I wank over Liverpool because it's a city probably less than half the size of Birmingham and it has a superior skyline, despite building only 4 mediocre towers of average height, as you say. Damning indictment isn't it?

Does it though? You're basing it on having water in front of it? :lol:

Plus probably being a Liverpudlian.

And yes. Birmingham is nowhere near Warsaw's level. Or Rotterdams.

Million miles off. We should be at that level but Prescott didn't want us to be.

Back in the late nineties early 00's Birmingham was aiming to be a highrise capital. The new Frankfurt.

Government got jealous and said no city other then London should house the UK's tallest buildings.

Birmingham approved a 900ft tower and was already to go until lobbyists and Prezza called it in.

Birmingham also had plans for twin 1,000ft towers at Paradise Circus. HCT was due to be 192m before it got shortened just so they could build it. Arena Central was due to be 245m.

Birmingham had great visions but being the ugly duckling in this country they couldn't be seen to be making more of a impact then our great capital.

City Living: A tall storey as city aims for Chicago-style skyline.


Birmingham must boost its image by building skyscrapers that can be seen by motorists travelling along the M6, according to the city's head of economic development.

Paul Spooner said the Chicago skyline effect would demonstrate to the rest of the country that Birmingham was a major business centre.

Mr Spooner, director of economic development for Birmingham City Council, said: 'If we are going to raise our image we have to look at the underdeveloped city skyline. The skyline has to be raised.

'Not necessarily the full Chicago effect but we need to develop a cluster of buildings which will make a significant impact and be seen from the M6, demonstrating that Birmingham is a major business city.'

The city council has set a deadline of 2010 for Birmingham to be recognised as a top European business destination, on a par with Frankfurt and Milan.

Work will begin shortly on Arena Central, in Broad Street, which will be one of the tallest buildings in Britain. More high-rise office and residential blocks are planned for Holloway Circus and Paradise Circus.

Mr Spooner said much had been done to make Birmingham more attractive to investors, but there was no room for complacency.

'We are absolutely determined that we will work in partnership with the business community and entrepreneurs to reposition Birmingham as one of Europe's top business destinations,' said Mr Spooner.

Sky's the limit for pounds 900m city plan; High life for city in pounds 900m future.


Four of the tallest skyscrapers in Britain could dominate the Birmingham skyline by 2006.

City council planners are considering turning Paradise Circus and Broad Street into a mini-Manhattan, with huge office and apartment blocks towering over the streets.

Proposals to build Arena Central - a 50-storey 900ft high living and leisure scheme at the former Central TV studios - are already well advanced.

But it has now emerged the city council is also looking at the possibility of constructing three further skyscrapers as part of its pounds 900 million redevelopment of Paradise Circus.

International property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle have been asked to investigate the feasibility of marketing such a radical project, where the skyscrapers could hit 60 storeys and 1,000 feet.

The move would pitch Birmingham into a battle with London to construct the UK's tallest structures. Plans to build an 80-storey, 1,200ft tower at Southwark, close to London Bridge, were unveiled on Thursday

Does it though? You're basing it on having water in front of it? :lol:

Plus probably being a Liverpudlian.



Not a Liverpudlian. I am London born and bred.

And no, I'm not basing my appreciation for Liverpool's skyline on the water in front of it. It's the buildings. While not world class, the skyscrapers are new, modern looking - rather than Birmingham's 60's commie blocks littering the main skyline. Liverpool's skyline is also balanced out with some old, architectural gems, such as the Liver Building.

Birmingham has a decent skyline when viewed from a far and/or at night. Take a close up look during the day and it's ugly.

Well you're an idiot then. Try visiting Birmingham before opening your trap. Birmingham as every city IN THE WORLD has old, not so pleasent buildings.

Birmingham's skyline gets an awful lot better the CLOSER you get.

But you wouldn't know that because you've never been have you? Maybe you should book yourself in to the Hyatt and get some inner city views yourself.

VIEW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swyftie/5993180866/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swyftie/5992631455/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/1387110690_c91ae0fc79_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5080/5796332375_e75e8e0436_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5529947359_7765cf46ac_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5162328725_bdebb82f79_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4693747474_a6e313c4a5_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5561004466_e0f2d9f235_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5408644060_b8e22aedc6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2735651712_db2a4714af_b.jpg

Well you're an idiot then. Try visiting Birmingham before opening your trap. Birmingham as every city IN THE WORLD has old, not so pleasent buildings.

