well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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It looks as though the Raheen White Elephant, AKA Landmark offices will get their tennant. Spin Southwest have been awarded the broadcasting licence for the Southwest region and their application stated that they would use the building should they be awarded the licence.
@billy the squid wrote:
It looks as though the Raheen White Elephant, AKA Landmark offices will get their tennant. Spin Southwest have been awarded the broadcasting licence for the Southwest region and their application stated that they would use the building should they be awarded the licence.
Difficult Office and Hotel trading conditions at the Raheen Roundabout?
This office block must be four years old by now and you mean it has been a “White Elephant†since it was built? On the other side of the roundabout is Lynch’s South Court Hotel again a relatively new complex but correct me if I’m wrong but is there talk of them moving their hotel business to the renovated Royal George in the city centre? Are we now starting to reach a saturation point of over supply of new office and hotel accomodation? Or the switch from the old N20 primary road to the new N20 Dual-carraigeway has isolated both? Or have they both simply located too far away from the city centre core. It would be in my opinion far more beneficial for the city if our three local Authorities would encourage office developments to locate in the city centre where they belong. Just as much as important that factories are located outside the city centre core in designated industrial estates. I think the placing of the new “Spin Southwest “ radio station at the entrance of an industrial estate would be a lost opportunity to develop a modest media concentration in the city centre (Live95FM, LyricFM, local RTE studio, Limerick Leader and Post newspapers).
Any thoughts?
Photos:
http://www.greenspan.ie
http://www.lynchotels.com/SouthCourt/Spin FM’s proposed floorplan for their studio can be found here
http://thelimerick.blogspot.com/2006/05/raheen-white-elephant-could-finally-be.htmlThe rumours of the lynch group closing the south court hotel all seem to have come from a small piece that the Limerick Post ran a couple of weeks ago, something that they were forced to publish an apology for the very next week!:o They suggested that the hotel would be sold and an apartment complex built on the site!, a bit of sloppy journalism really and not for the 1st time from that paper!
There isnt really anything to suggest that the hotel isnt performing well, its been extended twice since it opened and remains a popular location for conferences and the like, Lynch hotels also stated publicly that occupancy rates are consistently high!
Speaking of the George, i only recently saw it with the scaffolding removed and i was pretty shocked by the scale of it, looking up from as far away as the Patrick street side it completely dominates the O Connell street skyline, a full 3 floors taller than the neighbouring buildings! The first thing you notice is this huge wall of white cladding, totally out of proportion but then again you cant really blame the developers for this, its the planners who saw nothing wrong with it!:confused:
Hotel looks to be nearing completion although the retail space on O Connell street still has a bit to go!
Interesting point about the Lynch hotels, and shows just how much damage the local media do by continually spreading negative rumours about Limerick city. These hotels have better things to do with their time than build or rent white elephant hotels in Limerick, it’s a pity our media don’t share their optimism.
Good to see they’ve finally found a use for that building out by Raheen, and it’s good that the radio is being based in Limerick, as Colonge Mike points out we have a number of media outlets in the city. Would it matter much more if it was based 2 miles closer to the city centre?
What are people’s opinion on the merits on the new Strand Hotel? The completed sections do not inspire confidence.
from what i’ve heard the builders at the strand have been cutting corners everywhere, so I wouldnt be too doubtful if this hotel could be swarmed with problems in the future.
@PoxyShamrock wrote:
from what i’ve heard the builders at the strand have been cutting corners everywhere, so I wouldnt be too doubtful if this hotel could be swarmed with problems in the future.
I heard the opposite, that everything was being done pretty high spec.
Has anyone seen any images for the new building opposite the Red Church on Henry street? It’s a pretty huge site, I understand it’s where the decentralised civil servants are being sent.
Worrying times for the Opera Centre, and I must admt the picture in the post was fairly hideous.
Opera centre backers express concern at start-up delay
THERE is growing concern that the investors behind the proposed m200 euro Opera Shopping Centre at Patrick Street/Rutland Street, might be discouraged from proceeding because of the start-up delay imposed by a planning objection to the project.
Limerick auctioneer Pat Kearney, who spent three years putting the package together, this week told the Limerick Post that they were already running well behind time.
“One local person has cited objections to the proposed development in a lengthy submission to An Bord Pleanala, and a decision is not expected until late October, and even then there are no guarantees.
“It is not for me to discuss the merits or otherwise of the objections raised, but what I will say is, that all connected with the project are becoming frustrated. “The developers had set a timeline of 2007 for the grand opening, but now we are looking at well into 2008.
“We had to negotiated with something like 40 clients in putting the entire deal together and they are looking for their money. All is now in the lap of the gods. There are some crucial weeks ahead.
“The danger is that retailers who had expressed an interest in locating at the Opera Centre might be having second thoughts because of the delay. Take Debenhams, for example. It is known they had shown an interest in becoming an anchor tenant, but they have since leased the Roches Stores property”.
Mr Kearney, in calling for a review of the planning process, pointed out that the developers were not in a position to draw down finance until such time as the path had been cleared to commence demolition work on the existing buildings.
“We are talking in terms of a multi million euro investment-this will be the biggest inner city development of its type in Limerick and let’s hope it will be resolved as soon as possible”.
God love them, the poor pets – having to suffer the inconvenience of the democratic process. This story sounds like a load of rubbish, obviously someone in the post had a few column inches they were desparate to fill. And what kind of advice are these investors getting – when they negnelected to allow for the fact that somebody just might have a slight concern that a whole city block is going to be rebuilt by single developer whose primary aim is to line his own pockets and those of his backers!
