DUBLIN | Full Summary of Projects

[yannms2001]

Hi Everyone!!
I do not live in Dublin/Ireland anymore, but I used to live in Phibsboro, and I genuinely loved this area... Not the prettiest place, but there was some kind of atmosphere that I always liked over there, which made me feel at home... Anyway, that's not the point!!

There was a big project of redevelopment for the area: new shopping center, big plaza, new development in Mountjoy, the stadium was supposed to be moved, etc....
Has the project been completely buried? Postponed? Do they ever mention it again ?

What about the new prison outside the city which was kind of key for the project since it meant that the prisoners would leave Mountjoy....??

If anyone has any info, that would be nice to share them!!

Cheers

[PeteC]

Originally Posted by yannms2001

There was a big project of redevelopment for the area: new shopping center, big plaza, new development in Mountjoy, the stadium was supposed to be moved, etc....
Has the project been completely buried? Postponed? Do they ever mention it again ?

Re Dalymount Park and shopping centre;
Bohemians FC tried to sell Dalymont to a company owned by Liam Carroll in a €65m deal a couple of years ago but ran into problems regarding what they actually owned and didnt own. The plan was to relocated to a €21m purpose built 10,000 seater stadium paid for by the developer in Harristown near Dublin Airport. Bohs lost a court case versus Albion Ltd (owners of Phibsborough Shopping Centre) over the ownership of a section of Dalymount Park, apparently they had already sold part of the ground to Albion and were trying to sell the same part to Carroll, and so the sale fell through.

Why on earth they would want a stadium surrounded by industrial parks beside the airport I will never know but they f*cked the whole thing up and now cant afford to pay their players.

AFAIK Bohs have no current plans to leave Dalymount (probably because no one wants to buy it off them now anyway).

[Christius Alerius]

I remember seeing a few years ago talk of the U2 tower, it looked impressive, whats the score on that at the moment? Will Dublin be getting a highrise anytime soon?

[belfastuniguy]

Originally Posted by Christius Alerius

I remember seeing a few years ago talk of the U2 tower, it looked impressive, whats the score on that at the moment? Will Dublin be getting a highrise anytime soon?

U2 Tower is dead, not gonna happen for years and years if at all.

As for highrise, best hope is docklands but the history of highrise proposals in Dublin is rather grim narrow sighted.

[Catmalojin]

Been a while since we heard anything regarding the U2 Tower:

U2 Tower land to help settle NAMA debts
Updated: 20:24, Friday, 25 November 2011

It was announced today that land for the U2 Tower was among properties handed over by Dublin's Docklands Authority to settle NAMA debts arising from the Glass Bottle site deal.

The authority was part of a consortium that paid €411m for lands now worth less than €50m.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority said the details of the settlement remain confidential.

But it confirmed that a total of nine properties have been handed over to NAMA to be released from a liability of €26 m arising from a guarantee it gave to loans for the purchase of the 25-acre Glass Bottle site in Ringsend in 2006.

The authority was part of the Becbay consortium that bought the property and which also included developers Bernard McNamara and Derek Quinlan.

At the time the authority was accused of a conflict of interest as it was operating both as developer and planning authority.

Sean Fitzpatrick was also criticised as he was on the board of the docklands authority and also chairman of Anglo Irish bank which gave part of the loan for the deal.

Niamh Brennan, who took over the chair of the docklands authority since the purchase, said this settlement allowed the authority to emerge from the wreckage of a transaction which had destabilised it.

She said the agreement would allow the authority to focus on its planning role.

A spokesman for NAMA said the agency had approached this matter as it would with any other debtor, namely to maximise the position of the taxpayer.

Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1125/docklands.html

The land is worth less than an eighth of what it was bought for.

[Catmalojin]

Restoration approval for Clontarf Baths

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

DUBLIN CITY Council has approved plans for the restoration of derelict seawater baths in Clontarf – despite objections from the local residents’ association, which fears potential “anti-social behaviour”.

Privately owned by Clontarf Baths and Assembly Rooms Ltd, the facility opened in 1884 and was popular for many decades until it closed in 1996. Since then, it has fallen into advanced decay.

Previous planning applications for the site – all approved by the city council and overturned by An Bord Pleanála on appeal – envisaged much larger schemes, with clubhouses of up to 3,400sq m (36,600sq ft).

Clontarf Residents’ Association, which was prominent in the recent campaign against the council’s plans for new sea defences along the promenade, argued that the area was primarily residential rather than a “holiday resort”.

