Sir, – John Thompson writes that Dublin's Georgian building stock is "under-utilised" and "poorly suited for modern residential or commercial use" (Letters, February 4th). He regrets there aren't enough "boutique law firms or cosmetic surgeries to fully occupy them all".
As someone who has both lived and worked in Georgian buildings, I can attest that their high ceilings and generously sized rooms make them ideal for use by cultural institutes, private residences, hotels, bars, restaurants, embassies, libraries, archives, private clubs, offices, and artists’ studios. The high prices sought for these buildings are testimony to their inherent appeal. It is heartening to see many returning to residential use, particularly on Mountjoy Square and North Great Georges Street.
Far from being vacant and under-utilised, the Georgian districts are among the most culturally diverse and attractive in the city.
Old buildings can be challenging to maintain, and require sensitive interventions to raise their energy-efficiency standards.
However, wholesale demolition and replacement of our beautiful architectural heritage would not only be a cultural travesty, it would involve the loss of the embodied energy present in those buildings. The retention and reuse of old buildings, from all periods, is now an essential aspect of our fight for lower carbon emissions.
Dublin can and must develop, but I suggest this development occurs on the many brownfield sites in the vicinity of the city, rather than at its cultural and aesthetic heart. – Your, etc,
STEPHEN WALL,
Rialto,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Saying that Georgian buildings, because of their age, are somehow in the way of development or unsuitable for office or housing use is nonsense. Ask the residents of Edinburgh New Town, or the office dwellers and residents in downtown Amsterdam, who live and work in buildings of a similar vintage or older.
The southern Georgian core of Dublin city centre and the remaining Georgian buildings of the north inner city should be a mix of both office, cultural, and residential use and certainly not just “boutique law firms”.
A little more care and a lot more imagination in terms of use would go a long way towards maintaining our heritage and preserving Georgian Dublin for future generations. – Yours, etc,
RORY J WHELAN,
Drogheda,
Co Meath.