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THE DERELICT BUILDING that was slated for development as the headquarters of now-defunct Anglo Irish Bank could become a groundbreaking ‘vertical park’ under one architect’s proposal.
The plan would see what is currently a concrete shell on Dublin’s North Wall Quay carved into a series of terraces, with public walkways cut from the floors of the building between large trees and other plants.
The ‘Trees On The Quays‘ project is being spearheaded by Paschal Mahoney of Mahoney Architecture, who said it would transform a symbol of economic collapse into a public amenity. He told TheJournal.ie:
We felt it would be the wrong outcome if that site was to become the negative backdrop of the collapse of the Irish economy. There could be something far more creative done with it; something that would serve a purpose. It would be a national asset.
He said the ‘vertical park’ concept was entirely workable, but would be a “leading light” among such developments. “We’re actually carving out the floor plates to leave a lattice of walkways, allowing the trees to grow between them and light, air and water to filter through,” he said. “People would take a lift to the top of the building, then meander down through the trees.”
There is also a proposal for a cable car linking the development with the south quays. Mr Mahoney said the project would be entirely self-funding, not for profit, and would only require the donation of the site and a licence to develop it.
The building is currently controlled by Nama after being taken over from developer Liam Carroll. It was originally planned as a landmark headquarters for the bank, but work stopped as far back as 2009.
Also included in the project are plans for a “Meeting Room For Very Important Decisions” on top of the building, which would be constructed entirely of glass as “a highly public and transparent venue” where future issues of national importance could be decided.
Slideshow: How the Trees On The Quays might look
All images courtesy of Mahoney Architecture except where noted
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Turn it into a modern day colosseum and let crooked bankers and developers fight for the right to stay out of jail
Or just stick them all in the glass house on top in the interests of transparency.
Or fight to the death!
Let’s give it a go. We would end up with an attraction for locals and visitors rather that the current blight on our City and our minds.
I’m of the mind that Dublin needs a complete redesign once we are finished paying off our debt to the IMF. Dublin looked better in the 1950s than it does today. Like most people who live here I have come to just accept it… that is until I went to Belfast and saw their city centre, it’s gorgeous. If we want to be a major European city we need to look like one.
We could start on the north side, look at O’Connell Street. A great street integral to our history, and it’s got nothing on it except fast food and a Dr. Quirkeys. It’s a disgrace.
It’s like Fianna Fail were drunk when they made decisions, they probably were.
Why dont nama give it to a homeless shelter to help people on the streets..We dont need another park in dublin city center.
Because that would cost money.
It’s not exactly like we have a shortage of these ghost sites, and it’s exactly what they’re doing with some of them.
We do, there is not a single tree on that side. All apartments blocks in around that area with young families in them and not a single park, horrible planning of in my opinion on the part of planners / architects that they have not even considered a green area for the surroundings.
Most of the derelict buildings in that area are already being used as squats by homeless people, it couldn’t hurt to actually heat the places and make them shelters, especially with the current forecasts for this winter’s weather.
Besides which, that design looks like someone was watching the cityscape at the end of Logan’s Run and thought it’d be nice to build something like that in Dublin…
And why not?
What a Fantastic Idea… the docklands area badly needs a park, when you think of the number of people that live in such a small area. This would really add something special to the docklands… instead of more concrete.
Sure if it’s left long enuf it’ll turn itself into a park!!!!
Great idea, there’s not enough green space in Dublin.
It’s a nice concept, would bring a bit of life to that part of the city.
Fantastic
And turning it into a park would be free?
If you read the article again, they outlined how it would be self-funded. Probably from amusements of some sort like when you go to the seaside, it’s free, but you have to pay for the binoculars.
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Do it.
This is the best wind up story Ive heard since http://youtu.be/aaSLNBOphpE
Any park plans for this site should seriously consider playing areas for kids, including quality pitches and courts for football, tennis, basketball etc. Very few places in the inner city where kids are allowed to play. Always an after thought, but has massive health benefits and could help curb anti-social behavior.
The best wind up story Ive heard since http://youtu.be/aaSLNBOphpE
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