VOTE mast climber or scaffold?

the developer has piled the site them selves to push the site along the main contractor will take on the scheme from the 17th Oct
Llaaff have you just returned from the pub?
You sound a bit pissed.

Ok I'll ask the question, mast climber or scaffold, what is this?

You where very observant, I had just finished half a bottle of Jack Daniels

The Mast Climber or scaffold question !

It appears we don't have many builders here.

A mast climber is powered platform

Scaffold is Scaffold

The debate is which one to use when constructing multi storey buildings

I've got a stepladder in my shed if that helps speed things up... :hammer:

You where very observant, I had just finished half a bottle of Jack Daniels

The Mast Climber or scaffold question !

It appears we don't have many builders here.

A mast climber is powered platform

Scaffold is Scaffold

The debate is which one to use when constructing multi storey buildings

I am not an expert in this field, but I doubt if scaffolding would be used on a tall tower. A mast climber I guess is the system that Laing O`Rourke are using on the Unity project and Carillon are using on City Lofts.
Another method which is being used on Beetham Manchester Tower is a monorail track with cars slung underneath allowing for a number of floors to be clad before the monorail track is moved up the building.

My stepladders out of my shed don't seem good enough, eh?

Well, beat this: My brother in law has scaffold that will get you up to gutter height (so he says)....

Er, where ARE the gutters gonna be?

Er, where ARE the gutters gonna be?


Between the road and the pavement :)

...Doh!!! Its obvious. How stupid of me. :hahano: :hahano:

will this tower be glass all the way round?

View of Alexandra Saturday lunchtime with the piling rig gone and some excavation started round the pile tops:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Alexandra%20Tower/011005.jpg

Having looked around a few building sites before and since joining this forum, this site doesn't have the look of a multi-million pound development to me. The piling has taken months to get to this stage, compare it to the way Laing O'Rouke go about piling on their sites within PSDA. One digger scrabbling about moving spoil doesn't seem very organised, I am beginning to think this job has a real problem.

Now that Peel are running MDHC I wonder if they've called a halt to review the plans for Princes Dock??

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8061/alexandratower175cx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/29/alwxandratower161yo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thats bad news thanks for your pics anyway doug i always look forward to them.

Them RUSTy metal things for the reinforced concrete should be sticking out of the ground not laying on it

Maybe we should contact Milleium Estates and try to get some more information. There is not much information on their website, except completition late spring 2007. To achieve that things must start on the site now.

http://www.millennium-estates.co.uk/

I reckon they are remediating the ground. There are a hell of a lot of contaminants on that site. On some of the sites on these docks, they have used pumped lime stabilisation techniques and have leached all kinds of toxic shit up, which hasten to add, got sent straight into the mersey with a nod and a wink.

I reckon they are remediating the ground. There are a hell of a lot of contaminants on that site. On some of the sites on these docks, they have used pumped lime stabilisation techniques and have leached all kinds of toxic shit up, which hasten to add, got sent straight into the mersey with a nod and a wink.

Fancy a knob and a wank knowing about a nod and a wink .....

Incidentally it used to be the untreated sewage from Manchester that caused a lot of the previous pollution in the Mersey.

[QUOTE=Doug Roberts]Having looked around a few building sites before and since joining this forum, this site doesn't have the look of a multi-million pound development to me. The piling has taken months to get to this stage, compare it to the way Laing O'Rouke go about piling on their sites within PSDA. One digger scrabbling about moving spoil doesn't seem very organised, I am beginning to think this job has a real problem.

Now that Peel are running MDHC I wonder if they've called a halt to review the plans for Princes Dock??


Doug, cheers for the pics, agree not much to see yet, but the delay in starting may be tied up with the rate of sales of the apartments. If sales are slow they may be holding back on spending "big bucks" until they sell say 70%. Only a guess as I am no expert in the ways of the property market.

On the other hand they may have delays in signing contracts with the Davd McLean ?

Woody. I agree. This is a very sensitive (i.e. front waters edge) development. I visited the site and from what my architecturarly impotent mind could see, sub-level clearance has begun. Maybe its been the same for weeks, and if thats the case, there IS a problem, no doubt about it. Contractually speaking, I would be very surprised if Peel even considered attempts to alter plans for this site - given the (publicly acclaimed) number of off plan sales made to date. Don't forget this is the age of compensation ....and would Peel Holdings want to go down that road? I don't think so. Not so soon after taking over.

Yeh its definately nothing to do with the sales as these babies have sole like hot cakes.

If things are still the same in a few months I think it will be time to worry, but not at the minute. Different developers and developments work at different paces. The extremely fast construction of the new MSCP on PSDA, and the Malmasion, may be warping our perceptions of how long a project takes to start rising.

Having taken a look at the site a few weeks ago, there were still former underground structures that needed digging out, and clearly hadn't been touched. But as Pete has mentioned the removal of these structures has now commenced. The pace might not be as speedy as we might like, but it appears the project is still moving forwards - just slowly. It's not time to worry yet.

Actual construction, on Alexandra Tower will start sometime next month (November). There are only 20 apartments still left for sale. You can take this information to the bank.

people need to remember that it isnt always unusual for a tower to spend a year having its foundations done. it depends entirely on where it is being built and dockside locations can be notoriously difficult to do - just look at the portsmouth millenium tower.

people need to remember that it isnt always unusual for a tower to spend a year having its foundations done. it depends entirely on where it is being built and dockside locations can be notoriously difficult to do - just look at the portsmouth millenium tower.

Yup! :)

people need to remember that it isnt always unusual for a tower to spend a year having its foundations done. it depends entirely on where it is being built and dockside locations can be notoriously difficult to do - just look at the portsmouth millenium tower.

Agree with you Goth, Unity with very complex foundations was a long time coming out of the ground, the difference between both towers is that Unity was being worked on straight after piling was completed. Alex tower seemed to be deserted for weeks on end. Hence the concern that there was a problem.

Actual construction, on Alexandra Tower will start sometime next month (November). There are only 20 apartments still left for sale. You can take this information to the bank.

Cheers sloyne for the update :)

...One thing that did concern me when I visited the AX tower site last weekend was the large hole in the sea wall that had obviously occured during recent excavation activity. One stormy night (sod's law says it willbe at high tide) will put the whole project back quite a bit - so, as one of those who has bought an apartment I hope the hole has been filled when I go look at the site over this weekend! I'll take a packet of polyfilla and some silicone just in case!!!!!

Does that mean the boys can come round to yours for tea, bickies and admire the views?

Er, nope! I may throw down a jaffa cake, though. :hahaha: :hahaha:

Hmmmm!

We like Jaffa cakes, Fig rolls, Custard creams, Chocolate digestives, Wagon wheels ...... this is going to cost you a fortune in cookies!

