Birmingham(Pictures obviously credited to those who took them)

http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/images/skyline/kingston0505.jpg

http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/images/skyline/skyline_small1.jpg

http://tinypic.com/55nlw9

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/708/490skyline.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/796BirminghamSelfridges_pic1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/743BirminghamatNight_pic1.jpg

http://tinypic.com/29h89v

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/jakemidlands/birminghamtest00411web.jpg

http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/images/skyline/may2005.jpg

The VirtualBrum pic is superb and up to date too. You just keep scrolling right and it keeps going!

Woody keeps nagging all of us photographers to get some new shots of the skyline. I've had a hectic couple of months what with holidays, stag nights and weddings, but I'll be back taking photo's before you know it and I promise to get some new angles on the skyline.

ooo, nice stuff there. Like smiley I've had a busy few weeks lately - not been posting much either, but I feel a trip to frankley beeches may be in order when the sun's out.

A zoom in with the reservoir in the foreground will be bang on! Especially in the evening.

Some of those pics are amazing. I love the sunset ones :)

Class. With Arena Central it will be unbelievable.

B'ham skyline looks best at night. During the day all the colors seem to blend into something not very interesting (with the exception of Hyatt and HCT). At night however, all the blues and purples come out, stunning.

I actually really like the Brum skyline - thew shot from the south east with HCT creating a peak with the sentinels and arena central beside it, thers something quite american about it.

It certainly is becoming a cool Skyline, HCT looks stunning from those distances, almost exotic. Also that first picture, one of the sentinals looks like its clad in the same metallic finish of HCT, the weather makes it look v silvery, lol. The geographical benefits you guys get makes the buildings look even bigger, some of those shots are looking very American.. Lets just hope you get some more towers soon to keep it going.

I drove up Frankley beeches t'other night and I must say HCT looked smashing from the brief glimpses I got. HAven't been up there ina while.

Fantastic images, The skyline really could do with a 500ft plus tower or two as it would make a big difference, HCT on its own has already made a big impact imagine just a few more but a bit taller. :)

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/downtown.jpg

that pic is a rough guess at what is already going up and the tallest being A.C. at about similar height to HCT (A.C. will be situated on a ridge higher than HCT)

oh and I demolished the big brown building as well as the tower block above new street #

oh baby!

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/downtown.jpg

Thats fantastic.

Orion 1 and 2 look tiny, is that the Mailbox expansion aswell? Hopefully there will be something big at the Richardsons site to really boost it :cheers:

the building immediately to the right of hct is the tramps tower (about 20 something storeys)

the tower between John Bright and Orion towers is either kennedy tower or could be the new Mailbox tower, Orion is going to be slightly lower than Alpha tower as it is in quite a dip in comparison although I rekon actual height of buildings will be little difference (Alpha Tower being 100 metres high, I am guessing Orion at 90-100) crikey, I'm gonna label everything next time with exact heights ;)

:( AC looks a bit disappointing for so many years of hardwork...

Great Rendering nonetheless!

the BT tower next to Bulring is well out of date, it looks terrible

the BT Tower next to the bullring????

are you sure, i love the BT Tower, esp after its reclad!

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/743BirminghamatNight_pic1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/actualfuture.jpg

ooooohhhhhh, pretty!!

Whats the one next too and taller then mcclaren?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/actualfuture.jpg
Lovely stuff. Im not a fan of a lot of the buildings in the centre of Birmingham - too much 70's nonsense, but that looks fabulous.

I dont care what Earlybird has to say about it, if your skyline looks like that, it will be the best in Britain outside of London. Period.

Here are a few I took today from a hill side in Great Barr, it was a bit hazy and the distance is about 7 miles so the quality is not fantastic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%203/PICT0008.jpg

A couple of close ups
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%203/PICT0007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%203/PICT0005.jpg

Nice shots there smiley - Orion should be very prominent from that angle.

That angle makes the Hyatt and Alpha look quite a distance apart. Strange that. :?

Great photos Smiley.

That angle makes the Hyatt and Alpha look quite a distance apart. Strange that. :?

NWT is right next to HCT too.

If some towers do get built by the BT tower, it would help to bulk up the gaps that seems to be either side of the BT tower. Plus at 120m, they would really stand out from this angle.

Birmingham 1883 Came across this view for a project and thought it impressive

http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05292/bham1883.jpg

Thanks Potto, look at New street station. I remember seeing images before of how it used to look around that time period....makes you want to weep.

dont forget the library .. boo hoo

Shame about the absence of the two buildings at the forefront too.Glad those chimneys in the background have gone though........well,the chimneys could have been saved it's what comes out of them is the problem.Thanks for the drawing.

I had a great view of Peat House today :)

http://tinypic.com/9fz4h0.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9fz4a8.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9fz4tl.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9fyyvt.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9fyz2e.jpg

eh, i got this sunset shot saturday...i guess it's sort of a limited skyline shot. of sorts.

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/46703258.jpg

i do like those distance shots.

-

just one more tower there is all it needs!

so has peat house started?

im loving this pic........looks ace...im gonna miss this building!!!!!

http://tinypic.com/9fyz2e.jpg

On the second of Smiley's fine skyline pics, I can't help but notice that the Alpha Tower isn't that much taller than the Hyatt Regency Hotel block - and yet considering the Alpha is supposed to be 100m in height against the Hyatt's 75m, does it stand on lower ground than the Hyatt then? Cos if not then this view doesnt do the height difference much justice. Same goes for the HCT - if that's on the same level as both the Sentinels and the Centre City Tower, then no way is the building any more than 375-385 feet in height in reality - and most certainly nowhere near the anticipated 130m (400 ft). Cos, looking at HCT from all of these distant shots, it really doesn't stick out on the skyline as much as we've been led to believe.

im loving this pic........looks ace...im gonna miss this building!!!!!

http://tinypic.com/9fyz2e.jpg


Yeah - they're bloody fools for even THINKING about demolishing the NatWest tower - Brum's only tall building with US-style setbacks from the street (in fact one of very few - if any - in the whole of the UK come to think of it) and they're going to do away with it and replace it - like the P&M - with a shorter building...... So much for progress. What a bunch of idiots. :(

nope, one of the worst things about bham city centre is the hills

alpha tower is on a step lower than the hyatt...... about 4/5 storeys or so......then further down the same hill you have the sentinals and guess what, at the very bottom of that hill you get HCT!!!!

