dave123
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
@Tuborg wrote:
Finucane Properties Ltd have lodged plans for the development of a four storey building on the site of the former Finucanes electrical store next to Bella Italia on Thomas Street. Last year Café Bar Deli were granted permission for renovations to the existing premises and a change of use to café. Things didn’t exactly go to plan however and the building was reduced to a pile of rubble shortly afterwards. A decision is due by August 11th.
Work is well underway on the part pedestrianisation of upper Thomas Street as is the construction of a new 6 storey mixed use development at the junction with Catherine Street comprising of six retail units with four floors of office accommodation overhead. Meanwhile just across the street, the former kranks chipper, which closed a few months back is currently being re-fitted, probably re-opening as another café.
Limerick Blogger image.
Thanks for the update Turborg. I have not been down that way for almost a year 😮 How is the pedestrianisation comng along now? How is the impact there now?
@Builderfromhell wrote:
I realise this is not an economic forum and my intention is not to distract from the discussion on Limerick’s Architectural development. However, I do feel it is worthy of mention that the Economic situation has changed and will (in my view) continue to change dramatically and this will impact on the proposed plans for Limerick.
Not discussing these things won’t change the facts.And the fact is Limerick is doing pretty well in comparison to other regions atm. It will do for the next two years, as forcasted. Limerick is now going through even more rapid changes right now. The Tunnel with make the city much more attractive and cleaner once it’s opened. You cannot help but be optimistic in general.
Hope you realise.
@Builderfromhell wrote:
I regret to say, I am of the opinion that a lot of the large proposed projects for Limerick City will now be shelved. Why would anyone build more retail space, Hotels, offices and apartments when whats there isn’t selling or leasing. Consumer spending will drop so shops will continue to close.
Also, I expect the powers that be will shelve the re-generation projects. They won’t announce it as cancelled though – just string it along in planning stage for years.Limerick is doing pretty welll right now. The city centre is buzzing atm. New developments coming on nicely. The Thomas street development will really kick off the Bedford/Thomas street commerical uprising atm. The Opera centre will attact millions back into the city centre. This will futher bring rates down and keep investment flowing into the city centre. Bedford Row is now ubelievable and a thousand’s time better since prior to the pedstrianisation. The city centre will continue to attract investment, when the final pedstrianasation phases come through along the other streeets. The Limerick Tunnel will also give the city back to its people. The city will become one of Ireland’s friendliest pedstrianized cities.. Stop your f****** negativism please. Limerick is doing fine, especially without your sh!t.
@Tuborg wrote:
You’re completely wrong btw with your statement about Patrick Street. With the exception of the Catherine Hayes house, the buildings here arent being restored, its merely their facades that are being retained, theres a big difference. You go on as if we should somehow be grateful for this token level of heritage protection, facade retention is the very least we should accept.
Oh for heavans sake what do YOU want inside the buildings of the existing Georgion? What relevance is this to anything ?what relevance does a business does behind the facades have got to do with it., What relevance does a lawyers and solictors consisting these buildings got to do with architecture and the bricks and morta if anything proceeds? Seriously listen to the idioy of that post. Have you ever been to London or Paris. There is 100s of examples of Victorian and pre 18th century buildings in both of these cities only merely have the facades retained on street frontage, with a metro running behind it or of offices behind etc. This is to keep the heritage and character of the old streets. But also new behind from view is kept hidden so the modern can be created. That is the most redicoulous anti development comment I’ve ever heard on this thread. The best of both worlds.
So Im “whinging about “3 or 4 georgian buildings” am I? It is in fact six buildings that are proposed for demolition and as far as I’m concerned, the loss of these buildings would have a major adverse effect on the character of the area. I think it would be more in your line to look carefully at what is being proposed to replace these buildings on Ellen Street instead of making foolish and childish statements. Your attitude about the loss of historical buildings shows a high degree of ignorance, have you not realised that the sorry state of much of the city centre is a direct result of similar short sighted attitudes in years gone by?
