well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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@Tuborg wrote:
P04/601
The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the objective of high quality design in the city centre and as such would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Fairly ironic that the City Council states its objective for “high quality design” in the above case when it allows the following development to slip through.
05188
Permission for the construction of a mixed development. The development comprises of: Demolition of a five storey over basement infill building and a single storey building at 104 O’Connell Street]
This is Robert Butlers plan for part of the former brazen head complex on O Connell Street, the business went into receivership over loans owed to a bank a couple of years ago, Bentleys and the Brazen head at 101 & 102 have since re-opened. The developer had plans for the demolition of 104 o Connell Street and modifications to 103. The planning conditions stipulated however that the building should be retained.
That the front facade of the existing building be retained in their entirety, Should it prove impossible to retain the façade by reason of the physical condition of the building, the developer shall provide an appropriate elevation in modern design with sympathetic materials and punctuation which will not adversely impact on the conservation status of the area.
Reason
The applicant has failed to justify the demolition of the buildings and to adequately demonstrate that the proposed new building will enhance the special character of the area in accordance with the provisions of the City Development Plan and the Conservation Guidelines issued by the DOEHLG.Well it seems neither developer nor planning officials made much of an effort to implement this condition. The 2 building are now gone and are to be replaced by an almost identical structure to the one you see below!
This is what was recently constructed at 59/60 O Connell Street, not the best is it? Incidentally the same architectural office is responsible for both designs, not much imagination there then!:rolleyes:
Unfortunately there’s a really lax attitude when it comes to building design in this city, how anyone can decide that this cheap, looks like it was built in a few weeks job, enhances a architecturally sensitive part of the city is beyond me!:(Attached
1. Bentleys & the Brazen head
2. Formerly 103/4 O Connell Street
@Tuborg wrote:
The developer had plans for the demolition of 104 o Connell Street and modifications to 103. The planning conditions stipulated however that the building should be retained.
Well it seems neither developer nor planning officials made much of an effort to implement this condition. The 2 building are now gone and are to be replaced by an almost identical structure to the one you see below!
This is what was recently constructed at 59/60 O Connell Street, not the best is it? Incidentally the same architectural office is responsible for both designs, not much imagination there then!:rolleyes:
Unfortunately there’s a really lax attitude when it comes to building design in this city, how anyone can decide that this cheap, looks like it was built in a few weeks job, enhances a architecturally sensitive part of the city is beyond me!:(Tuborg, I would differ here with you when comparing both developments.
Firstly the original 59/60 O’Connell Street building was not a Georgian building, whereas no’s 101-104 are or were. Therefore in my opinion a modern building in the case of no’s 59/60 would be more appropriate than building a Georgian replica there. In the case of placing a modern building in a Georgian setting then it should blend proportionally in size and the materials (red and limestone cladding) used reflect the tone of the street. For my taste the architect / developer did well here, my only gripe is the security shutter, it disfigures the building at night.
Fully agree with you on no’s 103/104. Two more Georgian buildings lost. Here was a clear case for conservation! A public statement outlining the circumstances would be in order. It seems very strange as a lot of effort was spent with securing the site and neighbouring building with steel girders? I had a look on the Healy and Partners site but found nothing on display regarding no’s 101-104. You don’t have a close up of the sketch on the To-Let bill board?
Milk Market
Well if the Carr Street side of the Milk Market has a real gloomy feel to it at the minute. Well have a look below at the area just twenty years ago! War-torn Bagdad? Shock?:eek: Awe?:eek: No just the pre-Celtic Tiger days in down town Limerick city! Believe me this picture even shows the area in a good light , as FAS were very active in cleaning up derelict sites in the 1980’s!
The Milk Market conservation project must stand out as one of the most successful the city has seen. Though the area around the Milk Market has been regenerated and yes vastly improved. But alas the façades of many of the new buildings in the market area are in my opinion disappointing e.g. Corn market multi-storey car park or the refurbishment of the Watergate flats complex.
Milk Market
Architects Murray O’Laoire
Conservation and restoration of an existing historic building for use as a retail market space, providing for 17 permanent shops and 30 covered or open stalls in the courtyard.
