urbanisto
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I have toagree with alaister here. there is no heritage value in these properties. The overall plan for the area is more important. U2 are would do better to direct their resources to another area and perhaps rescue some worthwhile building from the wreckers ball.
I think that the Metro is a necessary addition to the city’s transport infrastructure HOWEVER I also thuink that it woild be better complete the exisiting projects such as ALL Luas lines and ALL the QBC and then see how necessary it is and how it would compliment the exisiting set up. To be honest I forsee the DART factor rearing it ugly head – 1986 a much promised and heralded system that would run from Malahide to Greystones with a spur to the Airport – 2000 only then are the Malahide and Greystones sections completed and the airport run is quietly shelved. Also we can hardly say the quality of that system is good. New rolling stock yes but the stations in general are abysmal – most importantly the 3 city centre stations.
Personally I think we could do a lot better with exisiting resources and a fully built LUAS. Less concentration on the the city centre so that other areas outside get a chance to develop and grow. More cross city routes (removing buses parked in our streets), a LUAS spur to the Airport to replace the 7-8 different services operating there, better road construction so that we can have more QBC without the need to deprive everyone else of road usage, an integrated sytem with one authority responsible for all the public transport in the city thereby able to plan more effectively and efficiently.
As usual all will be different in 2-3 years as we are so fond of hearing. I wont hold my breath…. (God arent I cynical)The auld Ha’penny is looking great. I think the colour is an excellent idea it will really enhance its visual appeal. Should look great floodlit too. Bright and clean. But I miust admoit I like the Millenium bridge at night. Its very subtle and understated. A bit of attendtio is needed to the lighting though. Alot of them are broken already. A pity.
While on the subject of bridges – any thoughts about the bookmarket on Grattan Bridge. I dont think I have seen any comment posted about it. Its quite a good idea I suppose although I cant for the life of me inagine what made them think of it. It far too original an idea for Mr Fitzgerald and Co. I hope they change the bridge from that awful pea-green colour. Something more distinctive would suit.Lack of Sponsors – Maybe its because we spend our time grumbling instead of buying things! But well done Paul! Its an excellent and much needed site. I’d be interested to know how much effect it has on ‘powers that be’
Hopefully they’ll make the new concorse passenger friendly (an alien concept to CIE) Tara St at present is a death-trap. The platforms are too narrow – completely unable to handle the amount of passengers using the station. The same goes for the ticket lobby. These guys should take a look at the transit system in Singapore to see what an efficient, comfortable station looks like.
Quite like the main tower however although I too would be concerned about its appearence against the surrounding buildings. Suprise suoprise the design pics dont seem to include these buildings, just lots of lovely blue sky.
How do you think Kennedy’s pub will fit in with the overall building? Maybe they should consider dismantling it and rebuilding it elsewhere (its a protected structure isnt it)I cant help but agree. The Corpo seem to have a fetish for these things. They recently set up yet another pedestrian crossing on the Malahide Rd in Donnycarney. This consisted of those tactile paving slabs, some crappy-looking, unpainted poles for holding the lights and guess what BOLLARDS! two rows of them right across the pavement. They fulfill no purpose and just look plain daft. Still at least the ‘doric’ looking collumns are sturdy enough. The other type they use with the reflective strip seem to fall apart almost as soon as they have been installed. Bollards can look quite well – as on Stephens Green – pity they dont put a bit more Victorian/Edwardian era thought into it.
Have to agree about the Central Bank. The railings and associated ‘structure’ on this plaza look terrible. They completely take away from the effect of the building. I think the idea of a ‘colouful’ meeting area in front of this most ‘conservative’ of institution is positive.
I remember they did some work on the too ‘courtyards'(if thats the best word for them) a few years back. Very little in the way of imagination used and obviously not enough time given to the railings. A lot of these major buildings seem to suffer from a lack of grounds maintainence (see Custom House and Kings Inn). A bit of unkempt grass out the front – that should do it. Theres a fountain in front of the Custom House thats never on. The trees on Beresford Place are so overgrown and of balanace that they ruin the views of the facade and the powers that be might consider taking down the railings completely and letting the area become a public green space (it being the Nation’ds property and all).
I think the Corpo plan to remove the base of the Pillar (done), the Anna Livia fountain and the toilet block before Christmas and repave. Work on the Spire will start after that and be completed in April. The repaving etc will start then.
Goodbye ESB – all is not forgiven?
Paolo – if you were to stand in front of Holles Street Hospital and look all the way down towards Fitzwilliam Square you would see why the original Georgian design should be reinstated. Surely a restoration of one single clean streetscape is the only option for this site.
St Marys’is probably a perfect exemple of what you do with derelict or redundant buildings which happen to occupy prominent sites.
It would be good if they at least made an effort to integrate it with the park pending its redevelopment. At least get rid of the weeds!Interesting – so many buildings seem to be put up with the intention of redeveloping within a relatively short period of time (the City of London factor maybe). But to be honest the present occupant of that site was a poor effort to begin with – especially at pavement level. Coupled with the vacanty areas to its rear and across Westland Row, its probably best they demolish it and introduce a new landmark feature in its place
Dara – you can get a bit more information on the bridge at http://www.ddda.ie ,the Dublin Docklands Authority. Its mentioned as part of their improvement scheme for the Westland Row to Campshires area. I think the Corpo have an interest here as well because the bridge is meant to facilitate a reduction in traffic on O’Connell Street leading to possible pedestrianisation as part of the Improvement Scheme for there.
The Campshires are looking good. Its just a pity it all ends at Matt Talbot Bridge. Has anyone noticed the mess of the pavement and roadway there. Georges Quay and the area in front of Tara St Station are a bit a of a disgrace as well.
Hi there – Well designed highrises can be attractive additions to any city, even a low-rise city like Dublin. The problem with O’Connell Bridge House and Liberty Hall is that they stand alone and visually obstruct key streetscapes. The suggestion of developing a ‘La Defense’ type quarter out of the ciore city centre is much more appealing.
On the residential side…Singapore is a great example of how highrise living can work. Spacious, well managed buildings – although some of the designs leave alot to be desired. Mind you the same can be said for any large scale residential project.
