Council orders cover-up of 19th Century red-brick building
The owners of a late-19th Century building on Upper Abbeygate Street have been ordered to plaster over its original red brickwork by Galway City Council.
The ‘by-the-book’ ruling was made by the local authority on the three storey building which currently houses the Dough Bros’ pizzeria.
Work started last week on plastering over the bricks, following a threat of legal action by the Council.
The original exposed brick-work on the Protected Structure – which was only uncovered during restoration work a number of years ago – had been admired by many.
But Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines state: “The stripping off of existing render, merely to expose rubble or brick walls that were not originally intended to be seen, should generally not be permitted.
“The removal of render from surfaces originally rendered not only significantly alters the architectural character of the structure, but removes the weathering later provided by the render.”
After owners Declan Farrell and Maurice Gillen – who own a series of buildings on the street – began refurbishment works there several years ago, the building contractor expressed serious concerns that large slabs of the cement render were liable to “fall into the street killing or seriously injuring pedestrians”, and it was decided to remove all the plaster.
DM Properties – the owners’ company – subsequently sought permission to retain the exposed brickwork when the refurbishment was complete.
“When the quality of the front was exposed, it was so good that it was decided to apply for retention of the façade as it now stood,” the architects told planners.
However, the city’s Heritage Officer, Dr Jim Higgins, told planners that it was unlikely the brickwork was ever intended to be left unrendered, and that it may create a precedent “for further unnecessary or unsuitable stripping of plaster”.
The planners also referred to the adjoining Cooke’s restaurant building, which has exposed stonework.
“While the adjoining building has exposed stone, this has been done for some considerable time and the current guidelines issued in 2004 do not advocate this approach,” planners said, refusing permission for retention.
The Council subsequently served an Enforcement Notice on DM Properties, ordering the front of the building to be re-plastered under the supervision of a conservation architect.