urbanisto

I wonder what effect the removal of the ramp will have on Connolly Station itself. There will obviously be a new ground level entrance. I never noticed but did they make provision for this when they redesigned the station a couple of years ago.

You say that everytime Paul…. its quite funny. You can almost hear the exasperation!

I remember seeing a link to the orignal documents on an earlier thread so have a look back through the archives..

It is a bit dreary looking isnt it. Although its funny as it was a major achievement when it was laid!.. pedestrianisation and all that. I remember a cringe moment on the BBC Holiday programme where the presenter said in a fake Irish accent ‘ this is an Irish pedestrianised street’ with the backdrop being a car filled ‘pedestrianised’ Grafton Street.

I think a stylish contemporary look for the street although I think a move away from white granite and stainless steel might be refreshing…surely our collective genius can come up with something that is both modern and lively! Also a move into some of the rundown properties on South William Street and the business premises on Nassau/Dawson St would be good to create a proper retail ‘quarter’. The bigger shops are forever complaining about the lack of suitably sized stores in the area.

Im not sure of the logic of a Line C..window dressing I expect to make it look as if the government are investing in three and not two lines.

As for the Airport spur..I am sure this was the plan when the DART was setup. I certainly recall it being mentioned many times until the extension to Malahide came about. I think it was eventually dropped when we could set our sites on bigger fish like a dedicated LUAS line (likely by 2012) or Metro (yeah right!).

A dedicated line makes more sense as the volume of extra traffic on the DART would cripple the (currently substandard) service.

I think they should privatise the DART and LUAS. It not like the UK where there is a huge network which need central control. These one off systems are so more easily managed, Perhaps have Iarnrod Eireann converted into a rail network management company owned by the government and sell of the services on those lines. The same for mainline (aka intercity) services.

Excellent news! A department store would be perfect here. DCC have spent alot on a major upgrade to the street and I think taking out the office block would be very desirable. The only thing this street lacks unfortunately is sunlight which makes it unsuitable for outdoor establishments such as cafes. or stalls. It can be quite chilly on coller summer days.

As for the lack of native retailers in the area – I agree but I reckon thats capitalism for you. Arnotts could try a move but I think its unlikely any Irish group would have the resources to take on a development of this size.

It is good to see so many UK (and International – H&M are Swedish, GAP are US) retailers interested in Dublin. It will be interesting to see what difference this development together with the proposed new store on College Green will have to the area.

Personally, I think a lot has been invested in the Nassau St – George St quarter over the past few years and it is really paying off. The area look better and better.

Good bye to Eircom…perhaps they will dump their O’Connell Street offces as well and leave that free for something more retail/ arts orientated.

I think its close neighbours including and around Hawkins House would qualify for that gong Graham. O’Connell Brdige House is nothing when compared to the planning mess that allowed Tara Street and Hawkins Street get into such an awful state.

I never thought mcuh of this building… its too monolithic looking, especially for D’Olier Street. I would have been much better situated on the southside of Matt Talbot bridge (whats that quay – City?). But I suppose we must put up with what we have, its such a shame though.

I agree with the obvious difference that recladding has had. It looks much better.

There is a current recladding project going on at the top of Pearse Street – beside the GArda Station. It was an ugly concrete clad 60’s yoke… any ideas or pics as to what it will end up like. I thinks its called Joyce House.

Perhaps they’ll do it in the summer when the weather calm down a bit..its the rain that causing the dirty railings I’d say.

Now THAT sounds like rubbish!