Ellen street is in dire state, and a private national developer, has put their faith and money into this project. They are rejuvenating the area. This area is a derelict mess, blame the city council for that. The Opera centre is probably the single biggest investment to ever have been proprosed in the Munster region. My point is the pros far outweigh the cons. The investment is in dire need. The georgian on Ellen street is nothing compared to the Georgian’s around Mallow and O’Connell avenue or other parts of the city. Some are been restored I’m pretty much happy, its better to be realistic. tbf.
Most of the horrrible developments were brought on by the incompetence of the city council, in the 50s up till now. Fantastic buildings like Todds and Roches were unique to Limerick and were like no other buildings of its time. I’m sad they are gone. My attitude is not of taking away the old.
The fact is they were knocked and replaced by a cheap monolithic pre modern 3 storey crap thats seen in every town acrross Ireland. This is what should of never happened. I respect your views on that.The Opera centre is new and has to be built in todays needs and wants, with the allowance of keeping whatever historic elements they can, to a developer it isn’t really realistic to keep everything that is old, a developer has to make money This is a fact of life. They are putting 350million on the line for it. I don’t know any shopping mall in Ireland that is actually planning to restore historic buildings within its development. I don’t know any shopping complex that acutally restored the old buildings on its site. I don’t know any shopping centre that is building a muesem inclusive to the development.
The Opera centre is located on yard, brownfield site, shed, open area and on block of dereliction. There is a difference, Its a joke there right now.
@Tuborg wrote:
It seems Regeneration Developments have been wooing the city councillors with a presentation of their plans for the opera centre!:rolleyes:
Interesting to note how easily seduced Cllr Leddin was!:rolleyes: It has been reported elsewhere that one of the main reasons why the developers want to widen Ellen Street is to accomodate a service area. If Limerick City Council sanction the demolition of the Ellen Street buildings to facilitate this service area I think It’ll be the final nail in the coffin of proper planning in Limerick. The developers insistence that these buildings “have to be demolished” is absolutely laughable. The only reason they’re spouting this nonsense is to suit their own agenda, they couldnt be arsed repairing these buildings and instead want to inflict this substandard design on us to squeeze in a couple of extra square metres of retail space.
Even if LCC give this the go-ahead in its current form (which is extremely likely), its almost certain that it’ll go forward to An Bord Pleanala. This would add another year to the saga, something which is totally avoidable. I really cant understand Regeneration Developments logic here, their whole attitude smacks of sheer ignorance and arrogance. If only they would adhere to ABPs original stipulation a line could be drawn under this sorry saga.
The reality is only a few extra Georgion building’s would be knocked which is on Ellen street, The rest of the Gerogian will still be retained. Look at the entire lenght of Patrick street every single Georgian on that side is being restored. In fact it looks like the georgion facades will be improved here. Please stop whinging. There is pros and cons to ANY development. The Pros far outwiegh the cons. The whole scheme is revised. We need this development. Otherwise the city will lose out to the suburbs. Please balance the focus here.
The new design, feel, layout, architecture, frontage and proportion of the development is now drastically better. The opening’s onto Patricks street is a million times better than the old design. I much prefer this re -design than the saving 3 or so dereclict Georgian buildings with the crappy old designSo all in all its better. This will be one of the most positive developments coming to the city. I’m not going to sit and here whinging over 3 or 4 georgian buildings FFS. When you have got to look at the overall. The nit picking here on the Opera centre is now old. This is really holding this city behind. The city centre needs retail space to compete with the suburbs. Right now Limerick is falling behind the rest. So you either sit here and whinge about it, and in a few years you will sit and whinge how there is no proper retail experience within the CBD. You decide.
@KeepAnEyeOnBob wrote:
I agree there’s nothing inherently wrong with apartment complexes, and certainly I think the higher level development by the riverfront is great, and am happy to see more of it.
However, I do object to this “flatten it all” attitude that has seen Limerick end up with less historical building stock and more crummy poorly thought out buildings (some of which themselves are to be knocked). It is arrogance to think that all 2008 designs will be so great and modern that they will have the permanance of the old buildings.
