New Creative Space on Wynyard

A new public space is emerging on Wynyard Quarter. A space between buildings. You probably haven't seen it yet, because all those fences and construction barriers make it hard to see.... 

It's an interesting shaped space, quite big. Enclosed by buildings, but open to the wider street network. Has a lot of potential - because it's enclosed - shelter from the storm. Activation potential is very attractive...

This picture might give you a clue. Of one of the buildings that frame this creative space. To the right you can see a street. Halsey Street in fact. The proposed hotel site is just across the street. So it forms another part of the frame. of this creative space, if that's how you look at these places...

Now I've given the game away. The ASB building is on one side of this creative square...

This aerial shows the space. The top framing building is the ASB building. To the left is fish-processing (the blank concrete wall presents a fantastic canvas for mural, projection...), but what of the square building at the bottom of the frame? That's the proposed theatre. A THEATRE. On Wynyard. Attracting night and day patronage. Cultural comings and goings...

This is an aerial of how Dublin Docklands Development Agency handled a similar opportunity.  The checkerboard building at the top of the public space is a hotel. The building at the bottom of the frame is a commercial office. And the building on the left - facing the square - is the Grand Canal Theatre (in fact it was built to integrate with the hotel and office developments.)

Here's the theatre. Dusk. Patrons gather on the space outside...

At night the square is lit up and hosts all sorts of cultural activities.

I appreciate that the space I have described on Wynyard is not right on the water - but it's got a lot going for it as a creative opportunity.