Re: Re: well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

€40m project tops off Henry Street

HENRY Street could well be dubbed ‘Millionaire’s Row’ within the next two years, as it has been confirmed that Robert Butler’s €40 million redevelopment of the GPO Hanging Gardens will be finalised in June 2009.
A few doors down from Mr Butler’s property are the multi-million euro offices of property tycoon Aidan Brooks at No 15 Henry Street, and Michael Daly’s towering glass structure at the corner of Henry Street and Bedford Row is nearly complete.

Mr Butler told the Limerick Leader that the new multi-storey, mixed use development will possibly include a restaurant, as stated under the original planning application. However, due to the demand for office space on Henry Street it is likely this space will be used for more offices.

“When you mix in the old and the new it’s going to be absolutely fabulous. When it all comes together it will be one of the nicest developments we’ve ever had, and we’ve had a lot of developments,” said Mr Butler.

Work seems to have finally begun on this project and just as it has, an application has been lodged to omit the bar/nightclub element from the red brick mercantile building and instead include more office space. In the original application, it was proposed to convert the former hanging gardens building into bar and restaurant use and I presume this is still the intention! It would certainly give the development a lot more balance and help breathe a bit more life into a tired section of Henry Street, I think it would be a missed opportunity if the GPO complex was redeveloped solely for office accomodation.

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modifications to the permitted development (which lies within the curtilage of protected structures: R.P.S 306-GPO) and is currently under construction on foot of planning ref: P.06/330. Modifications will consist of a change of the permitted Mezzanaine Level bar/nightclub use to that of office use use with associated ancillary access and service infrastructure
GPO/Hanging Gardens Site Henry Street Limerick

Looking at the bigger picture, there should be interesting times ahead for this area with the former smyths site due to come on the market along with the bord na gcon offices and ultimately the relocation of the divisional garda headquarters will also present a significant redevelopment opportunity.