You say that part of town is soulless. I beg to differ. It is dreary and run down, and yes the buildings are typical of other places in Ireland. That is the point though, we are in Ireland and the buildings contribute to the authentic indigenous character (i.e. we don’t have to make up plastic stuff for tourists). Even paint would spruce up some of the less run-down buildings, and indeed already has helped (e.g. at the William/Gerald Griffin st corner). The streetscape is also a contributing factor to the run down feeling. William street despite some decrepid buildings would not be half as bad if it had a decent streetscape (although a pity they didn’t bring in the chewing gum tax).
Some of the old buildings are actually very distinctive in that area, for example the building near the corner of Gerald Griffin St. and Sexton St. that has timber frame on the outside. Quite run down but worth doing up. New buildings around there could be good, but they could just as easily be soulless monstrousities that will be as depressing as run-down old buildings in just a matter of 5-10 years.
I’m not for all flattening either, but the majority of south william street to Parnell street is among the most run down decayed, bland and same crap buildings thats in every provincial town around the country. There is nothing of character or beautiful about them IMO. Some parts of Willams street yes is distinctive etc. This development could be nice addition to be a gateway building coming from the south of the city. This project is not going to hinder or destroy the streetscape of the area, its already decayed. The Tower proprosal, if goes ahead, will probably reduced to 12 to 15 storeys. If its that height it might work. Take a look at other cities around the world that has high rise in the city centre, even as small as Limerick or Cork. People in other countries just don’t have a phobia with high density, high rises. I use the term “2008” as we need to discard the attitude that something new and ambitious is negative. Although not every high rise built in Ireland is inspiring, breathaking or imagnative. The Riverpoint was a big success here in Limerick. tbf. Despite the controversary prior to the go ahead of it. Now the positive attention Limerick get’s as a result that its gilimmering in view. It’s new, its modern, its awesome.
But building up is the way to go, that is what I mean by 2008. It doesn’t mean in any way flatten the old etc etc.Limerick is expected to be ahead in econmic terms over the next decade with vairous investments, changes and developments facing the city.
Silent revolution puts Limerick in winning position
LIMERICK city is poised to outperform the rest of the country in economic terms over the next decade, with investment set to surpass that planned for any other part of Ireland.
Major investments include a one billion euro input into the city centre’s Opera Centre and Arthur’s Quay retail developments, a 500 million euro project along an eight acre site from Sarsfield Bridge to the Hunt Museum (including the demolition and redevelopment of such retail outlets as Dunnes Stores, Penneys, the Revenue Commissioner’s Office and the current Arthur’s Quay Centre. Also coming on stream are new riverside walks, restaurants and cafes, a park, cinema complex, extensive underground car parking, outdoor performance space and a visual and performance arts centre.
“The reality is that Limerick City is currently in the middle of a silent revolution that is gradually transforming it into a modern, dynamic European city,” says Mr Power, one of the country’s leading economists who is also confident that the Opera Shopping Centre will further enhance the retail potential of the city’s central core zone.
“This site includes the landmark Granary building and there are also a number of other proposed developments in the city centre, ranging from a new city library to office and residential developments on Henry Street.
Allied to this optimistic forecast, Conor O’Connell, secretary of the Construction Industry Federation, Mid West Branch has predicted a positive outlook for the city and region in terms of significant infrastructural projects.
Critical of the “three local authorities role in thwarting the city’s development,” Mr Power favours a single local authority structure for the city which evokes the response from Deputy Jan O’Sullivan that the Environment Minister, John Gormley should now “bite the bullet” to set up a Boundary Commission. .,
“In view of this report and Mr Power’s comment, the time is now more opportune than ever to extend Limerick’s boundary,” she said.
With a view to securing an expert analysis on the economic profile of Limerick city, the report was commissioned by the Limerick based developer, Ger Clohessy.
If it’s a nice building, I can’t see how it would spoil the skyline. Most of this area of the city is just plain crap! Its probably the worst part of town. Nothing in architectural merit, nothing strategically historical other than St. Johns castle. If I was to have the same negative opinion that a high rise would be negative to the skyline, then so is st johns church equally.
