Latest news with #Loafers
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Site of historic Cork gay bar could become apartment block
Permission has been sought on the site of 22/23 Douglas Street Today at 03:00 Planning permission has been sought for an apartment block on the site of a former historic gay bar in Cork City. Loafers, on 22 and 23 Douglas Street, was opened in 1983 by Derrick Gerety, making it one of the longest running gay bars in Ireland. Sadly the bar closed suddenly in May 2015, marking the end of one of the cornerstones of LGBT community in Cork.
Grazia USA
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: 19 Luxe Gifts He'll Never Forget
GRAZIA USA Father's Day Gift Guide 2025; Photo Credits (clockwise): Sun Day Red, Johnnie Walker & Sons, Omega, Bang & Olufsen, Tod's, Rimowa, The Macallan, Apple, Sun Day Red Let's face it — Father's Day shopping isn't always easy, especially when you're buying for a man who insists he 'doesn't need anything.' But this year, we're raising the bar with a curated list of Father's Day luxury gift ideas that blend meaning, style, and standout craftsmanship. Whether he's a whisky connoisseur, golf course regular, or someone who values Italian tailoring, these elevated gifts are all available now — ready to impress him in the most unforgettable way. For the Style-Obsessed Dad For the Spirits Connoisseur For the Tech-Savvy Dad For the Travel-Ready Dad Keep scrolling and start shopping to earn your well-deserved favorite child title (you can thank us later)! For the Style-Obsessed Dad: Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Zip-Up Hoodie ($2,695) Luxury loungewear at its finest. Handcrafted in Italy, this ultra-soft hoodie is both polished and practical — a refined off-duty essential for dads who appreciate quiet luxury. Loro Piana Summer Walk Suede Loafers ($980) Understated, breathable, and beautifully made, these loafers are ideal for summer weekends or elevated casualwear. Think Amalfi vibes on American soil. Tod's Leather Gommino Driving Shoes ($825) A staple in every stylish dad's wardrobe. With their hand-stitched finish and iconic rubber pebbles, these Italian-made loafers marry comfort and elegance. Sun Day Red Pioneer Cypress Golf Shoe ($250) A statement on and off the green. Engineered for both performance and polish, this sneaker-style golf shoe is made for dads who treat tee time like a runway. Sun Day Red Fairway Solid Polo ($115) Crafted from breathable stretch fabric, this polo keeps dad cool under pressure. Bonus: the minimalist design transitions seamlessly from golf course to dinner date. Sun Day Red Endless Stretch Pant ($160) Comfortable enough to move in, sleek enough to impress — these pants deliver tailored polish with zero stiffness. A must-have for the modern active dad. For the Spirits Connoisseur: RÉMY MARTIN XO x Anish Kapoor Limited Edition ($189.99) This collectible decanter designed by Anish Kapoor houses one of the finest cognacs on the market — a blend of 400 eaux-de-vie aged to perfection. 'There was a sense from the beginning of this project with Rémy Martin that it refers to my history. My father used to drink it when I was a boy in India , and I carried that with me.' —Anish Kapoor JOHNNIE WALKER & SONS CELEBRATORY BLEND ($120.99) Crafted to honor the brand's 200th anniversary, this refined limited-edition blend is inspired by one of the very first Johnnie Walker recipes ever bottled. With notes of sweet dried fruits, soft spice, and creamy toffee, it's an elegant tribute to legacy and craftsmanship — the perfect toast to a father who deserves the world. Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky ($205) Elegant, herbal, and lightly peated, this prized Japanese whisky is a rare bottle for the dad who's serious about his pours. Pantalones Tequila Añejo ($54.99) Aged and flavorful with hints of oak and spice, this celeb-backed tequila (co-founded by Matthew McConaughey) is smooth enough to sip straight. LAELIA Reposado Tequila ($69.99) Additive-free and aged in whiskey barrels, LAELIA Reposado offers a full-bodied, caramel-kissed finish any tequila lover will appreciate. Aviation American Gin ($30.45) Photographer Crafted in Portland and backed by Ryan Reynolds, this American gin is crisp, balanced, and crowd-pleasing. Great for martinis or G&Ts with a twist of humor. Veuve Clicquot Rich 2.0 ($73.28) Whether dad's a champagne enthusiast or curious newcomer, Rich 2.0 is a modern, mix-friendly bottle designed for daytime celebrations and Father's Day toasts. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old ($395.99) Crafted in sherry-seasoned oak, this luxurious Scotch is velvety and complex — perfect for dads who savor the finer things in life. For the Tech-Savvy Dad: Apple Vision Pro ($3,499) Immersive, game-changing, and future-facing — this headset turns entertainment and productivity into a next-gen experience. Ideal for early adopters. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 Portable Speaker ($1,750) With 360-degree sound and Nordic design, this premium speaker brings ambiance and audio excellence wherever he goes — from patio to penthouse. Therabody Theragun PRO Plus ($649.99) The gold standard of recovery. With smart sensors and adjustable heads, this percussive therapy device helps dad unwind in high-tech style. For the Travel-Ready Dad: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch ($6,200) Built for adventure and crafted with iconic design, this is more than a gift — it's a future heirloom. Rimowa Classic Cabin Suitcase ($1,525) A sleek travel essential for jet-setting dads. This grooved aluminum carry-on is tough, chic, and endlessly Instagrammable. Final Thoughts: The Gift of Intentional Luxury This Father's Day, go beyond clichés and give dad something that truly speaks to his passions, personality, and legacy. Whether you're shopping for your father, stepfather, partner, or mentor, these luxury Father's Day gift ideas for 2025 are as meaningful as they are indulgent. After all, nothing says 'I appreciate you' quite like thoughtfully chosen luxury.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Two years on from Loafers Lodge fire Newtown building looms virtually unchanged
