Looks like a cross-section showing elevator shafts, I doubt it looks like that from outside.Didn't realise they had uploaded drawings, had to take a look at what is proposed for the M2 facing side.
Reject!
back by hypnotoad24, on Flickr
well it’s only preapplication so there will be changes, hopefully for that side, if planning permission is fully applied for.No that's really what it'll look like from the M2.
I highlighted this issue a while back and derided the hideousness of that proposed side.Most of it is covered by the James Clow building but that upper section needs reconsideration or at least something like faux windows or details like the Academy Street scheme.
I think the best compromise will be to have a bar/restaurant to replace the Rotterdam in it.I think the proposal needs reduced in height. It is far too tall relative to its neighbouring building especially with the blank wall.
With that many apartments you would think they could support a convenience store, restaurant and bar now on the ground floor. Especially with City Quays half way through completion.
I used to live in the James Clow for a few years, agree the ground level isn't great but I remember chatting with someone about the parking situation there and they would have had to go down deep for underground parking due to the location (I think obel had similar problems?) so it was just easier to build a parking 'podium'.Looking at that article on BBC, i never realised what a sorry state the ground floors of James Clow are. A couple of shutters and two floors of car parking. Repulsive. What is it with designers of these apartment schemes that means they are incapable of designing anything nice at street level? See also Portland 88, and the thankfully rejected Havelock House as recent examples
The Obel parking is underground ok. Was looking to see a reason why they managed it, thinking that possibly the site of James Clow was on reclaimed land. The best i could find was this map. The Obel would be near where high street is marked, so perhaps the ground is a bit more stable, whereas James Clow would be near Clarendon, near to or possibly on land that was historically prone to cover at higher tides, so perhaps the ground doesn't lend itself to basement parking at all.I used to live in the James Clow for a few years, agree the ground level isn't great but I remember chatting with someone about the parking situation there and they would have had to go down deep for underground parking due to the location (I think obel had similar problems?) so it was just easier to build a parking 'podium'.
The buildings in Belfast are rather short. It’s be nice to have a tall one for once.I think the proposal needs reduced in height. It is far too tall relative to its neighbouring building especially with the blank wall.
With that many apartments you would think they could support a convenience store, restaurant and bar now on the ground floor. Especially with City Quays half way through completion.
Speaking as someone who has lived in that area for a while, I would personally love to see more, and taller buildings being built around there, especially residential. It is a pretty dead area at night but with yorkgate train station only a couple of mins walk away and the great motorway access it is actually a nice and convenient place to live. Needs more bars, restaurants etc though, never went to any of the bars around there to be honest, my local was mchughs.The buildings in Belfast are rather short. It’s be nice to have a tall one for once.
What is it with NI people and pessimism.