U2's skyscraper

darkman2

They would have to build it big to fit Bono's ego.

Docklands skyscraper to soar to 180m

A skyscraper soaring 60m (197ft) higher than the Spire on O'Connell Street has been chosen by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) as the winner of the latest competition for the U2 Tower at Britain Quay. Frank McDonald , Environment Editor, reports.

The sensational new scheme has the rock band's eggshaped recording studio suspended beneath a battery of vertical wind turbines and a huge solar panel at the top. This "energy centre" will raise the overall height from 130m (427ft) to 180m (591ft).

The tilted triangular tower, designed by Foster + Partners, will include a public viewing platform offering panoramic views over the city and Dublin Bay. This will be located just below U2's "pod" studio, which will be separated from the structure for acoustic reasons.

The scheme by Norman Foster's practice, best known for the Swiss Re or "Gherkin" tower in the City of London, was commissioned by Geranger Ltd, a consortium consisting of Ballymore Properties, developer Paddy McKillen and the members of U2.

Geranger was selected as "provisional preferred bidder" for the €200 million project. It was chosen ahead of rival tenders from: Treasury Holdings/Sisk; Mountbrook Homes, controlled by developer Seán Dunne; the Dutch-based Royal BAM Group; and the Riverside II Partnership.

The Treasury Holdings/Sisk scheme, designed by Zaha Hadid, came second in the competition, which was assessed by Chris Wilkinson of Wilkinson Eyre Architects; Shih-Fu Peng of Heneghan Peng Architects; and Michael O'Doherty, former principal architect at the Office of Public Works.

DDDA director of architecture John McLaughlin said the Foster scheme "had the edge because its public spaces were really well handled" and it provided a gateway to a new bridge over the river Dodder where it joins the Liffey alongside Britain Quay.

In addition to the tower, which will largely comprise luxury apartments, the scheme includes a five-star hotel in a flanking building to the south, oversailing a block of 34 social and affordable apartments, which comprise 20 per cent of the overall residential content.

As part of its renewable energy agenda, the south facade of the tower will be clad in solar panels, while the east and west facades will have a three-dimensional quality, "like fishscales", and the north facade will be "quite sleek", Mr McLaughlin said. The crinkly east and west facades will conceal generous balconies. Their treatment, as well as the overall profile of the scheme, was inspired by the saw-toothed roof of a warehouse that once stood on the site.

DDDA chief executive Paul Maloney said the authority was "conscious that this is the most sought-after development in Dublin" and he paid tribute to all the bidders for the "immense amount" of work they had put into their entries and the "very exciting" designs they produced.

"What we have is the combination of a very strong financial offer with a striking architectural result," he added. Architectural quality took pre-eminence in the criteria used for judging the competition, accounting for 45 points compared to 40 for the financial aspects of each bid.

Mr Maloney said the Geranger bid had been selected because it "exceeded the expectations of the brief with the emergence of a breathtaking design uniquely suited to this prominent Docklands site", and it would provide an "inspirational landmark" for Dublin.

The original U2 Tower, a twisting structure designed by Blackrock-based architects Burdon Craig Dunne Henry, was judged not feasible to build at a height of just 60m (197ft). So the bar was raised to 130m (427ft) and an adjoining site was added to "make the sums stack up".

It is expected that construction will start next year, with a view to completion by 2011. No planning permission is required, as it is already covered by the Grand Canal Docks planning scheme.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8923/u2towerpl3.jpg


So now Sir Bono is getting a skyscraper called after him.........Is there anything else we can do to blow more sunshine up his ***? - The guy must think he is a god at this stage.

The sensational new scheme has the rock band's eggshaped recording studio suspended beneath a battery of vertical wind turbines and a huge solar panel at the top.

LOL! Be an awful shame if it fell off

Agamemnon

Bono's not the record holder, he's the record.

Xavi6

I'm in the middle of a nightmare. Please wake me.

meglome

Actually I really like it.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

they're going to have to repair those solar panels after every weekend...

Dyr

hopefully osama will stick it on his list of things to fly planes into

Cheeky_gal

Ugh...bono, what a tosser! Live 8 my ass! ALL for publicity...

jebuz

Typical Irish, something new and exciting so lets all criticise it!! so what its called a U2 tower, its a good thing for the city!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

it's a good thing for bono's ego, that's about it.

Degsy

Much as i hate to admit it,that red-haired bastard david McWilliams was right..a sure sign that an economy is in trouble is when they start to shell out on meaningless skyscrapers..the so-called Viagra Index.
Its a good idea actually,erect the biggest building for the smallest man who's spent most of his time out of this city to avoid paying tax!

Orange69

jebuz wrote: »

Typical Irish, something new and exciting so lets all criticise it!! so what its called a U2 tower, its a good thing for the city!

Its just that Bono is such a twat.. tbh i would prefer if it was called Adolf Hitler tower..

themole

It looks good to me, and i was under the impresseion that it is being called U2 tower because they are the ones financing it.

