Waterford North Quays

Height is more expensive, not cheaper.

It's only financially viable where land is very expensive like Manhattan.

Breaking it down logically can help remove any subjectivity - off the top of my head:

Identify, exactly, the landmark elements of the design?
Which part signifies a gateway?
What part of the design needs modification if the site was not adjacent the a river?

I'd be impressed if anyone came up with intelligent answers based on the current proposal.

I doubt it'll be much more retail.

I think it'll be offices and apartments again.

Maybe SETU might want a small campus there. Not a bad idea.

Image taking from Reddit

The new train station is only two stories but is fairly substantial, granted ceiling heights might be higher than the norm but still substantial.

If the new hotel is 9 stories with an 11 story block it would be substantial compared to current buildings in Waterford.

Railway square possibly Waterford's tallest building at 7 stories?

what about Christ's church

There are ways to dress up a car park…..

https://sempergreenwall.com/news/from-grey-car-park-to-green-oasis/

I have seen these in the Netherlands and they work extremely well.

Completely agree if these car parks go in you can forget about phase 2 & 3. So we will have car parks on both north & south quays! One step forward two back!

surely it’s better than just fencing the land off and letting the weeds grow and syringes accumulate….? The Planners won’t be long refusing it if it’s not allowed…..?

It would be better to put in something useful and less of an eyesore like temporary playing areas.. For example a Multi-sports area for the residents of apartments..playground etc...

You are obviously not familiar with the site. The "car park" site is mostly the old Frank Cassin wharf which is a large concrete and tarmac area. It is suitable almost as is, for car park use immediately. It is the prime site on the North Quays being directly opposite Reginald's Tower. Developer is as conscious of this as anyone else. Your 5-10 years horizon is misplaced in my view but its a large site like the Dublin NQ anyway and will require sequential development anyway. I dont understand why some posters want everything done now, altogether, in one go, immediately. Getting things started is the difficult bit, after that it will develop its own momentum.

Hey didnt ya notice we have a huge offering of Charity Shops, Hairdressers/Barbers, Phone Shops and Nail Bars. Top of the range stuff there eh???🤔

The usual, followed by the usual gibberish. The running down of your own place.

If I see this joke one more time I think my eyes are going to bleed

I've had a look at the plans and I think the renderings look good (see attached). The view from the city side is impressive and the hotel at one end and offices at the other end look clean, complement each other and bookend the site well. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I think they are skewed by a disappointment that what people wanted to see is not practical to deliver.

In terms of design, the apartments and hotel were never going to be in an iconic style unique to Waterford, that's the reality. I think the whole project will deliver that iconic factor. The setting with the old city on one side and the new buildings on the other, joined by the new bridge, will do that. In time this will become an instantly recognisable view of Waterford City.

I understand somewhat the frustration with the carparking in the sections earmarked for other phases. As has been started by others, if this phase is a success then they are easily removed or incorporated into subsequent plans. In the mean time there will be no need for anyone driving to the city centre from the north to to come across Rice bridge. This should reduce congestion on the south quays and might be a catalyst for a further reduction of carparking spaces on the south quay.

I don't get the complaints that the plan deviates from the SDZ designation in terms of making use of the river setting. There is a promenade that runs the length of the site and the buildings are back from the river to allow for that. There is also a lot of greenery and relaxation space to enjoy the river.

Looking at the plans as well, each block has a number of retail units on the ground floor. This will allow for bars/restaurants convenience retail in time.

Ok the plans are not perfect, but for phase one, I'm happy that they are a good compromise and can give huge shot in the arm to the city. For people not willing to compromise based on the unavoidable constraints, then I'm sure disappointment will result. Later phases have scope for more height, iconic buildings etc. This has to be a success first though.

I don't have the time to or the inclination to debate back and forth about this, but I know there are different takes on it. Hopefully construction won't be too far off but I think the middle of next year to start, is realistic.