well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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Hey there – read an interesting article in the Business supplement of the Sunday Times y’day. It was about the retail environment here at the mo and going forward. Was saying how the likes of Arcadia (Topshop etc) may be looking at their Irish strategy, and there was a rumour they were pulling out of the new Scoth Hall shopping centre in Drogheda. Anyways, it said that there’s too many shops here at the mo and more planned which is dodge. Said that Limerick has too many shops / shopping centres in the pipeline etc….. Just wondering what the feeling is out there? I would presume that the developers wouldn’t let that happen….but I’m not familiar with how they do business. The plans for the Opera Centre look great, and would be a great edition to the city. But if the economy keeps going the way it is – retail sales decreasing month on month, and footfall decreasing also, then perhaps alot of the proposed centres will not go ahead / bigger names won’t occupy the centres etc….
That presumes that developers have a strategy other than making money and beating their competitors. There will always tend to be an over-supply of commercial floorspace to allow for some ‘slack’; in a downturn, there will be a certain amount of ‘rationalisation’ (i.e. closure), but the main driver is fashion: what’s hot? what’s not?. So, even if there is a theoretical over-supply in Limerick, this would not prevent the Opera Centre going ahead. The big factor at the moment would be: will the banks finance it?
@justnotbothered wrote:
My God, that area simply can’t manage the traffic as it is. To put 200 apartments there is utter folly.
Actually, I found some of the comments about traffic to be missing the point, these apartments will be within walking distance of the city centre and a considerable proportion of the existing traffic through that area is rat run not local residents so I don’t see why we should be designing to facilitate that. I also note that at least some of the local cllrs are suggesting that the bus lanes go down that way.
It seems Regeneration Developments have been wooing the city councillors with a presentation of their plans for the opera centre!:rolleyes:
New plans for Opera Centre unveiled (Limerick Indepependent)
The main players behind the proposed Opera Centre presented new and improved plans to members of Limerick City Council this Monday in a bid to reactions and support for the project that aims to be the “crowning glory” in the regeneration of the city centre.
The main players behind the proposed Opera Centre presented new and improved plans to members of Limerick City Council this Monday in a bid to reactions and support for the project that aims to be the “crowning glory” in the regeneration of the city centre.
Some of the features of the massive 40,000 square foot will include three anchor stores, over 40 retail units, a rooftop garden and creche, a 220 seat food court and underground parking for 500 cars.David Courtney of Regeneration Developments Ltd explained that controversial plans to incorporate the Granary, Bank Place and other parts of Ellen Street into the latest plans is for the good of the project.
“I’m sure that we’re all familiar with the current trend to locate supermarkets and large shopping centres out at the city limits. This has damaged the city centre and undermined other facilities there such as pubs and restaurants. The application we lodged five weeks ago are for a major commercial attraction that will draw a lot of people in. The sooner we can provide space for our many retailers there, the better.”
He acknowledged that all major developments have negative aspects but insisted that the company has assembled an exceptional team to ensure that “the significant benefits for the city will outweigh any negatives”.
The team will include top consultants and conservation architects; former Limerick City Architect, Jim Barrett; Nicholas De Jong and Associates and the firm behind the design of the Dundrum Shopping Centre—Ferguson, Wheeler, Douglas and Wallace (FWDW).
FWDW Director, Paul Ferguson, presented the plans to the Economic Policy Development and Future Planning Strategic Policy Committee outlining how it would be “the crowning glory of the Limerick City Centre regeneration” and “an exciting combination of elegance through the retained Georgian facades and cutting edge contemporary design”.
He added that the centre’s design will represent “a total contrast between new and old”.
The road on Ellen Street will be widened and all around the centre paving and other street elements will tie in with the rest of the city’s pedestrianised areas such as Bedford Row.
Cllr Kathleen Leddin led the positive reactions of her colleagues, congratulating the architects on plans to maintain some of the history and heritage of the area and for adjusting some aspects of the original plans such as the unusual sail style design on the main entrance..
Mayor Ger Fahy said that the flagship development would bring an exciting opportunity to the city and would cement Limerick’s reputatiuon as a “modern and vibrant European city”.
Cllr Kevin Kiely asked Mr Courtney if the company had negotiated with all the relevant stakeholders, particularly those in the Granary, which was recently added to the plans.
