jackwade
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Does this count as false advertising?
That’s Morlan’s photoshopped picture, first posted on page 11 of this thread.
I remembering seeing this on the Late Late toy show when I was a kid. Think there was a competition to guess the number of bricks used? Anyone else remember?
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/u2-tower-is-stuck-in-a-moment-1393777.html
U2 tower is ‘stuck in a moment’
Fears over property downturn may stall band’s ambitious elevationBy RONALD QUINLAN
Sunday June 01 2008
THERE are growing doubts over the future of the landmark U2 tower in Dublin’s docklands as the fallout from economic downturn continues to take its toll on the property market.
Informed construction industry sources believe the erection of the Liffeyside high-rise building will at the very least be delayed, or even abandoned as the economic feasibility of the PPP (Public Private Partnership) project diminishes.
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, one highly-placed source said: “The final contracts haven’t been signed between the developer (Ballymore Homes) and the DDDA (Dublin Docklands Development Authority). Given the way things are going in the industry, don’t expect anything to happen soon.”
While media reports on May 7 had suggested that a signed agreement between the DDDA and Geranger — a consortium consisting of Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore Homes, developer Paddy McKillen and U2 members — was imminent; last Friday little progress appeared to have been made.
Responding to the claims that the construction of the U2 tower was now in doubt, a spokesperson for the Docklands Authority said the “negotiation process was still ongoing” and that there were “many complicated issues which have to be agreed” before the development would commence.
Interestingly, the spokesperson referred to Geranger — the consortium of which Ballymore Homes is a member — as the “provisional” preferred bidder for the development of the U2 tower.
The spokesperson stressed, however, that the dockland authority was satisfied with progress on the negotiations.
Ballymore Homes, meanwhile, refused to comment on claims that it was reluctant to sign the final contracts required before the development of the U2 tower could get underway.
Responding to questions on the matter last Friday, a spokesperson for the developer said: “In agreement with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Ballymore Homes is precluded from commenting on this to the media.”
The proposed 120-metre tower is the latest Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to come under threat from worsening conditions in the residential property sector.
Only two weeks ago, five PPP housing regeneration schemes were derailed after multimillionaire developer Bernard McNamara withdrew on the grounds that they were no longer financially viable and is currently discussing the future of the project with Dublin City Council.
Explaining his decision, Mr McNamara cited larger apartment sizes and tighter building regulations as the major factors in making the developments in Dublin’s inner city unworkable.
In the case of the proposed U2 tower development, among the hundreds of apartments and offices there are plans for the provision of a block of 34 social and affordable housing units under the terms of the PPP agreement.
Given the prevailing economic conditions, industry sources maintain that it is the proposal for luxury apartments and a high-end hotel that will be of more concern to the development consortium.
The most notable element of the project, however, is the proposal for an egg-shaped recording studio for U2.
Suspended beneath vertical wind turbines and a massive solar panel, the studio to replace the band’s famous Windmill Lane facility is poised to raise the height of the Norman Foster-designed tower to 180 metres — 60 metres higher than the O’Connell Street Spire.
– RONALD QUINLAN
[align=center:28xxtapc]The Irish Housing Estate Name Generator.
Building a new development, but don't want to wear out your brain inventing an original or relevant name?
At long last YOU can name an Irish housing estate the same way the professionals do!
How it works: 1. Choose a random word from Column A
2. Choose a random word from Column B
3. You're Done!Column A
Rock
Pine
St. Patrick's
Wood
Grange
River
Elm
Pearse
Forest
Oak
Stone
Grove
Fair
Brehon
St. Joseph's
Rath
Glen
Dun
Beech
Brook
Maple
King's
Meadow
Hill
Bally
Summer
Castle
Copse
Old
Bel
Wheat
Cherry
Ard
Mount
Clover
Fox
Spring
Willow
Carrig
Ross
Kil
South
Farm
Abbey
TempleColumn B
View
Hall
Field
Brook
Court
Valley
Gate
Meadows
Well
Wood
Villas
Hill
Abhainn
Park
Grange
Mews
Cross
Gardens
Quay
Ford
Downs
Heights
Lawns
Side
Dale
Boro
Vale
Mere
Mount
Manor
Orchard
Ville
More
Grove
Glen
Green
Lodge
Bawn
Square
Cottages
Abbey
Point
Ross
Leigh
RoanExamples: Maple Lawns, Castlewood etc.
If your estate requires a 3 word name simply choose 3 words and join the first 2 together e.g Riverwood Court, Willowpark Grove etc.Congrat, you're ready to pave over the countryside![/align:28xxtapc]
Any news on Eurocycles?
Its still there today in all its ugliness. Sirocco ( kebab place on Fownes St) hasn’t changed either.:mad:
Looking at the buildings on their own, I think they are quite pleasant architecturally. However, I think peoples’ perceptions are altered by the rundown nature of the surroundings. It would be nice if the graffiti covered walls and barbed wire next to the dock were knocked and the area opened up and turned into a promenade with planting, mature trees etc with benches to sit on. As it is its just grim and uninviting.
Here are a few photos of some new developments in Tallaght. Apologies for the picture quality, they were taken quickly from the 75 bus:)
For those who haven’t seen it, here are some pics of Belguard Square in Tallaght I took this evening.
Here are some pics from Traynor O’Tooles’ website showing a mixed use development near the square. The link is http://www.totarch.ie/dez_developments_tallaght_Dublin.html
Quote:Who or what are superdrug?, its not a chain of chemists is it?[/QUOTEYup, they’re a UK chain of pharmacies.
The clock was indeed in the water and could be viewed from the bridge. The idea was that a machine on the bridge would print postcards with the exact time left until the millenium on each one. I would assume the hole was cut in the bridge to hold this machine, although as far as i know it was never actually installed.
They are indeed marketing themselves as an exclusive, upmarket development. They even have a concierge service. For anyone interested the website is here : http://www.thegrange.ie
BTW, i think the blurb on the hoardings is cringeworthy in the extreme. “The spirit of gracious living” – anyone care to explain what exactly that means?
:rolleyes: …and did you notice that “fr pat noise” is an anagram of “pater of sin”?….the plot thickens
Thought i’d revive an old thread rather than start a new one. There are plenty of threads for new high rise apartment blocks in Dublin, but not for new low-mid rise ( i.e. 4-6 storey) developments.
Here are some pics of “The Grange” a new development at the junction of Brewery road and the Stillorgan dual carriageway. The density is pretty impressive especially when you compare it to the surrounding housing estates in the aerial shot.
less than 100m for a 1 bed apartment? I’d be very surprised if you found any 1 bed apartments in Dublin that are bigger than that.
I’m not sure if construction on the Sandyford Tower has started yet; I’d be suprised if it has.
I work in the sandyford industrial estate and pass by the site every day. The clearing of the old office block hasn’t started yet, never mind construction of the 23 storey tower.