The project was exhibited in the 1994 RIAI Regional Awards and published in the catalogue the ‘Preservation of the European Commission Architectural Heritage’ 1992.
In 1998, the project received a Commendation in the RIAI Conservation Medal Award for the period 1987-1992.
The regional and touristic importance of the market is emphasised by it’s continuing use as a weekly general market with an emphasis on horticultural produce from small holders, including fruit, vegetables, plants, home-made foods etc. This is of particular interest and attraction to visitors, tourists and compliments the recent completion of nearby urban renewal restoration and tourism projects, including the Arthur’s Quay Centre, Park and Tourist Office, together with Cruises Street.The overall concept is one of faithful restoration of the original form of the market as far as possible. However, the new pattern of uses such as the lock-up shops and the more formal layouts of the stalls in the courtyard and the more public use of the market house will have physical implications. The design, detailing and selection of materials was handled in a subtle and sensitive way so that the original ambience of the market was retained.
360° view click here
Views below courtesy Limerick.Com
Attached images courtesy sophiacreek and pckujawa
@Trapper wrote:
some pic’s of the new tunnel progress (2 weeks old) Clonmacken side
The Casting Basin (Clonmacken)
The Immersed Tube Tunnel Elements will be constructed in the Casting Basin. The Casting Basin is approximately 550m (L)x 33m (W) x 9m (D) and will accommodate all five tunnel elements. The sheet piling, installation of walings with rock anchors, and basin excavation is currently in progress.
Progress moving along nicely 🙂 and looks like that they have started on the first tube element of five.
@Trapper wrote:
some pic’s of the new tunnel progress (2 weeks old) Clonmacken side
That looks really good, they’ve progressed a great deal. I’m sure this project will look amazing once completed! When is the Limerick Tunnel due for completion?
Greyhound stadium plan ruled invalid by Clare County Council
By David Hurley and Jerome O’Connell Limerick Leader
PLANS to construct a €20 million greyhound stadium on the outskirts of Limerick City have been declared invalid after Bord na gCon failed to reply to a request for further information from Clare County Council.
The local authority was due to make a decision last October, in relation to the planning application, but further information about the proposed development was requested from Limerick-based Bord na gCon. This Wednesday, a spokesperson for Clare County Council said: “There is a six-month statutory time-frame involved and because we did not receive a reply during that time the application has been declared invalid and it will be returned to the applicant.”Local councillor Cathal Crowe has reacted angrily to this week’s developments. “I am seeking an urgent meeting between all the parties involved in the proposed development. I have relentlessly campaigned to see this facility come to fruition but I am now worried that Bord na gCon may be about to pull the plug on the site they purchased,” he said.
Last year it emerged that planning officials had expressed a number of concerns in relation to the proposed stadium. One concern was that the application would be “premature” in the context of the forthcoming construction of the Shannon Tunnel. At the time An Taisce also expressed its opposition to the stadium and in a submission it said: “The proposed development is not acceptable in the interests of proper planning.”
The submission also suggested the construction of underpasses or safe routes to allow otters to traverse the existing N18 dual carriageway: “If forced onto the road, otters will be killed and this would also create a hazard for road traffic,” it stated.
Meanwhile, in its first-quarter report for 2007, which was published this week, Bord na gCon confirmed the future of the proposed stadium was unclear. “The direction from Clare County Council that it would not be in favour of direct access to the N18, even when declassified from a national primary route, has necessitated detailed negotiation with adjoining landowners, regarding access to the N18, via a new roundabout at Meelick,” it said.
“The Board has not yet been able to finalise arrangements for access with adjoining landowners and as a consequence is exploring its options in respect of ensuring that its commitment to developing a new Limerick facility is met.”
Bord na gCon had sought permission to build a 3,000 capacity five-storey greyhound stadium and a three-story office building at Meelick between the Clodrinagh halting site and the Two Mile Inn. If the development is to go ahead, as proposed, a new planning application will have to be completed and lodged.
19 May 2007
So where does Bord na gCon go from here?
- Wait till the tunnel is finished to commence with a new application?
- Redevelop the Markets Field in Garryowen?
- Look yet again for a new suitable site?