He responded that there are currently occupying tenants but it would “be premature to enter into negotiations until the current application is processed. It is our intention to meet with them”.
Limerick’s €350m Opera Centre revised plans: “bigger and better” (Limerick Leader)
“BIGGER and better” is how Dublin developer David Courtney described the revised application for the €350m Opera Centre, currently before City Hall.
Mr Courtney, 47, of the property company Spain Courtney Doyle and a director of Superquinn, is one of the six Irish businessmen who bought the mulitmillion euro company, Regeneration Developments, from four British investors last year.
“We’re very excited about this project. We think it’s great for Limerick to have a development of this magnitude. It reflects on the quality of the design that we can have interest from tenants in the current market, which is very difficult for developers,” he told the Limerick Leader following a presentation of the plans to city councillors this Monday.
When questioned if the British chain, Marks & Spencers, will be acquiring an outlet as already mooted by the chain themselves, Mr Courtney replied: “There’s good interest for many anchors, but it’s early days.
“We believe the current application will work to attract the anchors Limerick city needs and to rejuvenate the shopping experience. The previous scheme didn’t fit their requirements in terms of the space allocated. The first (application) did very well to get from where it was. This is the next incarnation of it,” he said.
Mr Courtney also confirmed that buildings on Ellen Street will have to be knocked to make way for the Mid-West’s biggest retail development.
An Bord Pleanala had previously ruled that these buildings should be repaired and preserved. However, Mr Courtney and Jim Barrett, a former Dublin city and Limerick city architect, said at the meeting that the buildings should have to be demolished.Local architect Cait Ni Cheallachain is one of a number of objectors to the most recent application, and specifically outlines the future of these buildings in her objection to the planning department.
“This demolition to change the Georgian building line is not acceptable. The buildings were deemed to be important before, and they still are,” said Ms Ni Cheallachain.
When built in 2011 – pending planning permission for Limerick City Council and possibly An Bord Pleanala – the 40,000 square foot retail centre will include a 200-seat food court, 500 car parking spaces, 40 retail units and three anchor units over three levels, as well as a rooftop garden. A piazza or cafe area on Bank Place looking over the river is also part of the new designs.
A decision on the proposed development is due on July 13.
However Mr Courtney said he expected that the plans for the Opera Centre will again go before An Bord Pleanala.
Interesting to note how easily seduced Cllr Leddin was!:rolleyes: It has been reported elsewhere that one of the main reasons why the developers want to widen Ellen Street is to accomodate a service area. If Limerick City Council sanction the demolition of the Ellen Street buildings to facilitate this service area I think It’ll be the final nail in the coffin of proper planning in Limerick. The developers insistence that these buildings “have to be demolished” is absolutely laughable. The only reason they’re spouting this nonsense is to suit their own agenda, they couldnt be arsed repairing these buildings and instead want to inflict this substandard design on us to squeeze in a couple of extra square metres of retail space.
Even if LCC give this the go-ahead in its current form (which is extremely likely), its almost certain that it’ll go forward to An Bord Pleanala. This would add another year to the saga, something which is totally avoidable. I really cant understand Regeneration Developments logic here, their whole attitude smacks of sheer ignorance and arrogance. If only they would adhere to ABPs original stipulation a line could be drawn under this sorry saga.
@Tuborg wrote:
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Interesting to note how easily seduced Cllr Leddin was!:rolleyes: It has been reported elsewhere that one of the main reasons why the developers want to widen Ellen Street is to accomodate a service area. If Limerick City Council sanction the demolition of the Ellen Street buildings to facilitate this service area I think It’ll be the final nail in the coffin of proper planning in Limerick. The developers insistence that these buildings “have to be demolished” is absolutely laughable. The only reason they’re spouting this nonsense is to suit their own agenda, they couldnt be arsed repairing these buildings and instead want to inflict this substandard design on us to squeeze in a couple of extra square metres of retail space.Even if LCC give this the go-ahead in its current form (which is extremely likely), its almost certain that it’ll go forward to An Bord Pleanala. This would add another year to the saga, something which is totally avoidable. I really cant understand Regeneration Developments logic here, their whole attitude smacks of sheer ignorance and arrogance. If only they would adhere to ABPs original stipulation a line could be drawn under this sorry saga.