The planners’ latest decision, which is subject to 15 conditions, envisages full restoration of Clontarf Baths and the provision of a “modest-sized single-storey pavilion” containing a cafe/bar, according to architect Albert Noonan.

In deference to local objectors, one of the conditions specifies that the cafe/bar must close at 11.30pm and that deliveries to the premises may only be made between 9am and 6pm daily “in the interests of orderly development”.

The proposal, designed by Dublin-based Noonan Moran Architecture, includes refurbishment of the perimeter swimming pool wall and the provision of changing cubicles, toilet and shower facilities and a lifeguard viewing post. It is intended that Clontarf Swimming and Waterpolo Club would operate the swimming pool.

The club was based there from 1884 to its close in 1996 and more recently at the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown, Co Dublin.

The proposed cafe/bar, overlooking the pool and Dublin Bay beyond it, would be open year-round and “is in a prime location to provide opportunities to relax and refresh for those walking the promenade and the wider local community”, Mr Noonan said.

© 2012 The Irish Times

Hopefully it will be a success! The café/bar element sounds good.

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by Catmalojin

Hopefully it will be a success! The café/bar element sounds good.

My sentiments entirely.

God "local residents" would do your head in. Most objections particularly in seaside areas seem entirely designed at preventing others from traveling to or enjoying what residents regard as their own fiefdom! I was amused to read the objections to the flood defences.....guess who would be the first ones screaming and shouting for government support if the existing wall was breached and homes were destroyed?!!!

[Catmalojin]

Originally Posted by thebig C

God "local residents" would do your head in. Most objections particularly in seaside areas seem entirely designed at preventing others from traveling to or enjoying what residents regard as their own fiefdom! I was amused to read the objections to the flood defences.....guess who would be the first ones screaming and shouting for government support if the existing wall was breached and homes were destroyed?!!!

Agree completely with you. I think the city council should give the Clontarf residents a choice - either agree to let them build the flood defences or don't expect the city to foot the bill whenever there is a flood.

[Seravia]

I don't understand how a swimming pool and café automatically results in "anti-social behaviour"!

Otherwise, I'm glad to hear of this. It's only a small development, but it's the little things that count, and can really do wonders for an area.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by thebig C

My sentiments entirely.

God "local residents" would do your head in. Most objections particularly in seaside areas seem entirely designed at preventing others from traveling to or enjoying what residents regard as their own fiefdom! I was amused to read the objections to the flood defences.....guess who would be the first ones screaming and shouting for government support if the existing wall was breached and homes were destroyed?!!!

Great point pal

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by JD47

Great point pal

Thanks mate. And I would echo the points made above, it should be made very clear to the residents that if they block the floor defences then they are rowing the own boat.....literally

Agreed Servia swimming pools are usually associated with anti-social behavior....at least not the type the residents are refering to!

C

[Catmalojin]

Definitely going to take a walk down here soon.

Umbrellas open up a flood of all-weather city events

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

Mon, Jan 16, 2012


The closed umbrellas in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

A FESTIVAL to mark the Chinese new year, starting next Friday, will be the first major series of events held in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square since it was rendered weatherproof by four giant “umbrellas”.

Announced by Dublin’s lord mayor, Cllr Andrew Montague, the festival will include a carnival and Chinese “Opera in the Open” to inaugurate the Year of the Dragon.

Temple Bar Cultural Trust said the retractable overlapping “umbrellas” would provide greater comfort for people at events and the weekly food market.

Designed by Seán Harrington Architects, the new rainscreen over the square is raised on four 21m masts topped by cylindrical lights. Each mast, including the “umbrella”, weighs around 14 tonnes.

Their shape, when closed, was inspired by a bullrush; opened up, they are meant to evoke a flower. Rainwater is drained through the masts and the “umbrellas” are tilted to minimise the risk of drips.

At full stretch, each measures 11 metres square. Manufactured by MDT-Tex in Germany, the tensile membrane is not canvas but PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and has an anticipated lifespan of 20 years.

According to Temple Bar Cultural Trust, the redevelopment of Meeting House Square cost €2.4 million, including an extensive archaeological excavation, most of it funded by Fáilte Ireland.

Lorraine Maye, the trust’s cultural events programmer, said the new canopy meant that square “can be used more often, by more people, for more events”.

The first event held under the canopy was a screening of the musical Singing in the Rain.

