Premature Demolitions

JupiterKid

So, we built many awful, nondescript, brutalist office blocks and apartment buildings in the 20th century. Many of them are now being demolished and redeveloped for newer buildings. But not all of them were bad.

But are the replacements really any better than the edifices they are being replaced by? I personally would wonder...

Anyone have any examples of late 20th century buildings that should be preserved? Any buildings that have already vanished that should have been kept?

mad muffin

lidl tallaght

the_syco

Berties_Horse wrote: »

The Spire should be vanished.

Replace it with something like Nelsons Pillar; something tall, but useful.

super_furry

I like the Spire. It's nice and long.

JupiterKid

This office block, in Beggars Bush in Dublin 4, is set for the wrecking ball. It was built in 1985. Should it stay or go?

super_furry

Don't see any architectural significance. It puts me in mind of the opening of The Office (English one).

Charles Babbage

super_furry wrote: »

Don't see any architectural significance. It puts me in mind of the opening of The Office (English one).

However, it is far from the ugliest building of the 20th century in Dublin.

tigerboon

In fairness, there isn't much "architecture " in that one

Pythagorean

Charles Babbage wrote: »

However, it is far from the ugliest building of the 20th century in Dublin.

Agreed, it seems an appalling waste of resources to demolish such a recent building

corner of hells

the_syco wrote: »

Replace it with something like Nelsons Pillar; something tall, but useful.

No , replace it with maybe a water feature with a figure in it.

Pythagorean

This week, the Stella cinema in Mount Merrion bit the dust. Opened in 1955, the 1000 seat cinema showed its last film in 1976. Sic transit Gloria mundi.

super_furry

Pythagorean wrote: »

This week, the Stella cinema in Mount Merrion bit the dust. Opened in 1955, the 1000 seat cinema showed its last film in 1976. Sic transit Gloria mundi.

Doing well to keep it around for 43 years if it hadn't functioned as a cinema since then.

Honestly don't think there was anything special about it that would have warranted a protected status.

Pythagorean

super_furry wrote: »

Doing well to keep it around for 43 years if it hadn't functioned as a cinema since then.

Honestly don't think there was anything special about it that would have warranted a protected status.

It was used as a furniture store until recently. Agreed, no particular architectural value, but these suburban cinemas are nearly all gone now. It will be replaced by yet another block of apartments.

Skylinehead

Pythagorean wrote: »

It was used as a furniture store until recently. Agreed, no particular architectural value, but these suburban cinemas are nearly all gone now. It will be replaced by yet another block of apartments.

Apartments that we desperately need.

whisky_galore

super_furry wrote: »

Doing well to keep it around for 43 years if it hadn't functioned as a cinema since then.

Honestly don't think there was anything special about it that would have warranted a protected status.

I quite like the front block, I don't know why that can't be adapted and retained in a new development. Probably laziness and the eternal it costs too much excuse. Tbf protected status doesn't count for much anyway if someone is hell bent on demolition. Probably getting 'accidentally' burnt down by forces unknown to hurry the process.

Guy:Incognito

If people want to save buildings they are welcome to buy them.and do what they please with them.

It's all well and good deciding stuff should be incorporated or listed and saved when it's someone else's money being used

Wheeliebin30

The capital dock in the ifsc could do with demolishing and been brought into the 21st century.

orourkeda1977

More titty bars

Church on Tuesday

the_syco wrote: »

Replace it with something like Nelsons Pillar; something tall, but useful.

And imperial.

Guy:Incognito

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

And imperial.

This is the 21st century. We use metric now

salmocab

whisky_galore wrote: »

I quite like the front block, I don't know why that can't be adapted and retained in a new development. Probably laziness and the eternal it costs too much excuse. Tbf protected status doesn't count for much anyway if someone is hell bent on demolition. Probably getting 'accidentally' burnt down by forces unknown to hurry the process.

The front is quite nice Art Deco I think, was in it last summer and it’s a nice facade but the rest of the building ugly as sin, there was a car park to the side that showed it all in its lack of glory. The front would make a nice enterance for an apartment block.

Effects

Nixonbot wrote: »

Apartments that we desperately need.

But that most people can't afford to buy as they'll be an outrageous price.

There are very few "iconic" buildings in Dublin/throughout the country that were built in the mid -late 20th century that are worth preserving now. (I'm assuming 50's, 60's, 70's OP. )

Many from the 20's, 30's should be preserved though - like this one in Grafton st..