On the second of Smiley's fine skyline pics, I can't help but notice that the Alpha Tower isn't that much taller than the Hyatt Regency Hotel block - and yet considering the Alpha is supposed to be 100m in height against the Hyatt's 75m, does it stand on lower ground than the Hyatt then? Cos if not then this view doesnt do the height difference much justice. Same goes for the HCT - if that's on the same level as both the Sentinels and the Centre City Tower, then no way is the building any more than 375-385 feet in height in reality - and most certainly nowhere near the anticipated 130m (400 ft). Cos, looking at HCT from all of these distant shots, it really doesn't stick out on the skyline as much as we've been led to believe.


View it from the other direction

http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/images/skyline/may2005.jpg

Aye aye.....it's SO confusing innit???!! :lol:

Maybe we should start thinking about levelling some of Brum City centre's pesky CAA-infringing hills, so we can then get some serious 500-footers built once and for all! :D

Well BT is already a 500ft and BST will more then less look like a 500ft monster aswell.

This pic shows just how hilly the city centre can be

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%203/GreatCharlesQueensway3.jpg

Wow,you're right! Well ,at least we got the underground wheel !

Yeah - they're bloody fools for even THINKING about demolishing the NatWest tower - Brum's only tall building with US-style setbacks from the street (in fact one of very few - if any - in the whole of the UK come to think of it) and they're going to do away with it and replace it - like the P&M - with a shorter building...... So much for progress. What a bunch of idiots. :(
But it looks shite!

Why on Earth would you want to keep that heap of brown concrete?!

because whatever replaces it will be 10x smaller and uglier

Smaller, but not uglier - that would be impossible. lol

not in brum i'm afraid

because whatever replaces it will be 10x smaller and uglier

Umm - 10x smaller? :dunno: Actually, all together it will be 12m taller and 10x better looking ;)

National Westminster House
Floors: 18
Height Roof: 76m
Height Spire: 92m

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2630NationalWestminsterHouseRedevelopment_pic2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2630NationalWestminsterHouseRedevelopment_pic1.jpg

But if you prefer this, then well its your choice :rofl:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/224NationalWestminsterHouse_pic2.jpg

DO royal bank of scotland now own this, as they seem to be funding most of Birminghams redevelopment at the moment ?

natwest is a part of the royal bank of scotland group.

DO royal bank of scotland now own this, as they seem to be funding most of Birminghams redevelopment at the moment ?

Natwest has relocated almost all its operations to 6, 7 & 8 Brindleyplace. I had an interview up there a while ago and I was told that no new developments are planned in birmingham, at least in the near future. So this wouldnt be connected to the RBS group at all matey. In fact, RBS wont be doing anything new for a while.

[QUOTE=birminghamculture]
National Westminster House[/U]
Floors: 18
Height Roof: 76m
Height Spire: 92m

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2630NationalWestminsterHouseRedevelopment_pic2.jpg

The floors make sense and the height make sense, but the rendering hardly looks 76m!

[QUOTE=birminghamculture]
National Westminster House[/U]
Floors: 18
Height Roof: 76m
Height Spire: 92m

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2630NationalWestminsterHouseRedevelopment_pic2.jpg

The floors make sense and the height make sense, but the rendering hardly looks 76m!

Well it does kinda - It looks the same height as Hyatt and thats 75m so I guess it does.

sorry when i saw that picture a few months ago i thouight it was a really small building, maybe they will add another 20 metres on to it............i can hope

[QUOTE=Confused Philosopher]

Well it does kinda - It looks the same height as Hyatt and thats 75m so I guess it does.

Dies anyone know who the developer is, it may give an indication as to whether it will get built or not ? I assumed it was RBS or a subsidiary of thiers ?

[QUOTE=birminghamculture]

Dies anyone know who the developer is, it may give an indication as to whether it will get built or not ? I assumed it was RBS or a subsidiary of thiers ?

Havent the foggiest mate - I wouldnt be suprised if it was the Birmingham Alliance to be honest.

sorry when i saw that picture a few months ago i thouight it was a really small building, maybe they will add another 20 metres on to it............i can hope

I dont think there will be much chance in that Pirlo, however you never know at the moment in the UK, Every single building seems to be getting a height increase (Except for AC ;))

[QUOTE=birminghamculture]

Dies anyone know who the developer is, it may give an indication as to whether it will get built or not ? I assumed it was RBS or a subsidiary of thiers ?

According to Locate Birmingham its RBS developments so yeh, you're right :cheers1:

Chase Norton are building the new development next to the Post Box scheme....I am not sure who is selling the houses though, I read soemwhere

Chase Midlands Homes, I cant find there website though ?

anyone fancy trying ?

Isnt it Chase Midland PLC :dunno: There currently doing the next part of Edmund Street development arent they?

http://www.knightfrank.com/Webui/uk/commercial/Offices/newInstructions/images/134edmund.jpg

The top of this render for the new NatWest tower in Colmore Row shows a noticeable similarity to the shape of the Future Systems' NatWest media centre at Lords cricket ground.

Here is my first abismal attempt at a future render, sorry :cheers1:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9610/skyline37fc.gif

Well done !

well u seem to have the idea and should be ab;e to do it.......just ur locations need to be reviewed....ie the tramps tower and the cube wont really be vissable!

nice try,

well u seem to have the idea and should be ab;e to do it.......just ur locations need to be reviewed....ie the tramps tower and the cube wont really be vissable!