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Oh, go on then. You can all get in the lift and take a ride up to the floor where my apartment is ....then press the 'G' button to return to terra firma. Do it lots if you want to! Wagon wheels indeed....... :puke: :puke: :puke: You've gotta be 40+ to refer to those big choc discs.. :)

Fancy a knob and a wank knowing about a nod and a wink .....

Incidentally it used to be the untreated sewage from Manchester that caused a lot of the previous pollution in the Mersey.

What a Pathetic **** you really are. Think about that the next time you get twatted at school and thank them for doing you a favour.

Too kind!

C*nts are useful as my friend says!

Isn't this a place to discuss concrete, glass, bricks, mortar ...and more modern building methods? Come on, you two.... calm down.

Isn't this a place to discuss concrete, glass, bricks, mortar ...and more modern building methods? Come on, you two.... calm down.
I agree this site is starting to get less and less fun.

I`ll be good!

Honest .....

Cross my heart!

The first Jaffa Cake will be thrown in your direction, Pietari (although the wind might blow it off course :lol: )
Jerv - c'mon. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, C'MON!!! The first Jaffa Cake is always a bit more crusty than the rest - your name could be on the second if you behave :wink2: .... lets talk construction, redevelopment, stories (Mikes), design.....

It`s the crusty Jaffa cakes I like......mmmmmm!

:)

. lets talk construction, redevelopment, stories (Mikes), design.....


Pete, have you any info on a practical start date, also do you know which of the many differing renders we will see on the completed tower and what will the colour be of the external cladding, Cheers

finally looks like a bit of activity today... lets hope its a good sign for the future#!

Pete, have you any info on a practical start date,
I'm not Pete but, I can tell you that construction will start sometime between Tuesday next and Wednesday 30, November 2005. I have this from one of the most reliable sources you can have on this project.

well they were hard at it today, well the JCB's were

Just a thought I had before. Remember the fuss the residents of Beetham 1 kicked up about loss of views (amongst other things), when Beethan West was in the planning stage. Well, although City Lofts aren't occupied yet, I wonder if the future residents have been informed that by 2007, their views of New Brighton for example will be blocked by the Alexandra Tower? In addition to be being taller than City Lofts, Alex will be closer to City Lofts than Between 1 is to Beetham West. Worse still, depending on the time of day and year, Alex may cast a serious shadow over City Lofts. Could be some unhappy people.

ya no wot i say, stuff them all, as long as we get a nice looking city im not bothered

Plenty of workers on site today. I'd hardly describe construction as being at a standstill.

I'm not Pete but, I can tell you that construction will start sometime between Tuesday next and Wednesday 30, November 2005. I have this from one of the most reliable sources you can have on this project.

Cheers, I`m not Pete :) for that info, lets hope your reliable source is on the ball, the sooner we see a tower crane the better.

I had a look at the site this Saturday afternoon. Hardly looks abandoned to me, with two 360 degree excavators still there and it it clear that they are excavating for pilecaps.

All the same, it will be good when we see some proper site accommodation arrive (there is only a steel container at present). Then we will know that work is getting into gear.

Did you all see the stuff in todays Post and Echo about the Lord mayor raising concerns over planners attitudes to tall buildings killing of development?

Yup!

We have that noted.

:cheers:

Does anyone else think the builders have a problem with their piles?? (no pun intended)

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/8462/alexandratower171pa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/8592/alexandratower180bk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/7918/alexandratower198yz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/3472/alexandratower203md.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

They must be old piles...! or are they training some YTS pillers..., i would be shocked if they were new piles that they are actually going to use.

...I hope its just a case of an 'over zealous' clearance operator - even a pissed one would be o.k. as an excuse. That would make me feel a lot better as long as there was a lot more length left of these things underground. :eek: :eek: :omg: :eek: :eek: What SHOULD the pilings look like? Should I expect this kind of appearance? Will they look more like they were done by professionals further down? Should I go get a gun and shoot the driver of the bobcat? Should I hang my head in my hands and cry? Should I go and dig my own f***ing pilings?????

Or maybe I should just calm down. Hard to do when I see the progress that has been made on other sites locally. On topof this, I also witness a (sort of) version of fairground bumper cars on the site of the AX tower... C'mon, is there anyone with the appropriate expertise, qualifications - whatever, just someone who knows what they are talking about to put a little light on what's going on....

...A free jaffa cake will be thrown to the provider of the best answer... (as it stands, the jaffa cake will be thrown from the deck of a passing ferry 'cross the Mersey, because nowt seems to be happening on the AX site apart from something approaching reverse gear).

There are two ways of finding out what's happening to a project, phone the developer or enquire onsite. Hardly fucking rocket science. I'm up in Chester this morning. If I get time and it isn't pissing down, I'll pop up to Liverpool and take a few pics from the Princes Dock car park.

Thanks ScouserDave. Yeah - like the developers/on site workers ARE gonna let me know if there's a problem!!!..... Rocket science? More like common sense to ask here, where I'll probably get more help.

More activity at Alex today, mainly ground woks by the looks of it but loads of bodies on site and a couple of, in technical terms, diggers.

It`s not rocket science - they just don`t get given a `Wagon Wheel` or `Dundee Biscuiet` with their morning cup of char! :runaway:

A few pics from this morning. Is there going to be underground parking? One of the workers told me there will be. I was doubtful, but never contradicted him as he was big fat hairy arsed fellow :)

http://www.**************************/alexnov001.jpg

http://www.**************************/alexnov002.jpg

http://www.**************************/alexnov003.jpg

Have you been climbing in my car park again Dave?

See I said it was diggers, seems to be loads of shifting muck around at the moment.

As for car parking I thought it was/is going to be a multi storey on the lower floors, maybe a floor or two will be below what is currently ground level?

See - I'm not as thick as I think I appear :nuts:

Using detection skill I never knew I had, I took the name Pennine off the tractor, put it into Yahoo - and hey presto! Look what I found (this is a pdf document).

http://www.pennine-group.co.uk/projects/08-liverpool.pdf

The number of columns they have stated they've dug MUST be a typo!!!

When I first found out about how buildings are anchored I was quite shocked - basically they drive bug nails (piles) into the bedrock and tie the building to it - relies a lot on friction but it works!

I can't see that site having underground parking for a number of reasons. Being so near the river, any car park would be at risk of flooding, also substantial access ramps would be required that would eat into the small site.

The main reason is that the whole site seems to have been piled, so only a bicycle would be able to get through.

I think the excavation at the moment is for pilecaps and seems quite conventional. The tops of the piles are exposed (they look rough because they have been cast against the excavated ground) and the top concrete is broken away to expose the reinforcement. Finally, shuttering and reinforcement for the pilecaps will be installed and then concreted.

Pilecaps are basically beams that distribute the weight of the building from the columns into the piles. They are unlikely to be designed as anchors as the weight of the building should be sufficient to resist any overturning due to wind load.