Considering Cllr. Leddin is one of the ones who’s against the development at Westfields, Cleeve’s Bank, the Boat club, the complete removal of Arthur’s quay park, the Hilton, the building in the People’s Park, and the continuing mixed messages over the Regeneration of the estates, and has spoken out on the need to maintain working docklands in the city you could have picked a better target for your ire. if anything, she is too protective of the old city.
You haven’t seen the plans, nor do you know what’s being saved or removed, your post is ignorant at best.
I have seen some them, and no, they’re nothing to write home about, but neither is Ellen street in it’s current state, even if it was fully restored, there’s every chance it would retain it’s dreary run down demeanour as it was never well built in the first instance.
Have you seen what they are proposing Tuborg, or are you basing everything you know on newspaper reports?
@justnotbothered wrote:
Considering Cllr. Leddin is one of the ones who’s against the development at Westfields, Cleeve’s Bank, the Boat club, the complete removal of Arthur’s quay park, the Hilton, the building in the People’s Park, and the continuing mixed messages over the Regeneration of the estates, and has spoken out on the need to maintain working docklands in the city you could have picked a better target for your ire. if anything, she is too protective of the old city.
You haven’t seen the plans, nor do you know what’s being saved or removed, your post is ignorant at best.
I have seen some them, and no, they’re nothing to write home about, but neither is Ellen street in it’s current state, even if it was fully restored, there’s every chance it would retain it’s dreary run down demeanour as it was never well built in the first instance.
Have you seen what they are proposing Tuborg, or are you basing everything you know on newspaper reports?
The fact that Kathleen Leddin is one of our most impressive Councillors is the very reason why I would have expected a bit more of her in this instance. I think it was slightly premature for her (and her colleagues) to be showering the developers with praise at this early stage in the planning process.
Actually justnotbothered, I have seen the plans and no im not relying on newspapers for information. I made it my business to go to City Hall and make up my own mind on the proposal instead of listening to developers constantly talking the project up. In fairness from what I’ve seen theres no doubt that the current proposal is far superior to what was initially planned but that dosent mean we have to accept it just because the developers were kind enough to re-draw their plans.
The proposal still has flaws and fair enough no new project is going to be 100% acceptable to everyone but parts of this project could still be improved. Im in favour of this development because I think its imperative for the continued viability of the city centre, I just dont want to see more historical streetscape needlessly demolished.
On Patrick Street the application involves a lot of facade retention as opposed to full conservation. This is not an ideal situation but its better than losing the buildings from the streetscape altogether. The gripe I have is why cant the builings on Ellen Street receive the same treatment? I dont agree with your stance in relation to Ellen Street at all. I believe if the buildings here (or their facades more likely) were rehabilitated and restored to something approaching their former glory, I think they would add significantly to the visual quality of the street and the opera centre as a whole. Although if you think a non descript plastic lump is preferable then thats your opinion.
Update on unstable building, 8 Cecil Street
Judge orders that dangerous building be made safe
JUDGE Tom O’Donnell has given the owner of a potentially dangerous and dilapidated Georgian building at 8 Cecil Street a month to make the building safe.
The court order was issued after the District Court Judge said that works weren’t progressing on the site, despite a notice from Limerick City Council in April and a number of previous court appearances .
Judge O’Donnell commented “this building is unsafe, dangerous and could fall and I’m not the slightest bit convinced of your client’s urgencyâ€.
“The front of the building is on one of Limerick’s busiest thoroughfares. The back is in an appalling condition and I have huge concerns regarding the people of Limerick walking around. With a bad storm it could cause damage. The owner knew that this building has been deteriorating for some time and was in a deplorable condition. This didn’t happen overnight. Nothing has been done on this building for the past 12 months and this building has been in this condition for over a year,†he added.
Representing Limerick City Council, solicitor Gerard Reidy, questioned Victor Lopez, a structural engineer who had surveyed the building on behalf of the Local Authority.
Mr Lopez said that a demolition contractor from Newcastle West has now been appointed by owner John Hogan to carry out works at the Cecil Street building and that the work would take 3/4 weeks from the time he was on site. However, he had no idea when the works would begin.
Mr Lopez said: “Nothing has been done on the site. And I feel that it is quite urgent that a contractor is brought on site and takes some action as soon as possibleâ€.
Also stressing the urgency required, Mr Reidy pointed out that the building has “no back facade, the front is free standing and there is a lot of debris weighing the building downâ€.
