By Irishexaminer.com,Sarah Horgan

Copyright irishexaminer

It will be the largest single investment of its kind in the Shandon area in a generation.

Funding will see the historic Butter Market and Weighmaster’s House reimagined as Shandon Exchange — a community and enterprise hub and one of the flagship projects outlined in the Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy.

The project will see the complex refurbished and transformed into a publicly accessible and creative space while maintaining its historic and cultural integrity.

It is hoped that Shandon Exchange will deliver positive outcomes for Cork City and the Southwest region including the creation of new jobs, cultural spaces, among other possibilities.

The hub will also accommodate workspaces and community facilities.

Cork City Council CEO Valerie O’Sullivan spoke positively about the project.

“Cork City Council is proud to lead the transformation of the historic Shandon Butter Market Complex.

This project demonstrates how heritage buildings can be reimagined as places of innovation and enterprise while remaining rooted in the local community.

“By combining enterprise, education, and community use, the Shandon Exchange will act as a catalyst for sustainable growth, talent attraction, and job creation on Cork’s northside, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the walls of this iconic site and that the Shandon area can reach its potential in the city.

“Reaching this significant milestone is a great credit to the City Council team, the people of Shandon, and the Southern Regional Assembly who have worked together to deliver this.”

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy shared his sentiment adding: “The redevelopment of the Butter Market is an important milestone for Cork, demonstrating what we can achieve when local authorities, communities, and enterprise partners collaborate with a shared purpose.

“Once central to Cork’s trading life, the Butter Market will once again become a place of exchange — reflecting Cork’s spirit of resilience, creativity, and ambition.”

Owned by Cork City Council, the complex will be operated by Recreate Shandon CLG, which will manage the facilities and deliver programming for Shandon Exchange.

Construction on the complex is expected to commence next August, with the project scheduled for completion by February 2028.