Angela Murphy, voluntary Board member of Tuath . Pic Larry Cummins. Minister McGrath officially opens innovative office-to-residential conversion project in Cork City Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, marked a significant milestone today by officially opening the groundbreaking office-to-residential conversion project, Springville House, on the Old Blackrock Road in Cork City. The development, a partnership between Cork City Council and Tuath Housing, has resulted in the transformation of a derelict office block into 35 new A-rated homes. The 17,600 sq. ft development, originally constructed in the 1960s, once served as the former headquarters of Pettit Consulting Engineers before being acquired by Mott McDonald in 2006. In 2019 Cork City Council sanctioned an amended Part 8 plan to adapt and extend the former Springville House in Blackrock, and then change its use to facilitate the development of 31 apartments within the fabric of the existing office building and constructed 4 new build bungalows. MMD Construction, the main contractors of this development, played a pivotal role in its successful regeneration. The success of Springville House is attributed to its clear purpose and the identification of end-users from the outset. Designed to cater to older residents, Springville House offers privacy, security, and a high BER rating, aligning with the "rightsizing" initiative administered by Cork City Council. This initiative allows residents aged sixty and over to move to more suitable homes, freeing up existing properties for younger families and also supports the Government’s decarbonisation strategy.. The development stands as a prime example of successful collaboration between Cork City Council and Tuath and represents a pioneering response to Ireland's housing challenges by delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes. The project was funded via a loan from the Housing Finance Agency and Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding from the Depart