Please get with the times, its 2008 now. Having a Gateway building here at the N24 just south of Williams street. would be fantastic. If the builiding is tacky of course it will have a huge negative impact on the skyline, of course I wouldn’t like to see a tacky building up by any means so. But if the building is stunning in architecture then it would be fantastic!
People missed point on the Cork Tower, how come that tower does not have a negative impact on the city there, when it’s actually built fairly close to the heart of the city. It’s actually taller than this proprosal. The Cork tower is located on a higher elevation too. The point of a high rise tower, is for it to be seen, not hidden.
This negative Irish attitude to anything high rise, never fails to surprise me . Its unbelieable the crap you hear on reasons not to build a tower!Cologne, I can see the Riverpoint tower all the way from behind Catherine street, would that mean it has a negative impact on the surrounding city in view?
@KeepAnEyeOnBob wrote:
justnotbothered:
Certainly that area of the city needs some work, and many of the buildings need fixed up or indeed replaced. However, the area does have distinct character and it would just turn into a soulless series of tunnels between apartment blocks if the development is just crude money-making. I think in that area of the city any buildings replaced should be replaced by the kind of simple buildings built on Wickham street recently. The kind of buildings in a lot of towns in Ireland – they are new and have apartments etc. but do not jar with the remaining old style buildings.
There’s plenty of other areas in the city for high-rise.
Where??
That part of town = souless. There is nothing but pre 18century ugly builidings that is seen in every other Irish town accross the country. It would real to say thats in one of the most neglected part of town right now. One or two Gateway towers would be awesome, when approaching town from the south, if they are built to a high standard and design etc. The Riverpoint is a good example where, people were afraid it would ruin the city skyline. It didn’t. Also Keepaneyeobob, there is nothing wrong with building new apartments in the city, as long as there are not awful in design. There are some fantastic new apartment complexes around town, not all of course thoughThe irish attitude that a highrise will ruin the skyline has to pass now. It’s 2008 like. It would enhance the skyline if its a nice tower, would it not?. Look to other European cities. 18 storeys is not considered tall. its on the fringe of the city centre tbf..
It looks good to me, from that picture tbh. There is nothing spectacular with this part of town right now. In fact its just a run down part of the city. From Gerald griffen street to Parnell street and as far as the railway station could be bulldozed if all I care. This area has no arcitectural significance to talk about either!. The location of the tower is on a gateway and is on the main road from the south and west into the city.. In my opiniion this could really change the face of the city coming from that side. It seems like a good spot to build highrises from there and around Parnell street. The proposed Orbital road plan is also just a few feet away too. So good transport links also.
I agree with justnotborthered, in saying whats wrong with building something this ambitious at this side of the city. It looks 18 times better than whats currently there!.Change is whats needed, why can’t we just let go of this irish attitude with buidling something pretty awesome.
In Cork the tower thats going up at the moment is not on the riverfront.its near the heart of the city on the southlink gateway. The Limerick tower is similar in that too.
Any other pics, it defenatly doesn’t look half bad either with the black and white!
@vitruvius wrote:
I couldn’t disagree more.
Of course redevelopment and new building should happen in the city centre but please, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.The opera centre is very ambitious but the current plan goes to the very heart of what is wrong with Limerick City Council. They are willing to foresake the streetscape of Rutland St./Patrick st. in order to bring in the rates cheque.
The fact that Rutland st./ Patrick st. is a relatively intact continuous streetscape seems to be of absolutely no concern to the city council.
The houses in themselves are no great shakes architecturally but they are intact and represent what was originally envisioned by the 18th builders.
Does the entrance into the centre have to be that big?
I have no problem with the filling in of the A shaped area behind Ellen st./Patrick/Rutland St. with a modern development so long as the street is preserved – including doors that open on to the street. We don’t want it to become like Pearse st. in Dublin where TCD have bricked up all the doors and windows of the shops.They obviously cannot see what poor planning has done to the middle section of O’Connell st. from Burger King up to AIB – a nightmare of different rooflines and shite buildings.
