This is a list of all towers in Birmingham over 50m - when a new one comes along it will be placed into its rightful position. Hopefully this will allow newcomers to understand what Birmingham has, getting and wants. :cheers:

*Completed - Black =
*Under Construction - Red =
*Approved - Blue =
*Proposed - Green =
*Pre-Planning - Orange =
*Under Renovation - Purple =

Number of Towers 120m or above (The Barrier ;)) =
Number of Towers 100m or above=
Number of Towers 75m or above =
Number of Towers 60m or above =


1. Arena Central Tower 187.00 (245m to spire)
2. BT Tower 152.00
3. Tate Tower 130.00+ (170m+ spire)
4. Broad Street Tower 137m
5. Rough Diamond Tower 1 130.00
6. Post and Mail Scheme (Tower 1 Scheme C) 125.00
7. New Street Tower 1 - 125.00
8. New Street Tower 2 - 125.00
9. Holloway Circus Tower 122.00 (130.00)
10. Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 1 120.00
11. Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 2 120.00
12. Rough Diamond Tower 2 120.00
13. Martineau Tower 1 110.00
14. Alpha Tower 100.00
15. Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower 100.00
16. Snowhill Scheme 100.00
17. City Park Gate Tower 1 90.00-100.00
18. Post and Mail Scheme (Tower 1 Scheme A) 95.00
19. Clydesdale Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00
20. Cleveland Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00
21. The Orion Building 90.00
22. Fiveways Shopping Centre Redevelopment 90.00
23. Retail Quarter, Park Central 90.00
24. The Rotunda 81.00
25. National Westminster House 80.00
26. Post and mail Scheme (Tower 2 Scheme C) 80.00
27. City Centre Tower 76.00
28. five Ways Tower 76.00
29. Hyatt Hotel 75.00
30. Curzon Gateway Tower 75.00
31. Edgbaston Shopping Centre Redevelopment (Phase 2) 73.00
32. Snowhill Plaza 72.00
33. Colmore Gate 70.00
34. Quayside 70.00
35. Orion Building Phase 2 70.00
36. The Cube 70.00+
37. Londonderry House 70.00
38. McLaren Building 69.00
39. Metropolitan Tower 69.00
40. Edgbaston House 69.00
41. Block A,B,C,D & E, Masshouse Circus 69.00
42. Post and Mail HQ 67.00
43. Midland Building 67.00
44. Aiken House 67.00
45. Hamilton House 67.00
46. Bank House 66.00
47. Belgrave Middleway Tower 65.00-70.00
48. Fifty4 Hagley Road 64.00
49. Cumberland House 64.00
50. Centenary Plaza 63.00
51. Stephenson Tower 63.00
52. Post and Mail Scheme ( Tower 1 Scheme D) 63.00
53. Hagley House 62.00
54. The Birmingham Wheel 62.00
55. Trident House 61.00
56. Jurys Inn Birmingham 61.00
57. Dalton Tower 61.00
58. St Martins 61.00
59. Lakeside West Building 60.00
60. City Park Gate Tower 2 60.00
61. Block J & K Masshouse Circus 60.00
62. Block F & G Masshouse Circus 60.00
63. Brindley Place Block 60.00
64. Block M Masshouse Circus 59.00
65. Post and Mail Scheme 58.00
66. Block H & I Masshouse Circus 55-60m


*Option for 3rd Tower at New Street Station 80m+

Good idea.

handy dandy. Not the sort of thing you need to update all that often either :) sadly :(

Where have you got some of those heights from? Londonderry House isn't taller than McLaren from what I recall... must only be about 50m? Also the heights for Aiken Hs, Hamilton Hs and Lakeside West seem high... are you sure they're all correct?

well if their the ones from skyscrapernews.com, hen their from your site brittania hehe

Just realised Aiken and Hamilton are in Sandwell, so they're correct.

well if their the ones from skyscrapernews.com, hen their from your site brittania hehe

That's not my website, and the heights aren't from Emporis... if they are from ssnews then they're only gothic's estimates based on the number of floors, and are quite a way off!

Midland House is probably about 64m, Londonderry about 50m and Lakeside West a bit less.