I know but I thought id try and add them because thier quite impressive structures.

You did ok BC.....I tried a render once of the skyline and was too embarrassed to submit it

[QUOTE=brum2003]

According to Locate Birmingham its RBS developments so yeh, you're right :cheers1:

makes sense, they obviously still own the old one. It wont be used by RBS though, I have been told that much.

I'm off work today with absolutely nothing to do. The big plan was to go into town and get some shots and probably even some distance ones for some of you lot to do renders with but that's all gone up the swanny now. The weather's horrendous, more like bleedin' November >(

I wasn't expecting it to get this bad!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4725279.stm

He He - Tornado - our city rocks :cheers1:

A few more - probably a bit better then the others although still not very good :rofl: - 38 storey Broad Street Tower is not visable from these shots including the rest of Hagley Road - 90m Park Central is also not included. I might add a vision for Snowhill a bit later see what a major high-rise would do to the cities skyline.

Ive used Criterion Plaza in Leeds for The Rough Diamond scheme (I know not concrete but I thought I would add them) and also Riverside South in London for Martineau Towers and Heron for City Park Gate.

Enjoy :cheers1:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/10/may20051rk.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1038/may2005invertedcolours2cb.jpg

With the paradise circus redevlopment (2, 110-120m rumoured - nothing happening for a while however and might never happen) but still ...

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2416/may2005paradise4bn.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5296/may2005paradiseinvertcolours8r.jpg

I'm off work today with absolutely nothing to do. The big plan was to go into town and get some shots and probably even some distance ones for some of you lot to do renders with but that's all gone up the swanny now. The weather's horrendous, more like bleedin' November >(
bet you wish you went and took some pics now :|

I had a few pints in Walsall tea time otherwise I think I'd have been tempted to drive to the areas affected to get some pics. I'm setting off early tomorrow to visit friends down south for the weekend, so that's a no no as well......the damage is not gonna go away so I might try and get some photo's when I get back

Here's a pic I took around 6pm this evening. After seeing the carnage left by the tornado on the local news I had a look from my balcony to see what the weather was like Bham way.....I was surprised to see the city centre looking so bright and radient after the days events
http://tinypic.com/9jmwbp

Excellent pic ,smileyman :)

Great pic Smileyface! Which pub did you go to?

I'd better post the pic again


http://tinypic.com/9jmwbp

Great pic Smileyface! Which pub did you go to?

Just went down the drag I'm afraid, had a pint in Yates's, Hoghead and Vodka revolution....then back home

And this is what a full height Arena Central would look like on that skyline picture. :(

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2773/9jmwbp5df.png

Fookin' Nora......that would be incredible :eek2:

I know - and this is what it would look like with the other buildings around it

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2815/9jmwbp14nu.png

I dont see why we shoudlnt still believe that Arena Central wont be full height - I know its been chopped and changed but why wouldnt they want to build what they have planning permission for. The CAA ruling wont stop them, It cant - but anyway The more realistic Arena Central scheme on skyline, which I must say looks just as good.

http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/2631/9jmwbpproper13id.png

Nice work BC.

excellent dude!!!!!!!!!!1

A view of the developed West Side skyline of Birmingham (Main Cluster)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5379/skylinefromkingston18io.jpg

Ahhh,
look how small orion appears on smily's pic. its a little tiddler

Ahhh,
look how small orion appears on smily's pic. its a little tiddler

I cant even see it - we need some more construction photo's

Haha, Rotunda grew bunny ears!

Nice work BC on both renders.

BC. its the tiny little red line (crane) on the right hand side of HCT.
Good renders BTW.

With the paradise circus redevlopment (2, 110-120m rumoured - nothing happening for a while however and might never happen) but still ...

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2416/may2005paradise4bn.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5296/may2005paradiseinvertcolours8r.jpg


^^^^

Er...... I sincerely hope you applied in writing for permission to use my 2003 rendering of the Paradise Circus tower proposal before mocking up this hilariously juxtaposed montage, buddy! ;)

He He :cheers1:

Good work BC......I've taken a few pics of the Skyline from the Lickey Hills on my way back from Wiltshire. The weather was a bit gloomy and the visibilty wasn't the best but HCT definitely stands out. I'll post them on ip on here a bit later on.

Good work BC......I've taken a few pics of the Skyline from the Lickey Hills on my way back from Wiltshire. The weather was a bit gloomy and the visibilty wasn't the best but HCT definitely stands out. I'll post them on ip on here a bit later on.

How long yet buddy?

I'm just resizing them now....gimme two ticks

Excuse my spamming but I may as well make them appear on top of the next page :)

Here you go, I took five pics from The Lickey Hills. The distance is about 10 miles and the visiblity wasn't that clear but you can make out the majority of the buildings. I love the way HCT appears between the Sentinals in some of the pics.

This first one is not really zoomed in.....the rest are on full zoom
http://tinypic.com/9sci04

http://tinypic.com/9scf3q

http://tinypic.com/9sci9f.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9scifm.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9scil5.jpg

^^^^^^

On a clear day, with a tripod (and a few more talls) those views would be spectacular.

Great pictures there Smiley

Another one just to show how amazing Arena Central would look at full height on the skyline.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7677/smiley6sp.png

I'm working on another "proposed skyline" impression of my own at the moment - based on a few of the pics posted up here of late.

But in the meantime, let's just enjoy these two old evergreens, shall we? :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/ArenaCentralBAlphaTower5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/alphatowerSKYLINE.jpg

and....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/BRUMMEGAAERIAL.jpg

He He - Arena Central would look so beautiful if only Crowne Plaza was bulldozed :hahaha: How long until your rendering chief?

Re: AC Tower..... It's actually growing out of the top of it! You didn't reckon on that, did you? :lol:

Great pics Smiley and nice to see the university clock there too.Great images Martin G....nice to see them again.