Martin,the reason I was doubtful of underground parking was a render I can recall a while back on SSC. Just found it again. It appears there's limited parking close to the development.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/390AlexandraTower_pic1.jpg

That square bit is the parking, anyone know how many spaces:homes ratio?

Also look at the City Lofts is dog shit brown, looking all Leedsy, thank god for the white stone Liverpooly finish.

Over 850 columns on such a small site leaves no room for anything underground, I would have thought. Someone here has metioned that some kind of (water) storage tanks would be deployed underground - but I can't see where this would be fitted in between the piling columns, either. I still find it wierd to comprehend where 850+ columns could be installed on the site. Apparently, they are all 1 metre wide.

See - I'm not as thick as I think I appear :nuts:

Using detection skill I never knew I had, I took the name Pennine off the tractor, put it into Yahoo - and hey presto! Look what I found (this is a pdf document).

http://www.pennine-group.co.uk/projects/08-liverpool.pdf

The number of columns they have stated they've dug MUST be a typo!!!


Cheers for info Pete, with "digging" up this info, you should be working for a piling co. :)
As Martin has already said, the location of this tower would preclude much in the way of underground excavation, it could weaken the river wall. They could be installing a car stacking system, similar to recent installations in the City Lofts and Albany sites, the only way to store cars in a tight space.

David Mclean might miss the contract to build Alexandra Tower, story in the DP says in summer they were just days from signing the contract with Millennium Estates but didn't complete due to "internal problems" There is now another contractor on the scene talking to ME.

Gareth Jones, Technical Manager for ME insisted that the delay to the signing would not affect the timescale for the development. "We're tidying up the site now ready to start building work in January. The work is due for completion around Christmas 2007 into January 2008"

Saw that Doug, they said they had to drill for the pilings due to teh copius amounts of metal and wood that had been used to build/fill the quay years ago.

Yeah I think they've had a tough time of it down there, heres the link.


http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200businessnews/tm_objectid=16402845%26method=full%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

David Mclean might miss the contract to build Alexandra Tower, story in the DP says in summer they were just days from signing the contract with Millennium Estates but didn't complete due to "internal problems" There is now another contractor on the scene talking to ME.

Gareth Jones, Technical Manager for ME insisted that the delay to the signing would not affect the timescale for the development. "We're tidying up the site now ready to start building work in January. The work is due for completion around Christmas 2007 into January 2008"

Doug, this problem with David McLean could also affect their Kings Dock tower (phase 1 of the apartments), they have just parted company with their construction director due to cost overuns on 2 sites. Both sites were for student accomodation blocks, UNITE in Skelhorne St and a similar project in Manchester, the management apparently concealed a multi million loss on both jobs, so the main man Mr. David McLean order`d a reorganisation of all of his construction divisions. I would expect Laing O`Rourke or Carillion ( maybe Pierce Construction) to build Alex Tower. As for Kings, McLeans should be sorted out soon, also it is still to submit plans for approval.

I can confirm all the ponts made. Except the kings dock should go ahead by Mcleans as that is their own development,

Does this mean that construction is on hold for now?

Ilaaf, which points are you referring to?? as far as Kings Dock is concerned, Bovis are the main contractor down there and are now well stuck into that job.

Ilaaf, which points are you referring to?? as far as Kings Dock is concerned, Bovis are the main contractor down there and are now well stuck into that job.

Doug, just to clarify the Kings situation, Bovis are the contractors for the CIVIC facilities, arena and co, David McLean are the first private developer at the Vatican end building Phase one apartments on plot one, which should consist of: 1 x 22 storey + 2 X 12 storey towers giving 390 apartments and parking for 334 cars spaces in the undercroft.

Alexandra Tower. Just a reminder. Hopefully a lot more activity at this site in 2006!

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2589/alexandra14wa.jpg

Alexandra Tower at the moment.

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/5059/alexandra20bx.jpg

In the rendering on that hoarding, it looks a hell of a lot like West Tower.

Any news on this one:)

Any news on this one:)

They did say a January re-start on this one,has anyone been over there to see if anything new is happening?

I can't see this one seeing the light of day meself!

I can't see this one seeing the light of day meself!

I can understand you being pessimistic Ste,this is Liverpool after all,but I think it will restart soon. :crazy2:

Dont worry too much Ste. Most of the apartments have been sold (to Irish investors) and a considerable amount of money has been spent on foundations, as can be seen from the photographs.

I remember some five years ago, when the Royal Quay flats were under construction, that the piling was carried out about a year before work started on the superstructure.

Move magazine gives a date of 2008 for the completion of the tower.

Dont worry too much Ste. Most of the apartments have been sold (to Irish investors) and a considerable amount of money has been spent on foundations, as can be seen from the photographs.

I remember some five years ago, when the Royal Quay flats were under construction, that the piling was carried out about a year before work started on the superstructure.

Move magazine gives a date of 2008 for the completion of the tower.


anythin happening here??????

They did say a January re-start on this one,has anyone been over there to see if anything new is happening?

January re-start! But what year? :dunno:

Another month quickly passing by and still no sign. Anybody got news about this?

Another month quickly passing by and still no sign. Anybody got news about this?

Obviously not. :bash:

They are still advertising the alex in "your move" with a completion date of early 2008 so I suppose there's still plenty of time for them to make another start.

according to dp this one starts being built 6th march

according to dp this one starts being built 6th march
Good news i was having my doubts about this going ahead.

With Laing O'Rourke choosen as the main contractor building work can hopefully start on March 6 as the Daily Post reports. Will be excellent to see this one finally go ahead.

I tyink this one will rise in a similiar fashion to Unity as its the same style and the same height, well minus 2 meters. plus it will be all glass

according to dp this one starts being built 6th march

'Scuse my ignorance, but what does 'dp' mean?

Daily Post?

Can't wait until this is built... not the greatest building in the wor;d... but then, neither is the Liver Building!

Daily Post?

Can't wait until this is built... not the greatest building in the wor;d... but then, neither is the Liver Building!

Wasn`t the `Royal Liver Building` the worlds tallest commecial building upon completion apart from having other firsts and innovations?

And imitators :cheers:

I still like the fact that the `clock` is the biggest in the UK and obviously bigger than what you might see on `News at Ten` :runaway:

They had a dinner round that clock before it was put up, got aorund 20 people round it, its mad to think it is talller than a standard house. the liver buildings dont actually seem that big when looking from the pier head

royal liver building was never the worlds tallest commercial building. sorry guys.

royal liver building was never the worlds tallest commercial building. sorry guys.

Is that like saying Manchester is a city of 2.5m :) :runaway:

It was one of the world's first multi-story buildings with a reinforced concrete structure, according to my tattered Buildings of Liverpool book (1978 - ISBN 0950617806) :cheers:

Is that like saying Manchester is a city of 2.5m :) :runaway:

Or like saying that members of this board put in more digs than your construction workers. :) :runaway:

Or like saying that members of this board put in more digs than your construction workers. :) :runaway:

How rude lol! :cheers:

I don`t dig holes - I fill them in.

royal liver building was never the worlds tallest commercial building. sorry guys.