And St. Martins is St. Martin's in the Bullring... a church!

well if their the ones from skyscrapernews.com, hen their from your site brittania hehe

Lakeside West is a 16 storey residential, 60m is a bit much, what happened to 3.2m per floor. ;)

And Block J K & M Masshouse Circus is just under 50m according to the elevations. Good list though.

gothic is 4.2 for office use and 3 for residential!...thats wat i been told anyway!

Fight fight fight!!

heights are marked as estimates for a reason, they are estimates, we state them as that for a reasn. do NOT take them as gospel.

the reason we have estimate heights is that once we have added all the buildings in all the cities we'll be able to work out the actual strength of a skyline with much more accuracy than emporis does which is counting by floors.
example -
50 floor residential = 150m
50 floor office = 210m
emporis counts both with the same number of points though they have a 60m difference in height. ours may be inaccurate but the inaccuracies in them are less than that so we actually get greater accuracy over the whole spread of data when comparing general trends.

12 calthorpe road has 12 floors as it happens over ground.

Update needed ;) :cheers:

Update Complete:)

Those smaller Masshouses still need removing. ;)

Those smaller Masshouses still need removing. ;)

Seen the Masshouse Construction thread? Easily 60m Caw ;) :cheers:

There are still a good few errors in the list birmingham culture... think it needs a proper update!

There are still a good few errors in the list birmingham culture... think it needs a proper update!

Find out which ones and there change. Until then :cheers:

Shouldnt one of the masshouse's be red for under construction?

Shouldnt one of the masshouse's be red for under construction?

Yep, sorry, I have also missed out the 75m Martineu Galleries tower.

Seen the Masshouse Construction thread? Easily 60m Caw ;) :cheers:

The side on elevation indicated otherwise. If it has changed then prove me wrong:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/330BlockA,B,C,D&E,MasshouseCircus_pic2.jpg

The first building has these 'peaks'

Block A - 67m
Block B - 41m
Block C - 58m
Block D - 32m
Block E - 49m

Second.
Block J - 50m
Block K - 34m
Block M - 47m

Is this block F&G? 50m maybe, not 60.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/masshouseresi1.jpg

I think that you can add quite alot of 12-15 midrise towers to the list over the next several months as i expect there to be quite a few midrises in the larger mixed use schemes. We know about the larger towers (or we think we do) but i'd expect there to be alot of buildings, certainly over 35m anyways.

This is a list of all towers in Birmingham over 60m

58. Peat House 59.00

Wtf???

Wtf???

Yeh I added that for special copensation because its been proposed in the last few months and is only just short of 60m and 59m might not be the definate height.

Find out which ones and there change. Until then

You're gonna have to explain that one to me...

You're gonna have to explain that one to me...

Bog off.

definitely dee. there has to be hundreds of buildings around the country no one has bothered to list. if you see anything over 10 floors in brum that isnt in a list let us know :)

definitely dee. there has to be hundreds of buildings around the country no one has bothered to list. if you see anything over 10 floors in brum that isnt in a list let us know :)
There's a 10 storey (9 plus ground) office tower in Ashton-Under-Lyne that's not been listed. It's called Crown Buildings. ;) It's bleeding awful!

http://www.eb.cx/img/ashton/picture7.jpg

How bad am I at phone photography?

The block I live in is over 10 floors!

Crown Building? EB i though you said last week ,that a building CAN'T be called this,

Crown Building? EB i though you said last week ,that a building CAN'T be called this,
As I said, it can if it was commissioned by Her Majesty's Government. Crown Buildings in Ashton is a DSS/Inland Revenue office. :)

Cheers, is it that brown one near the bus depot?

Cheers, is it that brown one near the bus depot?
No, the brown one you're thinking of is the council offices... I think that's also ten (9 plus a plant floor in the brown roof of the tallest bit).

http://www.ashton-under-lyne.com/aul130.jpg

Block B - 41m

Block M - 47m

Is this block F&G? 50m maybe, not 60.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/masshouseresi1.jpg

dont worry CAW it is approx 50m

for some reason everyone here seems to have forgotten that their are 4 phases to masshouse and this phase which is currently UC isnt actually in the list lol

Earlybird - whats the name of this thread?

Woodhousen you have confused me :dunno:

Earlybird - whats the name of this thread?

I simply gave the nearest to where I live that isn't listed to back up Gothic's assertion. :)

Earlybird - whats the name of this thread?

