Limerick improvement projects

Construction to recommence on ‘world class’ University of Limerick Student Centre (UL)

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Construction is to recommence on a major new state of the art student centre at University of Limerick.

The project to construct the landmark building in a strategic location at the campus gateway is back up and running following a retender process and is due for completion in mid-2024.

Monami Construction has been appointed to complete the new UL Student Centre contract. Site set up and mobilisation began in late February with the contract commencing this coming Monday, March 20.

The new UL Student Centre, a 3,529 square metre building set four storeys over basement, is located in a prime front of house location adjacent to the Stables Complex and the Glucksman Library.

That's right out of the Limerick Leader school of hyperbole and sensationalism. Nick Rabbitts had a piece earlier in the week on the redevelopment of the former fire station on Thomas Street where he stated that the new build 'would tower up to 5 levels!' Imagine that, a five storey building right in the heart of the city centre. Where do we think we are? Manhattan or somewhere?😫

On a more serious note that apartment development on Childers Road/Greenfields road is entirely appropriate. It aligns with all the principles of National Planning policy; supporting compact growth and urban revitalisation, the objective to deliver 50% of all new homes within the existing footprint of Limerick city, supporting sustainable and active travel and transport use with the development sited in an accessible and built up location. It's also categorised as an 'intermediate urban location' which makes it suitable for medium to high density. The building height is equivalent to the new Gough Place apartment across the road which is on a slightly elevated site.

A look at the plans will also show that the building is sited as close to the Childers Road boundary as possible and is orientated away from existing houses. Open green space and parking with screening planting face the boundaries with neighbouring properties. Nothing to see here. Although I have absolutely no doubt local residents will be queuing up to appeal this to An Bord Pleanala on the most vexacious grounds. But but the housing crisis....🙄

It towers above the existing houses in the area (2 storeys surrounding it) and is a block of flats... What would you call it?

There are 2 storey houses near me that are built on a small hill. The houses behind are 2 storey as well but the bedroom windows are level with the gardens above. The higher houses are essentially 4 storey. Same happens in Thomondgate.

No one seems to have a problem with this despite some towering over others because it is a housing estate of 2 storey houses and the hate for "towering" 4 storey blocks is pure and utter ideological and doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

I hope your not going to Cork next week for the hurling. You will have a heart attack if you look up at the hills.

Ok so back to my original question. What would you call a 4-storey apartment block towering above nearby 2-storey houses?

100% my ageing parent is starting to think it might be time to move closer to the hairdressers

id call it progress.

A bit of a simplistic view if you don't mind me saying, some of the highest up cities in the world, have some of the biggest homelessness problems. I'd also make the argument that not pissing off neighbours will get housing built faster, further alleviating the homeless problem

Baring the obvious that an apartment block is not a house... Can't believe that I have to explain such a concept but here we are... In both examples the houses were pre-existing before being sold to the public. Greenfields was built around 1964 and most of the residents bough the houses from new without any indication of a 4-storey apartment block towering over them

Yes, Gough place is nearby and roughly the same height of this building but isn't taller than the height of nearby housing. Interestingly they claim the top of the building doesn't include what seems to be a lift shaft

I live in a bungalow also but I certainly wouldn't want such a huge overbearing building on my doorstep so I can really see where these residents, as well as the Hassets cross and Punches Cross ones are coming from.

I'd imagine that living there and having your house flooded regularly would probably qualify you to know there's a problem with flooding so I'd call it a valid concern but each to their own. Something that stands out so much in a housing development would be considered unsightly

That's a stretch...

"Greenfields was built around 1964 and most of the residents bough the houses from new without any indication of a 4-storey apartment block towering over them"

Are you serious??

They would have also had no indication that man would land on the moon and be able to look down on them

Did the people living near Rosbrien in the 50's have any indication they would have a new housing estate built beside them

The residents have every right to object but to say I bought here in 63 and nothing shall change is rubbish

I wonder do the people of Greenfields complain about the new retail parks, hospitals, health centres, industrial parks, stadiums, sports facilities, ring roads, motorways, universities, hospitality venues built since 1964.

You couldn't get a pizza in Limerick in 1964.

The city has changed and expanded beyond all recognition in those 59 years and people can't just cherry pick the bits they like.