A report outlining recommendations for a revamp of what's being called the Dublin One Quarter has been handed to the Lord Mayor.
In February, The American Institute of Architects teamed up with a group of Dublin designers to set out a vision for the area between Capel Street, Parnell Square West, O'Connell Street and the north quays.
The project aims to turn that section of the north inner city into a thriving, buzzing zone akin to the South William Street area.
A spokesperson for the project says the architects received valuable feedback at a public workshop held in The Gresham.
Along with their suggestions, they're recommending a special agency should be set up to lead the regeneration effort and that the Dublin design team should 'start small'.
They're also highlighting the following ideas for the area:
- Consider low cost seating areas or mini green spaces along Capel Street which will "strengthen the public realm there."
- Low cost "design interventions (which would) enliven alleys and laneways like North Lotts Street."
- Wolfe Tone Park could and should, with investment, become more welcoming and turn into a great public space.
- The Fruit and Vegetable Market has potential to become an incubator for entrepreneurs, while making Little Mary Street a destination, as well as a bridge to Smithfield
"In the long-term, the team recommends a strategy to humanize Henry Street and create a civic “living room” through a series of placemaking strategies."
The final @AIANational document was presented to the @LordMayorDublin last night in @greshamhotel read it all here https://t.co/dErHlUjgsN pic.twitter.com/VJiB35YKJC
— weareDublinTown (@weareDublinTown) March 14, 2017
City Architect Ali Grehan says "we've heard a consistent story from the people who live and work in the area, which is that they have a vision and want it realised."
CEO of Dublin Town, Richard Guiney, believes "the area has enormous potential to be a beacon of imaginative regeneration... We are confident that with the co-operation of its stakeholders the district will once again be a key vibrant European city destination.”
