Save the Ormond Hotel Facade

 

The highlighted area shows the Dublin City Council's conservation officer's recommendation that the facade of this building Ormond Hotel, be considered for retention as it was not adequately assessed in the original design process.  

 

Request: 3008/13

 

1. The applicant shall carefully consider the report dated 4th September 2013 from the City Councils Conservation Section (copy attached), including the Conservation Recommendations therein, and in particular shall address the following (a to e below OR alternatively to address (f) below): a) The Conservation Section's key recommendation: However having reviewed the detailed design the Conservation Section would recommend that consideration for the retention of the front façade to the quays on the basis that this surviving facade was not adequately assessed as part of the design process and may mitigate the loss of architectural significance. The key recommendation of the Conservation Section would be that this oversight be addressed by an Additional Information request due to the significance of the association with Joyce, the importance of the UNESCO designation and due to the level of demolition proposed. It is evident from the proposed plans that the front block follows the footprint of the earlier buildings and affords the potential for the re-use of the main elevation with a new interior in the way that the Westin Hotel re-cycled the former commercial elevation to College Green, thus retaining Dublin unique sense of place, historic quayside character and topography. b) Provide revised plans and particulars which indicate the primary fabric of the main façade to be retained as part of the overall hotel proposal. Revised drawings to address the issue of surviving significance, the re-making of place/historic terrace with attention to the proposed roof/parapet line and its relationship to the wider terrace in particular adjoining chimneystacks and roofs. Proposals to have regard to the cultural and architectural significance associated with the terrace and to make provisions for the appropriate presentation of the built heritage significance as part of the overall scheme. c) The proposed penthouse level to be appropriately set back from the existing parapet line to Ormond Quay and to have regard to the historic roof profiles and gables adjoining and to avoid adverse impact or encroachment by reducing the footprint of the proposed penthouse back from the adjoining roofs. The applicant to provide 3-D of the proposed elevation from the vantage position of Capel Street Bridge to illustrate the set back building line and the impact on the setting of the adjoining protected structure No 6 Ormond Quay. d) Revised drawings, which clearly denote (by a different colour) as per the architectural heritage guidelines the extent of structural interventions, services installations and general conservation specifications in the context of surviving significance of the protected and historic structure to be provided. e) Clarification of the extent of the proposed salvage of historic building materials for re-use etc. OR f) Provide a detailed written response and/or rebuttal (with supporting illustrations / images) of the merits of the recommendations of the Conservation Officer, having regard to: • the cultural significance of the association of the building and any surviving fabric with James Joyce’s Ulysses, • Policies FC27, FC 30, FC31, FC41 and FC46, the Liffey Quays Conservation Area and Figure 4: Key Views and Prospects of the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017.