Birmingham's skyline gets an awful lot better the CLOSER you get.

But you wouldn't know that because you've never been have you? Maybe you should book yourself in to the Hyatt and get some inner city views yourself.



Wow, you seem to know a lot about me don't you? Firstly that i'm a Liverpudlian (not), and secondly that I've never been to Birmingham (wrong again).

I have been to Birmingham, just to set the record straight. And you're right (amazingly), ALL cities have crap buildings. Including London, and including the city that I supposedly wank over, Liverpool!

But you seem to miss my point once again....apart from a couple of exceptions, which I have stated over and over again, MOST of the buildings that constitute Birmingham's skyline are old, 60's/70's high-rises. There are some nice, new developments in Birmingham - and one or two of those are taller buildings, e.g the Beetham.

Let's take a lot at this photo below, shall we?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/4009635746_a18618ca22_b.jpg

^^ Apart from the Beetham, all the high-rises in that shot are manky, old, drab.

http://i29.servimg.com/u/f29/13/89/55/97/brumti10.jpg

^^ In this shot, I'd say every building except the Hyatt and the tall one in the middle deserve to be pulled down. Perhaps the new, boxed shape building to the left of the Hyatt can stay, however that is hardly a high-rise anyway. Almost every tall building in that photo is awful.

Lastly:
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6555/birminghamsch2.jpg

^^ Again, the Beetham in the middle looks great - new, modern, glass. Almost every other tall building in that photo - apart from one or two of the smaller ones - look like they were built in the 70's. One word to sum it up: GRIM.


Like I said - every other city in the UK, and the world, has old, drab buildings. However, these pictures are of the main part of Birmingham's skyline. These are almost ALL the tall buildings that your city has to show the rest of the world.



Just to compare again. Liverpool. A city half the size of Birmingham. The city I wank over apparently:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5884562653_f3a0e47d44_b.jpg

^^ Most of the tall buildings are new, and look better than 95% of the tall buildings in Birmingham. The skyline has a great combination of new, tall buildings combined with some stunning 19th century architecture, e.g the Liver Building and other buildings surrounding it.

And for a 2nd wank:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5539292395_30d006608e_o.jpg

^^ Not wold class by any means, but substantially better than Birmingham's. The quality of the skyline of the UK's 4th/5th city trumps our supposed "2nd city".



London has it's fair share of crap 60's/70's high-rises, but it doesn't dominate the skyline as it does in Brum:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5967249844_4ee8c149f2_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5966692875_7f8a4571b7_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6002355131_acc835b2c9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4990626873_c60c443197_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5365143498_09855736f7_b.jpg

Canary Wharf, London:

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc360/londonfire/Picture15231822-7_ShiftN-2.jpg

^^ There are undoubtedly a few crap buildings in those shots of London, however, they pale into obscurity and insignificance within the skyline as a whole as there are so many world-class skyscrapers and beautiful old buildings, e.g St Paul's, that constitute the skyline.

For Birmingham, it's the crap that dominates.

Apologies to other lovers of Birmingham's skyline, and any offence caused. But maybe for the UK's 2nd city, the expectations should start to rise. Don't settle for crap.

I have to back up danm here. Ecological you are ignoring the crux of danm's argument which is to say that Birmingham does not have enough modern buildings that make a significant impact on the skyline and i have been to Birmingham myself just to let you know. For a city that has a significantly large population, it is quite disappointing looking around the city centre. Yes there has been significant investment in areas such as Jewellery Quarter and The Mailbox etc but there simply isn't enough of these modern developments. I'm sure that if all the dreary 60s blocks were replaced by developments on the scale of 'The Cube' then Birminghams skyline would look dramatically different and we would all be praising it.

Furthermore Birmingham has an urgent need to address this problem. Birmingham simply isnt an attractive location for people to visit and admire. I could spend a weekend in Birmingham city centre and would probably just think that it's just a normal city. There's nothing to make people say 'you know what maybe i wont go to London or Manchester on a day trip, i'll go to Birmingham'

For a city of its size, yes its improving and the city centre masterplan is a step in the right direction, but then the rest of the world is improving as well. What will make people around the world want to visit Birmingham? It doesnt have that stand out factor. From an international perspective it is especially important for Birmingham to stand out. Many people around the world think of London as UK's main city and due to the popularity of the football clubs, Manchester as well. This makes it especially important that Birmingham forges and identity in the world and the easiest way to do it is build infrastructure projects on a scale appropriate for Birmingham to be labelled 'Britain's 2nd city'.

