urbanisto
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I think it looks drab. However at least the private sector is coming on board. The street looks better cared for at least. The street furniture remains awful, the paving is dull and the mismatch obvious. The scheme lacks elegance in my view. The second phase of work is taking ages, only two other streets done.
The main wall mounted lamps have been installed now. Very disappointing to see the poor outcome. These leaf yokes are truly awful.
The stink from this building when I passed by the other week. Its been used as a toilet or something. Completely unmanaged. I know we’ve an awful homeless and the shelter here undoubtedly attracts rough sleepers, but all need to manage the site seems to have gone.
You cant see the former Zap shop here. This looks towards the steeple of whats now Dublinia. The building dead centre is now roadway I suppose.
Which Arch, the Chadwicks Arch?
Dates from 1861 and was originally constructed (rather grandiosely) as the entrance to Kelly’s Timber Yard
Which Arch, the Chawdicks Arch?
Dates from 1861 and was originally constructed (rather grandiosely) as the entrance to Kelly’s Timber Yard
Some snaps of the interior at the recent Merrion Square Open Day where they’d cleared out the house ahead of the redevelopment
Some snaps of the interior at the recent Merrion Square Open Day where they’d cleared out the house ahead of the redevelopment
My own humble 1930s Corporation Housing Scheme is now getting the loving attention of DCC Public Lighting – with predictable results. A number of these concrete standards are slated for removal…their filials the first things to go. Galvanised yokes to replace them. Assorted lampheads for variety.
Not even an attempt to match lantern heads. Its really shocking. But people also need to demand better. Otherwise it is simply a case of engineers doing their worst with impunity.
A few snaps of the new bridge on the exsiting thread viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6703&p=118042#p118042
I have to say I agree with Graham about the quality of Eden and Burgh Quays. Some notable examples aside (such as Aviation House or Scotch House or whatever its called) there’s plenty to like on these quays, although its all hideously presented.
Perhaps you should send it to Siobhan Maher of the Public Realm team for use as the front cover :shifty:
Very sophisticated planning drawing there.
What a great find..and how on earth did you find it….you’re attic must be enormousThe application for the restored Market must be due soon
@rumpelstiltskin wrote:
Graham, when it comes to this cesspit of an area, anything is better than nothing. And, in fact, nothing would be better than what’s there – razing blocks to the ground and paving them with concrete would be better. There’s literally no way to salvage whatever character it once had – unless you’re going a sort of I don’t give a shit/halting site type of vibe. If vainly trying to restore character involves building more ugly two and three storey boxes clad in red brick – I’d rather take the “corporate” eight storey buildings that might actually bring more people to live in a derelict shithole which, being so central in our capital city, verges on a national embarrassment.
I think you are maybe a tad over critical of the area rumpelstilskin. Its certainly dismal but a ‘cesspit’ might be a bit strong. I agree that its streetscapes are grim and unrelenting…acres of tarmac and cement and not an ounce of quality in everything from lighting to a humble bench.
However, the area does have two attractive housing areas – Ormonde Sq and Church Street dwellings – albeit very suburban in nature. There’s a park – Halston Green and some fine buildings surrounding it – St Michan’s Catholic, the former Newgate and former Green Street courthouse. There’s a number of curiosities which Kevin alludes to above and there’s similar on Mary’s Abbey. Even within some of those dismal warehouses there are spaces which with imagination could be very interestingly reused…this is especially true of the warehouse at the end of Meetinghouse Lane and also accessed from Capel Street.
Undoubtedly the big boxes of Total and Ffyfes must go and there are a good many decrepit buildings that might be replaced a long Mary’s Lane and the block between it and Halston Street. River House on Chancery Street another big behemoth of nothing for the chop. Then comes to the former Fish Market site…now a car park, and proposed by Dublin City Council under the forthcoming Market Part VIII to be…. eh a surface car park. That is missed opportunity if ever.
Its grim – I dont doubt it. Its filthy and uncared for. Streets such as Greek Street are canyons of gloom. There’s not a tree in sight but rank after rank of poles and signage. But its not irredeemable and the essential fabric of the place can be captured in any new redevelopment, rather than completely lost in a sterile homogeneous development like that proposed in 2009. Actually getting back to the original 2005 vision might make good sense. A nice sense of urbanism to that I thought.
Dublin City Council is currently devising a 10-point plan for the area as part of the Public Realm Strategy and Brownfield Sites Initiative. Sticky plaster stuff.
It is however, an embarrassment that it has been allowed to descend to its present condition. And even the Council’s ‘stewardship’ of the Fruit & Veg Market Hall is derisory. Not that Council seemed at all to acknowledge at the recent seminar on same. But then, do they ever.
I certainly support more urgency to its rehabilitation….not a 2.5 year paint job of a roof!
What a state the north side of St Stephen’s Green has become.
This section of the square, the famous Beaux Walk, has so much going for it. Undoubtedly the liveliest section with undoubtedly the best collection of buildings. It has huge footfall. It has a major Dublin hotel…probably the most prestigious. Some of the best restaurants in the city. Growing retail. Little Museum of Dublin. It should be the most prestigious public areas in the city.
But, what on earth are the combined City Council and RPA doing to this area. The western end id obviously being readied for Luas and some sort of resolution of the top of Grafton Street. It’s been a state here for years, at least since the Luas was constructed in 2003. Despite the amount of people pottering about, vast swathes of roadway dominate, given over to a taxi rank.
From here, the pavement narrows ridiculously in front of the St Stephen’s Green Club, despite the fact that this section is retail up to Dawson Street.
A horror shop of poles and island and traffic engineers paraphernalia dominates the junction with Dawson Street, the ugliest in the city. Cross over (at your peril) and continue along narrow pavements in front of Little Museum and the various offices and restaurants here. Again acres of roadway.
Then you come to Kildare Street and are greeted by a new enormous build out of concrete slabs. So poorly done. Part of this new arrangement turning traffic onto Merrion Row from SSG East. Across Kildare Street and the same thing again, shitty build-outs, really poorly done. No concept of what a kerb is. All haphazard and careless DCC work. It will be ever so from the Council. Its impervious to anything else.
And back again to narrow pavements as you approach Merrion Row. And you cant help but wonder why?