I love that last composition of Martin G's....fantastic :)

I think everyone would agree after looking at those distance shots of the Brum Skyline that we definitely need some talls, no pissing about with 300-400ft jobbies.....we need some big bastards in amongst them

Yep, 300 footers dont float my boat im afraid, I want big ones ;)

I'd like to know why anybody would oppose these buildings if they were built this tall, because I think the city would still have an open feel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/alphatowerSKYLINE.jpg

It's supposed to be DALLAS!!!

In Brum!!!

Check out the glint in the eye of that tall green glass tower behind the Hyatt (a prototype Richardson Tower ahead of its time maybe?)....


:rofl: :rofl:

Mind you - that super-tall 700ft+ Alpha Tower wouldn't stand much of a chance during the recent tornado now would it? One huge 130 mph gust, and over it goes! :lol:

If only we could resurrect the 'Beta tower' thread, remember that one? :)

Don't get me started Robbo lad!

Remember just how many versions of the Alpha/Beta Tower Colossus I came up with?

For example...


http://img58.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/150_storeyMEGALPHATOWER.jpg

and.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/300storeyMEGALPHATOWER.jpg

Don't encourage Birminghamculture, Martin....he'll be doing skyline renders with those beasts on :)

I can't wait to see how on earth he will end up trying to get them to fit on those long panoramic frieze-type images of his - he'll need at least 20 inches of blue sky to accommodate image number 2 for a start - and then what about the attennae??! :rofl:

That 2nd pic is about 300 storeys :D the current stubby 27 storey (I think) Alpha tower is in the middle of this pic to the right of the 2nd pylon....get to it BC :)

http://tinypic.com/9jmwbp

and.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/300storeyMEGALPHATOWER.jpg


Jebus Ke-riced!

London out one window, Manchester out the other? :laugh:

Jebus Ke-riced!

London out one window, Manchester out the other? :laugh:

and that's only halfway up......Glasgow and Calais from the top floors i reckon

Watch out for passing satellites too. :crazy:

Yeah forget CAA, NASA would probably have a say on that proposal

^^^^^

:laugh: :laugh: :lol: :lol: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl:

Umm - imagine Burj Dubai thingy on our skyline :(

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6486/smiley22gq.png

:banana:

That 2nd pic is about 300 storeys :D the current stubby 27 storey (I think) Alpha tower is in the middle of this pic to the right of the 2nd pylon....get to it BC :)

http://tinypic.com/9jmwbp


job done.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/megaalpha.jpg

:D :D :D

id make do with taipei 101 myself

Damn you did yours properly, mine sucks :( ;)

Watch out for passing satellites too. :crazy:

Not to mention stray hot air balloons as well.......

http://img58.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/150storeyMEGALPHATOWER2.jpg

;)

wtf?

Can you guess who he is yet?

It's a suicide fatboy!

Rik Waller, 30 stone of quality flab.

Yup....fatso himself, Rick waller

The view from my balcony's never gonna quite look the same again after seeing this :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/megaalpha.jpg

It's even taller than the pylons :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

:yes: :lol: :rofl:

And here he is on top of the Rotunda:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/Rotunda_maxi3.jpg

...and now, having seized ownership of it, he's grown even bigger to over twice his original size!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/Rotunda_maxi2.jpg

:rofl: :rofl: Quality :crazy:

Andrew C's fave big fat mama is also visible in that first pic! :D

Yeah I remember the fatboy/Rotunda sequence from before.....reminscing here, but this is how the forums used to be, quality laughs mixed in with the good discussion....none of the pap that takes up hlaf the skybar these days


:old: :yes: :)

Yeah I remember the fatboy/Rotunda sequence from before.....reminscing here, but this is how the forums used to be, quality laughs mixed in with the good discussion....none of the pap that takes up hlaf the skybar these days


:old: :yes: :)


Aye, know just what you mean. Too much quantity, not enough quality.

Anyway, it's WAY past my usual bedtime - I should have been tucked up at 11.30 earlier in the night. Been on a very strict early-to-bed-and-early-to-rise regime of late cos of my dodgy health....I need all the sleep i can get!

May hopefully indulge in more shenanigans tomorrow or thereabouts - it's been fun to return [if only temporarily] to the old cheerful banter here with some of you folks!

Laters then! :wave: :hi:

Laters martin :baeh3:

Just in case anyone missed my Lickey Hill pics a few pages back, dunno if they're clear enough to try any future renders with

Here you go, I took five pics from The Lickey Hills. The distance is about 10 miles and the visiblity wasn't that clear but you can make out the majority of the buildings. I love the way HCT appears between the Sentinals in some of the pics.

This first one is not really zoomed in.....the rest are on full zoom
http://tinypic.com/9sci04

http://tinypic.com/9scf3q

http://tinypic.com/9sci9f.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9scifm.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9scil5.jpg

Those ones arent as good as you rothers ;) :rofl: :cheers1:

I love that angle. It's been awhile since I've noticed the Chamberlain Clock Tower! Maybe on a cleared day, would make a nice skyline pic.

(I thought unclear pictures were easier to do renders on.)

Here's my attempts, just as an illustration.

Blue = "under way or about to begin"
White = "in planning or highly likey"
Green = "proposed or potential".

I thought we could discuss then maybe post on the Future Skyline forum?

They aren't terrifically accurate - just illustrative, and they probably won't work as I've never used photobucket before lol

Thanks to whoever compiled the skyline and own the copyright! :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/Biosonic/213594dd.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/Biosonic/84cc6dc5.jpg

I was hoping you would add those to mysterious towers to them ;) (Unless you have and there not that mysterious) :cheers1:

I foudn this picture - must have been from an old thread on here - Doesnt McClaren look big - not to mention Masshouse going up next to it. But what this picture emphisizes to me is just the enourmousity of BST when it go's up it be all most twice the size and just as fat. :runaway:

http://tinypic.com/c6cfc

I was hoping you would add those to mysterious towers to them ;) (Unless you have and there not that mysterious) :cheers1:

:laugh:

If I was feeling mischievous I could add them to the skyline pic but defo not the aerial shot - you would be able to pinpoint them!