Also a lot of cinemas from that time look well or at least would look well if they were done up- but it's all about the money.

In terms of 60's buildings, maybe 46 Marlborough street is worth keeping as one of the better examples of modern architecture - could clean up nicely- that's if it isn't already knocked down?

wakka12

I always disliked that one at the top of grafton street. Looks so dingy. Well maybe the Bus stop logo doesnt help. But still, I think given how prominent it's location is within the city it should be a nicer looking building

wakka12

wakka12 wrote: »

I always disliked that one at the top of grafton street. Looks so dingy. Well maybe the Bus stop logo doesnt help. But still, I think given how prominent it's location is within the city it should be a nicer looking building

It could do with a good clean up alright but since the ground floors of all these buildings are just modern facades, it's hard to see the beauty as we rarely look up. "the Canada Life building" half way down Grafton st is another lovely building from the 20th century (possibly 1930's as well?- maybe some historical buffs can provide more information.

Pythagorean

Effects wrote: »

But that most people can't afford to buy as they'll be an outrageous price.

A lot of these apartment blocks are bought " off the plans" by international investment consortiums, and then rented out to the natives. Another caveat is the standard of some of these developments in the past, eg fire safety, etc.

JupiterKid

The Setanta Centre, Nassau St., Dublin. Built in 1975 and containing the most expensive public car park in Dublin, beef baron Larry Goodman plans to demolish and redevelop the complex.




Will you lament its probable passing? Recently Fitzwilton House (1969) by Leeson St bridge was demolished for a redevelopment and many more 1960s and 1970s office blocks are set to be replaced. But are the replacements all that better in quality to the structures they are replacing?

And are there any mid to late 20th century buildings you would like to see preserved?

Skylinehead

Effects wrote: »

But that most people can't afford to buy as they'll be an outrageous price.

More apartments = bigger supply = less cost.

the_syco

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

And imperial.

The Spire is metric. 121 meters, to be exact. Not much use. At least Nelsons pillar had a purpose; you go up the steps, and have a look around.

OldMrBrennan83

the_syco wrote: »

Replace it with something like Nelsons Pillar; something tall, but useful.

The only argument to be made for that would be so it could be blown up all over again.

Conall Cernach

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

The only argument to be made for that would be so it could be blown up all over again.

You could have Pearse or Tone or Emmett on it instead though.

beejee

Nixonbot wrote: »

Apartments that we desperately need.

"we"!

Need to build new assets at 4 times a reasonable cost, then sell off at 10 cent on the euro afterwards to "investors" from "not here".

You know, like the vast numbers of apartment blocks that were built for ridiculous cost, sold for nothing, now charge people extortionate rent, and the money flows out of the country.

Oh, maybe you think Irish people will benefit?! Lolololololol

wakka12

I dont see what was ever so nice about Nelsons Pillar, it was just fine, you could put something much better there though. Spire isnt great either

Boggles

Nixonbot wrote: »

More apartments = bigger supply = less cost.

Your equation isn't true in this country for some reason.

We were balls deep in houses and apartments 10 years ago and the cost kept on going up.

the_syco

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

The only argument to be made for that would be so it could be blown up all over again.

I guess so. Having a tower dedicated to Michael Collins, built by the Irish, for the Irish, in a Gaelic design is bound to piss off some terrorist organisation... :pac:

wakka12 wrote: »

I dont see what was ever so nice about Nelsons Pillar, it was just fine, you could put something much better there though. Spire isnt great either

The thing itself was ugly, but a landmark that people can actually use is nice to have. Making it a tourist attraction attracts people to O'Connell street.

Boggles wrote: »

Your equation isn't true in this country for some reason.

We were balls deep in houses and apartments 10 years ago and the cost kept on going up.

A huge amount of the houses were in Ballygobackwards, and some have since being levelled, as no-one wants them.

SEPT 23 1989

They should never have taken down the towers in ballymun

Boggles

the_syco wrote: »

A huge amount of the houses were in Ballygobackwards, and some have since being levelled, as no-one wants them.

That's different, They were in unfinished estates, it was cheaper level them. That said a few of them I know of have been finished in the last couple of years after laying idle and in some cases open to the elements for 5-7 years.

Apparently not once in 30-40 years of increasing housing supply has it made housing cheaper, it's the opposite, Developers will always maximize every last cent of profit. Increasing supply is very important, but done on it's own just means ever increasing prices.

The arse falling out of the market and banks not lending is the only thing that really decreases prices in this country and that is only for so long.