Grafton Street

legrand

Its' been a while since I walked Grafton Street so was horrified at the new paving installed. Now I was no fan of the old terracotta cobble lock but the new grey toned tiles look absolutely awful.

The old terracotta at least hid most of the dirt/dust. The new surface shows up all the dirt, beer, vomit and piss stains in all their glory.

And in addition, it all looks so soulless and bland in the worst corporate sense. I'd say it makes O'Connell street look attractive by comparison.

Faith+1

legrand wrote: »

Its' been a while since I walked Grafton Street so was horrified at the new paving installed. Now I was no fan of the old terracotta cobble lock but the new grey toned tiles look absolutely awful.

The old terracotta at least hid most of the dirt/dust. The new surface shows up all the dirt, beer, vomit and piss stains in all their glory.

And in addition, it all looks so soulless and bland in the worst corporate sense. I'd say it makes O'Connell street look attractive by comparison.

Completely Agree OP. Just walking down that street these days is depressing....almost makes Henry Street look like 5th Avenue.

jameshayes

Yip - I was saying this as soon as they started. All you can see is the manky chewing gum stuck all over it.

Don't know who made this descision but they need to be held accountable... an ounce of cop on would have helped here.

(also, digging up the road in tourist season? and ALSO, starting at both ends and meeting in the middle? come on ffs)

Cathmandooo

They've been digging it nearly a year now (maybe longer - search didn't throw up the original thread), so not just in tourist season, they stopped for a few weeks last December for the Christmas shopping. In fairness it would be ridiculous for them to keep stopping and starting.

They claim when it's done it'll be coated in something that will help it to stay clean and look better than it is right now. Chewing gum looks disgusting on any surface.

Fed up of the works now though, with that and the cross city luas works that whole area is a mess.

HeidiHeidi

Wholeheartedly agree - I think it's AWFUL. Depressing, grey, and filthy looking (I remain to be convinced that anything could keep it halfway clean in appearance).

Appalling decision by whoever made it.

The slightly pinker bits at the junctions are borderline acceptable - better than the dirty grey main bits anyway.

:mad:

GUIGuy

There were complaints about the choice from day one... The corp asked people to hold off on judging it until it was done.
Well we already knew it was going to be something like Henry/Mary street... so we knew it was going to be a dirty dreary soulless let-down. Maybe they got a good 'deal'.

ProudDUB

Agree 100%. The plain grey looks horrible. It could be a bog standard street, in any bog standard 1970's era housing estate, in any bog standard town. God forbid they give a main tourist hub & shopping destination, a wee bit of pzazz. :rolleyes:

Aard

The surface is still better than the old one. No more tripping on loose setts and smashing your teeth.

hmmm

The old surface was a bit of a death trap, but at least it had some character - particularly at Christmas when the whole place seemed to have a warm glow. The new surface is boring, lifeless, grey and is even more miserable when it's raining. If I was a high end retailer on Grafton Street I'd be tearing my hair out, the street now has all the charm of a shopping street in Grimbsy.

Aard

Actually, I'd say the high-end retailers are more than happy with the new paving. Increased safety is of importance to people who drop a lot of cash. Women in high heels, older people, people with young children/babies....the new paving will be much more accommodating. Safety is one of the perks of shopping centres, and this will be a point gained for Grafton Street retailers over Dundrum. Character is important too, but I'd put forward that during heavy footfall you'd barly see much of the pavement anyway.

MartyMcFly84

I would have loved for them to plant a few trees. To at least add some colour in Summer months and could have lights on them in the Winter.

Just something to break it up, awfully grey and depressing even now in the Summer, as mentioned the dirt and chewing gum really shows up on it. Terrible choice.

Aard

^On the subject of trees -- there is an application for planning permission active atm that proposes updating the streets around Grafton Street. Trees and greenery are to be provided where there is space for it. The reason for no trees on Grafton Street itself was primarily due to the amount of underground cables etc that would interfere with a tree's root system, which can be quite extensive.

miamee

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

I would have loved for them to plant a few trees. To at least add some colour in Summer months and could have lights on them in the Winter.