(Quote: Martin S #28 Museum of Liverpool.....)

The Liver Building - modelled on a Chicago skyscraper, tallest office building in Europe, largest clocks in Britain and two bird sculptures on top, blocks off the centuries old view of the Liverpool waterfront and dwarfs Liverpool Parish Church and she's a 'genteel Edwardian lady'.

Never the less I still read some where that the Royal Liver Buildings was the worlds tallest commercial building........leaving aside Martin S post of tallest office building in Europe, largest clocks in Britain.

:bash:

:) :cheers:

:eek2:

It was definitely the tallest in Europe when it was built. Never tallest in the world though. Maybe it would've been if USA was excluded.
Thank fuck EH and the Lib Dems weren't in town then. :cheers:

Thank fuck EH and the Lib Dems weren't in town then. :cheers:

And curse the fact that they now are! :no:

by the time the royal liver building opened they were hitting 150 metres plus in the usa. last uk building to hold the worlds tallest commercial building was arguably st pancras chambers back in the 1870s! royal liver building was the tallest in europe for many years.

by the time the royal liver building opened they were hitting 150 metres plus in the usa. last uk building to hold the worlds tallest commercial building was arguably st pancras chambers back in the 1870s! royal liver building was the tallest in europe for many years.

Well it`s not all bad then......lol :) :cheers: :runaway:

Emporis have changet the height from 90m to 98m, i wish they would make up their minds

:banana: ...I have a contact very close to the source of info re: the AX tower. Apparently, there are now issues around the new building regs which, from April 2006 are far more prohibitive than before. Because of this, the newly appointed contractors may have to redesign the tech specs to accomodate this, which will lead to further delays and, of course, increased cost to the build. Reduced specifications to the fittings witihn each apartment to follow? I guess so. Don't hold your breath for a commencement of construction before ...JULY!!!!! Thats my guess at this moment. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

...and quite how that little happy banana got there is ...my fault. The happy little twat needed deleting but I couldn't do it.....

:cry: ...I have a contact very close to the source of info re: the AX tower. Apparently, there are now issues around the new building regs which, from April 2006 are far more prohibitive than before. Because of this, the newly appointed contractors may have to redesign the tech specs to accomodate this, which will lead to further delays and, of course, increased cost to the build. Reduced specifications to the fittings witihn each apartment to follow? I guess so. Don't hold your breath for a commencement of construction before ...JULY!!!!! Thats my guess at this moment. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thats unfortunate.

Is this to do with electrical wiring regulations, and anyway whatever regulations they are, why is this the only building requiring a redesign/delay.

P.s. ive deleted the banana and replaced with a winge

Thats unfortunate.

Is this to do with electrical wiring regulations, and anyway whatever regulations they are, why is this the only building requiring a redesign/delay.

P.s. ive deleted the banana and replaced with a winge

Thanks for the winge - its far more appropriate!

From what I have been told the reworking of the specs may relate to the wiring AND the means of heating each apartment (currently electric heating). If gas central heating was adopted, major redesign of the routing, flooring etc will need to take place. As far as AX tower being the only building to require a redesign: This is to do with the fact that the original plans were based on existing standards that are set to be replaced by far more stringent building control standards in March this year, so if any changes are to be made, they will have either to be introduced (and passed) before the end of April (what chance that happening??), or be upgraded to meet the new building control standards... Other proposed buildings, I assume are already caught within the new standards regime. Bad timing on behalf of the developers of AX tower, I say!! :bash:

emporis has changed the height from 90 to 98 metres because i did. lol. unlike emporis skyscrapernews has something that means you can see what's been updated on the site easily so they just look at that - imitation is wonderful.

unfortunately it seems that there is no redesign and the people have been talking porkies. i just spoke to the architect on the phone.

unfortunately it seems that there is no redesign and the people have been talking porkies. i just spoke to the architect on the phone.

Does that mean the project is dead now or??

no. lol. it means the project will go ahead as scheduled and people shouldnt tell porkies! i wonder where the original misinformation comes from.

Alright. Cheers for the info gothic.

:drunk:

am gonna try and talk to the architect about it. as for that story on ssn, thats what happens i guess when p.rs dont answer their email so are unable to confirm or deny anything. (or maybe it was our email server). either way its not true.

So is it expected to start soon?

yes. ill find out over the coming few days.

thnx

It'll be great to see this one back on site thanks for the info Gothic. :)

according to dp this one starts being built 6th march

Gothic said this one's still on schedule so are we still on for a Monday start then?

I wont hold my breath. :)

went past the site yesterday on the S2 which goes all round the world:(, the site looks ready for start but there wasnt anyone there, is this still due to start today

went past the site yesterday on the S2 which goes all round the world:(, the site looks ready for start but there wasnt anyone there, is this still due to start today

We are over two weeks into March - and still no action onsite (as of 14th March).

So, work was to begin on the 6th? Some real misinformation is being put about!

Has anyone got RELIABLE information? :eek2:

Pete I think the silence around this project speaks volumes!! most of info currently doing the rounds has been posted on this thread already, for the time being I don't even bother checking the site out! it needs Peel to grab it by the scruff of the neck and sort it out!!

If only there could be a Peel Party for you all to vote for at the next local election!

Pete I think the silence around this project speaks volumes!! most of info currently doing the rounds has been posted on this thread already, for the time being I don't even bother checking the site out! it needs Peel to grab it by the scruff of the neck and sort it out!!

Doug, I have no reliable info, but an educated guess, the delay could be with the new contractor.....Laing O`Rourke. They have had little time to plan and programme this complex tower, they will need to source material ,place orders , plan delivery schedules etc. They might well be using the same sub-contractors that David McLean had lined up, but if they choose to use their own "prefered sub-cons", this will take time to organise.

I am begining to wonder if Laing O`Rourke are a biting off more than they can chew!! just look at the sites they are involved with, Liverpool one (Grosvenor), L1 apartments in the Baltic Triangle , Unity and soon to start on The Museum of Liverpool Life on Mann Island. It might have been better if Bovis Lend Lease had won this job, they have an excellent track record in building towers.

Could it be that a twin is being discussed to keep it company on the other side of the half tide gate?

Could it be that a twin is being discussed to keep it company on the other side of the half tide gate?

Now Tony, stop trying to get us all excited :) That would look brilliant .

Caught the back end of your Radio Merseyside chat this afternoon, are you on every Friday afternoon ?

Could it be that a twin is being discussed to keep it company on the other side of the half tide gate?
If only To'! :)
Access would be a bit of a bastard though.

