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U2 Loses Fight to Save Studio
Supergroup wins new docklands home in deal with developer
Irish Independent, June 18, 2002
Treacy Hogan, Environment Correspondent
Supergroup U2 yesterday lost the battle to save their Dublin docklands recording studio from demolition to make way for a ?2bn development.
But the band has reached agreement for a replacement studio building which will enable them to remain in the docklands area, it was later announced.
The deal between U2 and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) for a replacement studio emerged after Bord Pleanala gave the green light for the compulsory purchase by the authority of the band's recording studios at Hanover Quay in the Grand Canal Dock area of Ringsend.
U2 had fought a major planning battle to prevent the studios from being levelled after formally objecting to the move.
A statement issued on behalf of the band's management said arrangements had been made with the authority to allow the band to say in the docklands area "in a new building."
The existing studios are being levelled as part of a rejuvenation plan which includes 1,200 new homes and the creation of 20,000 jobs in a development of shops, restaurants, bars and an open-air amphitheatre for concerts.
The DDDA plans to knock down the Hanover Quay buildings to allow public access to the water through a new civic square.
The 24-acre site is being transformed into a cultural centre it is hoped will rival Dublin's Temple Bar.
The Bord Pleanala oral hearing into objections to the development had heard that U2 had invested heavily in the development of the studios over the past seven years and had recorded four albums there.
These were Passengers, Pop, the soundtrack for Million Dollar Hotel and All That You Can't Leave Behind.
They had also only recently begun recording new album tracks at the studios.
Representatives of U2 told the inquiry in January there was no good reason to demolish the studios which they said were landmark buildings and should be retained.
The name of U2 was synonymous with the docklands area and the premises was purpose-built and internationally renowned.
The 400 sq. metre single-storey recording studio is a former quayside warehouse.
Yesterday Bord Pleanala ruled the DDDA could proceed with its compulsory purchase order of the properties at Hanover Quay.
This also also includes small business premises owned by millionaire businessman and Point Depot owner Harry Crosbie.
The board said it had concluded that the acquisition by the docks authority of the lands was necessary to achieve renewal and regeneration in line with the planning scheme.
It said the objections could not be sustained.
This was after it had considered the objections, the board inspector's report into the hearing, the Dublin City Development Plan and the Planning Scheme for the Grand Canal Dock approved by the Environment Minister.
U2 had insisted that their studios were in accordance with the provisions of the overall docklands master plan.
The docklands authority said demolition of the properties was critical to the success of the overall scheme.
It would provide public access to the water at Grand Canal Dock and create a public amenity space.
The centrepiece of the ambitious project is Grand Canal Square, the tender for which was signed in January and is expected to take nine months to complete.
Mr. Crosbie said his two properties now due for demolition were part of Dublin's old docklands character.
While the working docks were not pretty they were "real" and he had argued during the hearing that some resemblance of them should be kept.
Mr. Crosbie also owns a house on Hanover Quay, but it will not be affected as it is protected as a special heritage building.
? Irish Independent, 2002.
U2 Loses Fight to Save Studio
Supergroup wins new docklands home in deal with developer
Irish Independent, June 18, 2002
Treacy Hogan, Environment Correspondent
Supergroup U2 yesterday lost the battle to save their Dublin docklands recording studio from demolition to make way for a ?2bn development.
But the band has reached agreement for a replacement studio building which will enable them to remain in the docklands area, it was later announced.
The deal between U2 and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) for a replacement studio emerged after Bord Pleanala gave the green light for the compulsory purchase by the authority of the band's recording studios at Hanover Quay in the Grand Canal Dock area of Ringsend.
U2 had fought a major planning battle to prevent the studios from being levelled after formally objecting to the move.
A statement issued on behalf of the band's management said arrangements had been made with the authority to allow the band to say in the docklands area "in a new building."
The existing studios are being levelled as part of a rejuvenation plan which includes 1,200 new homes and the creation of 20,000 jobs in a development of shops, restaurants, bars and an open-air amphitheatre for concerts.
The DDDA plans to knock down the Hanover Quay buildings to allow public access to the water through a new civic square.
The 24-acre site is being transformed into a cultural centre it is hoped will rival Dublin's Temple Bar.
The Bord Pleanala oral hearing into objections to the development had heard that U2 had invested heavily in the development of the studios over the past seven years and had recorded four albums there.
These were Passengers, Pop, the soundtrack for Million Dollar Hotel and All That You Can't Leave Behind.
They had also only recently begun recording new album tracks at the studios.
Representatives of U2 told the inquiry in January there was no good reason to demolish the studios which they said were landmark buildings and should be retained.
The name of U2 was synonymous with the docklands area and the premises was purpose-built and internationally renowned.
The 400 sq. metre single-storey recording studio is a former quayside warehouse.
Yesterday Bord Pleanala ruled the DDDA could proceed with its compulsory purchase order of the properties at Hanover Quay.
This also also includes small business premises owned by millionaire businessman and Point Depot owner Harry Crosbie.
The board said it had concluded that the acquisition by the docks authority of the lands was necessary to achieve renewal and regeneration in line with the planning scheme.
It said the objections could not be sustained.
This was after it had considered the objections, the board inspector's report into the hearing, the Dublin City Development Plan and the Planning Scheme for the Grand Canal Dock approved by the Environment Minister.
U2 had insisted that their studios were in accordance with the provisions of the overall docklands master plan.
The docklands authority said demolition of the properties was critical to the success of the overall scheme.
It would provide public access to the water at Grand Canal Dock and create a public amenity space.
The centrepiece of the ambitious project is Grand Canal Square, the tender for which was signed in January and is expected to take nine months to complete.
Mr. Crosbie said his two properties now due for demolition were part of Dublin's old docklands character.
While the working docks were not pretty they were "real" and he had argued during the hearing that some resemblance of them should be kept.
Mr. Crosbie also owns a house on Hanover Quay, but it will not be affected as it is protected as a special heritage building.
? Irish Independent, 2002.