Woodhousen you have confused me :dunno:

Every thread is Earlybirds thread I thought you knew that

birmingham culture

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/masshouseresi1.jpg

this tower is block H and j of masshouse...the first of 4 blocks at masshouse..... this is only 50m tall and is the only one not on ur list. none of the masshouse blokcs on your list are UC yet!.....understand?

K-pisch

Royal Blue, you got me into trouble ;) :cheers:

:bash: :nuts: :clown: Sorry

Belgrave added - Thought the list would be quite stale but its actually been progressing quite a bit recently.

Though once again, '55. Block J K & M Masshouse Circus 60.00' is actually 50m.

is that picture defintley a rendering of the building that is currently being constructed?

Though once again, '55. Block J K & M Masshouse Circus 60.00' is actually 50m.

We will see ;) dont forget in the renders which you post you are missing 2 buildings on the other side which itself are roughly 70m and 60m.

No not 'we will see', the elevation clearly shows Block JKM to be 50m tall! Unless it's now out of date, is it?

No not 'we will see', the elevation clearly shows Block JKM to be 50m tall! Unless it's now out of date, is it?

Here you go dude - Its all a bit confusing but hopefully this will help a little bit - Try the veideo, its amazing :cheers: It looks even better then what I imagined and its not red, its blue, white and silver :runaway:

http://www.masshouse.co.uk/default.asp?page=home

ok, i have found what the confussion is and i will know clear it all up...... supprising what can happen when you mix an "i" and "j" up

Block ABCDE = Max height is 69m
Block FG = Max height is 60m
Block JKM = Max height is60m
Block MI (not MJ) = max height 50m (this is the one, and the only one u/c)

and CAW yes the elevation you are refering to is out of date and so should not be taken as gossple, purely as a guide!

Thanks for clearing that up, after months of confusion ;) :cheers:

No new towers for a few days :( :( :(

Wrong. yet again update needed. Must be annoying ay BC!! :cheers:

Wrong. yet again update needed. Must be annoying ay BC!! :cheers:

I, Should've done my research earlier ;) :cheers: - Ill update it now :)

How about making some kind of distinction between actual proposals(ie. that have been submitted for planning) and those in pre-planning?

At this rate you'll be updating it every other day

handy dandy. Not the sort of thing you need to update all that often either :) sadly :(

From MK61 - 3rd of June - :hahaha:

At this rate you'll be updating it every other day

Its a bastard doing the numbers though ;)

UPDATE:

* Broad Street Tower - 38 storeys/120m+
* City Park Gate - 23 storeys/75m (Height increase)

+

* 25. Martineu Galleries Tower 75.00 Skyscrapernews: Number of 15-25 storey glass towers planned for this area.

Max Height = 100m
Minimum Height = 55-60m

Umm ... none for a while, come on Birmingham need something to do

There you go ;) ...

*Rotunda - Under Renovation - 81m

Oh only 3 towers added today ;)

*2 - 30 storey - 100m residential towers at new street
*1 - 15 storey - office/residential complex at Brindley Place

Been away for 3 weeks and nothing new to add at all? :(
Not even any crappy little 15 storey boxes :(

I'll give you some correcting to do then. ;)

This is a list of all towers in Birmingham over 60m - when a new one comes along it will be placed into its rightful position. Hopefully this will allow newcomers to understand what Birmingham has, getting and wants. :cheers:

*Completed - Black = 33
*Under Construction - Red = 5
*Approved - Blue = 13
*Proposed - Green = 20
*Under Renovation - Purple = 1

Number of Towers 120m or above (The Barrier ;)) = *11
Number of Towers 100m or above= *15
Number of Towers 75m or above = *29
Number of Towers 60m or above = *66


1. Arena Central Tower 187.00 (245m to spire)
2. BT Tower 152.00
3. Tate Tower 130.00+ (170m+ spire)
4. Broad Street Tower 137m
5. Rough Diamond Tower 1 130.00
6. Post and Mail Scheme (Tower 1 Scheme C) 125.00
7. New Street Tower 1 - 125.00
8. New Street Tower 2 - 125.00
9. 10. Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 1 120.00
11. Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 2 120.00
12. Rough Diamond Tower 2 120.00
13. Alpha Tower 100.00
14. Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower 100.00
15. Snowhill Scheme 100.00



Perhaps put a note beside a few of these:

1. Will not be built at 187m; to say so is misleading.
4. 131m/134m spires

9 & 10 are for the same building. And I didn't know two 120m office blocks were underconstruction......