Green Park and the Patrickswell race course were previous failed options. Previous Post
Georgian buildings in grave danger -1bn remedy sought (Limerick Post)
IN stark contrast to the whirr of ongoing development in the city centre and on the riverfront, the future of some 500 Georgian houses in Limerick is under threat, unless a concerted drive is set in motion to conserve this valuable heritage asset.
A conference, hosted by the Irish Georgian Society in association with Limerick City Council, explored the challenge presented in regenerating Limerick’s Georgian quarter, which has suffered under-investment and neglect, including dilapidated and sub-divided buildings and planning constraints.
The conference highlighted the need to urgently establish an action strategy.
Dick Tobin, senior planner with Limerick City Council, revealed there are 500 Georgian houses in the city that may not have a long future, due to very shaky foundations.
“It would take approximately one billion euro to restore these buildings. We would be looking for over 400million euro from the Government – but authenticity is valuable.
“The challenge is how to make these buildings useable. Parking is a big problem, but frequently there are big garden areas to the rear of the buildings which could be used for parking 😡 and exterior lifts could also be an optionâ€.
Property developer, Michael Tiernan, pointed out that identifying tenants would be another challenge.
Denis Leonard, director of Limerick Civic Trust, detailed how the Trust had acquired, and gradually restored, the Bishop’s Palace and the Georgian House at 2, Pery Square, and the meticulous work involved in restoring plasterwork, marbelling, a fireplace, the roof and the installation of under-floor heating.
“Admittedly, a lot of work is involved but it can be done – we have to be creative in how we go about attracting people to live in the Georgian quarter,†he said. Issues discussed extended to how families could be attracted to live in Georgian houses, how to interest business people to take up occupancy, and an extension of pedestrianisation to the Georgian areas.
Observing that “this wonderful architecture is not being given any consideration,†Mr Leonard said there are no signs indicating the Georgian Quarter, The People’s Park, St Michael’s Church and Leamy’s School. Nick Sheaff, director of the Irish Georgian Society, was critical that the city’s new hotels are receiving more attention than Limerick’s architectural heritage.
“Most people live in the suburbs and just drive to town, with the result that the sense of citizenship is very weak and there is not a strong enough sense of community in the cityâ€.
Mr Leonard said that a priority would be to appoint a heritage and a conservation officer.
“Most other cities have heritage and conservation officers – the Heritage Council of Ireland pays 50 per cent of their salaries – Limerick City Council must be urged to make these appointments.
“Tax incentives must be provided to drive a regeneration project forward. We need to now put together a working group to take it forward but it could be done. In Newcastle, in England, they had 400 Georgian houses in a derelict state, but have successfully restored themâ€.
Would make an interesting theme for the up coming general election. Again the Limerick City Council won’t have the clout (rates) to tackle this mammoth heritage task and I doubt if the Clare and Limerick County Councils would part with their (our) city rates for it either.
Images courtesy Fústar Pery Square and Cresent
@CologneMike wrote:
Tuborg, I would differ here with you when comparing both developments.
Firstly the original 59/60 O’Connell Street building was not a Georgian building, whereas no’s 101-104 are or were. Therefore in my opinion a modern building in the case of no’s 59/60 would be more appropriate than building a Georgian replica there. In the case of placing a modern building in a Georgian setting then it should blend proportionally in size and the materials (red and limestone cladding) used reflect the tone of the street. For my taste the architect / developer did well here, my only gripe is the security shutter, it disfigures the building at night.
Fully agree with you on no’s 103/104. Two more Georgian buildings lost. Here was a clear case for conservation! A public statement outlining the circumstances would be in order. It seems very strange as a lot of effort was spent with securing the site and neighbouring building with steel girders? I had a look on the Healy and Partners site but found nothing on display regarding no’s 101-104. You don’t have a close up of the sketch on the To-Let bill board?
Maybe I didnt express myself clearly enough! I wasnt suggesting that a mock georgian building should have been constructed in place of the 2 single storey infill buildings(59/60 O Connell St), that would just have been sheer pastiche! What I was suggesting was that replacing 2 Georgian buildings with a similar design just because they might not have been suitable for whatever use the developer had in mind(offices and retail) was unacceptable. Its a clear case of Limerick City Council taking the easy way out yet again, this project was developer dictated right from the outset!:mad:
Just one more thing, the ground floor facade is quite different in some earlier renders, or is this just an alternative design?
