well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
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i think the plans for the redevelopment of limerick are the very minimum of what needs to be done to the city. i also think that they are good ideas, every one of them. arthur’s quay sc is a monstrosity, as are the blocks with penny’s and dunnes stores, and cruises street is cheap looking. william street should be renovated to restore something of its georgian character, but i dont see why it should be completely demolished – only on the lower end where all those brown brick buildings make you want to vomit when you look at them. Also, i would suggest that the sarsfield building ought not be knocked down as it’s quite pretty, and arthur’s quay park should remain but be improved in appearance. Consider that if that sarsfield building is knocked down, every block facing onto arthur’s quay park would be demolished, thereby allowing the fronts of all the new buildings to face onto the park. if some of the trees where taken out, and the road eliminated, it would take on the character of a plaza in front of what will, presumably, be showpiece modern buildings for limerick city centre. in particular the site of the dunnes building offers the opportunity for something exceptional. if there if a concern about an excess of retail space, i would suggest that be the location for the science museum which is proposed for dublin. i would also suggest the demolition of the block opposite brown thomas (which should itself either be demolished or improved in appearance), but that nothing be built in its place, so that you would have one of these so-called ‘european’ open spaces right in the centre of town. this square would be flanked by 1. the new buildings currently on bedford row, 2. the improved facade of brown thomas, 3. whatever is built to replace the roches stores block, 4. the franciscan church. seems like a no-brainer to me.
Mr. Shanekeane, have you put the submit button on automatic, or what? I mean – WTF?:eek: Has it reached nine already?;) 😀
@CologneMike wrote:
Barrington’s Hospital Site
The scaffolding has just come down on the second phase of development. It seems phase I and II are not medical related? Image 1 and 2 shows the original main building with it’s charming front entrance. Phase 1 was built a few years ago with some modern classical features to it (image 3). But the building seems to be mothballed at the moment? Phase 3 (images 4 – 9) has a mixed façade of limestone cladding and a bright white finish. It is to the right of the main building and runs right back along Mary Street to the St Mary’s Prize Band hall. Their functional use are unclear to me at the moment.
@vkid wrote:
Think the two are to be combined?Would be nice to see the stonework on Barringtons Hospital cleaned. Thought that was part of the original proposal for it but maybe it will happen yet!
Barringtons used to be such a prominent building down by the Abbey river, unfortunately now it seems almost lost in a mire of new developments! Barringtons House in fairness was well designed and sits comfortably enough beside the original however the new development Im not too sure about! It looks slightly less offensive in reality than in the plans but its still disappointingly unspectacular and cheap looking!
As for its possible future use. Barringtons house was originally planned as a “Multi use building incorporating offices, public houses and restaurant†but its been empty since it was finished! Two years ago a revised application was submitted for
05284
change of use from offices, public house and restaurant (reference: planning no. P.00/293, dated 16/01/2002) to medical centre facility, complete with new revised entrance, reception area and canteen facility
I came across this article in Business Limerick magazine last year and I presume it relates to Barringtons house
Barringtons Hospital Set To Double Capacity
A privately-owned city centre hospital is set to almost double its patient capacity after planning permission was granted for a multi-million Euro development.
Denis Cahalane, General Manager of Barrington’s Hospital, George’s Quay, said the developers, who have purchased an adjoining building, hope to have the €25m facility completed by the end of 2007.
Approximately 17,500 square feet alongside the hospital has been acquired as part of the development
and plans are well underway to complete the construction of the new health facility.“This will allow for six new theatres and 70 beds in the hospital. At the moment, there are 40 beds in the hospital,” said Mr Cahalane.
Medical personnel at Barrington’s Hospital treated 5,000 patients last year.“All the funds for the development have been privately raised and planning permission has been granted. Because of this development, we will nearly be doubling our bed capacity in the hospital. We hope to have the new facility completed by the latter half of 2007,” commented Mr Cahalane.