At an earlier court sitting, Mr Lopez had told the court that the front facade of the building at number eight Cecil Street “is self standingâ€.“The front of the building doesn’t look that bad but it is not properly connected with the rest of the building. In the rear of the property, the back wall has collapsed and a lot of debris is on some of the floors.
“It is in danger of collapse, although this is not really seen from the front. The roof is sagging as well and it’s a dangerous structure and a serious concern. Essentially, we need to create a structured steel frame and tie it to hold it in position. There is also a considerable amount of collapsed internal debris, which will need to be removed or it will weight it down. When the work is done to number eight, the adjoining buildings will also need to be braced as it’s a terrace,†he said.
However, Stephen McNamara, the solicitor defending the owner of the building, said that his client was made aware that the building was unsafe on April 23 and since then has done everything he can.
“He has employed a contractor,†he said.The fact that a notice had to be served as a last resort because nothing was happening was pointed out by Judge O’Donnell however. “This didn’t happen overnight. And I’m not convinced that everything possible is being done, based on what I’ve heard over the last three weeks. What has he done over the past 12 months,? he asked.
He also expressed shock that the owner had known about the problems in the deteriorating building for over 12 months, but had taken no action. He then issued a Court Order under Section 3, Subsection 5 of the Local Government Sanitary Services Act 1964, which compels the owner to carry out improvement works within four weeks.
Limerick Post
All in all a pretty shambolic state of affairs. Back in 2006 permission was granted for a change of use to office accomodation with a three storey extension to the rear but obviously no work has taken place yet. Surely now after this court order, we’ll finally see some action on behalf of the developer.
Bank of Ireland, 125 O Connell Street
Potentially some good news here, Bank of Ireland finally have plans to replace their tired and dated facade at the junction of O Connell Street and Bedford Row. The building dates from around the mid 70s and the continued redevelopment of the Bedford Row area in recent years has only further highlighted the need for change.
There are no previews of the new design knocking around but the architects are Healy Partners so expect a good deal of glazing and possibly some sandstone or granite. Now if only they would do something with those slate clad plantrooms.:o
08208
Permission for change of elevations, constituting the removal of existing facades and construction of remodelled facades, as well as provision of an additional ATM unit and provision of signage elements to the branch.
125 O’Connell Street, Limerick.
Image fromvivido
That is (potentially) great news. Awful building as it stands and you are 100%…with the redevlopment of Bedford Row, it really highlights the need to do something with this building (and a few more on O’Connell St..
@Tuborg wrote:
It seems Regeneration Developments have been wooing the city councillors with a presentation of their plans for the opera centre!:rolleyes:
Interesting to note how easily seduced Cllr Leddin was!:rolleyes: It has been reported elsewhere that one of the main reasons why the developers want to widen Ellen Street is to accomodate a service area. If Limerick City Council sanction the demolition of the Ellen Street buildings to facilitate this service area I think It’ll be the final nail in the coffin of proper planning in Limerick. The developers insistence that these buildings “have to be demolished” is absolutely laughable. The only reason they’re spouting this nonsense is to suit their own agenda, they couldnt be arsed repairing these buildings and instead want to inflict this substandard design on us to squeeze in a couple of extra square metres of retail space.
Even if LCC give this the go-ahead in its current form (which is extremely likely), its almost certain that it’ll go forward to An Bord Pleanala. This would add another year to the saga, something which is totally avoidable. I really cant understand Regeneration Developments logic here, their whole attitude smacks of sheer ignorance and arrogance. If only they would adhere to ABPs original stipulation a line could be drawn under this sorry saga.
The reality is only a few extra Georgion building’s would be knocked which is on Ellen street, The rest of the Gerogian will still be retained. Look at the entire lenght of Patrick street every single Georgian on that side is being restored. In fact it looks like the georgion facades will be improved here. Please stop whinging. There is pros and cons to ANY development. The Pros far outwiegh the cons. The whole scheme is revised. We need this development. Otherwise the city will lose out to the suburbs. Please balance the focus here.
The new design, feel, layout, architecture, frontage and proportion of the development is now drastically better. The opening’s onto Patricks street is a million times better than the old design. I much prefer this re -design than the saving 3 or so dereclict Georgian buildings with the crappy old designSo all in all its better. This will be one of the most positive developments coming to the city. I’m not going to sit and here whinging over 3 or 4 georgian buildings FFS. When you have got to look at the overall. The nit picking here on the Opera centre is now old. This is really holding this city behind. The city centre needs retail space to compete with the suburbs. Right now Limerick is falling behind the rest. So you either sit here and whinge about it, and in a few years you will sit and whinge how there is no proper retail experience within the CBD. You decide.