Well maybe if there wasnt so much secracy surrounding the project people would be in a better position to judge it and their fears might be addressed! The developers havent really provided any concrete information on the project, all we have is a couple of dodgy photographs that appeared in local newspapers, we dont even know for certain how many shops it’ll contain or even what buildings are to be retained? I know the former AIB bank is going along with possibly the 2 adjacent buildings, but who can be certain?, what buildings on Ellen street are to be sacrificed?, pretty vague so far isnt it?
Is the application on display in city hall btw?
that’s exactly what i was sayin like a month ago but nobody listened to me. Theres no website, no good news concerning it in the paper and the contractors ive never heard of (neither has google). I’m rather doubtful of the Coonagh Cross development too. Anyone got anything on that?
@justnotbothered wrote:
Worrying times for the Opera Centre, and I must admt the picture in the post was fairly hideous.
Opera centre backers express concern at start-up delay
The Opera Centre Planning Chronicle so far.
15/12/2005 Limerick City Council: application received:
14/02/2006 Limerick City Council: Initial further information requested:
12/04/2006 Limerick City Council: Initial further information received:
30/05/2006 Limerick City Council: Permission granted.
23/06/2006 An Bord Pleanala: Appeal lodged by five parties (including Regeneration Developments Ltd)
26/10/2006 An Bord Pleanala: Case is due to be decided by then.http://www.pleanala.ie/allnew300606.html
The planning process appears to be working well in our democratic society? However I think Pat Kearney has a valid point over the amount of time needed to process this planning application. If a final decision does fall on the 26/10/2006 (permission granted or not granted) then it would have took just under a year (10 ½ Months) to get a decision. Such business opportunities need in my opinion a swifter judgement, simply because here in this case the potential 1.000 (it’s a bread and butter issue) jobs on offer. Well we live in a competitive world therefore it would be bitter for the rejuvenation of the city centre if those developers wishing to invest in Limerick presently, decide to invest elsewhere if a realistic time scale is breached.
I would imagine the appeals will deal with heritage and conservation matters or commercial aspects to those directly concerned. Any other intentions might be deemed as throwing a spanner in the works?
I have only seen this hideous image so far. Have there been more images of this sort published? If so any chance of somebody scanning and posting them here?
In the post this week there was an image that i hadnt seen before, the glass facade looked alot more tidier than the picture above BUT there was a hideous image on the glass facade, two giant faces, 1 smiling and 1 frowning (you know those kinda theatre faces) and i must say it looked awful. lol
@PoxyShamrock wrote:
I’m rather doubtful of the Coonagh Cross development too. Anyone got anything on that?
Site clearance works started a couple of months back so i presume they’re motoring ahead, havent been out that way for a while! I think its parkes properties plans for the area beside the parkway retail park that are looking uncertain, i wonder are they having second thoughts? I dont think another shopping development of this scale is needed in Limerick,it’d be overkill really! In fairness the majority of the retailers they would have earmarked will probably favour the opera centre as its right in the centre of the city!
The coonagh development is being held up by planning objections from residents of a near by cul de sac who dont want a footpath connecting their area with caherdavin and moyross to be built. Its been going on for a number of years now.
@Aerophile wrote:
The coonagh development is being held up by planning objections from residents of a near by cul de sac who dont want a footpath connecting their area with caherdavin and moyross to be built. Its been going on for a number of years now.
As far as I’m aware the shiopping centre recieved planning after the initial refusal was overturned by An Bord Planeala.The reason for the objection was in relation to the amount of surface water being generated by the shopping centre. This was overcome by a reduction in the amount of parking allowed.
As regards the footpath joining the shopping centre with Caherdavin and Moyross, it would have to be about 2 miles long and cross a couple of major roads to reach Moyross.I pass the site every morning and evening and there is definitely plenty work going on there. As far as I know the site needs a lot of landfill to bring it up to the correct height and this is taking time. The planning permission was sorted as far as I know…could be wrong.. (but they did have to reduce the overall area iirc.
That whole piece in the Post re the Opera Centre screams waffle to me. usual high quality Limerick Post journalism…ie rubbish. They said the South Court was closing down a few weeks ago…and had to apologise and retract the staement. One of the busier hotels in town..quality journalism:D
Sounds like someone is trying to freak people out to push the application through..Meeting to develop Limerick City (live95fm)
http://www.live95fm.ie/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=n&id=76646
Limerick City Businesses will be encouraged to take action to help drive the city centres development at a meeting in City Hall this week.
The City Council and Limerick Co Ordination Office have been participating in a town centre management programme called Tocema.
The programme draws on examples from other European Cities to come up with possible solutions for other cities.
The growth of large retail shopping centres on the outskirts of Limerick is seen as having had a negative effect on the city centres economy.
Opera centre backers express concern at start-up delay (Limerick Post)
Limerick auctioneer Pat Kearney, who spent three years putting the package together, this week told the Limerick Post that they were already running well behind time.
“The danger is that retailers who had expressed an interest in locating at the Opera Centre might be having second thoughts because of the delay. Take Debenhams, for example. It is known they had shown an interest in becoming an anchor tenant, but they have since leased the Roches Stores propertyâ€.
The Doughnut City Race
Coonagh Shopping Centre versus Opera Shopping Centre?
What are the betting odds :rolleyes: on where the retailers will locate?
Limerick Co-ordination Office http://www.limerick.ie/assoc.htm
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