What's this I've just read from Woody that you were on the radio today? Fill us in m8 :cheers:

Caught the back end of your Radio Merseyside chat this afternoon, are you on every Friday afternoon ?
That was Tom Slemen. The two of them are always getting mixed up, due to their ghost stories about the Alexandra Tower :) :) :) :cheers:

Could it be that a twin is being discussed to keep it company on the other side of the half tide gate?


Maybe the new 37 storey tower mentioned earlier this week. :cheers:

LoL! me and Tom have a lot in common, mainly the inclination to believe stuff folk tell us!

It is only rumours about the counterpoint to AT, but an interesting bit of gossip none the less.
Of more interest though was what I said on the radio. It is nothing more than has been discussed on here, but from other sources, that Peel have indeed got very big aspirations for central docks...and maybe the inclination to force the issue.

We must remember that most of these developers who are putting forward schemes have a bank arrangement to raise building finance, what they don't have is unlimited funds and a fucking huge team of philadelphia lawyers to fend off long court cases that EH can indude by getting schemes called in... so they cave in. This is what has happened to the central station proposals.... but Peel are a different prospect entirely!!! Could get fucking exciting folks!

That is one reason why whs snakes all the way up to stanley, to give the heritage freaks more control over planning... everything that could be proposed for central docks (and environs - remember the fucking buffer zone) would impact WHS...crafty bastards. SO. If peel are up for pursuing logical development up there (in their interest) it would cause the current hold that heritage has to implode in a cloud of urban logic! If not, then we may as well go live in bath as Liverpool will be condemned to becoming a second rate version of that frozen iced cake of a city.


I have a little slot on Radio merseyside, only 10-15 mins every fourth friday, where they allow me to ramble about downtown development and surrounding context etc. It is good fun. they change the times but it is always between 5.45 and 6.15 pm start. Linda mac is enthusiastic about growing the city, skyscrapers etc so we normally take the piss a little out of the 'heritage' agenda... with her being a scottie roader she knows heritage is about nothing of the sort that EH and the like are pushing.

Will try and listen in next time your on.

i think peel should do a 'Dubai@ type of thing on central docks, like the palms only it would be a rectangle shape, so lots of apartments, hotels etc

!

It is only rumours about the counterpoint to AT, but an interesting bit of gossip none the less..

It sure would be wonderful, if this rumoured Alex 2 was true, but I do not see how this could delay a start on Alex 1. :dunno:

As I say, it was purely gossip. but if they were rethinking things then perhaps a reddesign to make a style that would suit being twinned is being considered. The original is not the most gracious and to double it may look a little hefty.... perhaps! There would also be other things to consider like access, as mentioned before...

As I say, it was purely gossip. but if they were rethinking things then perhaps a reddesign to make a style that would suit being twinned is being considered. The original is not the most gracious and to double it may look a little hefty.... perhaps! There would also be other things to consider like access, as mentioned before...

Tony, this forum thrives on gossip :gossip: and make belive. I like the Alex tower is was slimmed down and gained a couple of extra floors( another 5 floors would have been even better) to give it a bit more grace, and agree a clone next door would not look right. I would hope for a completely different design and a bit higher.

Spot on Woody!

Tony, I'll deffo tune in. I think you can listen to RM on the internet, can't you?

Aye, you certainly can Dave.

This horse is moving a dam sight quicker than AT, I was told this afternoon that the original piling here was done in the wrong place and had to be re-done.


http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1888/dsc016026it.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Continuing with the David Attenborough theme is this a Liver Bird?? not sure what it is except to say it was a big bugger and was not a bit bothered by people looking at it, shame about the rubbish.


http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9765/dsc016013fw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Doug, that's a fantastic shot of a cormorant! :applause: Never been able to take one as close up as your's. They're usually so timid - well they are with me. Took this pathetic attempt last year. Had to zoom in, because I couldn't get within 50m of the creatures before they flew away :bash:
:cheers:

http://www.**************************/birds.jpg

Thanks Dave as I said I didn't know what kind of bird it was, it looked as though it was searching for food, the dock water is now very clear with all that green algae stuff gone.

[QUOTE=Doug Roberts]This horse is moving a dam sight quicker than AT, I was told this afternoon that the original piling here was done in the wrong place and had to be re-done.


QUOTE]

Seems to be one excuse after another.
One day we'll find out the real reason for the delay,maybe.

so is the tower u/c? i was told it would be by now.

Nope, still in the same state it was in last August.

Continuing with the David Attenborough theme is this a Liver Bird?? not sure what it is except to say it was a big bugger and was not a bit bothered by people looking at it,


http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9765/dsc016013fw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Twitcher Doug, nice shot of the bottle, shame you cound`nt get that bloody bird to move out of shot. :)

Was down there today and it seems they are back on track with an extra 3 floors and a tower crain due in 6 weeks, well thats what the workers told me.
Its gota be good news hey?

Was down there today and it seems they are back on track with an extra 3 floors and a tower crain due in 6 weeks, well thats what the workers told me.
Its gota be good news hey?

I hope you're right Mike. :)

I have a little slot on Radio merseyside, only 10-15 mins every fourth friday, where they allow me to ramble about downtown development and surrounding context etc. It is good fun. they change the times but it is always between 5.45 and 6.15 pm start. Linda mac is enthusiastic about growing the city, skyscrapers etc so we normally take the piss a little out of the 'heritage' agenda... with her being a scottie roader she knows heritage is about nothing of the sort that EH and the like are pushing.

wow i didnt know that tony. i will have my radio in my van tuned in to that on my way home from work

I think they call it 'the loony slot!' ... no, only kidding (I hope).

Was down there today and it seems they are back on track with an extra 3 floors and a tower crain due in 6 weeks, well thats what the workers told me.
Its gota be good news hey?
Mike - You really saw some WORKERS on site? WOW!!!!! Things are looking up (no pun intended)... :)

Does this mean an extra 3 floors than what has been granted permission? Or have I missed something and am I being a bit thick here?

Does this mean an extra 3 floors than what has been granted permission?

I was just about to ask about the same thing, if they do have permission for 3 more floors that must push Alex up to 30 floors.

that will raise its height to about 320ft, about 97m

Those ''workers'' have told lies in the past and they'll probably tell them again. I'm not excited over this one at all yet.

lol i am. We should be excited about this because when it is up it will be another great adition to the growing skyline. :)

Nothing on the citys planning portal about adding 3 more floors, but when building work started on the Unity project, they only had planning permission for 22 floors on the appartment building. During construction they put in 2 more applications. One to add 3 more floors, and another to add 2 more floors, so there is still plenty of time left to increase the size.

well maybe thats what has been taking all this time?

Just a thought, but could these extra floors stem from the 'concessions' that Peel dragged out of the council over the cruise liner terminal negotiations. I noted that in the council's 'City' magazine, Peel stated that they were committed to providing some spectacular developements on the waterfront. I thought this was an important statement of intent given that it appeared in one of the council's own publications.

BUMP

Some weird crane/lifting piece of kit and a load of activity on the Alex this avvy. Any technical or camera bods ought to do a reconn and report back.

