Housebuilder Partnerships initiative, whereby the LDA partners with Housebuilders to forward purchase homes and to accelerate the delivery of homes in high-demand urban areas, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford, while supporting sustainable, well-designed communities.
Construction of the residential /commercial block began in 2024 and, when complete, will comprise of 302 apartments, five commercial units, a crèche and two offices including the refurbished historic Station Master’s House which will be let by Lisneys, agents for CIE.
The site is located on the River Lee beside Kent station and within easy walking distance to Patrick Street, Mac Curtain Street and the Quays. The overall development at Horgan’s Quay includes the apartments, a hotel, leisure facilities, shops, restaurants, office blocks, a crèche and public open space.
Heritage buildings such as the Goods Shed, the Carriage Shed and the Station Master’s Building will be restored and adapted to house offices, retail and hospitality units, blending the modernity of a 21st century Cork city, while respecting and honouring its industrial and social history.
The development is part of the Cork Docklands regeneration project, which will transform the riverside location. Upon completion, the Docklands project will deliver new homes for approximately 22,500 residents as well as a range of amenities, leisure facilities and office space.