Meanwhile, the gutted three-storey building stands virtually unchanged on Adelaide Rd and its future remains unclear. Police said a man facing murder and arson charges is due to reappear in court at the end of this month. The survivors - where are they now? In the immediate aftermath of the fire, Wellington City Mission became the go-to organisation for survivors, with staff saying their lives changed overnight. Missioner Murray Edridge described it as an intense and challenging time. 'We got to hear stories about people having to climb over bodies to get out of the building. People who chose to jump out windows because there was no way out of the building,' he said. 'These were deeply traumatic events that for a number of people will stay with them probably the rest of their days.' He said it was not only a tragedy for the five people who lost their lives, but for the survivors who lost their home, and some of them, all their possessions. Kāinga Ora Wellington regional director Vicki McLaren said she could not disclose current information, but said at the time of the fire 41 Loafers residents were placed in Kāinga Ora houses, while others found homes in the private market or transitional housing. Edridge confirmed in the two years since, most had found permanent homes, some had left Wellington, and six remained at the Mission. Survivors contacted by RNZ were reluctant to speak on record for this story, however, Miimetua Cameron - who was one of the last people to escape her floor - asked that any article highlight the work of the City Mission and Wellingtonians for 'their kind donations'. In the hours after the blaze, Cameron, who works at Taylor Preston, told RNZ she was lucky to be alive, but had no idea where she and her partner would live. Speaking to RNZ this week, she said the couple's new accommodation was a significant improvement - a single unit with its own kitchen facilities. Edridge said while some ex-lodgers were doing really well, a recent fire drill showed others were still struggling. 'Even just the alarm in the building, the requirement to evacuate, triggered a number of people so severely - and it was a reflection on the experience they had two years ago. 'So, for most of us life has moved on, for the people directly impacted by the fire, it hasn't. In fact, it still stays with them very significantly.' He said part of the problem was that the lodge still remained on Adelaide Rd, and he was disappointed that another year had passed and nothing had changed. He wanted to see an urgent resolution - whether that be demolition or a rebuild. 'The stark reminder that creates everyday for people as they drive or walk past the site, where we still see a burnt-out shell, that will be retraumatising for many of these people time and time again. 'I guess my call is to whoever is responsible - legal, insurance, owners - to resolve it.' RNZ contacted the owner of the building, but they declined to comment for this story. A raft of reviews The fire triggered a series of inquiries into fire protection. A Wellington City Council audit released in June 2023 found 25 similar buildings to Loafers Lodge in the capital. Twenty-one had a current building warrant of fitness, one never had one and three did, but they were not current. Following the fire, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) launched a probe into 37 buildings like Loafers Lodge (buildings that were at least three storeys tall, a boarding house and had no sprinklers). It found more than 100 problems, including smoke detectors not working and unmonitored alarm systems. It also found the boarding houses were on average 60 years old. Most were not built originally to be accommodation and 69% had issues with safety systems. MBIE's head of building system, delivery and assurance Simon Thomas said issues around building warrant of fitness inspections had been resolved as of October last year. Advertise with NZME. In addition to further guidance on building warrant of fitness compliance, an amendment to the Building Act in November 2024 increased fines and penalties for breaches, he said. Meanwhile, MBIE's head of tenancy Kat Watson said it had filed an application to take a boarding house operator to the Tenancy Tribunal for a range of breaches found in the initial investigation. No date had been set for the hearing, and Watson could not say whether the breaches were related to fire safety, given the case was yet to be heard. After the probe into boarding houses, the Government asked MBIE to do a full review of the building code's fire safety provisions. The Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk told RNZ he expected the final report and recommendations to be delivered within weeks, and that it would be made public shortly after. He said more than 350 pages of feedback from architects, to builders and building occupants, had to be compiled. '[It] has been a long and arduous task but it's an important one and we're determined to get it right, not to rush it.' He said no one should have to endure the loss and trauma that resulted from the fire at Loafers Lodge. 'We remain committed to learning from this event to prevent similar tragedies in the future.' A man, who has name suppression, has pleaded not guilty to murder and arson charges and is due appear at the High Court in Wellington at the end of May. At the end of last year, Fire and Emergency said it was unable to release a review into how it responded to the fatal fire while a criminal investigation was underway. Fire and Emergency NZ regional manager Bruce Stubbs said the organisation would continue to support police with the ongoing court case. He said two years on, Fire and Emergency's thoughts were with those who perished in the fire and also with staff who performed 'multiple rescues that evening in severe fire conditions'. In a statement, Mayor Tory Whanau said her heart went out to the whānau and friends of those who perished and continued to grieve.