@dave123 wrote:
The reality is only a few extra Georgion building’s would be knocked which is on Ellen street, The rest of the Gerogian will still be retained. Look at the entire lenght of Patrick street every single Georgian on that side is being restored. In fact it looks like the georgion facades will be improved here. Please stop whinging. There is pros and cons to ANY development. The Pros far outwiegh the cons. The whole scheme is revised. We need this development. Otherwise the city will lose out to the suburbs. Please balance the focus here.
The new design, feel, layout, architecture, frontage and proportion of the development is now drastically better. The opening’s onto Patricks street is a million times better than the old design. I much prefer this re -design than the saving 3 or so dereclict Georgian buildings with the crappy old design
So all in all its better. This will be one of the most positive developments coming to the city. I’m not going to sit and here whinging over 3 or 4 georgian buildings FFS. When you have got to look at the overall. The nit picking here on the Opera centre is now old. This is really holding this city behind. The city centre needs retail space to compete with the suburbs. Right now Limerick is falling behind the rest. So you either sit here and whinge about it, and in a few years you will sit and whinge how there is no proper retail experience within the CBD. You decide.
I think its apparent at this stage that you are a bit of a development at all costs merchant, personally I prefer to take a more considered approach. When a proposal like this comes along, its dangerous to dive straight in and think wow that looks fantastic, lets build it! Its essential to examine it in detail, you seem to be under the impression that developers always get it right, they dont! You also seem to be blinded by the fact that the plans have been re-drawn, yes the new blueprint is a massive improvement on the previous design but it can still be tweaked for the better. Everyone here wants whats best for the city and considering the opera centre is going to have such a massive impact on the city, we should be striving for the best possible outcome in terms of architectural design and also in terms of striking a proper balance between redevelopment and conservation. Theres no point in settling for a second rate development and regretting it in the years ahead!
You’re completely wrong btw with your statement about Patrick Street. With the exception of the Catherine Hayes house, the buildings here arent being restored, its merely their facades that are being retained, theres a big difference. You go on as if we should somehow be grateful for this token level of heritage protection, facade retention is the very least we should accept.
So Im “whinging about “3 or 4 georgian buildings” am I? It is in fact six buildings that are proposed for demolition and as far as I’m concerned, the loss of these buildings would have a major adverse effect on the character of the area. I think it would be more in your line to look carefully at what is being proposed to replace these buildings on Ellen Street instead of making foolish and childish statements. Your attitude about the loss of historical buildings shows a high degree of ignorance, have you not realised that the sorry state of much of the city centre is a direct result of similar short sighted attitudes in years gone by?
@Tuborg wrote:
You’re completely wrong btw with your statement about Patrick Street. With the exception of the Catherine Hayes house, the buildings here arent being restored, its merely their facades that are being retained, theres a big difference. You go on as if we should somehow be grateful for this token level of heritage protection, facade retention is the very least we should accept.
Oh for heavans sake what do YOU want inside the buildings of the existing Georgion? What relevance is this to anything ?what relevance does a business does behind the facades have got to do with it., What relevance does a lawyers and solictors consisting these buildings got to do with architecture and the bricks and morta if anything proceeds? Seriously listen to the idioy of that post. Have you ever been to London or Paris. There is 100s of examples of Victorian and pre 18th century buildings in both of these cities only merely have the facades retained on street frontage, with a metro running behind it or of offices behind etc. This is to keep the heritage and character of the old streets. But also new behind from view is kept hidden so the modern can be created. That is the most redicoulous anti development comment I’ve ever heard on this thread. The best of both worlds.
So Im “whinging about “3 or 4 georgian buildings” am I? It is in fact six buildings that are proposed for demolition and as far as I’m concerned, the loss of these buildings would have a major adverse effect on the character of the area. I think it would be more in your line to look carefully at what is being proposed to replace these buildings on Ellen Street instead of making foolish and childish statements. Your attitude about the loss of historical buildings shows a high degree of ignorance, have you not realised that the sorry state of much of the city centre is a direct result of similar short sighted attitudes in years gone by?