They would fit in well with everything that is there though ;)

Go on then add them to the skyline pic - I dont care about the aerial shot ;) :rofl:

Birmingham's very own Leaning Tower :rofl:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5095/hyatt15ek.png

There's a few photo's coming out of the woodwork on the HCT thread so I thought I'd post of my old nightime skyline shots. I'm trying to imagine this view sometime in the future if AC and a few of the others come to fruition
http://tinypic.com/9uxe9k

View from Highgate....I can't be arsed to stitch these two together so you'll have to use your imagination :)
http://tinypic.com/9uxgnb.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9uxh02.jpg

Biosonic that's excellent work creating that rendering showing off all the realistic and notso realistic proposals in the city, and BC a 187m leaning tower would certainly give Brum the iconic building it craves :)

This is what we can hope for - Smiley one of your pics

http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/7532/orion2dy.png

That's one hell of an electricity bill.....if something like that becomes reality.... :eek: :eek: :eek: Good work BC

good work biosonic, brumculture et.al - shows how much progress we will be - hopefully - making over the next few years.

Here's another skyline pic I've managed to dig out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%203/BrumView.jpg

That's the one you took from dudley isnt it smiley? Really good stuff - and it demonstrates what a hole is going to be left when the old Natwest building goes. I'm still planning to get that frankley beeches skyline over the reservoir when I can, but I've just started a new job and I've really not had all that much time to do much about anything photography wise. Hopefully this weekend or next, I wont be too knackered to get out there and get some snaps. Fingers crossed.

that pic from dudley is old matey, the tower block by the chimney was demolised a few years ago, it was in Blackpatch (winson green/smethwick/handsworth border)

It cant be that old - I can see HCT about 1/2 way up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/skylinefuturehopefully.jpg

:eek: Great work guys. The aerial was very helpful Biosonic.

sorry, got my tower blocks confused, the one i was on about is an old peoples block by Victoria Park in Smethwick, Sorry x

All we need now is some tall proposals for the left of this picture - Hopefully Bionsonics 2 little friends are located in this part of town :cheers1:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/skylinefuturehopefully.jpg

Funnily enough, they might well be ;) (But that doesn't really give away much as the whole of the city core lies to the left!)

Am a bit cross atm as they look like they are going to be toward the lower end of my estimate :( BUT on the up-side they are looking more and more likely :)

Funnily enough, they might well be ;) (But that doesn't really give away much as the whole of the city core lies to the left!)

Am a bit cross atm as they look like they are going to be toward the lower end of my estimate :( BUT on the up-side they are looking more and more likely :)

Well tell the fookers if they go any lower everyone at SSC forums will hate them forever ... if the only thing we can expect is a 17 storey council block, tell them to develop Wolverhampton instead ;) we have enough of those going up else where. We want something unique aswell. All our towers are pretty bland (hct excluded) to the rest of the UK.


25 storeys -35 storeys? we want big ones :cheers1:

I know its not in the city core - but its not the Auchinleck house redevelopment is it? :dunno:

It's not Auchinleck House no. It is a little bit more central than that...

We do want big ones, and for Birmingham they will be quite big (let's face it - anything over 20 storeys is tall for us!) BUT the good news is: they are supposed to make a statement :)

That could be architect's fantasy though - they would get watered down once they are costed :laugh:

well not really - 40 storeys is tall now for Brum anything less and its just a mediocre mid-rise ;)

Make a statement? as in design? or press wise? lol :cheers1:

See 20 storeys isnt good enough anymore :hahaha: :cheers:

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7073/brumfuture12bf.png

oh well is suppose we can expect another little midget crappy tower in town agian, this town is not going anywhere

Birmingham's very own Leaning Tower :rofl:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5095/hyatt15ek.png

:no:

Good god, special reflective lens highlights and all - you thieving bastard! ;)

:no:

Good god, special reflective lens highlights and all - you thieving bastard! ;)

Martin G - you better get used to it :cheers1: Hows that rendering going?

HCT looking a bit stumpy from edgbaston to be honest. I'm not a fan of it on its wider side, i prefer it looking at the slimmer sides.

HCT looking a bit stumpy from edgbaston to be honest. I'm not a fan of it on its wider side, i prefer it looking at the slimmer sides.

Oi mouth - (Thump) ;)

Martin G - you better get used to it :cheers1: Hows that rendering going?


Smileyface has just provided me with some fresh ammunition! :D

Smileyface has just provided me with some fresh ammunition! :D

I'll be taking some more pics on Sunday so have a nosey over here and I should have them posted up by the evening.

^^^^^^^^

The 'leaning tower of Arena Central' picture by BirminghamCulture sends my eyes funny everytime I look at it:D It is an optical illusion, the pic seems wider at the top than it does at the bottom.......a true masterpiece :crazy:

^^^^^^^^

The 'leaning tower of Arena Central' picture by BirminghamCulture sends my eyes funny everytime I look at it:D It is an optical illusion, the pic seems wider at the top than it does at the bottom.......a true masterpiece :crazy:

Lol, it does! doesnt it? now you've said it its starting to annoy me ;) dont worry you have a new master piece coming soon :hahaha:

As soon as this page turns over I'm gonna post it at the top of the new one just to annoy you for another 20 posts :)

Ok ;)

What a tower on the final remaining corner of Holloway Circus would look like with BST and AC also in the shot. quite a dramatic cluster would'nt you agree? :cheers:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1457/hctfuture4id.png

CCT looks quite cool in negative...gives you an idea as to how it would look after a reclad


only click on here if you're Birminghamculture
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5095/hyatt15ek.png

;) (thump)

Ok ;)



Cumming Soon......

