urbanisto
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Its not really…its a banner.
I think the proposed changes are well worth doing. The exsiting shopfronts are too heavy and give this section of the street a boarded up appearance. The repair of the facades is also welcome. It would be good to see the units either side being imporved to enhance the overall vista looking down South Great Georges Street.
One big problem here, as Devin says, is the width of the pavement, particularly given the high footfall at this key junction. Not an awful lot that can be done about it though.
Dublin Central recieved a very substantial request for revised plans from ABP today. I will try and post it later but its more or less required a complete redesign of the whole development. Among features is the omission of the iconic building, a redesign of the pedestrian streets, reduction in the extent of demolition and changes to the O’Connell Street entrance. The applicants have until Nov to respond.
@fergalr wrote:
BusGate strikes. Jesus. Bye bye vista.
It is only temporary. What I think is odd are the electronic signs for the College Green bus gate at Castleknock as you arte heading towards Blanchardstown (on the N4). 🙁
Not to mention the proliferation of signage! There are poles and signs everywhere.
Also:
The vista towards the HoL entrance and Moore statue from College Street is blocked by an LED display.
The view of Gratton and his lamps – shared with an LED display and signage
Inappropriate industrial park type lighting on the existing light poles (already ugly enough).
The sop of a heritage lamp in the centre median is an insult frankly.I see lots of signage poles being erected today adding the visual clutter. Well done to all who contacted various persons in DCC. Not that it helped in the least.
On the plus side however movement around College Green seems a whole lot easier and I imagine this is especially do for wheelchair users with broad dishing and flush paving.
Gas, this changed world we live in. It used to have such positive connotations, the phrase “restored to its former glory”. Now it seems its a dirty word.
A smashing analysis as always. Its rather a shame that this building hasnt been valued as it should over the years and I agree that Supermacs very crass shopfront detracts considerabley fro what should be a flagship builidng on the street. Ideally the whole use of these premises should change. But at the very least some tlc to the paintwork and a more sympathetic shopfront are called for.
Why indeed. Could it be that Dublin’s skyline is just not interesting enough to attract the volumes needed to maintain the attraction….ugly cable car take note.
There’s a few of those poles around. Probably for very helpful signage.
The whole bus gate project is a disgrace. A real example of Roads Engineers in full flight and not an urban designer in site. You would have to wonder why we pay for a City Architect (and department)
http://http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3666/09&backURL=Search Criteria >
I see Arnotts have an application in for their shopfront (3269/09)
“PROTECTED STRUCTURE-The development will consist of the restoration of the ground floor shop front facade and entrance portico of the original Arnotts Building to its former style. The restoration work to the protected structure will consist of the following work. The removal of the existing canopy, flag poles, illuminated signage and existing glass shop windows on facade of department store fronting No. 11-15 Henry Street. The existing mezzanine floor plate will be cut back by 2 metres to re-create double height shop windows and to allow the re-establishment of original facade with reinstated pilasters. The installation of new entrance doors in lieu of existing shutters at main entrance flanked on both sides with new glazed entrance doors (1 set per side). The existing 8m high vertical illuminated external sign on Henry Street will be removed and replaced with a new 8m vertical illuminated external sign on brickwork panel at west end of no. 11-15 Henry Street facade; The proposed development to which this application relates is within a conservation area and the building is a Protected Structure.”
Thats a fair point johnglas but you cant deny that the energy with which the area was originally developed has long gone.
There is some nice feature architecture there (the zinc stacks of the Distillery building for example, and Smithfield Market is a very well put together scheme) but the private investment in the area wont continue unless concerted public efforts area made and for me that means tackling the public domain, tackling its conectivity and relevance to the wider city, and targetiing the remaining vacant sites (including the very large one between Church Street and the square. I note a planning application here for new hoardings and further archaeological digs so it seems this gap will remain for a while yet.
The trend towards anti social behaviour in the area is also quite pronouced with groups of druggies etc regularly congregating. God only knows what the toruists in the Maldron and Park hotels think of it all. Its really not very pleasant. I think the location of the Chidren’s Court here was also a big mistake in hindsight. The open space in front of it makes it much more likely for people to linger about before and after. I think the Court should be moved (apologies to all those kids who commit crimes).
The wider context also needs to be considered. The Markets, which never even got off the drawing board, must surely rate as a priority for regeneration. Even the markets building whcih was restored a few years back is falling into disrepair again. Likewise streets such as Church Street and Blackhall Place/ Manor Street and the stretch of Luas.
You should at least mention the dreadful public domain at the bottom of the square. It was never even attempted to make an effort down there. Pretty disgraceful when you consider that the main public transport connection to the square is at this end.
in fact thats surely a key failure of the area, the lack of permeability of public transportIts only taking over Criminal cases. Civil matters will still be heard at the Four Courts and the High and Supreme Courts remain where they are.
Personally I think the new building looks very well. Some lovely views of it the other evening from the Pheonix Park as the sun set in the west. The glass and steel were a blaze of orange.
The opportunity now existing to improve the Four Courts and its environs and perhaps even get rid of the more ugly buildings in ist vicinity…adieu Aras O’Dalaigh?
Thats exactly it….quick fix engineering solutions. I dont get it. College Green is so disfunctional as a civic space. It ooozes potential, its constantly being refered to by people like Dick Gleeson and Ali Grehan as the grand civic space of the city centre and yet no one can see beyond providing more space for traffic. Everything else must take second place to the need to accommodate buses and cars and (lets not forget the rank) taxis. The result is that while you want to linger there; you want to sit in that shadow of all those gorgeous builidngs; you want to explore the statues and fountain – you can’t because there is just no room for people.
By all means keep up the pressure Lauder…hopefully it works. A call to the Heritage Officer might be in order.
