[hypnotoad24]

Great to see this finally get going! Hopefully we see more development of similar scale along this road into the future, would really improve the density of the area.

 

[hypnotoad24]

Should be far enough down the street from it not to be too big an issue? If people can manage to sleep in the ETAP hotel it can't be that bad!

 

[hypnotoad24]

From yesterday. Just one more floor to go by the look of it.


IMGP0063 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMGP0064 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Additional photo from today, features on the skyline as you head down from Queens.


IMGP0087 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

The apostrophies around futuristic are appropriate, so called district heating had it's 'heyday' a few decades ago. I can think of a few examples round Belfast (Shankill, the Markets, Antrim town and a recent one in Lisburn) that were like all Northern Ireland examples eventually ripped out and replaced with oil/ gas etc. Reasonably common in Europe, the results in Britain were patchy- presumably they were all done on the cheap.

I wonder how the heating scheme in this building is powered- I've been reading about schemes such as these:

http://www.renewablesinternational.net/power-to-heat-gets-going-in-germany/150/537/88373/

... and it would be great if the heating in this building was based on a similar concept. Power to heat will be a major factor in the coming decades for transitioning to a low carbon economy. The underfloor heating used too is far more efficient than space heating, these apartments should be lovely to be in over the colder months,

 

[hypnotoad24]

Scaffolding beginning to come down on this, but only at the side thus far. Looks a little creamier coloured than the renders suggested.


IMG_5250 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Still absolutely no progress at all on the front of the building, but some of the rear is now complete.


IMG_5259 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

More scaffolding down.... apart from at the front of course. What a lovely view that isn't as you head down Dublin Road.


IMG_5273 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

A lot more of the wrap gone now.


IMG_5299 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5305 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5304 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5303 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Almost all of the scaffolding gone now.


IMAG0643 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

How many apartments is there?

There's 58 apartments, all of them one bedroom apart from the top two floors, where some of them are two bedroom. Each window at the front represents one apartment, so they are fairly long, but narrow.

 

[hypnotoad24]

Seems to be a layer of wood? going on the bottom floors before applying the finish.


IMG_5342 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5343 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Looks great but the Dublin Road is a complete mess. Just looked at it today on Streetview and by god is it grim! The new Etap looks like a bunker....

I don't think Dublin Road is too bad, although I think that's mostly because of the large, mature trees which really enhance the street. Over the next decade, hopefully more taller proposals come along to complement ETAP and Gallery and so on. No disagreements with ETAP, it's truly atrocious. Not one window facing out on to the street. Planners must have been hungover when they approved that dungfest.

 

[hypnotoad24]

Dark grey panelling going in on the ground floor. Also, some uplighting has been added to the first floor.


IMG_5384 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5383 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr


IMG_5386 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Panelling complete on the side of the ground floor. Just the front to go now.


IMG_5407 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

Plenty of the apartments are already sold, judging by the big signs that have appeared in the windows!


IMG_5406 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Looks like the ground floor will be fully glazed, and won't have that wood feature along the top.


IMG_5432 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Work almost finished on the ground floor retail unit.


IMG_5593 by hypnotoad24, on Flickr

 

[hypnotoad24]

Any rumour on the tenant?

According to Gary McCausland, a cafe/bar is opening in the unit in spring. He also says that 50 apartments are now sold, with 8 remaining.

 

[hypnotoad24]

Dublin Road could do with some tidying up and improvement

It can wait in the queue behind the top of Great Victoria Street. Such a contrast in streets, only metres apart.

The Gallery has turned into quite the successful little development; all apartments sold, this decent looking cafe, and the building itself is one of the better looking apartment blocks in town.

Dublin Rd has the Emerald.

Special boxes all round!

 

[hypnotoad24]

.
Incidentally, my favourite restaurant the All Seasons on Botanic Avenue has shut. Anyone know why? I always thought it was doing a decent trade and was a favourite stop off for local Chinese community and students alike.

Yes, that was the best chinese restaurant in the area. From what i have heard, of the man who ran it, his wife passed away and he unfortunately is ill.