johnfp
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Anger management ? schizophrenia more like.
It is noticeable you couldn’t make reference to one single development of note on the street since this thread began and it is probable that nothing worthwhile will occur for donkeys years because DCC, ABP and Taisce will see to that.I dont blame Alonso for his frustration. It just seems that ANYTHING involving an element of creativity gets automatically shot down on this forum. I mean, look at this particular thread on O Connell Steet, 120 odd pages of pure bullshit. I mean , what development of any worthwhile significance has occurred on the street over the last few years? SFA in my opinion. Living in the UK, I’m sick to the back teeth of people coming back from a Dublin weekend trip asking me whats all the fuss about ? Let me tell you, Dublin, and O Connell Street in particular is perceived as a kip. Ok this proposal might have certain elements to it that wont appeal to everyone, but its refreshing in my view. Bring it on, and so the Arnotts development, and so the GPO, Ambassador , and the rest. It cant be any worse than it is now, it will give the city/ country a focal point and maybe, just maybe ,move us in to the 21st century. Not everybody views the world through Architects eyes.
Fair play to Alonso !Valid point.According to the first post on this thread , this project went to tender in July 2004. Four years before they even get to start on a feckin bridge. Says it all..
I`ve noiced in my recent net surfings that Dublin is being increasingly portrayed by images of the Docklands which I must say, , gives a far better impression of the city. O Connell Street , the recognised main thoroughfare of the city , is increasingly fading into the background, which is sad really given it`s historical importance. I mean , if you stand back from O Connell bridge and look northwards, you cannot help but admire the structural elegance of the street and what it once represented, long since destroyed by neon lights, atrocious advertising, despicable shop fronts, fast food outlets and horrendous traffic congestion. What an opportunity the IAP presented, and what did we get ?
A totally disproportionate spike (representing drug abuse in the area ?) and a resurfacing / paving exercise that seemed to take an eternity. You wouldn’t think it approaching it now but O Connell Street has many beautiful buildings, GPO, Carlton Cinema, Ambassador, The Gresham, Clerys so why couldn’t the street be redeveloped highlighting the existing architectural merits, instead of having them swamped up in a mass of convenience stores etc. I mean that’s what people notice when they go there, not what’s good about the place. Whoever is responsible for this shambles should hang their heads in shame. If the political will was there I`ve no doubt the various parties could work together to produce potentially the finest thoroughfare in Europe, but this is Ireland and the more things change , the more they say the same.
I`m off to the Docklands..PS , when is somebody going to knock that God awful Burger King shit hole at the lower end of the street. That semi circular window facade on the first floor has done my head in for years !
Ireland is a capitalist society. You will find at the end of the day something will be done to obscure that particular section in order that the development may be completed to a high standard. This may well involve those particular residents being re housed in a differernt part of the city . I`m not saying it`s right, more that it is the nature of the beast. In trying to showcase the city , it`s an inevitable consequence of almost any new development . (see across the river at the IFSC ) If we were talking about say Socialist Stockholm here, such extremes don’t exist and as such there wouldn’t be an issue but this is Celtic Tiger Oireland, and if you get in the way, then tough. Money talks, and unfortunately bullshit walks.
Couldnt agree more. This particular development has the potential to be Dublins version of Circular Quay in Sydney, with the new theatre being Dublins own Opera Houae…and then you look across at that tip. Surely something is planned for that side, they cant leave those houses exposed surely?
Very PC Fearg, but you should have seen that one coming. The very use of the name Londonderry is like a red rag to a bull for a lot of people and rightly so in my opinion when one considers the historical aspect. I believe the name chage is going through the courts up there at the moment so hopefully that will result in Derry being properly recognised. I realise this is not a political forum but it`s not something you can just ignore. Nuff said.
Just been looking at the point village website and you have to hand it to Harry Crosbie, if the finished article turns out anything like what is proposed then it will be absolutely fantastic. Hopefully this will provide inspiration to other developers ( not to mention the planning authorities ) to think beyond the mundane projects we have become accustomed to thus far. We simply have to start making the most of the economic success the country has enjoyed in recent years as I have no doubt that Dublin has the potential to be right up there with the best of what Europe has to offer. Here`s hoping.