Ellen street is in dire state, and a private national developer, has put their faith and money into this project. They are rejuvenating the area. This area is a derelict mess, blame the city council for that. The Opera centre is probably the single biggest investment to ever have been proprosed in the Munster region. My point is the pros far outweigh the cons. The investment is in dire need. The georgian on Ellen street is nothing compared to the Georgian’s around Mallow and O’Connell avenue or other parts of the city. Some are been restored I’m pretty much happy, its better to be realistic. tbf.
Most of the horrrible developments were brought on by the incompetence of the city council, in the 50s up till now. Fantastic buildings like Todds and Roches were unique to Limerick and were like no other buildings of its time. I’m sad they are gone. My attitude is not of taking away the old.
The fact is they were knocked and replaced by a cheap monolithic pre modern 3 storey crap thats seen in every town acrross Ireland. This is what should of never happened. I respect your views on that.The Opera centre is new and has to be built in todays needs and wants, with the allowance of keeping whatever historic elements they can, to a developer it isn’t really realistic to keep everything that is old, a developer has to make money This is a fact of life. They are putting 350million on the line for it. I don’t know any shopping mall in Ireland that is actually planning to restore historic buildings within its development. I don’t know any shopping complex that acutally restored the old buildings on its site. I don’t know any shopping centre that is building a muesem inclusive to the development.
The Opera centre is located on yard, brownfield site, shed, open area and on block of dereliction. There is a difference, Its a joke there right now.
So it’s the city council’s fault that private developers replaced existing building stock with “horrrible developments” but somehow what the city council and indeed everyone else should do in this case is to allow some other private developer do whatever they want? Isn’t that what they did to get us the “horrrible developments” you referred to?
There is no necessity to widen Ellen st. and hence no reason to remove the buildings there in their entirety . I’ve not seen any rational reason offered as to why this has to be done. In fact it reduces the size of the development site to widen Ellen st.
Ellen street is in dire state, and a private national developer, has put their faith and money into this project. They are rejuvenating the area. This area is a derelict mess, blame the city council for that. The Opera centre is probably the single biggest investment to ever have been proprosed in the Munster region. My point is the pros far outweigh the cons. The investment is in dire need. The georgian on Ellen street is nothing compared to the Georgian’s around Mallow and O’Connell avenue or other parts of the city. Some are been restored I’m pretty much happy, its better to be realistic. tbf.
Sad but true, yes Ellen Street is in dire straits, thanks to City Council who obviously took the contents of a brown paper bag to facilitate the demise of the buildings in question. Looks like they will go. Therefore, A UNIQUE STREET will be no morel Question, if they demolish the selected buildings, how will the ‘Ormston House’ side of the Street fit in with the new? Will they be renovated (most of the buildings on this side of the Street are in as bad repair as the selected buildings ‘that according to the developers MUST GO’! Anyone out there know of the complete plan?
‘Ellen street is in dire state, and a private national developer, has put their faith and money into this project. They are rejuvenating the area. This area is a derelict mess, blame the city council for that. The Opera centre is probably the single biggest investment to ever have been proprosed in the Munster region. My point is the pros far outweigh the cons. The investment is in dire need. The georgian on Ellen street is nothing compared to the Georgian’s around Mallow and O’Connell avenue or other parts of the city. Some are been restored I’m pretty much happy, its better to be realistic. tbf.
Sad but true, yes Ellen Street is in dire straits, thanks to City Council who obviously took the contents of a brown paper bag to facilitate the demise of the buildings in question. Looks like they will go. Therefore, A UNIQUE STREET will be no morel Question, if they demolish the selected buildings, how will the ‘Ormston House’ side of the Street fit in with the new? Will they be renovated (most of the buildings on this side of the Street are in as bad repair as the selected buildings ‘that according to the developers MUST GO’! Anyone out there know of the complete plan?’
Take away too many historic buildings and the city just becomes *randomcookiecutterUKhighstreetstyle”.
The Opera Centre will just be filled with the same rubbish UK high street shop chains anyways. At least the city centre still has a lot of independent retailers and places where you can purchase particular things without having to go ordering online (and even that is pathetic here in Ireland). A pity we can’t have proper shops like on the Continent, and real department stores. Not yet more rubbish shopping malls and retail parks. We’ve had the Celtic Tiger – what more do we have to do to get decent retail? It’s getting worse the more shops that open – not better. All these UK chains sell the same mass market tat anyway.