Anyway, looks like something is progressing.

Whoo hoo, I hope you're right Toady, about frickin time.

The top of a large gold coloured crane is just visable from my office in the Albert Dock - could it be about to assemble a tower crane....?

*grins with dis-belief* oooo i do hope so :laugh:

Some pics of Alexandra Tower in the last couple of days.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6001/alexandra1march068kc.jpg

Just had a quick look, but a yellow crane could be about to go up now.

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/7717/alexandra2march066kd.jpg

finally something happening

I'm made up this is back on site. :cheers:

yey a crane, we need confirmation of the floor count as sombody said another 3 floors were planned

The tower crain is due in may :)

good news

Finally, this is beginning to look like a proper building site!!!


http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5418/dsc016654hl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/6671/dsc016667yz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2861/dsc016672ag.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1553/dsc016686je.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

aye... looks like a proper building going up there Doug. have you been able to verify the 'extra floors' rumour on here the other day? would be great if true

Shed loads of concrete going in there today.

3 extra floors hmm?

Could see this near the 100m mark then.

Cheers Doug. Looks like things are moving onward and upward at last! :cheers:

I told you all the other week that John Elcock and I do a walk every year as our contribution to Architecture Week. We are thinking through an idea for this year for a walk that more subtly highlights how new and big architecture not only does not threaten downtown's heritage and landscape it enhances it... and most importantly maintains this sequence of change, which if anything has been the stongest aspect of the city's development 'philosophy' if it has ever had one at all by simply walking around what we have now.

We are thinking of a few good things, but it will be basically a walk from the Liver Bdg... no intro, let folk assume for themselves why this is an important building to start such a tour from.. and then walking up Chapel. Old hall St and across to Princes dock. With the spectacularly changing vistas and improving 'heritage' landscapes I hope we will get a pretty fundamental question about Liverpool's role and what it's attitude to change should be....and by the time they get back to the Liver Bdg their reckoning about why this building is valuable for the contribution it makes will have changed somewhat.

What do you all think?


It would also be great if as many of you came to it as possible? Our walks are never 'guided walks' as such, more like roving exploratory conversations where the parrticipants input as much as John and I.. usually because they know more!


The week is 16th to 25th june I think...and there is usually loads more going on in Liverpool for the week... and of course the last two days of Downtown Week cross over with it too....exciting times.

I'm not sure about these rumoured 3 additional floors, they would have to apply for planning permission, as Begsy said further down the thread there is nothing on the planning portal yet.

What a relief!! :cheers1:
Do you think they could all be actors? :clown:
I read somewhere that there were two floors underground? From what I can see when visiting the site its all piling columns, there's no space left... Can anyone shed any light on this?

the Serive core is visible on photo 2

Loads of steel work and meshing on site along with a site 'hut' bearing Laing O'Rouke insignia. Deffo on the way the up.

3 extra floors hmm?

Could see this near the 100m mark then.

It's still being advertised as a 26 storey tower in your move.

Some more pics of the foundations.


http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/5462/alexandratower286kv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8025/alexandratower294ua.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/7743/alexandratower304oa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Noticed today there were workers all over this site today, very busy. This one is about to take off.....weeeheeeee...

CONSTRUCTION company David McLean has been replaced as the lead contractor to build one of Liverpool's tallest buildings.

Millennium Estates, the developers behind the 25-storey Alexandra Tower on Princes Dock, has ditched Flint-based David McLean in favour of Irish group Laing O'Rourke for the multi-million pound contract.

A disagreement about price and internal problems over the summer at David McLean led to the loss of the contract, according to Millennium Estates.

Nick Carter, managing director of Millennium Estates, said: "Laing O'Rourke was recommended to us by EC Harris, our cost consultants.

"In the end they were cheaper than David McLean.


"When David McLean lost two of their key directors, they re-assessed their position with us and weren't able to give us the same price.


"But it's not always about the money, it's about deliverability," he added.


Bill Addy, group business director of David McLean, said the changing of the contract had nothing to do with reorganisation at the firm. He said: "It was a re-appraisal of the market conditions. We couldn't agree a price."


The same situation has occurred at Millennium's Salford Quays residential development. David McLean was supposed to start work there too but was replaced by Laing O'Rourke.


Site clearance for Alexandra Tower, which will rise 288ft on the banks of the Mersey, began in January 2005. Piling work began in July 2005 but was only finished in January because of the difficulty working with the manmade ground at the docks.


The building, which will consist of 201 apartments with commercial units on the ground floor, is almost entirely sold to a mixture of investors and owner-occupiers.


Laing O'Rourke is one of the construction partners of the £920m Grosvenor retail scheme on Paradise Street and recently completed some of the first buildings at the site.


In November, a new transport interchange was completed and a week later, the first of the project's three multi-storey car parks was opened to the public.


Millennium Estates was originally formed in 1997 as an investor and developer of commercial land and property assets. After success in the commercial sectors, Millennium began developing for the residential market.


sophiefreeman@dailypost.co.uk

It all fell apart for McLean's when they mentioned 50Million spare red bricks... :hahaha:

I took a look today, lots going on.
What I also saw was lots of fill going into the 'other half' of Princes Dock. I know others have said that this is to reduce the level of water "for safety....reasons".
Maybe I am being a (lot) sceptical (with no objection from me, either), but lets say that Peel see this area as THEIR jewel in THEIR crown, what with this land being located bang next door to the World Heritage Site (great investment blah, blah).
Like others, I have noted the difficulties associated with access to building a tower (or towers) at the waterfront adjascent to the AX tower (to the north).
"...Leave enough room for the Canal barges ..... and lets build where we can" - is what I see.
I LOVE IT!!!

(I feel a 'fiddled with' Beatles song coming on... gotta post it here :) )

Wait, oh yes wait a minute mister Peelman
Wait, wait mister Peelman

Mister Peelman look and see
If you've got a tower in your plan for me
We've been waiting such a long time
Since this place went into decline

There must be some word today
From architects and planners so far away
Please mister Peelman look and see
If there's a tower, a tower for me

I been standing here waiting mister Peelman
So patiently
For just a car park or something better
To bring us into the 21st fucking century (sorry - couldn't rhyme that bit)

So many years have passed us by
See the tears standing in our eyes
Will you stop to make us feel better
By leaving me a car park or a tower

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta check it and see, one more time for me

Wait, wait, wait
Deliver the tower(s), the sooner the better

Sorry for this silliness, Mr John Lennon (and Paul, of course)

What do they mean 'for safety reasons'?
If you fall in you are surely as likely to drown in 6 ft as you are in 30 ft?

Under water landfill me thinks?

I really don't think the dock levels should be tampered with. I'd like to see traffic in the dock system - not commerical particularly (although water taxis is a favourite of mine), but leisure yes. Gradually filling in the dock is very restrictive.