The letting agents for 103/4 O Connell Street are Power & Associates, however theres no mention of the development on their site as of yet!
The whole opera centre saga is quickly developing into a shambles! Of course this article is highly speculative, however if indeed a new application was submitted it would set the project back by at least a year, allowing the likes of Parkway valley and Coonagh cross to steal a march on it. At this rate the city centre will again lose out to suburban developments with the opera centre ending up with second rate retailers.:(
The quote from Dick Tobin is extremely puzzling and worrying aswell. It makes no sense and the part about the henry cecil is inaccurate, the henry cecil wasnt a georgian buiding, it was a stone warehouse! Reading between the lines here, you would have to wonder was the retention of the buildings on Ellen Street a sticking point for the previous developers? and is he suggesting that the project would be more appealing to prospective developers if this condition was removed?:mad:
Limerick Post
Opera could be rewritten, says planner
AS progress on the mammoth Opera Centre development for the city centre, remains at stalemate, there is a strong possibility that a new planning application could be submitted.
While Limerick City Council’s senior planner, Dick Tobin says that so far he has “no indication whatsoever of a new application being submitted,†he points out that it is quite possible that the new consortium that recently bought out the project from the Belfast developers, Regeneration, will not build according to the original planning permission secured.
Two weeks ago, the Limerick Post exclusively reported that local interests are confident that the 200million euro retail development will not be jeopardised by the change in ownership.
Equally confident that the new owners “have a definite interest in developing the project,†Mr Tobin said it remains to be seen whether they will do so in accordance with the original plans.
Expressing his reservations about the retention of buildings on Ellen Street (a condition of the original planning permission), he said that as these did not form part of the national inventory, An Bord Pleanala’s requirement that they be retained was a mistake.
“We have had two cases of Georgian buildings collapsing when adjacent development was progressing – one was the Henry Cecil on Lower Cecil Street, and the other was in Barrington Street, where part of the structure to the rear of the building collapsedâ€.
While confident that a major development for the area will proceed, the city planner said it remains to be seen if it will be to an amended set of plans.
Georgian buildings in grave danger -1bn remedy sought (Limerick Post)
Mr Leonard (Civic Trust) said that a priority would be to appoint a heritage and a conservation officer.
“Most other cities have heritage and conservation officers – the Heritage Council of Ireland pays 50 per cent of their salaries – Limerick City Council must be urged to make these appointments.
Who would be a suitable candidate for the heritage and a conservation officer?
- Ideally have an architectural background
- Passionate about our heritage past
- Have the guts to tackle developers or landlords in the interest of conservation
- Immune to brown envelopes
Cáit Nà Cheallacháin would be in my opinion an obvious candidate and fulfils the criteria above. Are there other suitable candidates about?
Images Junction Mallow / Pery Street and Cresent / O’Connell Street.
@Tuborg wrote:
Just one more thing, the ground floor facade is quite different in some earlier renders, or is this just an alternative design?
Indeed, a similar artist’s impression of the then proposed building for 59-60 O’Connell Street appeared in the Limerick Leader. The shop front resembled the former County Council Library next door, it always amazes me how often the end product varies from the original proposal. Previous Post
You mentioned that Robert Butler (Hollowfield Developments) is behind the 103 -104 O’ Connell Street development which extends back as far as the Post Office Lane where incidentally the same developer (Sloeberry Developments) are also involved in the former GPO depot on Henry Street. So has he got bigger plans on doing something with the Post Office Lane? Maybe possibly integrating parts of Cecil Street?
Possibly so, planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the former GPO site into predominantly bar & restaurant use. Its reasonable to assume that there will be some linkage between the 2 projects. It’d be nice to see something being done with post office lane, which, along with theatre lane has so much untapped potential, its an ideal area for the creation of a new entertainment quarter. This would also surely help bring some life back into the likes of Cecil Street & Glentworth Street, lower Cecil Street in particular has nothing going for it at the moment. The old GPO building has also been destroyed, its basically just a plastic shed now, Im surprised An Post didnt sell it on along with the rest of the complex!
