Where Should high Rise Buildings be allowed in Ireland?
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In tandem, with the High Rise Building thread, I thought I’d ask people where they felt, high rise building should be allowed, or if it should be allowed at all, and how high should be allowed.
I only really know Central and South Dublin well, so I’ll give my opinion on that, but this thread is for the whole of Ireland.
Personally I wouldn’t like to see highrise anywhere between the canals, the Dart line, and the Phoenix park. Not to say that high density developments couldn’t be built, with 6/7/8 storey buildings without setbacks from the streets. The locations would have to be carefully chosen nonetheless.
I think Dublin 6, i.e Ranelagh, Rathmines, Terenure etc., should stay as it is, with relatively low densities throughout.
I do, however think that the non Georgian part of Ballsbridge could accomodate a building of up to maybe 20 storeys, provided the architectural quality was good, and it was set back from the road. Ballsbridge, has had a history, the last 40 years or so, of allowing innovative modern architecture. The AIB headquarters and US Emabassy, for example.
Sandyford Industrial Estate would be a perfect location, for a Canary Wharf style Commercial High rise area. It’s connected to town by the Luas, and right beside the M50. There’s very few if any, historical buildings there, so it could hardly be accused of ruining the character of the area.
Likewise, Blanchardstown, tallaght and Liffey Valley could also be the sites of a high rise area.
So long as the primary aims are:
1. To enhance the urban character of a given area, where a satisfactory cohesive character is currently lacking.2. To create an appropriate focal point at an appropriate location.3. To articulate a major urban development with a ‘landmark’, where this would enhance urban legibility.4. To create an architectural highlight of unquestionable quality.If a high rise proposal can tick all of these boxes, and probably a dozen more that I haven’t thought of, then all but the most heritage sensitive locations shouldn’t be out of bounds.
It’s when they start using criteria like: ‘Delivering density’; ‘proximity to infrastructural corridors’; ‘Iconic anything’, that’s when you suspect the scallywags are about (to use the Conor Skehan phrase). The question is, how many of the recent high rise proposals would even tick half of these boxes?
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