Just something to break it up, awfully grey and depressing even now in the Summer, as mentioned the dirt and chewing gum really shows up on it. Terrible choice.

Grafton Street is too narrow with huge crowds to have any kind of trees or street furniture blocking the way I think. It would look nice but I don't think it would be practical.
Even the existing bins can be a serious hazard when the person in front of you in a crowd veers out of the way and you are nearly doubled over a rubbish bin you didn't know was coming up!

MartyMcFly84

That makes sense regarding the root system, I suppose a few large containers with semi mature trees would work. I have seen this done in other cities.

But good to hear there are plans in the works to bring some more greenery to the area.

Even a few more hanging baskets would brighten the place up.

TheBandicoot

I actually like and prefer the new tiling.

Never saw the romanticism about Grafton St, it is just a crowded shopping street. I never need any of the shops in it- only ever really went there for Burger King or HMV(now closed). The multitude of womens' clothes shops look empty to me most of the time. Get over yourselves, it is just a pedestrianized street like thousands of others across the world, and pretty low down in the rankings IMHO.

Aard

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

Even a few more hanging baskets would brighten the place up.

The Business Improvement District (recently rebranded as "DublinTown" for some reason) provides hanging baskets and the likes around town, and generally try to spruce the place up. For example the containers on Sth King Street are paid for and maintained by the BID.

jameshayes

TheBandicoot wrote: »

I actually like and prefer the new tiling.

Never saw the romanticism about Grafton St, it is just a crowded shopping street. I never need any of the shops in it- only ever really went there for Burger King or HMV(now closed). The multitude of womens' clothes shops look empty to me most of the time. Get over yourselves, it is just a pedestrianized street like thousands of others across the world, and pretty low down in the rankings IMHO.

that's your opinion but many don't share it... Grafton Street, late December about 8pm is a great sight..

markpb

Aard wrote: »

Safety is one of the perks of shopping centres, and this will be a point gained for Grafton Street retailers over Dundrum.

Huh? Is Dundrum a lot more accident prone than the last time I was there?

Cathmandooo

TheBandicoot wrote: »

I actually like and prefer the new tiling.

Never saw the romanticism about Grafton St, it is just a crowded shopping street. I never need any of the shops in it- only ever really went there for Burger King or HMV(now closed). The multitude of womens' clothes shops look empty to me most of the time. Get over yourselves, it is just a pedestrianized street like thousands of others across the world, and pretty low down in the rankings IMHO.

HMV is open again at a different location on the street

If the red blocks were properly maintained they wouldn't be the death trap they were allowed to become, but that costs money. The white tiles however should never have been there, death traps the second a bit of rain hit.

I find the new grey slabs do make the street look wider though. I'm hopeful that when it's all complete it will look well.

Aard

markpb wrote: »

Huh? Is Dundrum a lot more accident prone than the last time I was there?

No, I phrased it badly I should have said that Grafton Street's surface is no longer significantly worse than Dundrum's. Dundrum, of course, has excellent interior walkways.

gugleguy

Go into a shop on Grafton street (which is not a restaurant, cafe or bistro ) , and purchase an object and get a big nice glossy plastic or paper bag to bury it in.

tricky D

Mod note: no potentially defamatory posts please, thx.

TheBandicoot

Oh, didn't realise HMV had reopened. Do they sell physical video games? The only other store in Dublin CC that does is Gamestop.

whomitconcerns

TheBandicoot wrote: »

Oh, didn't realise HMV had reopened. Do they sell physical video games? The only other store in Dublin CC that does is Gamestop.

They sell everything that they used to sell. They are in the old A-wear store beside BT2

TheBandicoot

Oh, cool.

Their website and twitter presence is abysmal. No address or opening hours.

Aard

However they will be leaving the old Awear building. Not sure when, but a women's clothes shop will be opening there.

