New Building in Smithfield shows celtic tiger is back in town.

cardinal tetra

The new building in Smithfield. by the luas stop. The red brick one. the red brick one with the cheap aluminium windows. the one with the low profile, low cost insulation going in. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated,built by the lowest cost builder one. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated, lowest cost builder one that looks like something that would be thrown up by someone out in bray at the height of the celtic tiger and have starter one bed flats in it for as little as €435,000 that don't actually have windows in them because its all the rage in Denmark right now and aesthetically pleasing. you know the one? that one?

i cant believe it. I cant believe what i'm looking at. in smithfield. The sheer audacity of someone to come up with that pile of crap, call it a building that is sympathetic to the area and not only get planning permission but to actually go ahead and build something so in line with the crap we spewed out during the recession is just shambolic. It is genuinely like we learned nothing. about 10 lads going in there this morning with breakfast rolls from spar and the mirror under their arm.another godless, soulless building going up in an area that should have a planning authority sympathetic to the areas needs and historical value.

Another pile of cow dung! someone needs to give the lad that works in the planning department a book on gaudi or at least a dermot bannon architechture book or something. Its like he went to the college for sticklebrick or lego and decided this is how all things should look. I'm getting damn sick of the crap that comes out of this place.

BeerNut

cardinal tetra wrote: »

I'm getting damn sick of the crap that comes out of this place.

In which case, make submissions to the Planning Department before the deadline for observations has passed on any proposed development you don't like the look of. That might change things, whereas posting to Boards about a nearly-finished building probably won't.

Hogzy

Any pictures?

cardinal tetra

It wasnt in my local area and i wasnt aware of the building at the time but there are many businesses and residents in that area that could have put in a submission. If that was being built around me, i sure as hell would have put in some form of opposition. Its worse than an eyesore. the building behind it was selling itself on being a glass fronted bulding drawing in loads of light and being a very open space. now it is just another empty office building down a little narrow sidestreet behind an ugly red brick monstrosity.

Im looking forward to seeing what the plans are for the triangular sink hole on the far side of it that is about 3/4 acres. I would love to know what was supposed to go in there or if it is held up for cross city works etc... (is that kevin street?)

cardinal tetra

Hogzy wrote: »

Any pictures?

only of myself and the dog.

Hogzy

cardinal tetra wrote: »

only of myself and the dog.

Sure throw them up and ill take a look

cardinal tetra

Hogzy wrote: »

Sure throw them up and ill take a look

one of us may not be wearing clothes....

Hogzy

cardinal tetra wrote: »

one of us may not be wearing clothes....

And your complaining about the look of the building??? :eek:

Throw on some pants!!!

Red Kev

cardinal tetra wrote: »

one of us may not be wearing clothes....

So long as the dog has one of these, we don't care.

https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5601901/il_570xN.109453881.jpg

cardinal tetra

Red Kev wrote: »

So long as the dog has one of these, we don't care.

https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5601901/il_570xN.109453881.jpg

please tell me thats not a thing now??????????????????????????????????

BeerNut

cardinal tetra wrote: »

there are many businesses and residents in that area that could have put in a submission.

Cinnamon did, Generator did, even An Taisc did. Nobody mentioned Gaudí, though.

cardinal tetra wrote: »

Im looking forward to seeing what the plans are for the triangular sink hole on the far side of it that is about 3/4 acres. I would love to know what was supposed to go in there

Latest is that a new family courts building will go there but I don't think there's been anything more specific announced in the year and a bit since that was in the news.

cardinal tetra

how many family courts does one country need exactly?
bloody hell!!!!

