D'Olier & Westmoreland St.

[StephenC]

Nice..

[Paul Clerkin]

Oh my god. That defies description.

[StephenC]

TGI Fridays and (another) Starbucks set to open within weeks at the former Bewleys cafe on Westmoreland Street http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ire ... 03702.html

DCC Planners at pains to point out how carefully the development will need to address this sensitive and high profile building. They don't give a shite about the rest of the city.

The An Taisce Dublin report/complaint published in 2010 that highlighted the degree of unauthorised development and the plethora of crap facades and shitty signage along this and other street in the heart of the city centre went unanswered and un-acted upon.

[Punchbowl]

So the new owners have said that all important features are to be retained (those that haven't already been damaged/destroyed) and protected behind screen walls - What the hell is the point in having historic interiors if they're gonna be hidden behind modern interventions, and thus, can't be seen. We may as well cover the entire city centre in billboards and say 'well, there are some fine examples of old dublin behind it' - We need to place more importance on what's inside buildings in this city. Facade retention is all well and good, but it only ever tells half the story, and indeed, probably much less if the Dutch Billy thread is anything to go by. It's like buying a book, throwing away the pages and keeping the cover.

[StephenC]

More bright plastic crap

http://www.dublincity.ie/AnitePublicDocs/00367902.pdf

[StephenC]

Following up on yesterday's story about the former Bewleys, its interesting to note all the works being discussed for these protected structures...without a grant of planning permission as yet. Which perhaps explains why a planning enforcement officer is involved. Is this the new way to do it now...bypass the planning system, undertake the works and then "work with" the planning enforcement officer to "resolve any issues".

[StephenC]

More bright plastic crap

http://www.dublincity.ie/AnitePublicDocs/00367902.pdf

The planning application for this signage is WEB1062/12 which was submitted on 19th April. But of course 'planning' is seen as a mere formality here. The works are already in place (apart from the most offending element - the fascia). Big red projecting sign, nice bright and garish interior. Real classy.

Perhaps Patricia Hyde might pop in during her next visit to Bewleys.

Planning Enforcement appears to be with O'Leary in the grave.

[StephenC]

The An Taisce Dublin report/complaint published in 2010 that highlighted the degree of unauthorised development and the plethora of crap facades and shitty signage along this and other street in the heart of the city centre went unanswered and un-acted upon.

http://www.antaisce.ie/Portals/0/submis ... ts2011.pdf

From 2011..sorry.

[StephenC]

A really smashing new website developed by Dublin City Centre BID and gaining plaudits on Twitter

http://dublintown.ie/

There is also a smart flick on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4c7dOJkxdM

It goes to show how effective a sunny day, excellent creative input and slick marketing can be in making the city look like THE place to visit. Well done to all concerned - and I mean that.

However, I still think that Dublin City BID could focus some energy on shitty shopfronts, rampant unauthorised development and City Council disinterest...to make sure that the reality matches the 'morketing' hype. The BID (which is currently up for renewal, has undoubtedly caught the youthful buzz creative side to the city, in a way that rival DCBA hasn't).

[StephenC]

Meanwhile, Fexco keep adding,



The planning permission for their new signage has not yet been granted. The last one mentioned above was invalidated. Comments on the current application till 18th June.

http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/r ... ts%3C/a%3E

[StephenC]

Permission refused http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/r ... ts%3C/a%3E

[StephenC]

Its worth a read of the planners report in relation to this application. This paragraph in particular stands out:

The application site is a commercial unit situated on the ground floor of the 5 storey building
which is adjoining the Bank of Ireland on College Green. Westmoreland Street has a large
number of poor quality shopfronts which have developed over a long number of years. The
site is situated just on the edge of the O’Connell Street Architectural Conservation Area.
Westmoreland Street, which has been in decline for a number of years and quality retail
units are limited, due to the high pedestrian movements along the footpaths and due to a
large number of bus stops which all create a very busy thoroughfare. In Nov 2003 the
Council prepared and issued the ‘Shop Front Design Guidelines – The O’Connell Street
Area’.

And? Didnt do much else. Otherwise how does one explain the offences to the senses that line this once grand street.

[StephenC]

The Carrolls front isnt too bad...its just plastered with tat. There seems to be no desire to present a business. Its wierd because they are generally quite clued up guys.



This one used to look so much better. In fact it is put up by the City Council as one of the limited number of successes it notched up when the Shopfront Guidelines were introduced and a campaign put in place to enforce them.