Cumming Soon......

You said that a week ago :hahaha: common I think I've put these poor people through enough already with my artwork :cheers1:

Well, all right then, I get a kick out of keeping people in suspense....

Cumming Soon......

Hurry up Marty!

Btw, you didn't happen to get a train from Greenfields station in Oldham today did you? I saw someone who looked the spitting image of you, you in the photos from that May 2004 Manc forum meet at least.

I think what would look great with HCT and the Sentinals would be something with a really fierce, sharp slanted roof or tapering into a pinnacle.. think that would work best with a contrast of blocks, smooth curvy beetham and then some pointy bugger.. my thoughts anyway.

Glad this is nearly externally done too.. seems to have gone quick but, was a hole for a long long time :P

I met the architect of the spiral tower proposed for the corner of park central today. A really nice guy but if I told you about it I'd have to kill you. though I can tell you he's got alot of respect for the bham planning dept but isn't keen on tesco

ghow did u manage that, u just happen to bump into him????????

u must have found something out.......

er yes, he was eating next to me!? and erm maybe. If the tesco scheme over the road goes ahead then there will be no spiral tower, but bcc think it will happen anyway. It wont, it will be a nice maybe slightly taller 'normal' park central block. but expect news on the other corners in due course :)

why wil it not go ahead????????????????

only corners??????

Hurry up Marty!

Btw, you didn't happen to get a train from Greenfields station in Oldham today did you? I saw someone who looked the spitting image of you, you in the photos from that May 2004 Manc forum meet at least.


Jesus Christ! :eek:

I have been stalked. :ohno:

Yes - it WAS me - what a stroke of bad luck for you that was - why the fuck didn't you come up and say hello to me? I was up there today cos I know some people who work there at the Railway Inn - who put on folk music events. I was just checking on which week the Rushcart festival in Uppermill was and if there was going to be any live music at the pub that weekend. Mind you, it's not often you see me actually out anywhere these days cos I have this fucking debilitating illness with my right ear that renders my balance so fucked I'm incapable of standing up occasionally - let alone walking. So - pray, tell me what on earth YOU were doing at Greenfield today. And which person you were when you were lurking whilst spying on me.

Okay..... Birminghamculture....here's your starter for one then. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/betatower.jpg

:carrot: :cucumber: :banana:

Blimey!! :shocked: :shocked:

Jesus Christ! :eek:

I have been stalked. :ohno:

Yes - it WAS me - what a stroke of bad luck for you that was - why the fuck didn't you come up and say hello to me? I was up there today cos I know some people who work there at the Railway Inn - who put on folk music events. I was just checking on which week the Rushcart festival in Uppermill was and if there was going to be any live music at the pub that weekend. Mind you, it's not often you see me actually out anywhere these days cos I have this fucking debilitating illness with my right ear that renders my balance so fucked I'm incapable of standing up occasionally - let alone walking. So - pray, tell me what on earth YOU were doing at Greenfield today. And which person you were when you were lurking whilst spying on me.

Fuck me it was you. :eek2:

I was in Greenfield yesterday on a family day out, did a 6-7 mile walk upto Saddleworth Moor and back. Got into the station for the 5.53 to Victoria and you walked in, I thought ''Bloody hell, he looks Martin G off SSC'', but I couldn't be 100% sure. I was the currently floppy noel gallagher haired(I've been meaning to get it cut for about 10 weeks) 17 year old wearing a 'Queen is Dead' shirt and a stupidly-thick-for-a-moderate-summers-day black coat and blue jeans, might have been wearing my glasses at this point, can't remember, you walked right past me a couple of times, you must have seen me because I was giving you a good staring!

Somehow I figured that it probably wasn't you(I mean, why the fuck would someone from Stockport want to go to Greenfield?) so I was even on the verge of taking your photo while you weren't looking and posting it up here, and saying ''Look Martin, I've found your twin!'' You were sitting in the same train carriage as me too. Didn't see where you got off though, if it was Victoria, did you see me stumble after walking into a pillar just after I walked off the train? :ohno:

''why the fuck didn't you come up and say hello to me?''

1. I wasn't sure it was you, I didn't want to make some stranger think I was totally mad (again?)
2. You looked quite a bit younger than your age which threw me a bit more, and you didn't look particularly ill either.
3. I'm not going to introduce myself to anyone I know via the internet in front of my parents.
4. I'm extremely shy, even if I was 100% it was you I still wouldn't have said anything.

Get well soon mate. :cheers:





So.......Birmingham..... Nice place eh?

Fuck me it was you. :eek2:

I was in Greenfield yesterday on a family day out, did a 6-7 mile walk upto Saddleworth Moor and back. Got into the station for the 5.53 to Victoria and you walked in, I thought ''Bloody hell, he looks Martin G off SSC'', but I couldn't be 100% sure. I was the currently floppy noel gallagher haired(I've been meaning to get it cut for about 10 weeks) 17 year old wearing a 'Queen is Dead' shirt and a stupidly-thick-for-a-moderate-summers-day black coat and blue jeans, might have been wearing my glasses at this point, can't remember, you walked right past me a couple of times, you must have seen me because I was giving you a good staring!

Somehow I figured that it probably wasn't you(I mean, why the fuck would someone from Stockport want to go to Greenfield?) so I was even on the verge of taking your photo while you weren't looking and posting it up here, and saying ''Look Martin, I've found your twin!'' You were sitting in the same train carriage as me too. Didn't see where you got off though, if it was Victoria, did you see me stumble after walking into a pillar just after I walked off the train? :ohno:


Couldn't for the life of me remember much about people's appearances - so much less yourself that day - as I am always pretty useless at recognising/recalling what people look like (though of course, EVERYONE knows what I look like as soon as they have first clapped eyes on me - I guess sadly I'm one of those people who could never ever hope to be (a) a criminal or (b) incognito as I am all too easily recognised for some reason (and yet I'm not even fucking famous!).