BeerNut

More than fit safely into Dolphin House, I believe.

wyndham

cardinal tetra wrote: »

The new building in Smithfield. by the luas stop. The red brick one. the red brick one with the cheap aluminium windows. the one with the low profile, low cost insulation going in. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated,built by the lowest cost builder one. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated, lowest cost builder one that looks like something that would be thrown up by someone out in bray at the height of the celtic tiger and have starter one bed flats in it for as little as €435,000 that don't actually have windows in them because its all the rage in Denmark right now and aesthetically pleasing. you know the one? that one?

i cant believe it. I cant believe what i'm looking at. in smithfield. The sheer audacity of someone to come up with that pile of crap, call it a building that is sympathetic to the area and not only get planning permission but to actually go ahead and build something so in line with the crap we spewed out during the recession is just shambolic. It is genuinely like we learned nothing. about 10 lads going in there this morning with breakfast rolls from spar and the mirror under their arm.another godless, soulless building going up in an area that should have a planning authority sympathetic to the areas needs and historical value.

Another pile of cow dung! someone needs to give the lad that works in the planning department a book on gaudi or at least a dermot bannon architechture book or something. Its like he went to the college for sticklebrick or lego and decided this is how all things should look. I'm getting damn sick of the crap that comes out of this place.

Is it apartments?

Gumbo

It's actually pretty well built.

wyndham

cardinal tetra wrote: »

.............. one that looks like something that would be thrown up by someone out in bray at the height of the celtic tiger a.............................. to actually go ahead and build something so in line with the crap we spewed out during the recession i

Which is it? Your rant makes no sense.

cardinal tetra

wyndham wrote: »

Which is it? Your rant makes no sense.

During the boom. I'm allowed ranting errors. With the tone of the thread, I'm sure you had an iota of when I meant.

newacc2015

cardinal tetra wrote: »

The new building in Smithfield. by the luas stop. The red brick one. the red brick one with the cheap aluminium windows. the one with the low profile, low cost insulation going in. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated,built by the lowest cost builder one. the red bricked aluminium windowed poorly insulated, lowest cost builder one that looks like something that would be thrown up by someone out in bray at the height of the celtic tiger and have starter one bed flats in it for as little as €435,000 that don't actually have windows in them because its all the rage in Denmark right now and aesthetically pleasing. you know the one? that one?

i cant believe it. I cant believe what i'm looking at. in smithfield. The sheer audacity of someone to come up with that pile of crap, call it a building that is sympathetic to the area and not only get planning permission but to actually go ahead and build something so in line with the crap we spewed out during the recession is just shambolic. It is genuinely like we learned nothing. about 10 lads going in there this morning with breakfast rolls from spar and the mirror under their arm.another godless, soulless building going up in an area that should have a planning authority sympathetic to the areas needs and historical value.

Another pile of cow dung! someone needs to give the lad that works in the planning department a book on gaudi or at least a dermot bannon architechture book or something. Its like he went to the college for sticklebrick or lego and decided this is how all things should look. I'm getting damn sick of the crap that comes out of this place.

Aluminum windows are a small fortune. If he was a cowboy builder like you imply he would have used PVC or even wood. Aluminum windows are 2/3 times the cost of PVC. Pretty much all insulation in Ireland comes from a handful of factories. They are sold unstamped slightly cheaper, it doesnt mean the quality is inferior. All apartment blocks in DCC have that rough cheap red brick look. I guess it is what apartment people like in apartments.

DCC has built some horrific housing in Smithfield. They have their generic 3 storey social housing blocks across the square from the Mater Private clinic. Likewise on Queen St, they have built some horrific 2/3 apartment/house combination. DCC and not private developers have made Smithfield look cheap.

Do you even know the history of Smithfield? It was a run down fruitmarket until about 10/15 years ago. There was literally just abandonded warehouses/ car dealerships. It was a dump and pretty similar to the IFSC before it was built.

Smithfield has always been a dump and commercial district. It has never been a residential district. Look at the amount of Disterallriers that used to be in area.

BeerNut

wyndham wrote: »

Is it apartments?

With retail on the ground floor. Pic.

Dandelion6

Meanwhile there are still empty units galore on the square and on Queen Street :rolleyes:

cgcsb

I doubt there are empty residential units to be had in Smithfield. The empty business units are also filling up. New retaurant going in and a dentist clinic. Not much left to fill after that.