All becomes well again beyond that.
Limerick city council does have a point on rates, and i still despise the city council in many respects to what thy have done in this city in terms of planning! The city council are not making enough money so its understanable as to why they are delighted developers are coming in. The city are loseing out to the suburbs in this retail game. In the suburbs of Limerick is the place to do business, and can do better than the city, as the rates are far lower. The rates need to come down in the city. In order for retail to stay there and make business. This city needs this development. Without the recent developments of late even, we wouldnt have had the reduction in the rates last year.
Without rates coming in, the Limerick city council will go in red tape. This is exactly why the rates are among the highest in the country.
When the Opera does go ahead its more money for the city. More shoppers coming into the city to shop thus more for the city’s econmy. Rate will then become much lower and the balance of the city’s coffers are restored. More retailers will opt to stay and do business in the city as a result The city council then can put the extra money into riviatilizing the old cityscape, repaving and refurbishing etc.@jimg wrote:
See my post on the previous page, earlier in the thread; I think it is number 1898.
Sorry this is nonsense. I imagine everyone posting to this thread wants to see Limerick progress and improve. To accuse everyone who disagrees with your ideas as being against progress is insulting. I am all for modern development of Limerick and I love modern architecture and buildings; much of what has been built recently in Limerick has been very positive. I just don’t think the wholescale demolition of a long Georgian terrace to be replaced by a cheap shopping centre which is already out of date is a good idea..
This where I bolded your statement. You do not think there is progress with the Opera centre?. The Opera centre is not a cheap shopping centre. In fact the Developers have raised the price tag too 350 million. The new application looks even better than the previous one. Especially with the new frontage onto Patricks street. The pics look better than the previous ones, but that’s just my opinion. Even all the Georgion intact at that side where mall fronts Patricks street.
Now lets get a bit real here, with some facts. I’m not insulting anyone, you just seem to come across to me that the opera centre is all negative. The “cheap” quote is just one of many fals negative quotes by your own words and is a blatant lie. It’s not my fault I spot the errors in your judgments. Your comparisons are not accurate. And of course don’t take this personal. Your entitled to your opinions!You don’t seem to want to mention the fact the The Opera centre is retaining a lot of the georgion buildings too. Some has to go in order for progress. That’s life. But it would be fair to see what actual progress that will be done on seen plans, and to what extent of the historic parts are restored most importantly.. Which we all should see before anything is final and start to judge everything. You cannot expect every old building on that site to be saved when we are talking about redevelopment of this scale and is really badly needed right now. A few georgions buldings going for the sake 350million investment, is by far a better deal, when taking into consideration, from what we have been told Georgion buildings are to be retained in most areas. One way or another this part of town needs rejuivenation.
What are your views on it, what will you settle for this project to go ahead, and be real here. You cannot expect every old building to be saved. This project is a compromise not a cheap mall…
@jimg wrote:
I’d estimate that maybe 5% of the built up area of Limerick consists of coherent Georgian streetscape. Blaming the stagnation of the city on their continued existence is absolute nonsense, sorry. Fairy’s point was obvious; these buildings restored would demonstrate pride in the city, its history and its future. Visit any great city in the world both large and small and the common factor is pride and preservation of their unique historic stock. You seem to aspire to turning Limerick into the typical British provincial small city (Swansea is an example I’ve recently spent time in – contrast with Bath, for example, which has preserved it’s Georgian heritage).
Very little or none of the listed streets are derelict by any definition of the word. Of course buildings which have purchased in order to land bank a large development plot and have their tennents removed and are are left unoccupied are going to look neglected. Is Sarsfield St. ten times better after the development that took place there? (See the “Old Illustrations of Limerick” thread for pictures of what was there before).
