Belfast
This map shows some of my favourite developments in Belfast.
Unfortunately Belfast doesnt have much of a skyline, not yet anyway, but here's what we've got now. (yellow dot on map).
Titanic Quarter (Green dot)
"Titanic Quarter, Europe's largest and most exciting waterfront development, will transform a 185-acre site on the banks of Belfast's river Lagan into a new mixed use maritime quarter with a mile of water frontage and a range of investment opportunities including: over 7,500 apartments, 900,000 sq. m. of business, education, office and research and development floor space together with hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and other leisure uses.
Titanic Quarter will bring new life to a part of the city that is rich in both history and potential. The site is centred upon former shipbuilding land from which vessels such as the RMS Titanic, Olympic and SS Canberra were launched - some of most innovative and complex engineering projects ever undertaken.
It will become a major social and business meeting place with galleries, theatres, parklands and water sports all easily connected to Belfast's thriving city centre.
The Titanic Quarter development is co-promoted by the Port of Belfast and Titanic Quarter Limited. The £5bn development is expected to create at least 25,000 new jobs over the next 15 years."
Obel (Blue dot)
"The development consists of a 28 storey 85m high residential tower called Obel, along with office and leisure space and two basement levels for parking.
The scheme was originally to include an eight storey 144 bedroom hotel, however upon the success of the first release of apartments the developer cancelled plans for a hotel and added more apartments. All 182 apartments released were booked within 48 hours of their release with prices ranging from £100,000 to £475,000. As well as creating more apartment space through replacing the hotel the tower was also changed to increase the height from 80m to 85m, creating an extra two floors. Planning consent for these changes came in Autumn 2007.
Construction began on the two basement levels in January 2006. Charles Brand a division of the Lagan Group carried out the work which was completed in early 2007. Upon completion of the first phase of the Obel construction process the site was boarded up for much of 2007 until planning was granted for amendments to the scheme as mentioned above.
Construction re-commenced on site in the week commencing 16 June 2008. The site was cleared up after being left for one year with no work undertaken. As of the end of that week the base of the first smaller tower crane was in place and it was fully erected the next week.
The return to the site follows a change in the developers behind the scheme. Karl properties purchased fellow consortium members MAR properties and Greenfarm Developments stakes in Donegall Quay Ltd.
Then, in the last week of July the 106m specially designed tower crane for the main Obel structure was erected. The crane stands at the same height as Samson, the taller of the two H&W cranes and will be in place for the duration of the 24 months build contract which has been taken on by OHare and McGovern."
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Sirocco Quays (Red dot)
"Waterfront living has been a popular aspiration for many people, not just those in high-income groups. In many European cities, this demand for riverside homes has often resulted in residential development on the periphery of the urban core often in remote docklands locations. The location of the Sirocco site however, means that the people attracted to live there will make a significant contribution to the economy and culture of the city centre. It will also create a riverside destination that attracts visitors from far and wide
The development is intended to be a beacon of sustainable living for Belfast and beyond. It will be a place where its residents walk, cycle or use public transport in preference to the private car and where its residents will find the job of reducing their environmental impact made easy for them. Everyday facilities will be provided within walking distance of all homes. Waste management systems will be put in place that encourages high levels of recycling, whilst the energy needs for the development will be met through a Combined Heat and Power system. These and other measures will ensure that the homes provided on the Sirocco site will have a low carbon footprint."
"The large 16 acre site located on the east side of the Lagan was once home to Sirocco Ropeworks which at one point was the largest rope manufacturer in the world. In 1881 Samuel Davidson, one of the founding partners of Howden sets up his business from the Bridge End site eventually creating Howden Sirocco. Production of fans and heat exchangers began and a close working relationship evolved with Harland & Wolff on the fitting out of ships. However, in 1999 production was moved overseas and the site became derelict."
The Boat (Orange dot)
"Custom House Square is a prestigious 7 million mixed-use building in a very prominent part of
Belfast at Custom House Square, adjacent to the River Lagan. This project has commenced and is due for completion in early 2009.
The building is fourteen storeys high, comprising 4,200 square metres, including eight
penthouse apartments, and is designed by one of Belfast's best known architectural practices, Todd
Architects. The project was won at competititive tender by P. Elliott & Company Ltd.
The building is constructed with a reinforced concrete frame and features a unique curved glass
façade which has led it to being named locally as "the Boat."
Coloured aluminium "picture frames" surround the balcony windows at various locations on the
façade giving it a look that will be unique to Belfast.
Solar shading to the façade is provided by a curved timber brise soleil supported by a stainless
steel cable system.
Access to the basement car park is achieved by using a vehicle lift."
Boat and Obel
. I can't really think of and museums in Detroit itself just in the outskirts, so no real reason to go there. I only go to Detroit three times a year, the Auto Show, Auto Rama, and the Air Races which didn't even want to be in Detroit this year, which says a lot. Overall Detroit is a place you go only because you rally have to or want to live life on the edge. Like taking Van Dyke road from its very beginning, yea thats a rush.
side. But I have driven through the North End before, and it wasn't too bad. Same with University Place.
. Pinckney Michigan
