Paul McNeive is a great commentator on the Irish property recovery. I enjoy his pieces in the Indo and this one is right on. Why are we not striving for more landmark buildings? The Docklands is a dirty blank canvas and NAMA and DCC have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make history there. Let's take it and go high! Architecture competitions maybe?
It strikes me that Ireland does not seem to be getting the architects creative juices flowing to the same extent and examples of really distinctive landmark buildings are thin on the ground. Exceptions are buildings like the original Central Bank, arguably Liberty Hall and Cork's Elysian Tower. I always liked the "Gotham City" styling of Johnny Ronan's building on Herbert Street, Dublin 2, which has always let well. This lack of pizazz may be down to a lack of imagination and courage by developers but with office rents soaring in Dublin at least, there must be an opportunity to really stand out from the crowd.
unknownx500