PS some well placed dock wall lighting and fountains really would top off Princes' Dock, the rectangular shape is perfect for it.

So, what's going in there, then?

And why?

...Well, it's being filled, to whatever level, and for whatever reason.

Did YOU read about this anywhere?

Find it on tne Internet?

Anyone, anyways previously informed??

I LOVE IT!!!

(I feel a 'fiddled with' Beatles song coming on... gotta post it here :) )

Wait, oh yes wait a minute mister Peelman
Wait, wait mister Peelman

Mister Peelman look and see
If you've got a tower in your plan for me
We've been waiting such a long time
Since this place went into decline

There must be some word today
From architects and planners so far away
Please mister Peelman look and see
If there's a tower, a tower for me

I been standing here waiting mister Peelman
So patiently
For just a car park or something better
To bring us into the 21st fucking century (sorry - couldn't rhyme that bit)

So many years have passed us by
See the tears standing in our eyes
Will you stop to make us feel better
By leaving me a car park or a tower

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta check it and see, one more time for me

Wait, wait, wait
Deliver the tower(s), the sooner the better

Sorry for this silliness, Mr John Lennon (and Paul, of course)

Is this some sort of new `In My Liverpool Home`? :) :cheers:

Hee, hee, sing it to 'Mr. Postman' by that lesser known group called the Beatles. :dance2: .
You go first, and I'll join in... (promise).

did they write it though?

Nah. Neither did the Carpenters, as many people believe. Someone called Dobbin/Garrett/Garman/Biranbert did. Thats opened my eyes - I thought it was John Lennon & Paul Mc.
The Internet does have its uses.... :)

...Well, it's being filled, to whatever level, and for whatever reason.

Did YOU read about this anywhere?

Find it on tne Internet?

Anyone, anyways previously informed??


It's a convenient place to dump waste material from PSDA.

Planning Report (http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/Published/C00000307/M00004727/AI00025055/$Item6PrincesHalfTideDockPortofLiverpooloffWaterlooRoadL3.docA.ps.pdf)

Grrrr, they should use the waste material to build a runway out into the river at JLA :P

Originally Posted by Pete Mac
...Well, it's being filled, to whatever level, and for whatever reason
It's a convenient place to dump waste material from PSDA.

Planning Report (http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/Published/C00000307/M00004727/AI00025055/$Item6PrincesHalfTideDockPortofLiverpooloffWaterlooRoadL3.docA.ps.pdf)

2 metres of water left.

"To vary conditions 6, 11 & 14 attached to permission 05F/2104 to allow infilling of Dock with inert material to leave water depth of 2 metres - the Dock to be used for recreational purposes"

2 metres of water left.

"To vary conditions 6, 11 & 14 attached to permission 05F/2104 to allow infilling of Dock with inert material to leave water depth of 2 metres - the Dock to be used for recreational purposes"


Won't get the QE2 in it then? :)

Won't get the QE2 in it then? :)

So no cruise liner terminal then. It costs to fill this thing in. Why don't they just leave it alone and if it can be used in future it is ready.

2Metres is plenty for leisure, considering it's no longer used as a dock, but be warned....don't go diving into the dock from the top of City Loft's... :nono:

well as shown on mythbuster, anything over 50m (1PD is 73m) will seriously injure you if not kill you

Glad to see this getting underway properly. It would be cool if they used a Doka on this too. It would be great two see 2 doka's rising on the skyline right next to each other :yes:

Thanks, Lathom.
And I had looked forward for so long to berthing my 48ft Cruiser right alongside the AX tower, jumping off ...smiling, pointing and winking at the ladies with my bling shining across my shell suit and whizzing into my apartment... Oh, well I suppose I'll have to buy a canoe or rowing boat instead!
Does anyone want to buy a 48ft Cruiser? Used once only.

Scouser dave's already got one thanks, he has been taking pictures from the bridge! I'll take the trackie though!

Scouser dave's already got one thanks, he has been taking pictures from the bridge! I'll take the trackie though!
LOL! :cheers:
I have a feeling Alex will be the jewel in the crown, looking from Wirral. Or Beetham West?

Have to change my knicker pads :runaway:

Did we ever get to the bottom of that rumour about Alex getting more floors? Would be brilliant if it were true as I have always thoght it lacks just that tiny bit of grace... three more floors would make it a true stunner.

The Alex site is getting boxed in with hoardings today, it really is being built!

I agree that the extra few floors would make all the difference, the building may turn out a touch stumpy and chunky in it's present mode and the lie of the land there (it's low compared with Old Hall Street) allows for a taller structure.

well hoardings up today, i had a look at the site on wednesday and it is clear to see the layout of the ground floor and where the service core is, i would be made up if Site eye put a webcam up there, then i could watch AX chase BW but we know AX would win as it is 10 or 13 floors shorter

So no cruise liner terminal then. It costs to fill this thing in. Why don't they just leave it alone and if it can be used in future it is ready.

I was trying to be humorous here,I don't think the QE2 would have fitted into Princes Dock anyway.

The `Isle of Mans` (ferries) still used to fit though.....pity they didn`t keep some sort of option.

http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/search
http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/AboutUs/ShipSpecs3.htm
http://www.shipsofmann.fsnet.co.uk/

Even in the new setting.....

The I.O.M could be making a bit more of an effort.

I hate to think what my `Manx` grandmother would be saying.....

.....apart from the fact that "if you sneezed in Douglas they knew before you did at Onchan head." :)

This additional three floors rumour may have something to do with these two renders:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/AlexandraTower.jpg
and
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/AlexandraTower-2.jpg

The second one clearly shows an additional three storeys but it has been around for many months. I remember an additional planning application being submitted for additional apartments at the site and this might be the result.

look how crappy 1PD looks in the background. Wether this is 25, 27 or 30 stories high im made up it is getting built

Well spotted Martin. That second one does indeed have 30 floors :)

i make it only 28. hope am wrong though :)

martin, you're a belter!

The `Isle of Mans` (ferries) still used to fit though.....pity they didn`t keep some sort of option.http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/search
http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/AboutUs/ShipSpecs3.htm
http://www.shipsofmann.fsnet.co.uk/

Even in the new setting.....

The I.O.M could be making a bit more of an effort.

I hate to think what my `Manx` grandmother would be saying.....

.....apart from the fact that "if you sneezed in Douglas they knew before you did at Onchan head." :)

The Irish boats used to use Princes Dock and one of the problems was the amount of time it used to take to navigate the locks and enter the river,I think it took about an hour.
Probably the reason Princes was abandoned.

I found a PDF on the architects website:

http://www.afl-uk.com/portfol_resi/pdfs_resid/alex_tow.pdf

I count 30 floors on the rendering showing the front of the tower :)

It might be 30 storeys at the front but the two top storeys would be so narrow that they would be unlikely to be used as anything other than plant space.