I l think the Burgerking at Lower O Connell Street takes some beating. I`m referring in particular to that horrendous semi circular window on the first floor. Ok I know it`s only another crappy burger joint but in view of the otherwise wonderful improvement works on the street it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Dont know if any of you have seen this ariel shot of O Connell Street from the FLICKR website, but it certainly looks the finished article, quite spectacular I think.
I know, cant believe they are letting that go ahead. As an Irishman living in Scotland I`ve come across a few of those thugs and it wouldn`t surprise me in the least if they caused havoc. Anyway, back to O Connell St, have they any plans for the Ambassador.I remember reading somewhere that it was proposed to relocate the stock exchange to there?
Cant wait to get back home. Anyone in a position to ofer me a job? I`m a liability claims negotiator..At last ! After nearly 3 years browsing this site I can finally see a structure emerging from the IAP and I have to say it looks fantastic. I live in Edinburgh and can safely say that O Connell St is rapidly getting to the stage where it can compare favourably with the Princes St thoroughfare. I always thought the street had beautiful buildings, in particular the GPO, Clerys, the Savoy, Gresham Hotel, Ambassador and the whole street is now starting to realise the potential already there. Hopefully, the momentum will continue and something will be done with the Carlton Site ( anyone know what the latest is on that? ) Findlater Building etc..
One building that continually irritates me is Burgerking at the lower end, in particular that hideous facade ( I`m talking about the semi circular window frame on the first floor) To me, that sticks out like a sore thumb and gives an awful impression. I thought there was a proposal not to renew the licences on these type of premises unless minimum standards were met regarding shopfronts etc?Apologies also from me to PDLL. I guess being stuck in Scotland and subject to spontanious bigoted remarks has made me realise how much I miss the old sod despite the understandable frustrations you are all encountering regarding planning issues / delays/ development of the physical landscape etc . I know there is still a long way to go but development s such as Docklands, Smithfield, O Connell St IAP ( painfully slow I know) and initiatives such as Transport 21 give me confidence for the future .It`s an incredible transformation from the country I left in 1996. Also, you`re right that this isn`t the forum for the social issues raised earlier.
I fully realise Ireland is not perfect and has it`s own issues but I do believe fundamentally we, as a people , are a more kind and considerate lot and that pretty much derives from the fabric of our society so I was just making the point it would be such a shame if we lost that in the face of so called economic development.
Anyway, apologies again and lets look forward some great architectural feats and sound infrastructural developments in the years to come which should put us right back on the map.
On Docklands, anybody know whats happening with the U2 Tower and Crosbies proposed Point Village?Re above thread “Jesus, bring back the Brits for ten years and we might actually stop talking and do something constructive ?”
I take it you`re a Brit yourself then?
As an Irishman living in `Britland` for the past 10 years I fail to see what they can offer the country regarding social progress , unless you consider the abnormally high rate of divorce, family breakdown, abortions
( on average 170,000 annually) racism and secarianism (Scotland) as progress.
We can bulid all the skyscrapers, roads and bridges we want but the day we lose the social fabric of our country to British influences is a prospect too horrific to consider in my opinion.
I unfortunately left Ireland in 1996 but am filled with pride everytime I return to notice how much the countly has developed and evolved in every respect since then. Personally, I cant wait to get back.Graham,
Great photo of the upper section. Have the stone facades of the bulidings on the left of your photo been cleaned recently as they look quite brilliant.One thing that has continually irked me about O Connell Street is that hideous facade at Burger King at Lower O Connell St. I`m referring in particulat to the semi circular window frame. Someone told me the proposal is not to renew the licences for the businesses that fail to meet minimum standards for shopfronts etc? Can anyone throw any light on this ?
Guys relax !
Ok, there needs to be a bit more co operation between the relevant authorities regarding the developments on O Connell St but as an Irishman living in Edinburgh for the past 7 years can I say it gladens the heart to see we are finally building a city which can take it`s place on the world stage (as opposed to the Dublin I left back then)
Anyone got any other photos re the ongoing developments in O Connell St? in particular inr elation to phase 2 of the IAP?