BeerNut

I'd say Dublin's need for new apartments outweighs the :rolleyes:

AnonoBoy

Dandelion6 wrote: »

Meanwhile there are still empty units galore on the square and on Queen Street :rolleyes:

But yet they're turfing out the artists in Block T to revamp that and sell it off for commercial office space or something.

cardinal tetra

Time for the artists to be moved out to bluebell and crumlin to bring their merry brand of hipster regeneration.

SB_Part2

I don't get the hatred for this building. Smithfield 15 years ago was a dive and used mainly for trading cattle/horses. I don't see anything "celtic tiger -ish" about this new building and I'm actually happy there's work being done there.

There's 3 new coffee shops just after opening, there's a burrito bar, dentist and another restaurant in the pipeline as well. It's all coming up Smithfield.

cgcsb

Loving Smithfield at the minute, hope business continue to open at pace. I went to school her in the 1990's it was desperate. Now 1000X better so I'm not too fussed about aluminium windows.

That building did ruin plans for a cycle lane on the quays but sure ya can't have it all.

Hogzy

Where are people getting the info on new restaurants opening in Smithfield? Id be curious to find out more.

cgcsb

Hogzy wrote: »

Where are people getting the info on new restaurants opening in Smithfield? Id be curious to find out more.

Builders are fitting out the unit opposite Oscars at the min. There's signs for a dentist up on the next unit down. 3 new cafes opened in the past few weeks. One on Haymarket st, one in the glasshouse beside cinemon and one beside the vintage clothes shop beside the old car garrage

FreudianSlippers

How does OP know about the quality of insulation that was put in?

OP seems to know nothing - doesn't even seem to realise the building isn't "red brick"
My only complaint about the building is that it's like 3-4 floors too short and as a result looks squat and out of proportion.

SB_Part2

Hogzy wrote: »

Where are people getting the info on new restaurants opening in Smithfield? Id be curious to find out more.

From my side it's all just local gossip from talking to business owners in the area.

cgcsb

cardinal tetra wrote: »

the building behind it was selling itself on being a glass fronted bulding drawing in loads of light and being a very open space. now it is just another empty office building down a little narrow sidestreet behind an ugly red brick monstrosity.

The Glass house is north facing and permanently in the shade anyway.

FreudianSlippers

cgcsb wrote: »

The Glass house is north facing and permanently in the shade anyway.

I wouldn't be too happy if I were them though with that new building!

cgcsb

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I wouldn't be too happy if I were them though with that new building!

It's an office nobody lives in it.

FreudianSlippers

cgcsb wrote: »

It's an office nobody lives in it.

I know that, but the whole thing now stares into the side of a building that's across a narrow enough lane.

cgcsb

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I know that, but the whole thing now stares into the side of a building that's across a narrow enough lane.

Welcome to the City

FreudianSlippers

cgcsb wrote: »

Welcome to the City

:rolleyes: I obviously know that it's a city, but architecturally do you genuinely think someone would make a building with a big glass façade and market it as the Glass House if they thought a big block would be built right outside of it?

It's one thing across a big street, but a tiny lane?!

BeerNut

cgcsb wrote: »

That building did ruin plans for a cycle lane on the quays

How so?

cgcsb

BeerNut wrote: »

How so?

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/cycle-path-plan-diverts-buses-through-apartment-block-1.2328484

cgcsb

I suppose the other option is to demolishe the back buildings behind frank ryans and push the bus lane up coke lane and through to Phoenix street.

cardinal tetra

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

:rolleyes: I obviously know that it's a city, but architecturally do you genuinely think someone would make a building with a big glass façade and market it as the Glass House if they thought a big block would be built right outside of it?

It's one thing across a big street, but a tiny lane?!

It's the entire appeal of the office block. without the bright open space in front of it, they might as well have used a red brick wall instead of glass. you know, like the one it now beautifully looks upon.