Degsy

themole wrote: »

It looks good to me, and i was under the impresseion that it is being called U2 tower because they are the ones financing it.

If they're "financing" it's only as part of a tax scam,mark my words.

Third_Echelon

I think it looks pretty cool... We need a few of these type of buildings in Dublin... Always thought we needed a 'skyscraper'. Dublin's skyline is pretty bland at the moment....

Orange69

Third_Echelon wrote: »

I think it looks pretty cool... We need a few of these type of buildings in Dublin... Always thought we needed a 'skyscraper'. Dublin's skyline is pretty bland at the moment....

Everything looks great on the artists drawing board... Expect a few floors to be removed and a lot of corners to be cut in the final product...

darkman2

Nothing will be cut as it already has planning permission. On the tower itself, neglecting U2 for a moment, it is enourmous in an Irish context. At 180m this is a very respectable skyscraper in the true sense of the word. Its an actualy skyscraper which will look huge on the Dublin Skyline. Its taller then Howth to put it in perspective!


I dont think U2 are financing it btw. I think the only reason it has anything to do with U2 is because their recording studios have to be demolished or something. So they jumped on the bandwagon then and thats why its called the 'U2 tower'.

Terry

darkman2 wrote: »

So now Sir Bono is getting a skyscraper called after him.........Is there anything else we can do to blow more sunshine up his ***? - The guy must think he is a god at this stage.

They're calling it the Bono tower? Where does it say that?
How are we blowing anything up his arse?

Mordeth wrote: »

they're going to have to repair those solar panels after every weekend...

Truer words have never been spoken.

Bambi wrote: »

hopefully osama will stick it on his list of things to fly planes into

LOL. I hate U2, but have never listened to a U2 album. (The search is back. I can fish that post out if you want. )

Cheeky_gal wrote: »

Ugh...bono, what a tosser! Live 8 my ass! ALL for publicity...

Umm... Where to start?
Publicising charities is a bad thing now?

jebuz wrote: »

Typical Irish, something new and exciting so lets all criticise it!! so what its called a U2 tower, its a good thing for the city!

I was a bit premature with my comment on Mordeth's post.
This is the one where truer words have never been spoken.

Orange69 wrote: »

Its just that Bono is such a twat.. tbh i would prefer if it was called Adolf Hitler tower..

Doesn't like something done by Irish people. Nothing new there.

Degsy wrote: »

If they're "financing" it's only as part of a tax scam,mark my words.

Probably, but they are setting a precedent in modernising Dublin.

To hell with this skyline limitation bollix. Just keep building upwards.
It's not like you can see much when you're walking down Henry street anyway.

Archeron

I like it, its nicer than the last twisty one.

meglome

jebuz wrote: »

Typical Irish, something new and exciting so lets all criticise it!! so what its called a U2 tower, its a good thing for the city!

I couldn't agree more. Them taking their money offshore when the tax breaks were lifted really pissed me off but it doesn't take away from the fact the man actually tries to do some good in the world. Although it is their money so they can wipe their arses with it if they want. I wonder of the people in here begrudging how many have done any meaningful work for charity and the poor recently?

Was the building designed by Bono? No - Norman Foster so what are you all ****eing on about. Their involved with this because it's being built next to where their studio was on Hanover Quay.

The more I look at it the more I like it.

BaZmO*

jebuz wrote: »

Typical Irish, something new and exciting so lets all criticise it!! so what its called a U2 tower, its a good thing for the city!

I was about to say the same thing.
In America if someone is successful they are celebrated, over here you're called an attention seeking show off tosser.

Mordeth wrote: »

it's a good thing for bono's ego, that's about it.

Most of the the iconic skyscrapers built in the 20th century were built by tycoons on an ego trip.

kevmy

It think it should be good. I hate the way the people and the council have been against skyscraper forever not realising that urban sprawl is inversely related to the amount of high rise buildings. Then they come out and complain about long traffic journeys and commuter towns.

It looks cool. And it's called the U2 tower because they owned the land and came up with the idea and put some money in. What the hell else are they going to call it?

Also they are probably the only people who would get it done and get it done right

Sweet. I hope this is the beginning of more very high rise buildings here.

darkman2

Terry wrote: »

They're calling it the Bono tower? Where does it say that?

What if the band splits?;) Do you think it will become 'the edge' tower - no, neither do I:D

ScumLord

Bono may be an insufferable ass but you can't hold him against the building the fact is having a U2 building is going to attract people to the place it makes sense to profit of their popularity.

It's about time Dublin started using big buildings like this. It makes no sense for Dublin to just keep growing outwards.

johnnyrotten

Looks Great. Build all the Skyscrapers down in the docklands i say

BaZmO*

Bambi wrote: »

hopefully osama will stick it on his list of things to fly planes into

Funny considering where they got their name.

mise_me_fein

Bono got injured last time he stood on top of a high building.

