well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

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.

I’m extremely happy now that The Marriott has chosen to name the restaurant and bar after the savoy. The Savoy may be gone but at least now The Modern Limerick is doing something to keep the Old Limerick alive. I think it’s really nice of Marriott International to do something like this. 🙂

The Ted Castle petrol station site for the planned hotel is back on the market again.

http://www.lisney.com/subnav.aspx?tabid=4&tabindex=3&inc=commProperty&ID=1481

Outstanding infill city centre development site in the heart of Limerick’s commercial core.

The property benefits from full planning permission for a six storey over basement hotel incorporating 114 bedrooms and a ground floor retail unit of 744 sq m.

The property is adjacent to landmark buildings such as the Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Mount Kenneth and Riverpoint office development.

Potential for office, retail or residential development subject to the amendment of the current planning permission.

On a wet February evening the Richmond Court appartments/ Mt. Kennet Place exude a dreeping, dripping, depressing, Dickensian (but not in a nice way) feeling.
Fair play to the architects of both developments who have imaginatively interpreted the genus loci of the place – they have really enhanced the sense of menace and danger that (one imagines) accompany a redlight district – Arctic Monkeys could have filmed the video of ‘When the Sun goes Down’ here.
Daylight is such a rarity there that one expects the unfortunate apartment dwellers to have rickets – I wonder is it safe to stand on those tacked on windowboxes masquerading as balconies? The first floor apartments begin abou 9 feet above street level.
It’s a complete mess. But what’s most depressing is that the City Council are still allowing such monoliths. I noticed with dismay, yesterday that 3 Georgian houses on upper Catherine steet, with remarkably deep basements (opposite the Carnegie library) had been sold. – no doubt the council will insist on sensitive conservation.
Come, come friendly bombs and rain on Slough

On a brighter note!

Five potential iconic projects – By ANNE SHERIDAN

FIVE potential iconic structures have been short listed by Limerick’s business elite to attract an additional million visitors to the city over the next ten years. A multicultural village, an Irish Diaspora centre and a multi-purpose events centre are three projects chosen from more the 50 suggestions during a series of brainstorming sessions

A project manager will now be assigned to each of the five proposals, which will be put through a rigorous evaluation test over the coming months. “They will all have to condense their projects and see how feasible
each one is,” said University of Limerick Prof Eamonn Murphy chairman of the group. The statistics professor
said of the five shortlisted projects, more than one is likely to see it to completion. “There will be more than one but
there can’t be five main projects either,” he said.

The multicultural village, which has been likened in design to the Dubai Palm, would compose of separate villages
for each community, complete with language centres and restaurants. Each village would be connected by canals and bridges and would reflect the architecture, culture and cuisine of its particular country. A giant globe of the world, which would be lit up at night, would form the centrepiece of this development.😀

The events centre, which would be larger than the 1000-seater University Concert Hall, is intended to be used for
gigs, various events and conferences.

But three key challenges have now emerged. “We need to have the project within the city environs, we need leadership and a single voice, that’s independent of politics. The biggest challenge is to develop a leadership
structure that’s not up in lights and is driving this forward. The real question is how much money will private people be able to put up,” he said Five bodies – Atlantic Way, Shannon Development, Limerick Chamber of Commerce, Co-Ordination Office and the University of Limerick- have been spearheading discussions regarding the development over the past two months.

Locations and costings for each of the five projects have yet to be defined. But, Dr Edward Walsh, former UL president, believes that money will not be an issue once the right project is earmarked. Dr Walsh is a key member of the group involved in picking the iconic structure.

The River Shannon has also been highlighted as an underutilised attraction in the city, which should be made the focal point of the city. However Prof Muprhy said “it’s difficult to get money out of the river. We’re looking
at how we can do that too.”

23 February 2007 Limerick Leader

Its sketchy to say the least, but would like to hear more about this “Dubai like” proposal, good to see we still have a sense of humour here in Limerick!:)

Has anyone seen an ad in Today’s (28/02/07) Independent Property supplement? It’s for a building on Bedford Row. First look, it looks like any bland block. Second glance and it reveals itself as as the old Central cinema/ Unitarian Church. – with a glass atrium in front!
Surely the only reason that pp would be give to remove the old cinema front would be to expose the church building and create a little space in front of it.
This proposal is one of the most hideous and short sighted I’ve seen in a long time.
When Bedford row is “completed” it will be all shiny and new – just like Cruises st. was 10 years ago and then in 2017 it’ll be just like Cruises st. is now.
The only architecturally interesting thing on Cruises st. is the arch and doorcase on chapel lane.
The only architeturally interesting thing on Bedford row, now that the pretty Georgian houses at the end of the row are dust, is the Unitarian church, designed by Limerick’s most preeminent architect, James Paine.
It is no exaggeration to describe Paine as Limerick’s Gandon or Cooley.
How is this allowed to happen in 2007?:mad: 😡 😡

@vitruvius wrote:

Has anyone seen an ad in Today’s (28/02/07) Independent Property supplement? It’s for a building on Bedford Row. First look, it looks like any bland block. Second glance and it reveals itself as as the old Central cinema/ Unitarian Church. – with a glass atrium in front!
Surely the only reason that pp would be give to remove the old cinema front would be to expose the church building and create a little space in front of it.
This proposal is one of the most hideous and short sighted I’ve seen in a long time.
When Bedford row is “completed” it will be all shiny and new – just like Cruises st. was 10 years ago and then in 2017 it’ll be just like Cruises st. is now.
The only architecturally interesting thing on Cruises st. is the arch and doorcase on chapel lane.
The only architeturally interesting thing on Bedford row, now that the pretty Georgian houses at the end of the row are dust, is the Unitarian church, designed by Limerick’s most preeminent architect, James Paine.
It is no exaggeration to describe Paine as Limerick’s Gandon or Cooley.
How is this allowed to happen in 2007?:mad: 😡 😡

I don’t agree at all. Bedford Row was a tip. That Cinema was a disgrace and I’m glad to see the back of it. I like the idea of the glass in front of the church front because thats all there is there, is the front. Its not a full structure. If it was I may think differently. By framing it with glass it highlights whats left of the building. Would you prefer a modern building behind an old Church front. I wouldnt. Not all of the front is intact either, only from the first floor up.
That “pretty” Georgian building(there was only one) was falling down, ugly and surrounded by/integrated into the Savoy which was also a tip. I’d personally prefer to see the building thats going there than 1 Georgian building preserved for the sake of it with nothing nearby to compliment it. Henry St is shaping up nicely with a mix of very modern buildings and the preservation and renovation of things like the Hanging Gardens in the old GPO site.That i’m all for. 100% for the preservation of things but that building would look very odd on its own, I’m glad to see the retention of the Georgian terrace on Patrick St for the Opera Centre but that will work there and compliment its surroundings but keeping one ugly building(badly damaged to the back and side by the Savoy by the way) on the corner of a street with very modern buildings on it would not achieve much imo. I think that was one of the mistakes made when the Savoy was built. There was no continuity between Henry St and Bedford Row and on a shopping street, that building never served any purpose.
Limerick has load of Geogian buildings and it is great to preserve as much as possible but that building you are talking about would not look well beside anything that was put beside it. I’d much prefer to see the focus for preservation on things like Mallow Street and the Catherine Street buildings you pointed out in an earlier post. These are terraces of Georgian buildings which would look amazing restored correctly and suit where their current locations but Bedford Row does not have much in the way of Georgian heritage and hasn’t for a long long time. I just don’t think that one building was worth saving.

More on the City Centre “Masterplan”

Exciting m50million city centre revamp to change streetscape

A TOTAL makeover of O’Connell Street, William Street and other streets leading off the main street, will transform Limerick into one of Europe’s most vibrant and living city centres.

Details of a 50million euro regeneration plan for the city were unveiled to the mayor and local councillors on Monday.

City manager, Tom Mackey, said that the aim of the regeneration plan is to give pedestrians priority in the heart of the city, improve streetscapes and traffic management.

“This plan will give Limerick a vibrant and living city centre to match the best cities in Europe of comparable size. Remodelling of the city will complement the major regeneration of the city centre that is currently underway, with the private sector investing over one billion in developments such as the Opera Centre, new hotels, commercial and residential projects,” he said.

Tied in with the remodelling and pedestrianisation is the development of a new orbital route that will give traffic access to the heart of the city.

One way orbital routes in city centres are considered a very efficient and safe way of moving traffic with up to 50 per cent less turning at junctions and a decreased risk of collision, according to Pat Dromey, director of traffic and infrastructure,

As well as facilitating the pedestrianisation work on O’Connell Street, the new orbital route will allow for wider footpaths and boardwalks between Bishop’s Quay and Arthur’s Quay, along the riverside.

“The orbital route around the city will create a mainly one-way, two lane clockwise traffic system that will be divided into three sections, northern, central and southern,” outlined Mr Dromey.

The northern section will travel along Arthur’s Quay, Charlotte’s Quay, Clare Street, Lelia Street, New Road and Cathedral Place. The central section will travel along Sarsfield Street, William Street, Upper William Street, Sexton Street, Roches Street, Shannon Street and Henry Street. The southern section will travel along Parnell Street, Mallow Street and Henry Street.

Included in the remodelling programme are new, high quality pavements, improved pedestrian crossings, new street furniture, street landscaping, tree planting and the removal of some on-street parking.

O’Connell Street will have wider footpaths and improved landscaping to give priority to pedestrians and there will be pedestrian priority treatment for all of William Street, with the widening of footpaths and improved landscaping.

The city manager, Mr Mackey, points out that the new National Development Plan lists among its priority investments for the Limerick-Shannon Gateway, “the significant upgrading of the public areas and streets in Limerick city centre and the reimaging of Limerick through a major urban renewal initiative.

“Limerick City Council is in the process of advancing many schemes to design and construction stage that could avail of the Gateway Innovation Fund,” he adds.

The Council will shortly tender for the remodelling of Upper Thomas Street and Catherine Street, and the remodelling and pedestrianisation of Fox’s Bow and Limerick Lane.

