who_me
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@PTB wrote:
Have I made my point?
Perfectly. Closer to the ground = Better!
Hence if I had my feet on the ground as opposed to my head in the clouds, I’d be a lot sexier. Time to start looking around for some ground-floor penthouses too..
It’s possible to have ETA clocks for buses too. (Not sure if it’s GPS based, or based on the bus ‘tripping’ some radio switch when it passes the previous bus stop.) And there could be ticket vending machines at bus stops too, to alleviate the delay when getting on.
I can’t think of any reason why buses should be any less timely or efficient. If you give trams a dedicated lane, or build a light rail line, you could just as easily give the buses the dedicated lane, or build a dedicated 2-lane bus route and get the same benefits. If you give trams traffic priority, you could just as easily give buses traffic priority instead.
@Pug wrote:
I dont think the developer will sit on it too long, if one goes the others will
That I’d very much agree with. Once the Elysian is finished and (hopefully) sells, that could kickstart South Docklands development, starting from the Western end.
Erm.. Can anyone explain this to me again?
We could invest the money in buses, which are flexible enough that they can be used on other routes as demand merits, whose routes can be extended or changed on a whim, which don’t require the cost of installing and maintaining dedicated lanes/cables, which don’t block the entire system if even one breaks down…
…or we could use trams because they’re pretty. Apart from all the poles and cables we’d need to erect.
I just don’t see a compelling argument for trams, or light rail for that matter.
I know nothing of the costs of these things, but a budget of 130m for 3 new bridges over the Lee (especially if they’re designed to allow boating access to the dockland area) seems incredibly low to me.
I think the tower apartments should sell well, considering their size, views, location and the novelty of the tower itself (all assuming they’re priced affordably!). The lower, 8 storey building I’d be less confident of.
The “horse shoe” doesn’t go all the way around, could the streak be the result of them not being able to reach part of the spire?
The principal problem is the initial risk.
An apartment in the docklands might be very attractive, but would you want to buy (even a luxury) apartment on Centre Park Rd. as it currently stands? Driving through an industrial area to and from work. Heavy trucks rolling by day in, day out (I assume). No shops or any kind of residential facilities nearby. I’ve no idea what the air quality is like but I can’t imagine it’s the best.
If potential residents are thinking that, you can bet the developer who’s sitting on a site in the Docklands is going to keep sitting on it until they can maximise the return on their investment.
@KenzoTange wrote:
why would any developer take on the ‘risk’ of docklands in these uncertain times when there are so many ‘safe’ opportunites for infill in the leafy suburbs?
I agree it’s risky for a developer to take a chance on the docklands, but that’s their problem. I don’t think we should adopt a liberal planning policy simply because developers are getting cold feet about suitable but green (i.e. non-established, not mature) sites.
Well, to be honest, it would take a very, very brave developer now to take on a big docklands project in the current property market; with no residential facilities in the docklands, and with the Eglington St. project about to dump dozens of apartments onto the market in a year’s time in a much more favourable location.
@Pug wrote:
* From Mahon Point, to the city, via Páirc Uà Chaoimh, through the Docklands, crossing over two planned bridges at Water Street or Tivoli, and serving Kent Railway Station and the Parnell Place bus station.
No time soon then.
Actually, looking at those shots of Eglington St. again made me curious, if the apartments in the tower are (supposedly) so large, does that mean each will take up an entire floor? If so, they’ll have superb panoramic views of the city.
@browser wrote:
Neither were high rise but relatively good jobs were done adding extra floors to a building off Kevin St in Dublin (on corner with Wexford St I think?) and onto the College of Commerce in Cork. I appreciate this is a different principle though.
I thought I heard there were problems with the College of Commerce extension soon after?
To answer my own question previously – yes, the penthouse does actually go a bit over the lift shaft – 5m over, according to an article on the site.
@Angry Rebel wrote:
The planning appl for the ex E&Y building has been there for over a month and seeks permission for a 4 (I think, could be 5) storey over basement. Retail ground and 1st floor and offices/residential overhead.
Apologies for my slightly hazy recollection of the exact details.
Offices & apartments over ground floor retail? There’s a novelty (:p !)
Thanks Angry Rebel. I wonder if they’ll make any use of the ‘frontage’ onto the side street. I’m loving seeing more and more of the narrow streets around the city centre being brought to life.
I just noticed there’s a planning notice on the Ernst & Young building on Oliver Plunkett St., does anyone know what’s going on there? It’s nice to see some life sparking in that end of the street.
Also, I noticed a bit of activity around the ESB building on Caroline St. (the “Ape Opera House”), anyone have any info? I really like the unusual (narrow, and VERY tall) windows in it, hopefully some good use can be found for it.
@jungle wrote:
I’m also concerned that allowing densities to develop in the suburbs disencourages investment in the docklands, where taller builings are appropriate.
That is a very good point. Considering there are sites waiting for redevelopment in the docklands within 5-10 minutes walking distance from the city centre, it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to be throwing buildings like that into very developed, surburban areas an hour walk out of the city (probably an hour drive too some days!)
@Spinal Tap wrote:
The tower will have clear planar glazing from floors 10 to 17 throughout so that motorists on the South Link can view the North Ridge.Remember everyone in Cork is entitled to an uninterrupted view of St.Finbarrs Cathedral and Shandon.
Sheesh.. is everyone a comedian these days? :p
The link road is the route along which lot of new visitors approach Cork (from the airport), and as you come around the bend in the link road with the hill in front of you it’s a pretty impressive introduction to the city. I’m just saying it’s a pity that may be lost.
Keep your panties on, ’tis not like I’m saying we should knock the thing, or shift it 4 feet to the left. Though I’m tempted now, just out of spite! 😉