Dandelion6

cgcsb wrote: »

I doubt there are empty residential units to be had in Smithfield. The empty business units are also filling up. New retaurant going in and a dentist clinic. Not much left to fill after that.

The former Polish grocery, the unit next to it on Queen Street and around the corner on Thundercut Alley. None of these look like being filled any time soon. Also some of the business units have had planning permission signs in them for years, I wouldn't bet money on anything actually opening there for a while.

Pepe LeFrits

Glass House is a coffee shop now, or at least the bottom two floors are.

Looking at the area on streetview now, it does kind of ruin Glass House (which is unfortunate, it's a nice building). Kind of short sighted from the designers of Glass House if their design is dependent on nobody building on the vacant plot in front of it though.

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

My only complaint about the building is that it's like 3-4 floors too short and as a result looks squat and out of proportion.

As usual. I’m not sure who is responsible for our city being a series of squat buildings but it’s infuriating. Whatever about protecting Georgian Dublin, there are so many areas where we could go much higher but we don’t. Sure, we may have major issues in the city with housing and the knock-on effects associated (transport, traffic, health, social problems), but at least we are ‘protecting’ our skyline.

cgcsb

An Taisce, The Georgian Society and David Norris would have a collective stroke if they seen one iota of modernity within eyeshot of their beloved georgian architecture.

That is why we are all commuting from Kildare. Never mind that the rest of the western world has cities with architecture from all eras mixed together.

Pepe LeFrits

From An Taisce's website:

The economic boom in Dublin was an unprecedented period. With reckless bank lending came an onslaught of over-scaled and over-dense development proposals for over-valued sites in Dublin city centre.

A great defining characteristic of inner-city Dublin is its historic or “human” scale – street after street with a consistent four- to five-storey building scale, occasionally punctuated by larger public buildings and churches - an enviable characteristic for any old city to maintain and worth jealously guarding.

Over-dense? ahhahahaha.

What planet are they on?

cgcsb

They're a relic of DeValera's rural idyllicism.

12Phase

cgcsb wrote: »

I doubt there are empty residential units to be had in Smithfield. The empty business units are also filling up. New retaurant going in and a dentist clinic. Not much left to fill after that.

There are a whole rake of commercial units all down the side streets off the main square. Quite a lot of empty commercial space over there.

I think the issue is that it doesn't really have the footfall to make it attractive to open a shop in.

I think we overestimate Dublin's shopping density enormously. It's not London.

Anything outside the two 'core' shopping districts in and around Grafton Street and Henry Street seems to just wither and die.
Even the density of shopping just a few hundred meters from Grafton Street can be surprisingly low.

Dublin really needs to do something about promoting the broader city centre as a shopping destination. Some kind of rates and parking incentives would help a lot and also ensuring that the isolated shopping districts are connected up.

Getting to Smithfield on foot is a very short, but horrible walk through some pretty scary streets. I know I don't feel comfortable once I get past Caple Street. That whole area around the Four Courts is a total kip.

There's a large abandoned old Motor Tax office, that huge fenced hole in the ground next to the Luas line where a basement was dug and a building never completed and tons of semi-derelict warehousing and then you hit Smithfield which is only OK at best and needs to be finished off.

When you head from Smithfield to Manor Street (which is nice) you have to go through yet more run down, semi-derelict streets e.g. North King Street.

This cuts one area off from the next as people won't walk comfortably between them. You need continuous, well kept, pleasant shopping / restaurant type areas. If there's a big gap, or you have to take a Luas, people just don't go.

I hate to say it, as a Dub myself, but parts of the city centre are *still* in absolutely horrific condition.

We're going on about a shortage of housing, yet there are tons of badly developed / quasi-derelict parts of the city centre that could be renovated providing plenty of over-shop high quality apartments, but for some reason it never happens.

Pepe LeFrits

Doing some googling and it appears 16 storey buildings are allowed in a couple of areas (Docklands, Heuston/Connolly stations, George's Quay) - so why aren't there any?

