Brown Thomas - An eyesore in the heart of Limerick

Mango Joe

Not sure if this has been brought up before, but if Limerick City Council had any small notion of what they were at, just minimum standards or any bit of backbone they'd direct Brown Thomas to make some sort of an effort with the outside of their bleak, drab, cheap and nasty tenement-style building.

Seriously, half-blind architects in the darkest slums of Soviet Russia would vomit at the sight of the place.

I also think its relevant that they are high-end retail and supposedly earning one of the highest revenues of their chain in the Country. Presumably an exterior renovation would be a drop in the ocean out of their profits over the space of a year or even a decade.

They obviously couldn't give a damn and in this case somebody should make them care.....

pappyodaniel

You forgot to say "rant over" there at the end.

Hoboo

A strongly worded letter to that effect should settle the matter. If no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire, The A-Team.

Cookiemunster

Mango Joe wrote: »

Not sure if this has been brought up before, but if Limerick City Council had any small notion of what they were at, just minimum standards or any bit of backbone they'd direct Brown Thomas to make some sort of an effort with the outside of their bleak, drab, cheap and nasty tenement-style building.

Seriously, half-blind architects in the darkest slums of Soviet Russia would vomit at the sight of the place.

I also think its relevant that they are high-end retail and supposedly earning one of the highest revenues of their chain in the Country. Presumably an exterior renovation would be a drop in the ocean out of their profits over the space of a year or even a decade.

They obviously couldn't give a damn and in this case somebody should make them care.....

I think you need to read up on the powers that the council actually possess. The building isn't derelict or in disrepair. They can't force anyone to refurbish their private property for aesthetics reasons.

sleepyman

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I think you need to read up on the powers that the council actually possess. The building isn't derelict or in disrepair. They can't force anyone to refurbish their private property for aesthetics reasons.

In fairness there's a few buildings that could do with demolition-I'd put Penneys in that category too.
But the council don't have any powers to do that as has been mentioned.

jimgoose

That building is of it's time - there's a few more like it around the city-centre, e.g. Sarsfield House by Rutland Street, and BT's isn't the worst of them.

Paddico

Jesus I've seen a lot worse. A bit dated now but dont look that bad

To a certain extent I'd have some agreement that the building doesn't look particularly nice when it's held up against the more traditional Georgian style architecture in the old city centre.

But WTF is your point? I mean realistically, what do you genuinely think Limerick Council can do in the year 2021 to correct something that was built in the 1970's, especially considering the amount of money and employment that's been generated by Todds/BT for the city over the decades?

I mean fukc it, even the bus stop outside the place was the starting point for half the pubs and restaurants in the city.

sleepyman

Paddico wrote: »

Jesus I've seen a lot worse. A bit dated now but dont look that bad

Have a look at what was knocked.'ll acknowledge that it's not quite Hawkins House in Dublin but not great.

Swiper the fox

Jesus, the council playing hardball with BT would be some move,
If they packed up you might as well just leave the tumbleweed blow through the town

Jose Maria

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117592190#Comment_117592190

No cant blame them for Todds, they've made a dogs arse of the street in the last 50 - 60 years though, some lovely buildings were pulled down

Mango Joe

Thanks for all of the replies Folks.

I do absolutely understand the collective sentiment on here which obviously is not at all in agreement to my initial gripe!

I would however be curious as to what influence or enforcement local Authorities have at their disposal in other Countries. Now, obviously I'm talking about attractive, pleasant City Centre environments where the buildings look smart, impressive and well-maintained.

Also - It's just a plain fact that if people have low standards and low expectations combined with no desire to see change for the better then they might just get exactly what they deserve...and be overjoyed with it......

teddyhead

In fairness , the original building burned down ,so the 'modernist' new building was probably a quick fix in a way. Its not the worst building on our main street. The buildings across the road have no character whatsoever. You would almost long for the days when Dunnes had a store there.

ClosedAccountFuzzy

The one that struck me as hideous is that Eir building / telephone exchange on Roches Street.

Yeah, direct your ire at what Dunnes are allowed to do with an abandoned building for years.

BTs are almost single handedly keeping the city centre alive. Its already a shadow of what it was, although plenty zombie activity in the later hours.

Peregrinus

"It was like that when we got here"

The building dates from the early 1960s. It was built for Todd's of Limerick to replace their previous store on the same site, which burned down in 1959. Brown Thomas didn't acquire the Switzer Group, which by then included Todd's, until 1991, nearly thirty years later.

dingle1969

They're up for sale now. Maybe the new owners will see this thread and do it up a bit