I'm sure that if Birmingham does aim high and developments like Snowhill dont get delayed then there is a promising future and an extremely good skyline. I wish Birmingham all the best.

Isn't it strange that it's two new forum members backing each other up. :lol:

I think damn/aqeembayor which everyone you want to be today should pay closer inspection on the conversation.

Birmingham's skyline is crap compared to rival cities. Nobody has said otherwise. Just you being a tit saying that Birmingham isn't developing because nobody is building a skyscraper.

Can you delete your last post too. If you haven't noticed dipshit it's not a place for other cities skyline images. :cheers:

Isn't it strange that it's two new forum members backing each other up. :lol:

I think damn/aqeembayor which everyone you want to be today should pay closer inspection on the conversation.

Birmingham's skyline is crap compared to rival cities. Nobody has said otherwise. Just you being a tit saying that Birmingham isn't developing because nobody is building a skyscraper.

Can you delete your last post too. If you haven't noticed dipshit it's not a place for other cities skyline images. :cheers:

Not only do you sound like a 10 year old, but you're also a conspiracy theorist now?

Maybe it's the asbestos from all those 60's council blocks getting to your head....

8.5 points
nice mix of old and new buildings.

8.5/10

I like old and new mixed skyline

Danm you have no idea mate. only 2 buildings on Birmingham's skyline deserve to be kept? :lol:

So you want to pull down the Rotunda, Colmore Gate, Post & Mail, The Cube? etc ... and if you didn't know ... which you probably don't as you seem a bit uneducated. Birmingham along with Glasgow has pulled down my commie blocks then anywhere else. Birmingham's revival and masterplan dictates this. Next to go is Stephenson Tower in the city centre. On it's way down as we speak. We recently saw the pull down of the Uni Towers whicvh are being replaced by 2 more towers. You need to get over this crappy stereotype which you've been drip fed and learn to think for yourself.

Please. go away with your drivel. Constructive, none-biased criticism YES! Bullshit wind up merchant comments NAH!

grow up kid.

Anyway ..

This is the buisness district.
Booming right now. 3 towers, planned. 1 u/c and another getting a refurb.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Birmingham%20UK/stpaulskyline.jpg

Oh that's nice :)

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6555/birminghamsch2.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6065507041_73dfe8b627_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brumkpr/6065507041/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/brumkpr/6065507041/) by brumkpr (http://www.flickr.com/people/brumkpr/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6156063888_37f81b5c23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6156063888/)
[/url] by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6156063888/)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6155516987_e0c99f4ea1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6155516987/)
by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/]ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6155516987/)

Birmingham

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6772405717_eb17d5c4dc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_s/6772405717/)
Birmingham from beacon hill July view on black (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_s/6772405717/) by Peter Reynolds3636 (http://www.flickr.com/people/pete_s/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6656791721_5f61c75fd5_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6225/6315908678_d8e42b0480_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40375290@N08/6315908678/)
BIRMINGHAM (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40375290@N08/6315908678/) by tilleafian (http://www.flickr.com/people/40375290@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6306138023_b5baf712ea_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samwalkerpk/6306138023/)
Alternative skyline. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samwalkerpk/6306138023/) by Sam Shot You (http://www.flickr.com/people/samwalkerpk/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6429978563_7dd768c7b3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevejh07/6429978563/)
Birmingham skyline 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevejh07/6429978563/) by stevejh07 (http://www.flickr.com/people/stevejh07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6429978811_e68126b06c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevejh07/6429978811/)
Birmingham skyline 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevejh07/6429978811/) by stevejh07 (http://www.flickr.com/people/stevejh07/), on Flickr

8/10

Not bad.

9/10

6/10

Birmingham

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6691259371_09091f4bfe_b.jpg
by tilleafian (http://www.flickr.com/people/40375290@N08/)

Very American.

6.5/10

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000NB7UmAYtQoU/s/850/680/21CH0805-497.jpg

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000KlqGZ.4Hs6Y/s/850/680/21CH0805-144.jpg

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00006kiCisTyJf4/s/850/680/15ch1110-70.jpg

http://imagesofbirmingham.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gif

http://imagesofbirmingham.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gif

http://imagesofbirmingham.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gif

7/10

Some nice buildings but needs a signature tower.