I certainly never made any mental note about what anyone was wearing so your own self-description would have been in vain cos it was likely that, even if I happened to look your way, I would have just simply regarded you as a fellow anonymous rail passenger (NOT meant in a derogatory way of course, you understand) anyway! Where were you standing? Were you by the young couple sitting on the bench, or the four people in the platform shelter - or were you standing away from them nearer the footbridge along the platform towards the road overbridge? I was aware that a few people were there, it's just I never clock much detail about them cos I always tend to be lost in my own world much of the time when I'm travelling alone anyway.

As for why I am always up that neck of the woods - answer is simple - I love it around Saddleworth - I'm there as often as I can travel up there. I quite often do Oldham's markets (Tommyfield on Wednesdays) anyway cos I have long made a habit of going there - I have always found Oldham's relative scuzziness better than soulless Stockport town centre anyway - to the extent that a few years ago I even considered a move and get a house there cos it was much cheaper really. But the real reason is cos it's so close to the Pennines - one of my favourite areas.

Stockport (Edgeley - where I live) - is too boring for words, though whenever I have the opportunity to I always head out south or east towards the Derbyshire borders - e.g. Marple/Compstall/Mellor is great cos it's greener, and of course once you leave Hazel Grove and the worst of the A6 through the borough behind, you have the entire lush High Peak area at your leisure - so I suppose that's one good thing about living in Stockport - you can at last get out of it into the countryside relatively easily.

Oh - I got off at Stalybridge - the fanatical village-hopper that I am. I stopped off there cos I needed to visit the 24 hour Tescos. There's one in Stockport too but as I am such a perverse sort of guy I thought I'd try this one in case once I get to the Stockport one after another hour of travelling, the chances are much of the fresh food I was seeking would have cleared off the shelves at that store (which usually happens). Secondly, I needed to check the times of the live music nights at the Carriage pub on the station platform, as a couple of other musicians I know from Saddleworth jam there some weekends.




''why the fuck didn't you come up and say hello to me?''

1. I wasn't sure it was you, I didn't want to make some stranger think I was totally mad (again?)
2. You looked quite a bit younger than your age which threw me a bit more, and you didn't look particularly ill either.
3. I'm not going to introduce myself to anyone I know via the internet in front of my parents.
4. I'm extremely shy, even if I was 100% it was you I still wouldn't have said anything.




1. I do that with people all the time (see my above comment about being crap at recognising faces - even those of my best friends!) so I don't care anymore about being a dork. ;)
2. Unbelievably, everyone says that to me - especially strangers I end up chatting to in the street, on transport, at parties, etc... I have lost count of the number of times people have this gobsmacked expression on their face when I tell them I am 40 years old. They think I'm half that age for some reason. I find it all very bemusing cos I personally now feel as old as I am - especially considering the fact that my health has taken a turn for the worse this year. For a while now I have had bags under my eyes, sagging facial muscles, and more and more grey hairs everywhere [I've even stopped bothering with bleaching my hair through vanity like I have done for the last 8 years or so]- that enough is a sign of advancing age! The strange thing is, I'm pretty ill on the INSIDE, but my appearance may well belie this - but then this is often the case when people suffer from chronic incurable sensinoneural/cognitive diseases like what I now believe I have.
3. Ah.....so that was YOU with three other people sitting round the platform shelter after all then was it? I clocked som teenagers with an adult (or two adults). :eek:
4. Shyness is nice, but shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you'd like to.... ;)
Just ask Daniel McBride.....

Blimey!! :shocked: :shocked:


:lol: :laugh:

IT LIVES!!! IT BREATHES!!

EVEN AT NIGHT WHEN IT'S ALL ILLUMINATED!!



As for your HCT, I think it's just grown another 15 floors!! ;)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/HCT.jpg

Next ssc meeting is at Greenfields station Oldham....small world ain't it :sly:

I always enjoy your over the top renders martin, I'm off into Brum tomorrow to get a few snaps....hopefully some of them will be the templates for some more inspired over the topness!

if only.... :bash:

Ahhhh....if only, eh??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/NewBrumtowers1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/NewBrumtowers2.jpg

cool :)

That ought to be sent to the powers that be the forumers on here have got more vision and foresight than those cave dwelling twots have got

All to scale this time round - no gratuitous stretching of existing towers! ;)

Can you guess what the couple of special "bonus" towers are perchance? :D

It's a fantastic representation of what could be....top marks MG :okay:

Can you guess what the couple of special "bonus" towers are perchance? :D

Yeah that giant helter skelter on the far right for one :happy:

It looks pretty damned real this time round too, wouldn't you agree? :)

Martin go and have a gander at the 'old Birmingham' thread.....there are some fantastic images on there

It looks pretty damned real this time round too, wouldn't you agree? :)

Best effort yet, you're gonna get plenty of plaudits for this one....we might even be cheeky and use it as a banner. Good stuff

Yeah that giant helter skelter on the far right for one :happy:

Correct - that's my previously-submitted Colmore Circus Tower given yet another deserved airing! But what's the other two? ;)

Wait till Birminghamculture see's it, he'll be having more orgasms than that woman on the skybar :)

Best effort yet, you're gonna get plenty of plaudits for this one....we might even be cheeky and use it as a banner. Good stuff

Can you imagine if it were? Blimey!!! :lol:

Correct - that's my previously-submitted Colmore Circus Tower given yet another deserved airing! But what's the other two? ;)

AC Tower coz you keep telling us it's never gone be built ;)

Wait till Birminghamculture see's it, he'll be having more orgasms than that woman on the skybar :)


WHAT woman on the Skybar? :ohno: Please fill me in.

AC Tower coz you keep telling us it's never gone be built ;)

Nope - that's not the one I meant - look again..... they're both apparent in the first picture, trying to steal the limelight either side of the AC. :D

WHAT woman on the Skybar? :ohno: Please fill me in.