I think that it is more likely to be a 28 storey tower (as opposed to a 25 storey one).

It seems that the architects can't make their minds up. Both versions are used in this factsheet: http://www.afl-uk.com/portfol_resi/pdfs_resid/alex_tow.pdf

I think that it is more likely to be a 28 storey tower (as opposed to a 25 storey one).

I also think is increased from 25 to 28 story`s, the developer did get permission to add 13 extra apartments which would require 3 extra floors.

Mint. Glad about this one starting as it is one of my favourite northern proposals. Don't like those balconies on the 28storey render but thats nitpicking. We are due to see some brilliant skyline shots once this and West tower are complete.

well this should now be our 2nd tallest apt block after BW, i imagine the 288ft one was 25 floors so that averages at 12ft per floor so i say about 324ft, 97m

to be honest I think the 88m height looks about right for the 28storey version.

Had a drive past the site the other day it is boarded off and looks like its in full swing.By the way the princess dock area is amazing at night time it is something really special.

I lifted this image from the PDF that Liverdude posted up previously, and I count 30 floors!! does anyone agree?? at the top I agree with Martin that they may be plant rooms and lift motor room, but I'm not complaining.


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/812/alexandratower8xr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I lifted this image from the PDF that Liverdude posted up previously, and I count 30 floors!! does anyone agree?? at the top I agree with Martin that they may be plant rooms and lift motor room, but I'm not complaining.


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/812/alexandratower8xr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It will enhance Britains best skyline even more great tower.

We've been waiting a long time for Alex to get started but its going to be great seeing this tower and West Tower go up together. The waterfront is going to look very different at the end of this year.

It will enhance Britains best skyline even more great tower.


nah i make it only 28 floors dude. though it does look impressive.

I lifted this image from the PDF that Liverdude posted up previously, and I count 30 floors!! does anyone agree?? at the top I agree with Martin that they may be plant rooms and lift motor room, but I'm not complaining.


http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/812/alexandratower8xr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

"Ooh aye missues......."

it's 30 if you count the to small sections at the very top, just count the dark rectangle areas going up the back

Hey, does anybody have any more news on this tower??

This is how it looks today:

View from the Princes Dock sluice tower:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Alexandra%20Tower/060422-1.jpg


Foundation work now well advanced and you can see the base for the lift and services core.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Alexandra%20Tower/060422-2.jpg

Thanks Martin, for an excellent photo round up of sites in and around the waterfront.

Its very nice :)

CONCRETE!

At last!

I visited the site earlier today and couldn't believe it.

AX tower is starting to emerge past ground level :banana: .

Even my missus got out of the car :runaway:

And, as we all know I had to generate some kind of stimulus to interest her, so I said I could see a Liver Bird that had flown down from the Liver Buildings and landed on the last cotton bale that had been found on the site by a descendant of Jesse Hartley, who had unfortunately been reluctant to give their name as they had hurried to catch the ferry to Seacombe.

Hmmmph. :hug:

She got out and had a look, though.

Then she smiled and held my hand... :runaway: :runaway: :runaway:

Women??? :ohno: :crazy2: :gaah:

That said - it was a lovely, hazy spring day and no further imagination was needed to see that this (and other local sites) are, for the next decade going to set the precedent for the region, let alone Liverpool, the City.

...And I hope I am young enough to enjoy the vision!

Then again, AX tower, Conran, Beetham, Beetham + ...and other will be enough for me for this lifetime.. :)

I never thought I would - ever - place such a concentrated focus on little yellow caps like those on site at present...

Also, is the area of the build very compact or is this the norm?

I have seen towers erected elsewhere, but is this one unique in Liverpool, given the lack of manouvre (access and storage)?

at least the crane operator will be able to see the storms rushing up the mersey in time to get out!

will be an incredible experience for dave or those 28 days later lads to crack.

This site is very constricted, given that they have to assemble reinforcement cages on the site across the road and lift them over. Still, it shows what can be done on a very small site (and is also being done with West Tower)

Hey we should be seeing the tower crane in the next few weeks guys,its all good. Im i right in thinking that this tower will be the same height as beetham 1? and if its it will still look smaller coz of the ground leval is lower.

it is arounf the same height maybe taller with the added 3 floors but will look about 3 floors smaller due to the land

Does the ground really slope 6 floors in that short distance

Does the ground really slope 6 floors in that short distance

I couldn't say exactly what the height difference is but it is quite a lot. The two Beetham towers sit on the river terrace that is a continuation of the sandstone cliff you see below Granby Street in the Dingle area. It is quite some climb up there.

Also, bear in mind that Alexandra is being built on the old dockside, which must be one of the lowest points in the city.

Height isn't everything, in such a prominent location, Alexandra is bound to make an impression.

Signs of progress
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8475/liverpool0117df.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3637/liverpool0136yh.jpg

I couldn't say exactly what the height difference is but it is quite a lot. The two Beetham towers sit on the river terrace that is a continuation of the sandstone cliff you see below Granby Street in the Dingle area. It is quite some climb up there.

Also, bear in mind that Alexandra is being built on the old dockside, which must be one of the lowest points in the city.

Height isn't everything, in such a prominent location, Alexandra is bound to make an impression.


El Martino, do you mean Grafton Street? Granby St is the other side of Princes Road. No sandstone cliffs last time I was there but this is Liverpool so who knows what has happened in the meantime! ;)

It's great to see this moving on,thanks for the pictures. :)

El Martino, do you mean Grafton Street? Granby St is the other side of Princes Road. No sandstone cliffs last time I was there but this is Liverpool so who knows what has happened in the meantime! ;)

Too much sauce on the bacon buttie!

Actually I`d like to see some raised walkways in this area similar to the ones around the KD Arena - they add a bit to the visual dynamic. :runaway:

Cenric a couple of these are similar to yours, the more the merrier!!


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/9203/alexandratower337mg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/1453/alexandratower348pl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


The square angled pieces set in the concrete numbered 2 & 3, could they be the base for the tower crane?? ( spotted by Bunnyman yesterday)


http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3051/alexandratower356ps.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/954/alexandratower360xx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3928/alexandratower378ap.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Some pics of the temporary?? dam like structure, I'm not really sure what this is for?

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/458/alexandratower387dy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1073/alexandratower392zg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5669/alexandratower404ne.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3083/alexandratower413lq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/1403/alexandratower429yx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/660/alexandratower433rg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wouldn't take much to bust that dam lol

Maybe it leaks ..... or they want to create `Holland Water Park`

El Martino, do you mean Grafton Street? Granby St is the other side of Princes Road. No sandstone cliffs last time I was there but this is Liverpool so who knows what has happened in the meantime! ;)

Yes - a man too long without sleep there L8.

By the way, I am not so sure those embankments in the half tide dock have anything to do with Alexandra Tower. I was wondering if they form the route for the canal link, which appears to be in progress on the north side of Pier Head.