Councillors decide to protect facade only of building

Councillors have unanimously agreed that an Art Deco-style building in the City’s ‘West’ only has architectural merit on the outside, as the interior has been used as a glorified warehouse for many years.

Three structures on William Street West were proposed to be included in the City Development Plan’s register of protected structures (RPS).

The one that attracted the most debate, however, was number 23, which houses Silke’s Cash & Carry.

Architect and historic building consultant, Cathal Crimmins, along with senior planner, Helen Coleman, cautioned City Council members against the trap of ‘façadism’, a practice that protects the exterior over the interior.

“We recognise that the interior is not of any significant value, but façadism is not something we promote,” Ms Coleman said.

“This Art Deco style from the 20th century is similar to Tribeton (formally McDonagh’s) on Merchant’s Road, which has a very active use, and the development of it hasn’t been restricted by its protective status.

“This building has a group value with neighbouring buildings. It is innovative, of architectural interest, international style, and a unique building for Galway.”

Similarly, Heritage Officer, Jim Higgins, said that this was a landmark site, and that it was not the intention of the Council to freeze the interior space, but said it had great potential to be developed in keeping with its historical value.

“To lose them would be to lose early architecture in Galway,” he said.

The appraisal at the conclusion of a report, circulated to members prior to the meeting, stated that it was an important building for the streetscape of William Street West.

Three submissions were received in relation to numbers 23, 24 and 25 William Street West.

Donald Silke objected to the first being included in the RPS, but said that he would support inclusion if it was just for the exterior only – the interior had no architectural merit, he said.

There were similar submissions from Don Silke in relation to 23-24 William Street West, and from Gary Silke in relation to number 25.

The response from the Council’s Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath, was that there be no change to the draft plan, as the proposed addition to the RPS was recommended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.

However, Councillors were not inclined to agree, most being keenly aware that the interior had no merit in this regard – although some saw no value in the exterior either.

“When I was younger I’d shop there for fruit and vegetables – I can’t agree that the exterior has architectural merit,” said Cllr Colette Connolly.

“My concern would be that if it was not protected, would a developer demolish it and come out onto streetscape with something far worse, like those apartments beside it.”

Cllr Pearce Flannery said it was typical of horrible buildings of the time, and their ‘cowboy copies’.  “The original plan was that it was going to be a cinema,” he said.

“To put preservation order on the whole building will stop someone from upgrading it. The interior has no value, and people are going to back away and say that it is going to cost too much to develop.”

Cllr Frank Fahy had no love for the building either, describing it as being “like something dragged out of Soviet Russia”.

However, Cllr Niall McNeilis said that a lick of paint would improve the building immensely, and appealed to members to maintain this streetscape, located in a part of Galway City that had been brought back to life in recent years.

Cllr Billy Cameron said that ‘facadism’ was the right thing to do in this case, as only the exterior was worth saving.

“In a re-invigorated West area, that building could become an iconic one,” he said.

Director of Services, Joe O’Neill, advised members not to confuse the practice of preserving and protecting.

“There is no reason why a protected structure can’t be developed. This idea of places being frozen if ‘protected’ – there is no reality in that. The fact of the matter is that there has been no development there for a long time.”

Councillors unanimously agreed that only the façades of these three buildings would be included on the list of protected structures.