Can anyone post some images of the Georgion buildings that are located on the Opera site? I think we are talking very extreme here. I’m all up for retaining Limerick’s historic core. But progess is also required if a city is moving into the 21st century. Jimg if I was to have that attitude with everything. Then there is not point in building anything modern in this city, absaloutley nothing. You either want progress or you don’t
Some actual positves to the Opera
- it will rejuivenate the local economy, CBD and the retail sector
- it will raise the city’s land values especially (around the Irishtown region)
- it will bring more investment and jobs into the city
- it will still retain some of the Georgion buildings and older buildings
- it will create more car spaces, and free up the cities streets.
- it will reverse the suburban retail domination
- it will reduce commericial rates, and this will attract more retail into the city
- it will increase land values throughout the city, hopefully raise above the suburban rents
- it will finally have a city centre enclosed mall, which it lacks in comparison to any city in Ireland
- it will create more revenue and people into the city to shop
The down side some of the derelict buildings have to go. That is a part of life when you rejuivenate an area. You can even apply this logic to your house, your bedroom, your furniture. This project is not about getting rid of the old. This project is giving this city what it actually needs right now. this project is worth 350million. You are talking of 350 million Euro investment.
@Fairy wrote:
Know what I think? I think the buildings in Patrick St, Ruthland St, Ellen St, May Robert ect should be left standing in their present situ, they should be ‘held up’ as a perfect example of what is acceptable by Limerick City Council. We could do a ‘kinda’ Frank McCourt tour of Limerick, highlighting our disgrace.
Council and owners of these magnificent buildings (in particular , the Georg buildings on Ruthland St, Patrick St and Ellen St. should not be be given one red cent for these properties and City Council should be made liable for their upkeep [align=left:3g4rfc2j]forever!![/align:3g4rfc2j]These wonderful buildings should never, never have been allowed to fall into such disrepair. Where has civic pride been for the last 20/30 years!! I suppose in the pockets of greedy non-civic minded owners. Shame on them all and shame on City Council for their indifference to the fate of these buildings, which no doubt are now fated to get the knocking bowl!!
fairy:(
So what’s your point.. Let this city remain in stagnation while the suburbs spread left right and centre. on one hand your right, it is sad that the existing Georgion and other old buildings in the city are gone to complete dereliction, more noticeably around the Michael and Ellen street axis where the Opera site is situated. But life has to go on.Rejuivenation is needed now. Something has to be done with this area to give it new lease of life. Some of the dereliction has to go regardless of any outcome. They are however retaining some of the Georgion as part of the new shopping precient. pity there is not enough of the old been restored though. But the dereliction is ten time worse than any imaginable development that will take its place. Hopefully we will see some more actual plans as to what extent of the Opera development is taking into consideration of the old and historic buildings into it. But I’m nearly positive that the developers are sensitive with this site, and are putting efforts into this project. It’s worth a lot of money. It could be one of the most successful Shopping centres in the country if it’s done right! The first time, may I add.
Some More good news! Taken from the Limerick leader. Since this is beside the city centre and Rail station. Will much of it be mixed use high denstiy?
Limerick’s Carew Park to be demolished
Regeneration: Carew Park this Tuesday PICTURE: OWEN SOUTH
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryADVERTISEMENTPublished Date:
20 May 2008
By Anne Sheridan
EXCLUSIVE
FOUR hundred houses in the Southill estates of Carew Park and Kincora Park have now been earmarked for demolition.
While it has been known since last year that homes in O’Malley and Keyes Parks are to be knocked, it has now emerged that houses in the more settled estates of Carew and Kincora Parks could be bulldozed.After full consultation with residents in both estates, this new element to Limerick regeneration programme will form part of masterplan to be published on September 30.
This could bring the total number of houses to be demolished under the programme to 2,300 across Southill, Moyross, Ballinacurra Weston and St Mary’s Park.
Regeneration chief executive Brendan Kenny has confirmed that part of the reason for extending the masterplan deadline from June to September is to examine the demolition of these houses and to allow for more consultation with residents
A perfect large scale example of something similar to this type developent, that works.