Why not some new landmark buildings for the city centre, allowing larger retailers such as European-style department stores, instead of a crummy Arthur’s Quay Mark II?
How much do you think it would cost to build old-style buildings these days?
Would it be feasible to build something like the old Cannocks building or Brown Thomas in 21st century lego block Limerick?Unfortunately those buildings belong to a different era, they’re gone and theres nothing we can do about it. The fine craftmanship that defined both Cannocks and Todds is probably also a thing of the past and any attempt to recreate these structures would just be pure pastiche!
Despite being less elaborate, Todds was probably more of a loss considering its prominent location in what is literally the very centre of the city. The ornate brickwork of the former William Street facade is quite similar to the old Boyds department store (See 2nd attachment).
The current building is now 45 years old and has basically reached the end of its shelf life. Its been in the ownership of the Brown Thomas group since the 1980s but despite ploughing lots of funds into the store, the exterior has remained untouched. With new developments at the opera centre and Aurthurs quay possibly coming on stream in the next few years, hopefully we might finally see some changes.
After numerous false dawns, Limerick finally looks set to get its new greyhound stadium after the City Council gave the go-ahead for the development on the site of the old Greenpark racecourse on the Dock road. Previous plans for a stadium on another part of the old racecourse were shelved in 2005 due to problems with ground conditions. An alternative site was found near the two mile inn on the ennis road but this application was shot down by Clare county council due to concerns over potential traffic problems.
The new facility will cost around €18 million and is scheduled to open in early 2010.
07470
Permission for greyhound racing stadium and ancillary development works, car parking, lighting, landscaping and access works all on a site of 6.6 Ha. The track will be a 500m Greyhound track (480m internal circumference/510m external circumference), it will provide stadia viewing, dining area, kennel block, shop storage areas and office buildings. Site levels will be increased to accommodate the proposed development so that the proposed FFL (Final Floor Level) of the stadium will be 4.5 OD. The track will generally be at a level of 4.2 aOD and the final height of the stadium building will be 16.1m with additional roof support poles of 9.7m. Filling of the lands over an infrastructure way leave is also proposed. The facility will provide for 510 car, 54 greyhound trainer vehicles and 3 coach parking spaces around the stadium will access onto and from the Dock Road via the permitted internal access which will require detail changes. The proposed will also allow for the construction of a roundabout on this internal access road to access the northeast end of the stadium site.
Former Greenpark Racecourse
Dock Road
LimerickArticle in Limerick Independent………Nice to see that the Planning office seem to be on the ball……………..time will tell!!!
Boatclub developer to consider ‘changes’
Written by Rachael Finucane
Wednesday, 02 July 2008
The developer behind the proposed controversial building for the site of Limerick Boat Club said this week that he is “actively considering†a raft of suggested changes to the ultramodern design, including a reduction in the scale of the project.Senior Executive Planner, Dick Tobin, told a city council meeting this week that his department has asked Fordmount Developments “for further information specifically with regard to obtaining a redesign and if possible, reducing the scaleâ€.
“The scale is too large and there are also matters to do with protected structures that we were not aware of that are very relevant and must be looked at. We are asking them to examine these and many other elements of the plans,†he said, adding that there is a “very odd structure†underneath the proposed main building that must be explained and the level of the building may have to be raised “due to the danger of floodingâ€.
Developer, Michael Daly, said that “in general terms, we are very happy with and open to everything that the planners are suggesting†which are “without exception, very reasonableâ€.
“We’re going over what the planning department has set out in its request for more information. It has reservations about some items and we’re going to take that on board. We regard it as a very good letter and the planners have spent a lot of time on it,†he added.
“It’s obvious that the planners see the project as being of merit and we will certainly be going back to them with changes to the design,†he said.
City councillors have already voiced strong objections to the design of the proposed four level, 4,215 square foot structure on Wellesley Pier, deriding it as “appalling†and “a monstrosityâ€.
The new building design includes offices and a restaurant as well as civic space and a new home for Limerick Boat Club—which has been based at the site since 1870—and has emphasised that it can “secure its future with a new and improved rowing facility and the city will get an iconic building on the riverâ€.
For the project to go ahead, elected members will have to vote to remove the current boat club base from the list of protected structures and re-zone the site for mixed use.
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