Smithfield

Originally posted by StephenC
It still leaves the question though of what to do with this fine space!

Maybe shift all the Moore St traders to the Smithfield plaza? Moore St is to be totally gutted and redeveloped soon anyway.

Overall though The HARP project has really transformed this whole area of the city for the better. Jesus, this area, North King Street, etc.. was one big unforgivable eyesore.

Anyone have any pictures for the out of Dubliners?

Originally posted by JL
Anyone have any pictures for the out of Dubliners?

I’m an out-of-Dubliner but I managed to root out a few photos from the web:

Ugly

View from Smithfield

View from Smithfield

View from Smithfield

View from Smithfield

View from Smithfield

Ugly

I’ll post more if I find any.

Morlan; Is that one third from the bottom with the title ‘Ugly’ real or is it a photomontage?

Thanks

Phil

thats a photomontage of this

http://www.irish-architecture.com/buildings_ireland/dublin/northcity/north_king_street/northkingstreet_communiitycentre.html

It does exist – I don’t think it’s too bad perhaps compared with the crap across the road from it

I think I have actually seen it now that I look at a real photo of it. I don’t think it is too bad either.

Thanks

Phil

thanks for all the photos – I thought you meant that the development opposite the distillery had been completed (which would be quite fast) and that’s why I was asking about photos

I agree that the first picture you marked ‘ugly’ is a remarkably low-grade bit of work for such a prominent site. the Derek Tynan building on N King St is pretty good though (once you get over the initial shock of the stark exterior and the dodgy brickwork) – the inside has to be seen before judging

Those are a good collection of images Mr Morlan,

They really display the potential that the North West Inner City presents to the City to absorb growth.

I am really impressed with how the West side of the Plaza is shaping up, the design of the tower is excellent in that it doesn’t really effect any vantage point with the exception of St Catherines on Thomas St, and that vista would be affected by a pretty low building anyway.

I am looking forward to the scaffolding coming down and the tower making its positive contribution to the City’s skyline.
I just wish it was a little bit further up towards North King St so as to block out more of the view of Park House

Thanks for posting the pictures.

That chimney/observation tower…how tall is it? Anyone been up there?

No bother about the pics.. might go down there some day and take a few of my own to post here.

Originally posted by Irishtown
Thanks for posting the pictures.

That chimney/observation tower…how tall is it? Anyone been up there?

I’m guessing that it’s not more that 10 floors tall? That’s just from looking at the pic.

Chimney height…

March 19 2000: Tall tales boost the height of Dublin tower
http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2000/000106.htm

March 16 2000: Dramatic observations
http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2000/000100.htm

How does one go up the tower? Do you have to pay? :confused:

this is one of mine and shows the lift tracks to the top… two external lifts… think its around 8 euro for the very short ride…

Since the Sunday Times article has gone into its paid archive, can anyone remember what the actual height of the chimney is? I assume the 220 feet is an AOD height to the top of the lift shaft from the planning application, or just plain wrong.

The online versions of the relevant planning applications (1799/95 and 2616/97) are not very helpful.

Originally posted by Morlan
How does one go up the tower? Do you have to pay? :confused:

I was up it about a year and a half ago. there is a great view from it, but it is not too much better than the view from the Sky Bar (or what ever the bar in the Guinness Storehouse is called) which is free as far as I remember. I cannot recall how much the Jameson Tower was, but I do remember thinking how easy it would have been not to pay for it at all!!;)

@StephenC wrote:

I agree, and no sign of the pace of redevelopment slackening.

Terry Devey has just submitted plans to demolish the pent house of Chief O’Neills on Smithfiled and replace it with three more floors of hotel rooms. Does anyone know any more or have any images, I like the idea of the parapet height in Smithfield becoming a little more even.

I also remember hearing once that Irish Distillers had plans to build in their front car park, is there a hidden gem there to look forward to?

smithfield is on my way home, i’ll grab a few photos of the nearly completed eastern consturction block if anyone’s interested.

the tower is 15quid to go up afaik. it’s free if you stay in chief o’neills hotel.

If you could do that it would be great. 😀

a view from stoneybatter of the chimney and the highest part of the new development

the west side of the development

view from north king street

the north elevation facing north king street

taken from inside the distillery complex

an overview of the building works

the main buildings fronting the square.

the north end, massing and context.

zoomed onto single building

the mcgarry nieanaigh pavilion at the south end with controls and servicing for the braziers.

i’ve shrunk all those to fit on the site, if anyone wants the full size versions, pm me an e-mail address and i’ll send em on to ya.

i’ll be taking more as the construction nears completion.

Wow, thanks a million for that, I especially like the way the Gas towers act as a foil to the buildings. Nice cladding as well. I like the way it drops down to the north and doesn’t tower over the existing buildings.

Yeah, they are great pics. Does anyone know what the plans are for the north end of the square though? Also there seems to be masses of apartment accomodation, what else is planned to balance it all out?

Agreed – great pics sw. I passed through here a couple of days ago for the first time since the foundations for the apartments went down – what a transformation! The fact that the height of the buildings seems phenomenal despite them only being 7ish storeys really serves to demonstrate the nature of so much development in the city.
It is refreshing to see such densities being achieved here – a good example of high density not equalling high-rise.
Still a bit early to appreciate the architecture though with scaffolding etc.

One thing that’s notable now is the bases of the gas burner columns – while their industrial looked great initally being new and sited in the context of a windwept plaza, now they’re stranded in a much more human, civilised space. Unfortunately they now look too crude, and tatty too…

they’re not as finely styled as they might have been. the overall effect still works though.

not sure i’d like to live in an apartment whose main view is of a couple of the giant white sails used to diffuse the lighting.

Was thinking this walking by! Al least the floodlights aren’t blasting in the windows 🙂

mcgarry nieanaigh do tend towards very heavy industrial detailing. illustrated by their massive supports for the bridge proposed at the coal quay in cork. it looks like HH’s millenium bridge with enormous arches comprising the structure.

@TLM wrote:

Yeah, they are great pics. Does anyone know what the plans are for the north end of the square though? Also there seems to be masses of apartment accomodation, what else is planned to balance it all out?

not fully sure, but it’s a disgrace as it is now.

more favourable lighting…the overall development

by night…

focussed on the most complete building.

mental note: don’t ever wander around smithfield after dark with a camera. “eer meestur, gedduz wit yer caam-ra, wha?”. small legion of natives following me around until i convinced them i worked for the herald, and did they want their mammies to see them on the property pages, smoking in the park in the middle of the night.

Some more great pics there, the area really looks good in them! I hope they now sort out those parts that should be cobbles but have had tarmac poured all over them (or has this been done?) and do something with the northern end..

I remember going into the selling office for the scheme (they were too expensive) and were told that there would be a lot of commercial development. Apart from the obvious pubs, restaurants, some regular shops, and the ubiquitous Spars and Centras, she also said there was going to be a large gym and a cinema. Not really sure what much more they could put in.