TheBandicoot

Just what we need :rolleyes:

There's a reason I buy stuff online almost exclusively now. There is bugger all in brick-and-mortar stores that is aimed at me. When there is, it is ridiculously overpriced. Or, I can't count the number of times I go into a local Gamestop on a Friday release day to pick up a new release and they haven't even bothered to stock it.

That's the atmosphere I associate with shopping streets like Grafton St(not to mention the begging, obnoxious crowds, packed transport, long queues, etc etc). At least this new surface is easier to walk on and get it over with, and I personally like the visual contrast of granite against the buildings.

John_Rambo

The red brick looked like something from a UK soap scene. It was awful. Looking forward to seeing the finished paving when it's completed in dry and wet conditions.

ProudDUB

TheBandicoot wrote: »

I actually like and prefer the new tiling.

Never saw the romanticism about Grafton St, it is just a crowded shopping street. I never need any of the shops in it- only ever really went there for Burger King or HMV(now closed). The multitude of womens' clothes shops look empty to me most of the time. Get over yourselves, it is just a pedestrianized street like thousands of others across the world, and pretty low down in the rankings IMHO.

Grafton St is very much trading off its former glory. It is just a shadow of what it once was. 20/25 years ago, it had real character and atmosphere, when you had the like of Brown Thomas (in its original building, not the soulless abomination that the Marks & Spencer is) and Switzers & lots of other shops that were unique to Grafton St. Christmas was especially magical, back in the days when Switzers did their moving window displays. People would make a special trip into town, just to see that. It was brilliant.

Now, it is just a pale imitation of any English high street, with bog standard shops that you can find anywhere else really. Switzers is gone and the relocated BT's has all the character of a Boots. I bet the tourists who go there now, just look at each other and wonder what the heck all the fuss is about. I don't blame them. There are some hidden gems to be found in the side streets off Grafton St, but you have to know where to look, and most of them probably don't.

Cianos

ProudDUB wrote: »

Grafton St is very much trading off its former glory. It is just a shadow of what it once was. 20/25 years ago, it had real character and atmosphere, when you had the like of Brown Thomas (in its original building, not the soulless abomination that the Marks & Spencer is) and Switzers & lots of other shops that were unique to Grafton St. Christmas was especially magical, back in the days when Switzers did their moving window displays. People would make a special trip into town, just to see that. It was brilliant.

Now, it is just a pale imitation of any English high street, with bog standard shops that you can find anywhere else really. Switzers is gone and the relocated BT's has all the character of a Boots. I bet the tourists who go there now, just look at each other and wonder what the heck all the fuss is about. I don't blame them. There are some hidden gems to be found in the side streets off Grafton St, but you have to know where to look, and most of them probably don't.

Agreed. It's embarrassing to think of tourists being sold a 'magical street' and they arrive to see a grey slabbed street with nothing but chain stores - what a let down.

The council seem to have no desire to maintain a bit of character & charm with any of these highly practical 'upgrades'.

L1011

Where are tourists being told that Grafton Street is magical?

smellmepower

Still has lots of buskers,lads dressed like leprechauns for photo opportunities and those moving statues that the tourists seem to love in fairness.

ProudDUB

MYOB wrote: »

Where are tourists being told that Grafton Street is magical?

I doubt if any guide books are using the term "magical" to describe Grafton St. But I have seen words like "chic" and "cosmopolitan" bandied about in various guide books and online articles. It definitely had a unique vibe to it back in the day. It doesn't now. Even the buskers are far from unique. You see the same ones over on Henry St or in Temple Bar.

Cienciano

I haven't been on Grafton street in ages, anyone got any photos of it?

TheBandicoot wrote: »

Oh, didn't realise HMV had reopened. Do they sell physical video games? The only other store in Dublin CC that does is Gamestop.

Don't forget Argos and Smyths. Although, Game on Dawson street was my favourite game shop

Aard

ProudDUB wrote: »

You see the same ones over on Henry St or in Temple Bar.

You see the same buskers in every country. Sometimes literally the same ones. Remember the guy who used do keepy-uppies with his crutches? Saw him in Oslo.

Grafton Street has never been chic.

