thebig C

I see your point exene, and would add that had such a structure been built given the peripheral locale it would most likely have stood empty for years.

Having said that, this whole Noth West corner of the City is so appaling from every aspect that literally anything could potentially be an improvement. From a historic point of view, what remains of the original fabric of the area is either gone or mauled almost beyond recognition. Likewise, in contrast to the above proposal, speculative developments in the nineties and noughties (mostly by the bottom feeders of the construction fraternity) have been unambitious pastiche of the worst kind. Likewise, the City Councils attempts at renewal have mostly involved building suburban scale houses resulting in a loss of urban character.

Still, DCC clearly aren’t too far out of step as ABP and An Taisce would rather bury their heads in the sand and protect non-existent fabric and protect vistas (of what exactly) to further rob the general area of investment.

C

@fergalr wrote:

The report followed a strategic study by the OPW which examined the scope to develop the Four Courts as a single civil courts complex. That study proposed a new campus-style layout with quads and arcaded links, and where all new buildings would draw their inspiration from the example of the Four Courts building – designed by James Gandon – but in a “contemporary idiom”.

Does that mean the Law Library, a building evidently designed in the dark by a blind man, would be knocked?

Is the Law Library the Building that runs along Church Street….the 18th/19th Century Structure with 3 floors of 1960s excrement shovelled on top of it? I would be glad if something was done with that as it is an abomination.

Its worth noting though, that even in the old days that particular building was a little odd as its rather ornate façade faced the backs of the buildings on the River front rather then the major thoroughfare.

C

Hey StephenC

Your point regarding the tunnel aspect is legitimate. Afterall, Parnell Squares poor reputation is not undeserved. Furthermore, I think the boardwalk and numerous other examples have proved that we are not good at either policing or indeed servicing public amenities.

C

I actually like the renders and I feel this project would provide and interesting backdrop and alternative entrance to the Garden of Rememberance, as opposed to the tangle of groth that currently envelopes this part of the site. However, I am allways instinctively dubious about developments which are “fitted in” , as the constraints of the site compromise the design.

I would be equally unsympathetic about some of the objectors though, somehow I suspect Mannix Flynn is part of the Anti-everything brigade.

C

I have great time for the Dublin Civic Trust. The always put forward thoughtful but very practical proposals.

In contrast, An Taisce seem to think the only way to preserve old buildings is to stop new architecture being constructed….

I actually think that given the confines of the site its not a bad design.

However, we all know what the area is like….there is a distinct danger of any type of enclosed tunnel becoming a doss house and public urinal.

C

I had a stroll around “former” Georgian enclaves in North Dublin City recently. Its a truely depressing and dismal sight. When in a way makes a mockery of ABPOs refusal of the NCH on the grounds that it is a historic area.

I a sense though, the scale of destruction wrought in the North City makes it all the more important that what remains is consolidated and preserved. If ever there was a case for sensitive reconstruction (not pastiche a la Mount Street in the 70s/80s) this is it. A historic wrong would thus be corrected. Frankly, given how attitudes had changed, I was rather surprised that the ESB pushed ahead with this project.

C

Great news….hopefully this can proceed apace. Its a little bitter sweet for me….when I was in DIT back in 2001 they were talking about this project be ready to proceed, indeed I’d been reading about it since the late 1990s. Of course it wasn’t to be, but just think, this could have self financed if DIT had sold their existing buildings at the height of the boom. That the didn’t is a reflection of just how inefficient and “political” DIT is as an instution!

On the decision itself……well quelle surprize….ABP allow a huge scheme to sail through but selectively subtract ALL the elements that could be termed highrise. Anybody who tries to maintain that they don’t have a certain agenda is deluded!

C

I don’t know….some of the new paving is actually very good quality. However, what we see today really isn’t anything like the great open European Piazza we were promised.

The pace of development has been labouriously slow, what was built took extraordinarily long (thanks in part to our old friends the serial objectors) and some projects haven’t even comensed like the redevelopment of Irish distiller, the Georgian buildings at the head of the Square, the unsightly derelicting in front of the Glass House and of of course the huge excavation between Phoenix House and the Four Courts. All add an air of drabness and cessation.

Needless to say, mistakes of the past are still haunting the Square. I am speaking about the “Childrens Court” and its attendent retenue of intimidating gurriers and the toytown like 2/3 storey pastiche Council houses at the Northern end.

C

Thanks for that Sauchiehall:)

Indeed…a little seen perspective of the Belfast skyline! I would be too familar with Belfast, so its nice to get different views of the City…it all helps with the old mental picture:)

C