The IFSC in particular is such a waste.

Everywhere else is restricted to 6 storeys or 4 for the ‘outer’ city. That’s still too restrictive. For example there’s a site they’re building on Hanover St at the moment, it covers a large enough area and it is downhill from Merrion Square, so it could easily be quite tall without spoiling some of the more historic neighbouring areas. Instead it is going to be 4-6 storeys and will have a grand total of 15 apartments. Great.

Pepe LeFrits

12Phase wrote: »

We're going on about a shortage of housing, yet there are tons of badly developed / quasi-derelict parts of the city centre that could be renovated providing plenty of over-shop high quality apartments, but for some reason it never happens.

Apparently DCC can only issue a compulsory purchase order for a site that is officially classified as derelict, and getting buildings classified as derelict is quite difficult. CPOs are difficult to push through also.

… and also it seems (according to Ciaran Cuffe’s website anyway) DCC is sitting on a bunch of vacant or derelict sites itself.

12Phase

Simple: Irrational fear of high buildings and an association with all high buildings being "the Ballymun Flats".

Ireland seems to be incapable of putting the regulations and structure in place to properly manage large apartment complexes (even expensive private ones.) I had the unpleasant experience of living in a Dublin smallish (4 story) apartment block in Dublin 4. I was paying pretty serious money yet it was horribly badly managed.

Our front door was broken for 3 months and nobody fixed it and it resulted in weirdos hanging around in the foyer.

The bins weren't managed properly and regularly blew all over the place.

Some residents even stored rubbish in the corridors.

I rented in Cork and was in, again, a fairly expensive apartment complex which on paper looked fine. Again, no management and crazy parties in several of the apartments near by which were so bad I cut my lease short and moved out.

I literally couldn't sleep about 4 night a week. It was so bad that there were students with megaphones (I am not kidding) shouting off balconies!!!!!!!

No amount of complaints would resolve it: their landlord didn't care, the gardai seemed to be incapable of intervening and the management company was only contactable by fax and never responded.

If you don't put the proper structure and regulations in place, and make it possible to lease long term without messing around, apartment living will never be a viable option here.

"Flats" are always seen as some kind of thing one sneers at or that is a stepping stone to some kind of 'proper house'.
It's a mentality that if we do not get past we will just have sprawl and more sprawl that never gets resolved.

cgcsb

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Doing some googling and it appears 16 storey buildings are allowed in a couple of areas (Docklands, Heuston/Connolly stations, George's Quay) - so why aren't there any?

They're only allowed on paper and would never actually get permission. The Phibsoboro local area plan permited 2 mid rises one at the children's hospital site and one at the shopping centre site. The children's hospital was refused permission because it could be seen from O'Connoll street and was 'too dominant on the skyline' and the council are now working to reduce the permitted height at the shopping centre to LESS THAN the existing 1960s tower.

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

The IFSC in particular is such a waste.

Everywhere else is restricted to 6 storeys or 4 for the ‘outer’ city. That’s still too restrictive. For example there’s a site they’re building on Hanover St at the moment, it covers a large enough area and it is downhill from Merrion Square, so it could easily be quite tall without spoiling some of the more historic neighbouring areas. Instead it is going to be 4-6 storeys and will have a grand total of 15 apartments. Great.

That's how it works a few dozen apartments for millionaires will be built in the docks, normal people will drive in from Kildare, 3 hours round trip a day. That is the plan as of now.

The unspoken limit of 4/5 storeys means that many small derelict sites in the City cannot be used for housing because a developer would never break even building 5 or 6 apartments with a deep basement car park on an expensive scrap of land.

carlaboi

The sink hole on Church st is owned by the OPW and will house the new family law buildings and children's court. Currently these are spread across the city and the OPW are renting Phoenix House. Word is Dolphin house owners are selling it and want the courts out. The new building in Smithfield is pretty ugly tbh and I cant understand how it got permission especially as the council had plans to run a new cycle lane from the Ashling hotel all the way into town along this very route.