Is the George’s quay development in Dublin. I know its way off the scale in height and size in comparision. But it does have a low level of Five storys fronting at street level and looks tiny when seen in front of the high rise office tower from behind. Buildings surrounding are of max 5/6 storeys. Yet it still of one block and of one development. The aspect is much the same in relation to the Henrys street development in the above picture. The George’s quay office part which soars up to 11 storeys in one block and the remainder blocks ranges between Five and Nine storeys. Now if the Goerge’s quay was built with 11 storey’s throughout with one big retangular box that was to sit behind the front five storey parts it would completely overshadow it. It would look excessive and obtrusive just like the Henry street development appears now in the pictures..
But the tapering heights works does seem work. Georges quay block would be a disaster if it were to be one slab tower from behind the surrounding development. This is my point with the Limerick development. I’m not saying it should to go to heights of 11 storeys or anything like that. What I’m saying is, if the office building had at least set back levels, or spilt into Three segements, wherease the hanging gardens side by at Three storeys, the Middle secton 4 storeys and the Office lane be at Six storeys. etc. It would work alot better. And the Developers would even still be happy with getting its max density into the office block as well..The height in the entire block does range from six storeys to as low as two storeys with the warehouse at the corner. The New development has to take that on board, and use the range of heights within its aspects.
Sorry i didn’t explain myself properly Turborg. Yes they are two different buildings. But the actul Development of both, is the same developer right?. It would seem so since the red brick element is the same throughout.The Box is just horrfic its stick out and overpowers the front bar/restaurant section. 5 storys wouldn’t be so bad if the office element didn’t look so bland and boxish.. As you say tapering one side down like step level towards the hanging gardens would even make the overalls a thousands time batter.
I wouldn’t be so worried on the 2/3 buildings/ Warehouses on the corner. They will be up for redevelopment. They do not look like protected structures and are not in great condition.
I have not been down in LImerick since feb, and even longer since I was in the city centre, maybe chirstmas. What are the remaining redevlopments sites left on the Henry street axis? The ESB, Garda and Symths are the only ones I can think of and have being eyesores for a long time no since the regeneration of the street.
Side note: It would be great to see pics of Henry street of 10 years ago to and compare them to the presentation of the street now. It actually didn’t even feel like it was part of the city!
The EBS/garda site. They were rumours last year that both buildings’ were on offer for redevelopment?
To be honest I’m getting impaitent with this. This has got to be the most exciting redevelopment sites in the city if not outside of Dublin. A tall building beside the Riverpoint. I like it 😀
This is another golden opportunity here. A building again – different, magnificient and of course compliments the Riverpoint/Clarion and the surrounding scenery. Shannon tower? Maybe? My vision gone into overdrive. But you see my point here.The other questoin is on the Arthur’s quay redevelopment. Any news here?. Now that Opera centre is bearing frution. It does seem arthur’s quay is hot property and needs to be given new life. The current plans are fantastic BTW. A plaza in the centre was my idea for this, many ions ago:D. Finally fingers crosssed to getting rid off the prison park across the road from AQ S.C and the proceed with the new vision and extend the riverside buildings.there. Plaza needs to be built at the very heart of the city where the Cruises street and AQ main doors fronts onto O’Connells street, not at the edge.
P.S the new live maps views Cologne posted are awesome too.
@CologneMike wrote:
Tuborg, curious to see how it will fit in with the Roches hanging gardens redevelopment next door? Any images about?
OMG. the office block behind looks like a lego box! The front facade looks fine. But the “squarness” “blandness” “rectanganlar box. Is hideos. From an arcitecture point of view it should be in character with the front facade of the development, which has many curves and structures that is everything that isn’t a “Shoe box” In fact the road facing bulding and the 5 story element could be mistaken to be two completly different buildings if the brick shading was different colour.
BloodyAWFUL. the Five story segement could be given a sudden zits of life, with a few snips on the corners or something to give it a bit of ” umph” or just to get rid of the box shape at least. Its just beyond boring.
The building adjacent will be up for redevelopment I hope, its a warehouse isn’t it?
Wow!
I hope really they have good traffic managment with the extra parking and the fact the the actual shopping centre will now attract even more traffic.. Now that the city pedstrianisation and Oribital route begin to bear fruit. I Hope the private developers are paying attention to this and work with the new layouts.