Barrington’s Hospital has operated as a private hospital for ten years. It is owned by Limerick consultant Paul O’Byrne and currently functions as a national referral hospital with the NTPF. It is the first stand-alone ambulatory day care centre in the country.
The health care facility has four fully operational theatres, an endoscopy suite and ten consultants’ suites. Mr Cahalane said the new hospital would facilitate a CT scanner, a Cath Lab, and six clean air theatres.
The new build is being marketed as a “retail, restaurant & office development, a guesthouse was included in the original application, Im not sure if this is still part of the plans!
@shanekeane wrote:
i think the plans for the redevelopment of limerick are the very minimum of what needs to be done to the city. i also think that they are good ideas, every one of them. arthur’s quay sc is a monstrosity, as are the blocks with penny’s and dunnes stores, and cruises street is cheap looking. william street should be renovated to restore something of its georgian character, but i dont see why it should be completely demolished – only on the lower end where all those brown brick buildings make you want to vomit when you look at them. Also, i would suggest that the sarsfield building ought not be knocked down as it’s quite pretty, and arthur’s quay park should remain but be improved in appearance. Consider that if that sarsfield building is knocked down, every block facing onto arthur’s quay park would be demolished, thereby allowing the fronts of all the new buildings to face onto the park. if some of the trees where taken out, and the road eliminated, it would take on the character of a plaza in front of what will, presumably, be showpiece modern buildings for limerick city centre. in particular the site of the dunnes building offers the opportunity for something exceptional. if there if a concern about an excess of retail space, i would suggest that be the location for the science museum which is proposed for dublin. i would also suggest the demolition of the block opposite brown thomas (which should itself either be demolished or improved in appearance), but that nothing be built in its place, so that you would have one of these so-called ‘european’ open spaces right in the centre of town. this square would be flanked by 1. the new buildings currently on bedford row, 2. the improved facade of brown thomas, 3. whatever is built to replace the roches stores block, 4. the franciscan church. seems like a no-brainer to me.
I think you have made some good points here Shane, I, too, believe much more has to be done… but I do like what they’ve done with the old Savoy Complex/Bedford Row, etc. The Marriott does look quite exciting and is desperately needed for the city centre! But I’m very disappointed with the overall design of the Hilton – don’t get me wrong, it’s great that a world class brand such as the Hilton Group have now come to Limerick… but who on earth is responsible for this architectural monstrosity!? Whoever designed this building should be put behind bars for cruelty!!! There was/is so much potential on this plot… oh well, it’s done now so they’ll just have to make the best of it eh? Maybe they should build a skybridge from Riverpoint to the Hilton huh?]centre[/B] to Limerick City huh? Something the city seems to be missing… It might be interesting to put that to the vote actually!?
CologneMike wrote:Windmill House (Retail, Apartment, Office Development)Strolled around the Dock road and had a closer look at the Windmill House development. It is unusual to see a building in Limerick been flanked by flights of steps as the terrain of the city centre is flat. The grey brick used helps it distinguish itself from both it’s neighbours (i.e. red brick). I wonder if Paris Jack could warm to grey brick? ]
I dunno Mike, I still can’t make my mind up yet??? One minute I like the grey bricks… and the next I think this whole developement looks quite grotty and cheap…hmm…I’ll have to give it some more thought… I think at the times I do like it my eyes are only relieved to be spared from that hideous red/brown brick rubbish they seem to be totally obsessed with in Limerick! But believe me I’ve seen much worse… These buildings are head and shoulders above that manure they call Richmond Court/House and Mahon House! They’re just unbelievably cheap and sickening to look at!!!:eek: 😡 More crap for the wrecking ball IMO!!! Should be simply blown away!!! Hurricane season should take good care of that eh?:D
But thanks for the pics CologneMike! Were you getting the evil-eye from some dude in the car?:D Who’s the loony with the camera eh?;) 😀
Former Charlotte’s Quay Car Park (1980)
This site was once earmarked for the new city hall. I remember a proposed model in a glass display in the library during the 1970’s. If memory serves me right it was to be situated in the middle of the car park with a wide open space all around it? It never materialised but instead it was slapped up on the banks of the Shannon. When I say slapped up I mean that this relatively new building has already plaster pealing and cracks appearing on it’s façade.