He was standing too close to the Edge.:D

AlmightyCushion

I think it looks great and I hope more buildings like this get built.

Third_Echelon

mise_me_fein wrote: »

Bono got injured last time he stood on top of a high building.

He was standing too close to the Edge.:D

Red Card!

Terry

Third_Echelon wrote: »

Red Card!

http://static.boards.ie/vbulletin/images/buttons/infraction.gif

You can't see them beside every post because you're not a mod.

*Tripper*

I think it looks great!

Xavi6

Myth wrote: »

Sweet. I hope this is the beginning of more very high rise buildings here.

Really? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of Dublin's appeal the fact it doesn't have high rise modern structures like most big cities? Call me old fashioned but why are we conforming?

Oh and adding to Bono's already hugel ego does not rest well with me either. He's not actually that great. Irish or not he's a twat.

ScumLord

Xavi6 wrote: »

Really? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of Dublin's appeal the fact it doesn't have high rise modern structures like most big cities? Call me old fashioned but why are we conforming?.

I don't think Dublin has any appeal. It looks scuffy and dirty. It's not like Paris where every building looks good and is worth saving.

Dublin is growing out to fast and it makes sense for it to start growing up. It's about being practical.

Terry

*Tripper* wrote: »

I think it looks great!

I'm waiting for the "yeah, but the ones in [insert city here] are much better."

MooseJam

if thats built it will look ridiculous sticking up there by itself, really really silly

Mr.Micro

Bono made his own reputation from his own mouth and he believes he is God .. He preaches enough .What a fitting tribute to his ego.

Xavi6

MooseJam wrote: »

if thats built it will look ridiculous sticking up there by itself, really really silly

It can keep the spire company.

Ciaran500

MooseJam wrote: »

if thats built it will look ridiculous sticking up there by itself, really really silly

So where do we start?

I think it looks great and its about time we got a skyscraper in Dublin.

Xavi6

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't think Dublin has any appeal. It looks scuffy and dirty. It's not like Paris where every building looks good and is worth saving.

Well then why is tourism such a big thing in the city?

Maximilian

agamemnon wrote: »

Bono's not the record holder, he's the record.

Just don't call him No. 2 for the love of god.

hopalong85

Is Bono Irish?! I thought he was American.

MooseJam

Ciaran500 wrote: »

So where do we start?

I think it looks great and its about time we got a skyscraper in Dublin.

if you want to switch from low rise to high rise you go up in stages, a few 10 story then a few 15 story then a few 20 story etc etc. It might be a great design but it's going to look bloody ridiculous when it's finished, one lonely skyscraper towering above a sea of low rise buildings, bloody ridiculous I says

Mr.Micro

hopalong85 wrote: »

Is Bono Irish?! I thought he was American.

He is a pal of Bush and Blair.Clearly mixed up.

humanji

Xavi6 wrote: »

Well then why is tourism such a big thing in the city?

They're passing through to get to the good parts of Ireland.

WindSock

kevmy wrote: »

It think it should be good. I hate the way the people and the council have been against skyscraper forever not realising that urban sprawl is inversely related to the amount of high rise buildings. Then they come out and complain about long traffic journeys and commuter towns.

It looks cool. And it's called the U2 tower because they owned the land and came up with the idea and put some money in. What the hell else are they going to call it?

Also they are probably the only people who would get it done and get it done right

I like it. I want to see whats in the egg though. I'm sick of hearing about Bono's ego. So what. The Man works hard and he has done more for charity than most people with his money and publicity.

darkman2

Article on Skyscrapernews about the 'energy center' at the top:

Whether the architects have factored in the hot air created every time Bono opens his mouth and the sun that shines out his backside has not yet been revealed.

Xavi6

humanji wrote: »

They're passing through to get to the good parts of Ireland.

Maybe but they shell out some amount of money on the way. Dublin doesn't need a single ridiculously sized skyscraper.

humanji

Xavi6 wrote: »

Maybe but they shell out some amount of money on the way. Dublin doesn't need a single ridiculously sized skyscraper.

That's because taxis cost so much

Kintarō Hattori

Degsy wrote: »

Much as i hate to admit it,that red-haired bastard david McWilliams was right..a sure sign that an economy is in trouble is when they start to shell out on meaningless skyscrapers..the so-called Viagra Index.
Its a good idea actually,erect the biggest building for the smallest man who's spent most of his time out of this city to avoid paying tax!

I never thought I'd find myself agreeing with you Degsy, but your 100% correct on everything you said above.

Mr.Micro

It will be meaningless icon to vanity and a reminder of our post Celtic tiger economy.

johnp

MooseJam wrote: »

if you want to switch from low rise to high rise you go up in stages, a few 10 story then a few 15 story then a few 20 story etc etc. It might be a great design but it's going to look bloody ridiculous when it's finished, one lonely skyscraper towering above a sea of low rise buildings, bloody ridiculous I says

I'll bear that in mind when I design my megatropolis :cool: