Calls have been made to preserve what's been described as architecturally important premises on O'Connell Street in Waterford City. The General Office Supplies Stationary Store is set to become part of the ambitious development planned for The Munster Express building in the Cultural Quarter.
Speaking at the recent Metropolitan District meeting of Waterford Council, Councillor Donal Barry outlined the details of his submission on the project.
"The submission was mainly to try and get the architects to look at keeping the General Office Supplies building on O'Connell Street. I think it is a unique building in the city centre and our cultural quarter.
"I am disappointed that the cultural quarter committee did not make submissions on it or if they even discussed it. I think it adds discussion to the area regarding its unique design. It is doubtful that we will see in our lifetime another car showroom built in the city centre with that design. Personally, I feel it is an architectural conservation area even though it is not listed the front of the building could have been preserved."
In the plans, the existing Munster Express building will be integrated with a newly constructed three-storey building along Hanover Street with the main public entrance from O’Connell Street.
The ground floor will accommodate public access with flexible multi-purpose exhibition/lecture space, a multi-storey atrium space connecting all levels, meeting rooms and ancillary services.
It's proposed that the first floor will accommodate flexible format data/computer labs and workshops with a control room and ancillary meeting/service areas.
The second floor will accommodate offices and meeting rooms with ancillary spaces, while the roof area will accommodate a terrace, environmental sensors, and renewable energy
technologies.
Councillor Jim Griffin added," Probably there will be some councillors here who might not see it to fruition with the local elections next year but hopefully we all will.
"I really congratulate the team I know there was a huge amount of work put into it. As a member of the steering group from the Cultural Quarter, I think it will be a huge addition.
"I like that the ambition with the partnership with the North Quays and the proposal over there is going to make a very vibrant part of the town and I say congratulations to everyone involved in the proposal."
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