06330
C/O Healy & Partners Architects,
Barrow House,
Michael Street,
Limerick.Permission is being sought for the following items: (1) The change of use of the former office accommodation in the Roche’s Hanging garden building to bar and restaurant use. (2) The change of use of the Mercantile building, fronting onto Henry Street from offices to retail/commercial use. (3) The insertion of a bar, restaurant and night-club at ground floor and mezzanine level. (4) The provision of new build office accommodation at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor levels. (5) Reinstatement of the arched façade of the former Roche’s hanging gardens building. (6) The provision of basement parking, with access from Post Office Lane. (7) The provision of a new pedestrian link from Post Office Lane. (8) The demolition to three no. existing buildings on the site. (9) The provision of a sub-station and all associated site services on and under land. The proposed site lies within the curtillage of protected structures: (R.P.S. 306, GPO).
The former An Post (GPO) complex and
Roche’s Hanging Gardens Building,
Lower Henry Street, Limerick.Georgian buildings in grave danger -1bn remedy sought (Limerick Post)
The future of some 500 Georgian houses in Limerick is under threat, unless a concerted drive is set in motion to conserve this valuable heritage asset.
Limerick’s Georgian quarter has suffered under-investment and neglect, including dilapidated and sub-divided buildings and planning constraints.
Dick Tobin, senior planner with Limerick City Council, revealed there are 500 Georgian houses in the city that may not have a long future, due to very shaky foundations.
If you take the recent demolition of 26 and 27 Cecil Street and construction of the three-storey Dominican Biblical Centre. It shows in the inspectors report how shaky some of the Georgian buildings have been allowed to come.
Dilapidation Report by Arup Consulting Engineers
No. 26
- Vacant with the exception of basement and ground floor.
- Dry lined internally.
- Cracking to wall junctions and substantial falls in floors and bulges in walls.
- Windows and doors substantially off square.
- Extensive cracking to external elevations with brickwork in very poor condition.
- Significant settlement to party wall and chimney.
No. 27
- Vacant (for some time).
- Wall ties/restraints installed some 10 years ago.
- Extremely poor condition throughout.
- Very significant and substantial cracking, bulging and deterioration of walls and especially brickwork.
- Very significant falls in floors.
- Wall junctions debonded.
- Windows and doors are very substantially off square.
- Extensive infestation and rot in all timbers – heads, lintols, joists, floor and stairs.
- Substantial settlement of party wall and chimney.
Many opposing views in the Report by Dúchas, An Taisce, Irish Georgian Society, Limerick Civic Trust and so on. It is a worthwhile read and it sends Dick Tobin’s message home that time is not on our side with our Georgian terraced heritage!
Images courtesy of Limerick.com and Elliot Maguire Landers Architects
Listen folks, if you really think that Limerick City Council, the Limerick County Council or any other council are gonna part with 1bn euro to conserve 500 Georgian buildings in Limerick City then think again!
All I can say is roll yer sleves up, get your shovels and wheel barrows out ’cause you’re gonna be real busy when reality hits home!
Remember, they need your hard-earned rates so they can concentrate on projects infinitely more important than just a few hundred worthless, dilapidated Georgian buildings… you know, such as “landmarks” like Richmond Court and Mahon House! Simply HORRENDOUS!😮
I can already hear the tumbleweeds comin’…:( 😡
@THE_Chris wrote:
What a horrid building.
You got that right bud! Who’s responsible for this “landmark?” Humm…that’s definitely the work of Sir Norman Foster for sure! Recognize his ‘sweet touch’ anywhere. That’s gotta be right up there with the Gherkin, eh? :rolleyes:
Geeez H. Christ it’s like trying to flog a dead horse talking to that lot! 😡 😡 😡
They’ve got so many “landmark” buildings now they won’t know what to do with themselves?
Fucking cavemen!!! 😡 😡 😡
I was just wondering if anybody could tell me where in Limerick City is the Trinity Rooms nightclub? Thanks in advance.
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