© 2012 The Irish Times

[odlum833]

Looks odd. But certainly a worthwhile quirky initiative.

[Catmalojin]

Dublin 'midtown' plans include 22-storey tower

OLIVIA KELLY

Wed, Feb 08, 2012

PLANS FOR the regeneration of Dublin’s southeast inner city, which allow for the construction of an 88m, 22-storey tower opposite the Custom House, have been prepared by Dublin City Council.

George’s Quay Local Area Plan, the draft of which will be available for public consultation next week, envisages the creation of a new “midtown” for the city south of the Liffey to Pearse Street and from Hawkins Street to Lombard Street.

Three key sites have been identified as having the potential for significant redevelopment: the block bounded by Hawkins Street, Poolbeg Street, Tara Street and Townsend Street; Tara Street station and its surrounds; and the City Quay area from Moss Street to South Street. Any new building or redevelopment of a brownfield site in the area for the next six to 10 years will be governed by the plan.

The plan would involve the demolition of mid-20th-century buildings in the area, including the Department of Health headquarters at Hawkins House, and the construction of mid- and high-rise buildings, and could, the council said, create up to 4,000 new jobs.

The council has long sought to establish a development template for the area, which despite being close to the central retail and business district of the city has a large percentage of vacant and underutilised sites and is characterised by poor-quality development and a need for economic, physical and social renewal.

Previous plans for the district reached an advanced stage of development in 2008 but were scrapped by city councillors because they included provision for a 22-storey building at Tara Street station, opposite the Custom House.

The councillors voted to defer making any development strategy for the area until after the new city development plan was adopted.

The development plan introduced in December 2010 designates George’s Quay as one of only four sites in the city where high-rise buildings of more than 50m are permissible.

The local area plan devised by the council now sets a specific maximum height of up to 88m, or 22 storeys, at the Tara Street site, although the council stresses this height is a maximum and any application for a building of this height would be assessed on merit.

A second mid-rise development of up to 14 storeys would be permitted at the Tara Street site; two developments of 12 storeys each could be located on the Hawkins House site, while the City Quay site could accommodate developments of up to 12 and up to 10 storeys.

The rest of the development would permit buidlings of seven storeys, with the top floor set back, at the quay side; up eight storeys between Hawkins Street to Prince’s Street South and Tara Street; and below eight storeys in the rest of the area.

Although the tallest building would be at Tara Street, some of the most dramatic redevelopment would be on the Hawkins Street block, where almost all buildings would be demolished and a diagonal pedestrian street would run from College Green, through the site of the existing Screen cinema and Hawkins House, to Tara Street station. Restaurants, cafes and shops would line the new street, with “cultural use”, probably a relocated cinema, retained on site.

The redevelopment of the railway station would be the main focus of the Tara Street site, serving as a gateway between the city and docklands and as a landmark for the new midtown area. Iarnród Éireann was two years ago granted permission for a building of just under 50m on the site but could reapply for permission for a higher building if this plan is approved.

Office space sold in the highrise building would offset the cost of the station redevelopment.

City Quay would be more residential, with at least 30 per cent devoted to housing. The primary school and church would be kept and cafes, restaurants and small-scale retail would be encouraged.

© 2012 The Irish Times

Demolition of Hawkins House!

[Seravia]

Great news, although I doubt we'll see any development for a while. Even though it has been designated as a high-rise area I still have a feeling any proposed building will be reduced in height before it's granted planning permission.

Also, hopefully no one would see Hawkins house as "an exceptional example of international modernism".

[JD47]

I was only walking by there this morning and I said to myself I would love to see a few highrises down here because they would look good.
Hope this happens soon. I dont like that area at the moment.

[odlum833]

Scott Tallon Walker's proposal for the City Quay site








Another proposal

[JD47]

How high is that ment to be Odlum.

[archy_]

Originally Posted by odlum833

Scott Tallon Walker's proposal for the City Quay site

wow like it !

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by Seravia

Great news, although I doubt we'll see any development for a while. Even though it has been designated as a high-rise area I still have a feeling any proposed building will be reduced in height before it's granted planning permission.

Also, hopefully no one would see Hawkins house as "an exceptional example of international modernism".

As a fan of International modernism, I can tell you that Hawkins House is an excellent example of a steaming pile of sh1t! Good riddence. Its all the more tragic when you consider that it replaced the magnificent Theatre Royale!