Re: Re: O’ Connell Street, Dublin
O’Connell Street has fared better than expected through the recession given it recent history. Apart from the obvious Chartered Land site, vacancy is low on the street and standards have remained relatively high. It’s worth noting a few changes on the street recently and some planning permissions.
The terrace of four Georgian houses on Bachelors Walk for an iconic view onto the street but you would never think of it given their poor condition and hotchpotch of gaudy colours.
Permission has just been granted by Dublin City Council for a restoration of the original granite shopfront to No 32 (which was last known as Candy) and it will be very interesting to see such an ambitious proposal executed. I wonder at it…to be honest it seems worthy but wrong and I am not sure it will make for the attractive modern shop or restaurant that this site needs.
Next door, permission was sought to restore the upper floors of 33-34 Bachelors Walk wrapping around to 56 Lower O’Connell Street. This proposal includes the very welcome removal of all the shit signage, girders and utilities etc that has accumulated on this front for much of the past 100 years. A cafe at ground floor (already in place) and continued use in upper floors. Trouble is they want to then stick a 10x5m corner LED advertisement onto the front to replace the Nokia sign etc.
A split decision has been given by the PA with permission for the restoration works but refusal for the new advertising. It’s quite bizarre that they even thought it would be acceptable. It looked awful! What are people thinking in this city.
So with no advertisement revenue to be had I imagine the applicant will shy away from
refurbishing the upper floors. The trouble is that there is enforcement action against the Nokia signs and they are likely to have to do something.
Opposite 56 is the former Irish Nationwide head office which has been vacant for a couple of years. There is now a (quite smart) currency exchange shop in place. Can I just ask…who uses these anymore?
Supermacs is still an disaster begging for an interested planning enforcement officer. They just can’t stop adding. The Westmoreland Street one is even worse and now Supermacs have opened in Temple Bar.
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Next we come to Chartered Land site. Getting grubbier by the day (as I mentioned elsewhere re Moore Street). Littered with site notices, nobody is cleaning windows…all the upper floors are empty. Today a new Chinese restaurant was installing brash signage to the front of the former Fingal offices…10 Thousands Restaurant. I rushed for the laptop thinking this must be unauthorised. But no, it got permission earlier this year. A temporary 3-year permission. I suppose little else is going to happen to this site for a while yet.
