PLANS are afoot to see a long-vacant site in the heart of Limerick City’s medieval quarter ignite new flames of creativity.
The site at 35 to 39 Nicolas Street, including the well-known ruins at the Fireplace site, could be set to give a home to local artists if plans by Limerick City and County Council are given the green light.
The Council has lodged a Part 8 planning application for the site to develop artist studios, workspaces, a retail area, exhibition space, and a café or restaurant with additional outdoor seating.
The development would consist of the building of a new part-two-storey, part-single-storey building incorporating the upstanding walls of the medieval house and their associated fabric and features at 36 to 39 Nicholas Street, the change of use from residential, refurbishment, and renovation of the building at 35 Nicholas Street.
The plans would also see the demolition of a two-storey extension to the rear of number 35, and its replacement with a three-storey extension, the erection of a single-storey workshop unit to the rear of 35 and all associated site works, the planning documents show.
A Council spokesman said that the plans have been put forward in an attempt to “revitalise this historical area” of the city.
“The overall vision is to establish a Design and Innovation hub, which will contribute to the local economy and community and will also reduce vacancy and dereliction.
“The design of the project is sensitive to the historical context of the site, with particular respect to the medieval walls,” the spokesman added.
The plans are the result of intensive public consultation and engagement, “ensuring that the project is well-aligned with the needs and aspirations of the community,” the spokesman said.
It is hoped that capital for the project will come from the THRIVE Strand 2 funding, which is co-funded by the government and the European Union, and aims to support the renovation, refurbishment, and adaptation of vacant and derelict heritage buildings in town centres.
If the funding application is successful, the Council spokesman said, Limerick City and County Council will move forward with construction on the Fireplace site, “which has the potential to transform this historically significant area in Limerick City,” he concluded.
The project designs are now open for consultation with the public, who can share their views on mypoint.limerick.ie.