In the early 1980’s this derelict area was transformed by the city’s first tax designation status. This site is bordered by Michael Street, Charlotte’s Quay, Broad Street and the rear side of the Watergate Flats. The buildings that went up on those streets then would not exactly excite anyone today. My gripe is with the rear-side to these buildings or to be more precise the whole layout of the inner core of this site. 😡
Every building built seems to have a rear surface car park, surrounded by mundane walls or security fencing. Later a pale coloured multi-storey car park bunker was planted in the centre of the site and a drab row of apartments were built along side it. The Watergate flats got a rough cosmetic makeover recently so as to extend it’s life for a few more years. A metal security fence separates the Watergate flats complex from the drab apartments on the other side.
Lost in there somewhere is a segment of the old city walls (Watergate) and an old graveyard! The whole layout inside is a planning mess. It has a hostile environment feel to it. I would suggest redesigning it by running a new street from Michaels Street to Broad Street (see second image). Replace the surface car parking with underground decks and build a new row of buildings on top of them fronting onto the new street. Build a second new street between Michael Street and Mungret Street and again build a row of new buildings to face the Watergate flats.
Aerial image (Book) The Irish Landscape in Photographs and Maps by Patrick E. F. O’Dwyer
Any thoughts?
i dont see what putting new streets is going to do really, the whole place is a train wreck. sometimes i think they should just nuke limerick and start again. considering the amount of development that has taken place around that area recently, why is the abbey river even less central now than it used to be? having constructed an entire quay along the abbey, you’d think they could have bothered to make it a place where people might like to stroll and integrate it into the city centre. it truly had the capacity to be a cosy riverside strip like something in amsterdam
Afaik, there’s plans to knock the Watergate Flats, it’s mentioned somewhere in the reams of articles about the FitzGerald report.
The entire area is a mess, and should probably be started again. Of course, this being ireland, we won’t get anyone with a bold enough unified vision for the place. I would personally love to see the entire milk market/corn market area redveloped to something like a smaller version of temple bar, with the market becoming a focal point and the remaining medieval character preserved.
Overall though, we need to find a way to integrate Nicholas Street and Broad street into the city again, both are virtually derilict now. Whatever comes out of FitzGerald’s activity in Limerick, these two streets could be economic drivers for their respective areas. I would like to see Nicholas Street developed something akin to Galway’s shop street, basically a tourist street with the attending shops etc. Tax/Rates breaks would be needed.
Broad street, with it’s proximity to the Art college and Daghda dance centre, should be developed as an location for small cafes. bookshops, art shops, gallerys etc. In effect, it should be like a “campus street” for the local students.
@shanekeane wrote:
i dont see what putting new streets is going to do really, the whole place is a train wreck. sometimes i think they should just nuke limerick and start again. considering the amount of development that has taken place around that area recently, why is the abbey river even less central now than it used to be? having constructed an entire quay along the abbey, you’d think they could have bothered to make it a place where people might like to stroll and integrate it into the city centre. it truly had the capacity to be a cosy riverside strip like something in amsterdam
I agree, that whole place is a complete and utter mess! Very depressing sight…:( The entire area should be flattened and built anew! Bring new life and confidence to the people who have to live there. This is not 1907!
I like how you think Shane, f*****g nuke the lot!!!:D Seriously though, some people in Limerick really need to get with the times and get over the past! If you want a new and vibrant city that you feel good/happy and excited about while strolling down the street then just get on and build it!!! It will take a great deal of time and efford, of course, but it will be worth it in the end! After all, that’s exactly what they did right here in Paris!!!