And "cosmopolitan" is actually an apt description of the street.

ProudDUB

I wouldn't be falling all over myself to call it chic either. I don't think that anywhere in Ireland, never mind Dublin, could be considered chic. The scruffiness is just never too far away, no matter where you go.

I went to school on St Stephens Green. I walked down Grafton St every day for 12 years & I absolutely loved it. Back in the day, it definitely had an air and an atmosphere that you didn't get anywhere else in the city. It certainly doesn't have it now.

Aard

It's normal for streets/districts to change in character over time. As places become more accessible, rents go up and only the richest companies can afford it. That "unique air" it once had is probably to be seen elsewhere in the city now. Tbh I love seeing how places change. Sometimes it's for the worse, sometimes for the better.

L1011

ProudDUB wrote: »

But I have seen words like "chic" and "cosmopolitan" bandied about in various guide books and online articles

Its a street full of mid to high range international retailers; that's exactly what they mean by that.

Cienciano

MYOB wrote: »

Its a street full of mid to high range international retailers; that's exactly what they mean by that.

Grafton Street has about 5 high end shops. Weirs, Brown Thomas and a few smaller womens shops. The rest is shíte you'd find in the high street in any town in the UK.

ProudDUB

Cienciano wrote: »

Grafton Street has about 5 high end shops. Weirs, Brown Thomas and a few smaller womens shops. The rest is shíte you'd find in the high street in any town in the UK.

Bingo.

Other than BT's, there are a few high end jewelry shops (Weir's, Breretons, Boodles) the furriers & the specialty pipe shop, across from Trinity. That's about it really. The rest of the shops you can also find over on the north side, in suburban shopping centres, or on UK high streets.

Jumboman

They have ripped the character out of Grafton Street. It now looks like a generic UK high street.

Johnwayne98

I loved the HMV shop when it was there.

Frank Lee Midere

I disagree about the surface. I agree about the look. The same colour scheme should have been used. That made grafton street intersting.

vidor

Biggest issue with Grafton Steeet is the fact that it has now become a haven for some smug looking buskers. Don't know how that's allowed.

L1011

Cienciano wrote: »

Grafton Street has about 5 high end shops. Weirs, Brown Thomas and a few smaller womens shops. The rest is shíte you'd find in the high street in any town in the UK.

And that's basically the same makeup you find on "premier shopping streets" everywhere else in the world. Substitute BT for whatever the local 'posh' department store is, put the appropriate local mobile phone brands in and you're done.

JupiterKid

I've grown to like the new paving on Grafton Street. The street does have too many chain stores but they are the only ones that can pay the exorbitant rents.

cherryghost

I would have preferred a restoration project instead of the crap they've put down.

Rubberchikken

For a 'premier' shopping street it leaves a lot to be desired. Never impressed by it.

Don't know what the new surface is like but if it's the grey limestone similar to the one being put on our main street, then it'll look awful.
Ours is showing every stain and spill and seems to accentuate the dirt

hfallada

Even the champ Elysées in Paris has a McDonald's on it. You can't expect grafton street to be made up of small independent Irish stores, selling irish made products. Our clothing industry is pretty much gone and our only manufacturing is high value electronics or chemicals.

Stores are on Grafton Street because companies know there is a demand for their goods. Eg the two 02 stores are always packed.

Muahahaha

cherryghost wrote: »

I would have preferred a restoration project instead of the crap they've put down.

Likewise. The decision to use grey coloured stone in a country where the skies are predominately grey is bizarre. Not only that the street now looks like any other high street in other European capitals. The whole project has taken the character out of Grafton St IMO, it's disimproved it.

quadrifoglio verde

My stone of choice would have been the Wicklow granite slabs that were outside trinity until the Luas works started. Yes they're grey, but they add this old world charm that's lost with the new ones.

The problem with the previous design is that patio/cobble lock tends to break up after a few years. The street was a mess before they started laying the new stones, patched in parts with Tarmac and a good few loose. Not to mention the white ones which were lethal in the wet.