well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

Another piece on the former Central Cinema on Bedford Row (Limerick Post)

Curtain finally comes down on Central cinema

ANOTHER prominent Limerick landmark is about to face the demolition squad.

The former Grand Central cinema, renamed the Central Studio in 1972, is to make way for shops and offices, designed to blend in with the new look Bedford Row.

Of Limerick’s cinemas of yesteryear, The Royal alone stands, with the Lyric, Carlton, City Theatre and Savoy having fallen by the wayside.

Up to recently, The Central accommodated the Belltable Film Club.

Limerick businessmen John Costello and Paul O’Brien are the men behind the new venture on Bedford Row.

Mr Costello had been associated with the Royal George Hotel and other businesses in city and county.

History books show that the building on which the Central is located was originally built as a Primitive Wesleyan Methodist preaching house, in 1812.

It is understood that the facade of the church, to the rear of the former cinema, is to be retained.

The Central is to be completely renovated to provide accommodation on four floors, suitable for retail/offices.

No Name, who had occupied the ground floor, have moved to nearby Sarsfield Street, to facilitate the new development.

Letting agent Pat Kearney of Rooneys, told the Limerick Post that negotiations were in train with a number of retailers.

“This is a very exciting project and given the changes that have taken place in the general Bedford Row/Henry Street area in recent times, is sure to attract the attention of leading retailers..

This will be a superb modern premises when completed providing spacious accommodation throughout and with a most attractive façade and courtyard elevation, with side access from Bedford Row.

As exclusively revealed in the Limerick Post last year, there are also plans to create a new street, from Shannon Street to Bedford Row, which will further enhance the area.

The Central Studio building had been owned by Mr Tom Anderson

John O’Shaughnessy

The pictures below show the current sorry state of the Central, its best days really are a long way behind it, the 2nd image shows the dingy laneway between the cinema and the Bank of Ireland. From here you can easily identify the original chapel behind the 1920s pebble dashed cinema front, obviously it has been heavily altered with little of the original features remaining, note also the crude fire escape!. Its thought that the chapel facade is intact from the 1st floor upwards!

Its interesting also that the writer picks up on the Shannon Street proposal, last year there was a lot of speculation that Limerick based developers were in talks about acquiring a number of properties including the stella ballroom and myles breen’s pub with a view to developing a new shopping complex similar to Cruises Street.

Theres a few issues with this, firstly the site is no way as big as the former Cruises hotel site and a number of properties to the rear of the hotel were also purchased as part of the project. Secondly any talk of this new “street” linking up with Bedford Row looks to be a non runner as the retail side of the Savoy redevelopment fronting onto Bedford Row is well underway.

It remains just speculation as there has been no movement on it in the meantime and all the buisnesses on the site are still operating!

@CologneMike wrote:

Convert Potato Market into a Green Park?

I believe the Potato Market came into existence in the 19th century after the filling in of the Merchant’s Quay? The Limerick Civic Trust in one of their numerous conservation projects, redeveloped the Potato Market for civic and market usage. My proposal would of course undo their great work here but I think it would be a worth while exercise to consider other options?

My proposal is simply convert the market into a Green Park similar to the one on the other side of the Abbey River, i.e. the Custom House Park. It would mean removing the high walls that run between Mathew Bridge and the Curragour Boat Club and replacing them with low railings. These high walls demonstrate Limerick’s old negative relationship to the Shannon which was to “build with it’s back to the river”. The high railings and gate entrance would remain intact on the Merchant’s Quay. Trees and greens would replace the cobbled stone surface. A new Boat House would complement the park.

The major problem here is that there is very little awareness of the Custom House park and especially the potato market. The custom house park is basically only part of a walking route from arthurs quay on towards King Johns castle,(see picture below) there is no room for expansion here either as the grounds of the Hunt museum are imediately adjacent to the park.

As for the potato market, i dont think many Limerick people even know what it is!.. im sure for many its just known for being a handy place to park!:o I dont see many “civic events” taking place either, how often (if ever) is a market held there? The potato market has been home to “Ireland on ice” for the last couple of festive seasons but apart from that it seems to be lying idle, the Sylvester O’ Halloran pedestrian bridge is hugely under-used aswell. Im sure this isnt how Limerick Civic Trust invisaged things!

I think CologneMike has it spot on with his suggestion for a new park, the potato market is large enough to be developed into a significant public amenity, it is also in a high profile location next to city hall and some popular tourist attractions which would ensure pretty high usage. The development of a new public park here would also present an opportunity to right the wrongs of Arthurs Quay Park which has been such a dismal failure!

Also, I notice Cllr. O’Hanlon is referring to the bridge between Poor Man’s Kilkee and Limerick Boat Club as a seemingly done deal, and chatting to various sources, it seems that the usual standards will not apply to this development (one of the people involved was formerly very involved with the planning process in the city). I have seen the rough sketches, and i’s nothing to write home about. Even worse, Limerick Boat Club are restricted to very small areas on the ground floor, imo, the club is finished, but has decided to go out with a flourish by selling it’s heritage.

@justnotbothered wrote:

The reason nothing can be done either in or with the potato market is becuase the Courts badly need it for parking, they aren’t allowed use the the City Hall carpark, afaik. nothing will happen while Judges and solicitors still need it on a daily basis as a carpark.

However, in the Leader during the week, it was mooted that there might be an new Courts complex built on Mulgrave st, seeing as the current Court House (despite remodelling) is too small, and crucially, is too often on the news showing St. Marys and City Hall in a bad light, the City fathers appeared concerned it creates a bad image of the city.

If the Court were to move, it opens up the whole area in new context. imo, the Courts should be moved and then we can focus on redeveloping the entire area.

Unfortunately I think they’re only talking about moving the district court (for now anyway!) At the moment theres the fairly bizarre set up of the district court being housed within the City Hall complex, apparently its been that way since the new civic offices opened in the late 80s, Id love to know who came up with this genius arangement! I couldnt be sure but im guessing that the district court sits at least 1 day a week and you do see some undesirables hanging around outside it every now and again, not an ideal scenario when you consider that the tour buses pull up literally yards away!

Limerick circuit court is housed in the county courthouse right beside City Hall on Merchants Quay, the building was completely refurbished 2/3 years ago! Again its location isnt exactly ideal!.. there was talk a couple of years back that St. Josephs hospital was to be offloaded by the Health Board and that the Courts service were interested in a move there, (its also right beside Limerick prison!:p )

Attachments

1. Limerick Circuit Court
2. Limerick City Hall

@CologneMike wrote:

Park Point Retail Park Dublin Road, Limerick (Sherry FitzGerald)http://www.dtzsf.com/DTZWeb.exe?opti…ps&PropId=1708DescriptionSuperbly located newly constructed retail warehousing directly adjacent to Aldi, the Parkway Retail Park, Parkway Shopping Centre and Proposed 58,000sq.m. Park Valley Shopping Centre.ALDI’s building is easily recognisable, what are the proposed buildings to the right?

From Limerick Leader “Property Today” 3/2/07

Park Point: A real landmark scheme

A Landmark retail, office and hotel development in Castletroy is due to be completed by the end of this year.

DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald have been appointed sole agents for Park Point, a mixed use scheme incorporating a retail park, offices and a 72 bedroom hotel.

The retail park element comprises 6 retail warehousing units, three of which are already reserved. The remaining three retail units range from 760 square metres to 1,084 square metres.

Park point which is being developed by Cracken Properties/ Kelly developments, is located on the Dublin road adjacent to Aldi and in close proximity to the Parkway Shopping centre, Childers Retail Park, Parkway Retail Park and the proposed Parkway Valley Shopping Centre.

John Buckley of DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald described it as “a landmark scheme for Limerick’s suburbs”
“The cohesion of business and leisure is perfectly facilitated within this well designed and attractive scheme” he said

According to Joe Hanrahan of Cracken Properties “this is a landmark high quality mixed use development located in an unrivalled established business location. The office and hotel block comprise 8 floors and will be a unique commercial development.”

The scheme provides opportunities for a wide range of retailers, businesses and hotel operators.

The scheme which was designed by Healy and Partners architects, is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

The retail units and hotel are available to let whilst the offices are for sale / to let.

Yet another “Landmark development” (yawn)

The term “Landmark development” is applied all too loosely these days!.. I mean its an 8 storey block & a couple of warehouses, wow, big deal!!:eek:

@CologneMike wrote:

Picture courtesy of rhurja taken 02.01.2007

We must be the envy of the whole country for already having an iconic structure:rolleyes: (mini Eiffel Tower) in the middle of the city centre! (Just 200 Metres from O’Connell St.) Seriously though, I could not imagine such an out-of-proportion communication pylon been allowed up in other cities such as Galway, Cork, Dublin etc? I wonder what would Paris Jack make of it? I see the lane “Roches Row” will only get a make over in the last phase of the remodelling of the city centre streets.

https://archiseek.com/content/showpost.php?p=60962&postcount=982

I know exactly what I’d love to do with that effin pylon!:mad::o I’d get great pleasure wrapping every last inch of it around some dumbass necks in Limerick City let me tell ya! Of all the stupid things I’ve ever seen on my travels, that is right up there! A blatant and utter lack of respect for Limerick City and her people! Absolutely, you’d never see something like that in Cork or Dublin! You could only ever get away with something this outrageous and unbelievable in Limerick! Most people probably pass this incredibly beautiful structure:rolleyes:on a daily basis without ever realizing what they’re missing, huh? Now ain’t you the lucky ones to have such an “iconic structure” in the very heart of your dear city!? I’m sooooo jealous! Surely to God there is some industrial estate on the rim of the city where this monstrosity could and should have been erected? Right? It’s unforgivable that someone (some half-wit of course) came up with the idea to stick this piece of crap literally a stone’s throw from Limerick City’s main avenue! Truly unbelievable!!! It’s a goddamn disgrace that’s what it is!!! Nice holiday snap for the tourists, eh? I’d like to take a flame thrower to the fucking thing!!! AARRRGHHH!!!:mad:

@CologneMike wrote:

Thumbs up for Opera Centre (Limerick Post)

So I guess this means we’ve finally reached the end of this (at times) torturous process! Its hard to believe when you look back that it was the summer of 2005 when rumours of a potentially major development in the Patrick Street area first materialised. At that time there was a lot of scepticism about the project, this turned out to be well founded.

The revised Opera Centre is a much more balanced development than it was in its previous (flawed) form. I think everybody’s fairly happy with the final outcome,The Refurbishment of Quinns Pub and the construction of a new Cafe/Bar at Bank Place are positive developments, Limerick also gets more badly needed retailing space ( estimates vary from 25,000 to 32,000 sq metres!) and significant georgian buildings are saved from demolision.

All in all, not a bad result!:)

Plans for church site withdrawn (Limerick Post)

See previous link: https://archiseek.com/content/showpost.php?p=61427&postcount=1006

CONTROVERSIAL plans for an office development on the site of St Michael’s Church in Pery Square, have been withdrawn by local architect, Michael Healy.

The story first broke in the Limerick Post last year.

Mr Healy’s office confirmed this Wednesday that they had notified the planning department at City Hall of their intentions to withdraw.

Mr Jack O’Hurley, of the planning department, said they had received notification on Tuesday.

“Mr Healy had been in constant discussion with us and certain aspects of the development would have been raised.

“Such meetings with developers are not unusual, and neither is it unusual for revised plans to be submitted at a later stage”.

City planners were briefed earlier this week by local politicians for Ward 2 on the concerns voiced to them by parents and people who had reservations about the proposed development on the site of St Michael’s Church.

At an information briefing in the planning department in City Hall, Cllr Jim Long, Cllr Maria Byrne and Mayor Joe Leddin referred to the possible removal of mature trees from the adjoining People’s Park, the height of the development and the negative impact this could have on St Michael’s School building.

Speaking to the Limerick Post, Cllr Jim Long said that a major issue involved is the required rezoning of the land involved before any development can be envisaged.

“Unless there is rezoning from residential, and so far there is a negative response to doing this, it’s my opinion that any similar application will fall,” he said.

Mr Healy had earlier told the Limerick Post that he had proposed new offices for his firm on the second floor, with the Church of Ireland being allocated the ground floor for their own purposes.

He had emphasised that developers were not involved in the project and it was strictly a private arrangement between his firm and the Church of Ireland.

Windmill House (Retail, Apartment, Office Development)

Elliott Maguire Landers Architects?

Was this the site of former René Cusack’s Fishmonger warehouse?

Would be nice to see a view of the building from it’s left side, going back up along the steps of the Windmill lane.

http://212.50.188.107/cgi-win/vebra.cgi?details1?src=vebra&PropertyCode=9532011/WINDM/10274/11

What has become of the Ted Castle Petrol Station site two doors up?

04571
Demolition of the existing Petrol Filling Station and the erection of a 114 bed hotel comprising basement level, ground floor and six bedroom floors overhead plus ancillary bar and dining area, reception/office area, ancillary back of house areas, plant and service entrance. The development also incorporates a retail unit comprising 744sq.m; ancillary site and landscape works at the site of the existing Top Garage

Permission granted 02/09/2005

Image below: Billy the Squid

So finally a definite opening date!. The hotel side of the development has made steady progress since construction began in late summer 2005, the internal fit out has been ongoing since before Christmas. They might be a tad optimistic with the opening date for the shop units however; they’re barely more than a shell at the moment! It will be interesting to see what “big name” retailers are linked with the development, anybody heard anything? The retail element comprises 6000 sq metres (65,000 sq ft) of floor space spread over 4 levels, the number of units has been reduced to 10 from the original 14!

Annoyingly there still dosent seem to be any decent images knocking around, there is a rather faded photomontage of the development on a billboard near the mill on the Shannon Street side but that isn’t much good to us here!

Anyway heres some info on the hotel from Marriott.com

Marriott International will add a sixth hotel to its portfolio in Ireland, the Limerick Marriott Hotel, under a franchise agreement reached with the operating company Irresistible Hotels Ltd., a sister company of Castletroy Park Management Ltd., operators of the Castletroy Park Hotel. The new hotel is scheduled to open in spring, 2007.

The 94-room Limerick Marriott Hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex also comprised of 84 residential apartment units and 10 retail outlets on Henry Street in the heart of Limerick City, close to the main shopping and business districts. Within short walking distance of the hotel are popular tourist attractions such as the 13th century King John’s Castle, the Hunt Museum, the Treaty Stone, the 11th century St. Mary’s Cathedral and the many and varied attractions of the Riverside City.

Situated on the former Savoy Theater and Cinema sites, the hotel will feature much of the history of both attractions throughout, which is expected to evoke pleasant memories for local, national and international travelers.

“Tourism to Ireland is steadily increasing,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director, international lodging for Marriott International. “We are thrilled by the steady expansion of our hotel portfolio in Ireland and are confident that this sleek, modern hotel will be a welcomed addition to the lodging supply in Limerick for both business and leisure travelers.”

Bob Chestnutt and Brian Harrington, the directors of Irresistible Hotels, said, “We are delighted to be part of the Marriott international brand in Limerick City and are looking forward to creating a new landmark hotel for the city.”

For dining and entertainment, the Limerick Marriott Hotel will have a luxurious lounge on the first floor providing light menu offerings throughout the day. The Savoy Bar, located on the ground floor, will reflect the historical areas of the building’s former life; while the Savoy Restaurant, also located on the ground floor, will offer fine cuisine in a contemporary classic setting.

For conferences and social events, the Limerick Marriott Hotel will have 5,500 square feet of space comprised of 10 conference rooms, and banqueting and private dining suites with a capacity to accommodate from two to 180 guests.

To relax, unwind and rejuvenate, the hotel will offer an indoor swimming pool, a 250-square meter gymnasium and four treatment rooms. Other amenities will include a Concierge Lounge, Business Center, and terraced gardens with views of Limerick City and the Shannon River.