Situated in the heart of Limerick’s
historic quarter the Opera centre will
lead the regeneration of a city centre in a
state of decline. The proposal creates an
outstanding retail experience and with
the enthusiastic support of the all the
stakeholders will provide a bright future
for the people of Limerick.
Externally the proposal consists of
ground level shop units opening onto the
street, their display and activity expressed
and reinforced through the glass and
metal facade framed over with signage.
The area above street level is punctured
by a series of protruding lightboxes
and retail display to create rhythm and
verticality which help to break down the
scale of the facade to match the urban
grain of the surrounding Georgian plot
pattern. The restaurant is emphasised by
projecting out it’s double height space and
this marked focus helps to express the
associated activity and use externally to
the streetscape.
The materials used are planar glazing,
fritted opaque glazed cladding,
aluminium cladding and white/grey
limestone cladding with the opaque glass
and aluminium cladding used primarily
at ground floor level. Above, a banded cut
ashlar stone is used, in keeping with stone
used in buildings of importance in the
Georgian streetscape. This stone façade is
then punctured to preserve the lightness
of the building.
Internally the circulation areas are
treated more as a streetscape than a
traditional mall. The glazed roof creates
a visible connection with outside and
provides large amounts of natural light. Walkways guide the visitor through the
space with crossing bridges providing
intrigue and invite use of the upper levels.
- 40,000m2 of retail space arranged over
3 No. levels with exciting ‘streetscape’
circulation areas
- create new public spaces which are
sadly lacking in the existing city centre
as nodal points along pedestrian
circulation routes and form a
relationship with the river
- inviting entrance areas encouraging
visitors to enter the centre
roof garden and food court for social
and leisure activities increasing footfall
to the upper levels
- sculptural café pavilion in riverside
public space
- 500 spaces in basement parking to
enhance the parking already provided
within the city centr
