Goofy

@johnglas wrote:

I’m still with BTH – there’s no structure to support a ‘floating’ canopy, so it will have to be confined more or less within the outer edge shown in the last of CraigFay’s pics. Either way, it’s quite a statement.

the support structure for the Polycarbonate skin can be seen in this picture.
5 ribs extend from the roof out around the glass that has already been fitted. These ribs will continue around the whole structure to create the blob shape.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39454894@N02/3630808642/sizes/l

@Tuborg wrote:

With the closure of Dunnes Stores on O Connell Street, its probably a good time to examine the future prospects of this city centre block which Limerick City Council have identifid as a “critical development opportunitiy” in their City Centre Strategy document.

Bank of Ireland are awaiting planning permission for a refurbishment of their building which involves the replacement of the existing facades and new signage. Next door the Dunnes outlet comprises 2 shabby, dilapidated buildings of very poor visual quality. At the Sarsfield Street junction stands O Sullivans pharmacy, a heavily modified 3 storey 19th century commercial building of little or no architectural merit. The only structure of any architectural interest here is the Art Deco style ACC bank dating from 1940. Incidentally ACC bank will soon be re-locating to their new headquarters on Henry Street leaving another void on this stretch of O Connell Street.

Realistically this block which is essentially the very heart of the city is in dire need of redevelopment. On the whole it consists of worthless, tired buildings of very poor quality that are unable to provide the floorspace that is required to entice big name retailers into this prime location. I know that wholesale redevelopment like this can be dangerous and that high quality design is crucial but realistically are there any other options available? Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Fordmount have a sign up on the Nevada Smyths building, which is on the Henry Street side of this block. It says “Acquired for Development”, so they obviously have designs for this area. I doubt they could extend to the opposite corner of the block though.

The county council have uploaded the drawings attached to the latest permission submitted for the Parkway Valley Shopping centre.

http://www.lcc.ie/ePlan/InternetEnquiry/rpt_ViewApplicDetails.asp?validFileNum=1&app_num_file=08645

Here are some of the main changes proposed.

The ice rink has been upgraded to olympic standard, complete with ice hockey style duguots and sin bins. there is the associated changing rooms and plant rooms and so on. It will have seating for 1000 spectators.

The “health and well being” element has been replaced by a bowling alley and a food court containing around 17 food units with common seating areas.

The layout of many of the retail units has been altered to accomodate the needs of potential tennants.

The 2 levels of above ground parking at the rear of the development have had a third level added.

There are a few canges to the exterior also. The overall design of irregular sections at odd angles has not changed but it looks like the large glazed areas at the entrances have reverted to a more conventional design. Presumably for cost reasons.

@Tuborg wrote:

I was fairly surprised myself that the figure was so low but the reality is that the vast majority of Caherdavin was already within the city boundary in the first place. The city used to end just before Ivans cross on the Ennis road so the city council are only inheriting a remaining few estates. Aside from the parts of moyross, the area that the boundary extension covers is predominantly rural and undeveloped, Coonagh for example isnt much more than a hamlet, although there are currently a number of large residential developments in the pipeline.

We are likely to see major changes now that the extension has taken place, it will be interesting to see what stance the city council takes on planning and development in these areas!

Sorry to be pedantic but none of caherdavin used to be in the city. Its just not as big as people think.

The Limerick Post have included the planning permission for the Cresent Shopping centre extension in this weeks edition.
Limerick Post

The following is what i made of the description in the planning permission

It doesnt actually say where the carpark will be so that is just a guess on my part.

@Limerick Leader wrote:

Marks and Sparks to open in Limerick

AFTER years of speculation is was confirmed this Thursday afternoon that Marks & Spencer has agreed legal terms to open its first store in Limerick.

But the sad news is that they won’t be coming until autumn 2009.

The brand-new 110,000 sq ft flagship store is subject to planning permission and will be located in the Crescent Shopping Centre.

For the past 10 years there has been speculation as to whether or not the store, famous for its food hall, would come to Limerick, with the site of the George Hotel in the city centre, one of the sites previously mentioned.

“The store will open under Marks & Spencer’s signature style with contemporary interior design, bright lighting, easy to navigate walkways and spacious fitting rooms,” a spokesman for the company told the Limerick Leader.

It will include a wide range of fashion across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, as well as home and furniture products.

The store will also boast a food hall offering a comprehensive range of M&S food and wine, which will be complemented by an M&S Café and a Deli Bar.

Jenny Mulholland, Head of Property Planning for Ireland at Marks & Spencer said, “We’re delighted to be opening our first store in Limerick. We’ve been searching for a suitable location for some time and are really pleased to have secured such a prime spot at The Crescent.

“We know that we already have many loyal customers in the Limerick area and we can’t wait to get started on their brand-new flagship store.”

http://www.limerickleader.ie/3419/Marks-and-Sparks-to-open.3516453.jp

They mention that it is subject to planning permission. I presume this means that they are going to extend the cresent shopping centre to accomodate it.

It says its a replacement in the document

@The Fitzgerald Report wrote:

A new road is currently planned to the north of the city linking the N7 to the Coonagh roundabout

Interesting.
Has anyone else heard any about this

It is still an active church and friary. My grandmother still regularly attends mass there every Tuesday