The devlopers and City Councilors should be working together on this matter! Anyway If they get’s this right then I’m really happy on that aspect, of planning.BTW, The Circular road any update on it?
Is the tunnel (orbital route) still going under when the Arthur’s quay blcoked is getting knocked.
Anyone know any actual links to this? Thanks/Anyway back on the Opera Centre
It should go ahead and get planning permission IMO. On the basis that many of the old is been restored and that the shopping centre fits into this historic part of the city. It would look ten time’s worse if we have a 10 times bigger repeat of the Arthur’s quay shite. But one the other hand Limerick city centre needs a proper shopping mall, which it is really lacking atm It needs to be the core of Limerick’s commericial zone. Limerick is unique in that, the suburban shopping centres are the actual cores of the city at the moment. That needs to be changed in order for the city centre to compete, attract retailers back into the centre and give reason to make business as usual.
The developers do seem to want to make efforts in trying to incoporate the old with the new, in fairness. Or is this misleading?:(I can’t rarely see any negatives to it at all from my obsevation and what I’ve look at. The positives does seem to outweight the negatives to me.
Most of the Georgion around the Irishtown area is in fact very derelict. And you cannot expect all of the derelict Georgion to be restored to its once former glory. Life now goes on and the old cannot all stay, cities need progress and this is progress for the city. I’m not one of these guys who want to knock and destroy our heritage.If it was the case, where the argument suggest that “all” or “most” of the Georgian should be retained, then whats the point of building anything in the city centre that is not georgian
Some of the old buildings have rotted to the point of no option but only to knock, and rightly so. I hope there is a reasonable chunk of the georgion quarter and kept into the S.C.The Opera plan is being unfairly judged in comparison to other the ugly shopping complexes built in other cities in Ireland and even in Limerick.. There are Malls built in the other regional centres where in the old quarters have being replace with an American style mall full of blandness etc. This is not bland or cheap or souless IMO from the pictures above. Are there anymore pictures/models to show? It would be better for all of us to judge it,and really see if its flawed or otherwise. It would be respectful at least for the people of Limerick to actually see what is been built in their city if planning persmission gets the thumbs up anyway.
On a side not to bear in mind, I hope that the new buildings will blend and restore what’s nessecary and
apropriate to the historic context of the area too.
I just hope the new architecture will look well shaped and blending the old with the new.
As CologneMike said in his previous post, Arthurs Quay is not really a mall, its only a multi storey with a few retail units and Tesco ground florr supermarket.My vision, of the Opera centre, will be, that this Development will bring life back into the city centre. It will boost the economy not just for the city but the entire midwest. It will attract people from Cork and Galway, like Crescent is doing atm.
Attractivness and vitality wil open up all over the city centre. The core feel of a the city will be brought back to life. and thats how a city should feel. The city is well known for not having a city centre core feeling, like Galway or Cork has.footfall will rise, the city centre can finally attract nationally not just from the the shoppers locally that
currently flock to the suburban regional centres etc. The Crescent is currently the cities top destination in Limerick for shopping. City centre needs this core back.
The core is the key point when it comes to the design of the Opera centre to me.
it will open up the English and Irishtown centre’s with the Georgion and city centre proper. It’s unique in that it borders all four regions of the CIty.
and will be the “actual” heart of the city centre:) Which it is in fact. it will just bring all parts of the city closer together. The land values of the Irishtown and old English town, will rise, and investment and regeneration will start there too. Just like the pedstrianisation and recent developments on Henry street have done.Another side to it, for me is the shopping centre will have an uniquness (or I hope) it will stand out as it’s meant too.
it own architectural merit. It borders the Irishtown, Edwardian, Georgion, Victorian, and of course some of todays
Modern buildings that fill the present. so it should have the arcitecture of its own, and some of the above to give the “coreness” or central of the city. Does anyone know what I’m saying, Not sure If I’m getting my point accross directly?Well I just think
It’s important that the Opera Centre can itself takes features out of all of Limericks fine arichitectural history, into the new “design” the core of the city.
