New public buildings, Cathedral, Civic Buildings, Government Buildings.

3. NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Metropolitan Cathedral.

centralview_small.jpg (1830 bytes)In the siting of proposed new buildings pride of place is taken by the Metrolitan Cathedral. This building, symbolising as it will the spiritual life of the people, should occupy a dominating position among the buildings of the City. It should lend itself to ceremonial and, at the same time, be situated in a central and easily accessible position.

We would emphasise that in making a decision of such vital importance to the future of the City, it would be unwise to economise unduly upon site acquisition. A building of this nature, which will cost some millions of pounds to erect, is deserving of the expenditure necessary to ensure a proper site. We would suggest that the erection could be carried along in stages, as is happening in Liverpool, and that it would be better to delay the second stage rather than to hurry the building at the expense of placing it upon the wrong site.

We have given careful consideration to the advisability of placing it in Merrion Square, and we are of opinion that this site would not provide the dignity of setting, nor the dominance in the City, which such a building demands.

Having considered the various possibilities we recommend, as the most suitable and practicable site, the rectangle bounded by Lower Ormond Quay, Lower Liffey Street, Capel Street and Upper Abbey Street.

This would give approximately the same area as Merrion Square. The main approach, with a wide flight of steps, would face the river. Thus the Cathedral would continue the Dublin tradition of facing its great buildings along the Quays. The Cathedral would occupy a central position, approximately half way between the Customs House and the Four Courts. Set in a green enclosure and bounded by widened streets, it would be seen to the greatest advantage from across the river and from the neighbourhood of O’Connell Bridge.

The proposed new thoroughfare, continuing South George’s Street, and the opening up and widening of the quays opposite the Cathedral would add to the dignity of the building, while the new bridge replacing the “Metal” Bridge would enable processions to approach the Cathedral from either side.

The property involved, while considerable, is of little value, but we suggest that even if ten per cent. of the estimated cost of building had to be spent on acquiring the site, it would be in the interests of the Cathedral and the City that this necessary expenditure should be faced. *

The New Civic Buildings.*

Next in importance to the Cathedral come the Civic Buildings.

Assuming that this block will house administration for city and county, it is clear that a considerable site will be required.

Having examined various possibilities, we have come to the conclusion that the civic centre should include the existing City Hall. Parliament Street should be widened to 150-ft. and the new Civic Buildings should flank the widened Parliament Street on the West, extending from Lord Edward Street to the Quay. The block should be L-shaped with a wing extending along Essex Quay. This wing would give dignity, sadly lacking at present, to the quays on the South. It is proposed that East Essex Street be carried through the block of building with a flying bridge connecting the upper floors. This bridge could, if required, be duplicated, higher up Parliament Street over an entrance to an internal court, thus giving a symmetrical treatment to the facade facing that street. We are of opinion that, if properly treated, these bridges would enhance the possibility of attractive architectural treatment whether on classical or more free lines.

The increased width of Parliament Street would enable it to be laid out with dual carriageways, provision for grass borders, tree planting, and a taxi stand conveniently situated to the City Hall. It will not lie along one of the main traffic arteries, but will form a centre for civic life with the hill leading p to the existing City Hall as a dominant feature.

Accommodation being urgently needed, it would be possible to carry out the selected design by stages, building first those portions which occupy derelict or easily acquired portions of the site and leaving the final widening of Parliament Street to the last. *

New Government Buildings.*

Government Departments are at the present time housed in three separate places, viz.: Upper Merrion Street, The Customs House and the Castle. The inadequacy of the present accommodation demands a definite policy for future extensions. The Customs House and the Castle appear, within their limits, to serve their purpose sufficiently well and any future allocation of space could be arranged with a view to continuing their use in any way which may administratively be found convenient. The most suitable neighbourhood for additional building would, in our opinion, be that contained in the rectangle bounded by St. Stephen’s Green North, Upper Merrion Street, Kildare Street, and Leinster Street-Clare Street. This rectangle, and its immediate neighbourhood, for example the East side of Upper Merrion Street, would lend itself admirably to the requirements of a Government centre which would be associated with the existing Oireachtas Buildings, the National Library, National Gallery and Museums.

We propose the incorporation of the end blocks of Merrion Square (North and South) adjacent to Merrion Street, into the group of Government Buildings. If this were done, and the blocks were kept in harmony with the brick character of the Square, we should not object to an increased height for these blocks, were this required.

In forming this rectangle of Government buildings, we are not proposing the removal of the fine Kildare Street Club building, nor the Shelbourne Hotel. *

New Civic Buildings.

The Town Planning Committee approves of the site selected by the Consultants. In view of the inadequate and unsatisfactory accommodation in the existing scattered buildings used as Civic Offices, the Town Planning Committee agrees that new buildings are urgently necessary. It, therefore, recommends that steps be taken to invite designs for new municipal buildings by prize competition. The design should permit of the erection of the buildings in sections. They should also provide for the inclusion of Council Chamber, Public Assembly Rooms, Lord Mayor’s Office, etc., as well as the usual municipal offices. The existing City Hall could be utilised for other public purposes as required. (Town Planning Committee).*

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