More public spaces, lots more landscaping/trees etc,… basically give people back the desire…the pleasure to want to be in the city centre! As much as I admire (from a history perspective I mean) O’Connell St… I often wonder what it would be like to take away one entire side… Sound crazy? Double the width… kinda like O’Connell St. in Dublin…hmmm…. Well, the way they’re going at the moment you might as well! Maybe it’s my imagination here but is the rot ever creeping up O’Connell St…????
@justnotbothered wrote:
Afaik, there’s plans to knock the Watergate Flats, it’s mentioned somewhere in the reams of articles about the FitzGerald report.
The entire area is a mess, and should probably be started again. Of course, this being ireland, we won’t get anyone with a bold enough unified vision for the place.
Great news!:D About time too! Watergate flats are right out of dickens…:( They should clear that entire area and build some decent town houses there!:)
Charlotte’s Quay Car Park
Just read a so called “Issues Paper†(June 2007) from the Limerick City Council titled “City Centre Strategy 2007†where following receipt of submissions, a draft City Centre Strategy will be published and a further period will be available for submissions on the draft City Centre Strategy. It is anticipated that the Draft City Centre Strategy will be published in September 2007.
It is worth noting the following from the paper.
One of the three National Spatial Strategy principal goals for the development of a Gateway is an environment of the highest quality!
One of the key characteristics for a successful Gateway is Quality of Life – where quality urban centres and streetscapes, quality physical environment, good physical planning are some of its components.
There is also a paragraph dealing with Urban Design (2.6)
Limerick City Council seeks to create a sustainable city centre where the city can function as market place, meeting place and living place. For this to become a reality it is essential that healthy and attractive local environments are created within the city.
To achieve this goal requires, first and foremost, a well functioning public realm that is integrated into the urban fabric so as to create a vibrant city centre. In order to ensure this vibrancy it is proposed that active frontages and an appropriate mix of retail and commercial uses are encouraged within the core City Centre.
Remember how touchy we are when it comes to the negative perception of our city, as this is the first parking opportunity for visitors coming from the Dublin road side. First impressions of Limerick via the Charlottes’s Quay multi-storey car park can only be a bleak one.
The absence of active frontages within this large site is it’s downfall. The wastage of open space there policed by metal security gates, fencing and surveillance cameras would give one the impression that they are driving into a high security prison and not a multi-storey car park.
I would suggest that the author of the report
Mr. John Field
Director of Planning and Economic Development,:o
Limerick City Council,
City Hall,
Merchants Quay,
Limerick.should with his department and those developers involved go down to the Charlottes’s Quay site and discuss ways to rectify their mess!
@Tuborg wrote:
New Boutiqe hotel at Pery Square / Barrington Street
Just a few months after the re-opening of the George, Limerick is to get another “boutique” hotel, this time one of the Georgians on Pery Square is to be renovated to provide a luxury hotel and health spa. The hotel market in Limerick has exploded in recent years, 5 opened last year and 2007 should see the Hilton and the Marriott opening their doors!
The Property at the corner of Pery Square & Barrington Street was used as a hostel until a couple of years ago, it was built by the Pery tontine company in 1838 as a result of a fairly interesting scheme!
Tuborg you posted this back in January. Though all the signs of work in progress to be seen they are not exactly rushing this development up? Or is it more of a conservation job? Seen any sketches about or do you know what architects are behind this?
Hotel (Rhebogue Old Dublin Road) Construction Update
Limerick County Council Planning Application: 052503
Mixed use commercial development comprising of a 72 bedroom hotel, 1960 sq metres office space, 6 no. retail warehouse units (gross floor area of 5332 sq metres), car parking, ancillary site works and reconfiguration of existing road junction
Speaking of developments on that side of the city. My uncle who is a tower-crane operator was telling me that up to 12 cranes will be located on the Parkway Valley Shopping Centre. There was a two for a while and during the week the third crane was put in place so it looks like this development is going to be big.