Emphasising that where established, pedestrianisation has produced a better trading environment, Mr Dromey said that Limerick traders who have experienced pedestrianisation, are on record as stating that it has improved their business.

He also said that the introduction of orbital routes has successfully reduced the dominance of cars on city streets.

Urban designers, Nicholas de Jong further outlined details of the city centre regeneration, which they said will produce attractive street areas to include market stalls, an upgrading of the lanes to produce a series of pedestrian links, major upgrade of the riverside, including Clancy Strand, O’Callaghan Strand, the Curragower Bund, Steamboat Quay and Sir Harry’s Mall, John’s Square, Wickham Street, the Milk Market, Parnell Street.

“O’Connell Street is a very distinctive linear form but it is somewhat drab at the moment and the plan is to transform it into a pedestrian boulevard with a central space for performance, areas for cafes and an attractive central feature to signify a new city centre,” said Mr Nicholas de Jong.

Mayor Leddin confirmed that a period of extensive public consultation is to commence immediately. He also invited the councillors to take part in an in-house seminar on the regeneration programme, to take place shortly. Mr Mackey said that advertisements have been placed regarding the consultation process.

Limerick Post

@CologneMike wrote:

Hmmm&#8230]same[/U] planners and residents ignore :confused: the 8000 to 10.000 daily pilgrims who attend the 9 day annual solemn novena there each summer. Don’t religious festivals require some traffic congestion planning too!

Ha ha. Thought the exact same thing. Generally a nightmare of a place to travel through between 18-25 June each year. Still though I suppose 600 permanent residents versus the Novena for a week , there’s a difference.

Interested to see the below was granted permission as well. Is this across the road from the demolition of Java’s, the taxi building and Moynihan Shoes on the corner of Thomas Street and Catherine Street or is it further up Catherine Street?. My previous post on demolition of Georgian buildings may have been premature.
O’Donoghue Peter
6 Mount Oval,
Rochestown,
Cork
Permission is sought for demolition of existing premises and construction of 3 no. retail units on ground and basement level with 16 no. apartments above on first, second, third and roof level and all ancillary site works 38-41 Catherine Street,
Limerick.

@Tuborg wrote:

Exciting m50million city centre revamp to change streetscape (Limerick Post)

The orbital route around the city will create a mainly one-way, two lane clockwise traffic system that will be divided into three sections, northern, central and southern,” outlined Mr Dromey.

The northern section will travel along Arthur’s Quay, Charlotte’s Quay, Clare Street, Lelia Street, New Road and Cathedral Place.

The central section will travel along Sarsfield Street, William Street, Upper William Street, Sexton Street, Roches Street, Shannon Street and Henry Street.

The southern section will travel along Parnell Street, Mallow Street and Henry Street.

@CologneMike wrote:

Update: The Limerick Leader gives exact details for the orbital route

Nick de Jong of Nicholas de Jong Associates, responsible for the design of the transformed city centre, told City Councillors that it is planned to convert Charlotte Quay into a one-way system, while Clare Street on to the Dublin Road will remain a two-way.

Interesting to see what traffic patterns will emerge when the Charlotte’s Quay turns into a one-way street and since the Orbital route is to rotate in a clockwise direction, would in turn mean that the Charlotte’s Quay would only be used for traffic leaving the city centre in the direction of the Dublin road.

With the planned Opera Centre in mind, access to the city centre via the Dublin road would have to turn right at the Abbey bridge roundabout in the direction of King John’s Castle and left again at the next junction onto Athlunkard street. The groove island link road over the canal to the Dublin road could also be used as an alternative route.

Any thoughts?

@CologneMike wrote:

Punch’s Cross go ahead (Limerick Leader)

“The development will include a major anchor tenant for a supermarket, seven retail units, and underground car space for 450 cars.” 🙂

In granting permission, Limerick City Council attached 17 conditions, including that it would lose a floor, a management company would be set up for the complex, the requirements of traffic management at City Hall be adhered to and a whopping development contribution levy of €2.8 million be paid to the Council.

I must say Im slightly surprised that this development got the go-ahead, local residents appeared totally opposed to it and the exchanges between themselves and the developers (Paul O’Brien & Robert Butler ) were pretty bitter at times, it seemed there was little chance of a compromise being found. Obviously now the residents are sufficiently satisfied to withdraw their objection. To be honest, Im not convinced about this development, I think its premature, the traffic situation is already dire and if you add in a large supermarket and several other services I think its a recipe for disaster!

Theres no doubt that the underground car park will help matters but it dosent address how traffic is going to access the new centre, this is already a highly congested route and you also have to bear in mind that the completion of the Southern Ring bypass is still 3 years away so relief is a long way off yet!

Development
Type PERMISSION

Description Redevelopment of the site will include the demolition of existing buildings and the provision of a mixed use retail/office development comprising (i) an anchor retail store of 4,010 sq.m gross floor space]Address [/B]:corner of Rosbrien Road Ballinacurra Road Limerick

The planning report can be found here: http://www.limerickcity.ie/uploads/lcc/planning/decision/06203g.doc