Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:21 pm
I think the bus interchange will do a lot to make central square feel less open and windswept as it will be taller than the BBC building and will hem the eastern side in.Having said that i would love to see some more greenery in the form of high planters or raised grassy areas that can not be cut across but can still be sat on in the summer.
If you think your average worker has 30 minutes - 1 hour max for lunch, you cant walk far and still have time to order/eat, the castle will be a bit too far for greenery and Callaghan square is pleasant in the summer but a bit empty, there is very little seating to get some fresh air around central square/st Marys street, but HMRC, BBC and University buildings have rooftop terraces also, but again limited spaces. I'm hoping the HMRC square will have plenty of seating and at least one commercial unit (wasnt there a kiosk planned at the western end?).
I can see the south end of St Marys street becoming just as much day time focused as night time, and maybe see a shift of clubs to other parts of the city.
Central square has always been exciting, not only because of the physical development but also the transformation of having so many relatively educated and wealthy people in this part of the city center.