It’s a pity work like this isn’t happening on Patrick St., Rutland St and Ellen St. Anybody know any more on The Opera Centre? Things aren’t looking too good at the moment.
@PoxyShamrock wrote:
Speaking of developments on that side of the city. My uncle who is a tower-crane operator was telling me that up to 12 cranes will be located on the Parkway Valley Shopping Centre. There was a two for a while and during the week the third crane was put in place so it looks like this development is going to be big.
It’s a pity work like this isn’t happening on Patrick St., Rutland St and Ellen St. Anybody know any more on The Opera Centre? Things aren’t looking too good at the moment.
Hmm….do you think there is the natural community to service all of these shopping centres? I don’t know the population of that side of the city….but it feels somewhat like they are expecting a mass influx of people from all over Ireland to move to Limerick!?:confused: Although….I must admit I have heard that many people are moving to Limerick….so I dunno really?:confused:
There doesn’t appear to be any movement on the Opera Centre at all, but then again you’d know more about this than I would. How’s everything coming along with that apartment complex beside the Hilton?
I presume all the shopping centres are being built because of Limerick’s location, ie half way between Cork and Galway, as well as having it’s own large population. Quite a few of my Galway based friends would make trips down to the Cresent for shopping for example.
Anyone know how Coonagh Cross is developing?
@justnotbothered wrote:
I presume all the shopping centres are being built because of Limerick’s location, ie half way between Cork and Galway, as well as having it’s own large population. Quite a few of my Galway based friends would make trips down to the Cresent for shopping for example.
Anyone know how Coonagh Cross is developing?
I’m a bit worried about Coonagh Cross. I pass it regularly and it doesn’t look much bigger than let’s say…The Parkway or Castletroy but I’m hoping that the part I’m seeing is only the Tesco area. The Tesco part is due to be open 6 months before the rest of the centre and perhaps they are building the Tesco area before the other retail units. I really hope it’s more Crescent than Parkway to be honest. Jetland isn’t the busiest of shopping centres and I don’t want to see another half-filled centre that don’t have many well known shops e.g. Arthurs Quay and Castletroy Shopping Centres.
Let’s just see what way it turns out. (fingers crossed)
ps. Does anyone know is it a one or two storey complex?
@CologneMike wrote:
Tuborg you posted this back in January. Though all the signs of work in progress to be seen they are not exactly rushing this development up? Or is it more of a conservation job? Seen any sketches about or do you know what architects are behind this?
Earlier in the year some part of the structure collapsed and work was stopped until a full report was carried out. Its not really clear what exactly collapsed, some reports say it was a mews building with others reporting it was the rear of the townhouse itself! either way the council werent happy! Im not sure if work has re-started yet, whats your impression of the state of play CologneMike?
The architects behind the the project are Gilleece McDonnell O’Shaughnessy of Mallow Street. Unfortunately Limerick City Councils planning enquiry system is fairly basic, unlike the county council they dont use e-plan software so there are no drawings available! I suppose this is the part of the application that stands out:
4. Construct new five storey over basement structure linked to the existing derelict 2 storey over basement dwelling house on Barrington St. to accommodate car parking, restaurant, bedrooms and associated facilities
Five storeys seems excessive, especially in this sensitive location. its going to be visible on the Barrington Street side and is essentially going to be sandwiched between 2 Georgian buildings, what kind of finish will they go for? modern & contemporary or Georgian Pastiche?
The hotel was due to open in early 2008, that date is going to be missed by a considerable distance now!
@Tuborg wrote:
Earlier in the year some part of the structure collapsed and work was stopped until a full report was carried out. Its not really clear what exactly collapsed, some reports say it was a mews building with others reporting it was the rear of the townhouse itself! either way the council werent happy! Im not sure if work has re-started yet, whats your impression of the state of play CologneMike?
Well there are funny side effects to buildings when they collapse in Limerick see following post!;)
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