This woman :)

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=242275

Nope - that's not the one I meant - look again..... they're both apparent in the first picture, trying to steal the limelight either side of the AC. :D

yeah I've got them, they add a nice change of colour to the skyline

What happened to Park Central, City Park Gate, Martineau and Masshouse ;) :hahaha: there great Martin G :applause:

I have to admit however a few have confused me :cheers1:

At least Martin G gets his AC Tower to stand up straight :happy:

yeah I've got them, they add a nice change of colour to the skyline

Well, can you name the two of them then? ;) ;)

At least Martin G gets his AC Tower to stand up straight :happy:

It wasnt my fault - It was Martin G's cruddy work that I nicked anyway - blame him ;)

this is gonna haunt you forever BC :)

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5095/hyatt15ek.png

Well, can you name the two of them then? ;) ;)

Nope.....can i phone a friend?

This woman :)

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=242275

Ugh.

Thank yr lucky stars she ain't a hermaphrodite then, as she'd probably wank even more than I used to! :D

Ive got my AC to stand up straight this time round :hahaha:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4296/may200512tp.jpg

It wasnt my fault - It was Martin G's cruddy work that I nicked anyway - blame him ;)


You cheeky twat! Cruddy work my arse - the reason AC was "leaning" in that grafted pic where it stood alongside Alpha Tower was cos of the perspective, you divvy! ;)

It's only cos you didn't know how to skew the picture layer to make it fit in on Photoshop! :stupid:

Ive got my AC to stand up straight this time round :hahaha:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4296/may200512tp.jpg


Jesus Christ!! Look at that bunch of cop-out cack on the far right of the pic - if that's the next cluster of boring old fuckin mid-rises in the pipeline then aren't you glad I did what I did with the same picture then eh??? :rant:

Nope.....can i phone a friend?

No. You may bloody well not! :D

I was going to Phone Blunther till I remembered he was sunning himself in Florida....no i'm a normal Walsall thickard...what are they?

BC, what's that floating tower to the left of HCT in your last render?

Lol

Why are these boards so dead today? if it wasn for Martin G's average renders Id be bored senseless ;) Smiley you going picture snapping tommorow?

Lol

Why are these boards so dead today? if it wasn for Martin G's average renders Id be bored senseless ;) Smiley you going picture snapping tommorow?

Yep....any requests stick on the ermm....request thread :)

BC, what's that floating tower to the left of HCT in your last render?

Its my moved Orion because you cant see it otherwise ;)

I was going to Phone Blunther till I remembered he was sunning himself in Florida....no i'm a normal Walsall thickard...what are they?


Extreme left is my impression of a 130m-140m+ Five Ways Tower sitting on the site of Auchinleck House. To the right of the Rotunda is one of the two Paradise Circus towers that was mooted ages back (again 140m+). :yes:

I wish about Auchinleck house being 140m however, I think more realistically we can look at 2 - 70-90m towers

That's why they're only FANTASY concepts, you klutz! :nono: ;)

That's why they're only FANTASY concepts, you klutz! :nono: ;)

Lol - :sleepy:









;)

And now, to revisit an old friend......


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/300FUCKOFFMEGALPHATOWER.jpg















and the original 1984 flyposter advert that was seen adorning the side of the Bull Ring centre...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/BRUMF.jpg

Quality :nuts:

I love the empire broad state tower!!! lol

3. Ah.....so that was YOU with three other people sitting round the platform shelter after all then was it? I clocked som teenagers with an adult (or two adults). :eek:


Aye, 1 teen and two adults, and some younger siblings. Very odd eh, wonder what the odds of that are. Two people who are members of the same forum cross paths at some obscure station near some villages between Tameside and Oldham? You must be thrilled that you were so close to such a forum legend as myself. :jk:

Nice part of the world round there I agree, might be back there soon for more hills and more views and photos. I'll say hello next time. ;)

Even stranger that you meet on the Brum forum to discuss this :crazy:

Imagine seeing this rising cluster while walking down the canals with narrowboats floating past you, people jumpin on water taxi's while you roam the cafes and shops of Birminghams little venice (sounds nice doesnt it) ;)

http://www.starling101.btinternet.co.uk/canals/Images/warwick_bar.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2121/future9la.png

Aye, 1 teen and two adults, and some younger siblings. Very odd eh, wonder what the odds of that are. Two people who are members of the same forum cross paths at some obscure station near some villages between Tameside and Oldham? You must be thrilled that you were so close to such a forum legend as myself. :jk:

Nice part of the world round there I agree, might be back there soon for more hills and more views and photos. I'll say hello next time. ;)


Well, I was in Littleborough (north of Rochdale) today doing exactly the same thing - strolling along the canalside walk - towards Summit Tunnel - and revelling in the sheer remoteness of it all - quite removed from the hell and noise of the city centre.....it was so peaceful there today - just wonderful. They also had a few pubs there that had live folk sessions on every Tuesday evening and though I was tempted to stay, it would have meant kicking round after hours in the dark waiting to get home and with the prospect of a 20 mile journey home involving up to three changes of trains (my illness now means I am actually unstable in the dark due to my impaired balance), it wasn't an option I was willing to take up......

i wander if biosonics mystery towers could be where the Cambrian Halls are, this has the Richard Rogers Partnership planning and designing ? and there could be room for two towers, and its meant to be residential/commercial ?

:laugh:

Nope, the towers are not here either (and I doubt if anything too tall could go here - they would want to graduate the buildings down from the proposed Paradise Circus to the Jewellery Quarter boundary).

If we carry on like this you will find out where they are by deduction!

I think Richard Rogers must like Birmingham - if he gets his library built here he will have that, Cambrian Wharf and City Park Gate on the go!

BTW - I am going to get a name & address to write to to lobby for the Rogers library. Anyone else fancy lobbying? ;)

yeah send me the address x

include me in too

im game!