Numbers 7-11 and 15 are pretty much visionary right now, they are long term.

Also I would suggest putting a * next to buildings that have estimated heights.

Perhaps a distinction should be made between realistic proposals and ones that are years and years away. Have a pre planning category. It's just a bit misleading to have something like Broad Street which could start next year in the same category as these 'Paradise Circus' towers, we will all be greying by the time they top out! :runaway:

Good work though, very exhaustive.

hmmm yeah wat is with paradise under construction???

That is a lie. There are no Paradise Circus towers planned anymore.

there is..... even in abstracts masterplan released a few months bac lol

But they can't really be described as 'proposed' yet.

Also, what is happening with the Rough Diamond buildings? Are these realistic?

I reckon Birmingham should seriously consider inventing a new word for the English language which would effectively sum up all its plans of late (some feasible, but most never-a-snowball-in-hell's-chance-of-seeing-the-light-of-day), and that word is, simply.....

'depropose'.

Get it?

But they can't really be described as 'proposed' yet.

Also, what is happening with the Rough Diamond buildings? Are these realistic? Saddly I think it's a sack load of bollocks. I'd love to see these built and to be proved wrong but IMO it's just not going happen. ever.

There is only ONE building 140m+ planned in Birmingham that was approved FOUR YEARS AGO. And look what is happening with it!

If that doesn't sum up the "progress" in this city so far, then what does?

hmmm yeah wat is with paradise under construction???

Opps sorry, when Imoved NST above them Imust of done something with the colours, changed

Caw - 4. as far as Ive been told is actually 137m and I should trust them before anything else.

1. Im not gonna put a random number untill the new masterplan comes out, as far as we all know it was approved at 187m

New Street Towers are visionary until December when the final design is released.

Paradise Cirus - towers will be involved original plans suggested 1000ft towers latest renders show 2 towers at roughly 120m

Rough Diamond again render has been released and has been published in Building magazines aswell as other sources. We shall have to wait until december/january (when the projected development will be released) to know different.

I've changed the some of the proposed to pre-planning

Caw - 4. as far as Ive been told is actually 137m and I should trust them before anything else.

1. Im not gonna put a random number untill the new masterplan comes out, as far as we all know it was approved at 187m

New Street Towers are visionary until December when the final design is released.

Paradise Cirus - towers will be involved original plans suggested 1000ft towers latest renders show 2 towers at roughly 120m

Rough Diamond again render has been released and has been published in Building magazines aswell as other sources. We shall have to wait until december/january (when the projected development will be released) to know different.

Woodhousen sourced 131m and 134m - from the planning application! I would trust these figures.

Fair enough about AC, New Street towers seems a bit of a dubious addition to me though. The Paradise renders showed towers the same height as Alpha Tower.

I'm being picky now but:

''62. Post and Mail Scheme 60.00''

It's 58m so shouldn't make the list, and not under construction yet, most of the old tower is still there!

We shall see, from what I was told it was 137m and I hinted it before the height was ever released saying on many ocasions it was closer to 140m then 130 but either way, its bigger then anything else in Birmingham, slowly but surely we are rising and it seems at this rate 120m is a very loose cap that they are sticking to :)

I'm being picky now but:

''62. Post and Mail Scheme 60.00''

It's 58m so shouldn't make the list, and not under construction yet, most of the old tower is still there!

It is under construction in a way - the original is being demolished, yet is still at full height over 60m, but isnt on the list so you can give or take whatever you wish but thats staying how it is. although 2m shy of 60m ... you really are being picky.

itS ALL suppositiom 00#, mo SKyscraperts plammed yet

Ummm ....

Ok Orion Tower two what is where why, how, and any bloody renders

* City Park Gate tower 1 - 90m+
* City Park Gate tower 2 - 60m
* Warwick Bar Tower - 65m

only 4 under construction, manchester has about 40

why is this though if birmingham is the 2nd city ???

only 4 under construction, manchester has about 40

why is this though if birmingham is the 2nd city ???

40 KEEP DREAMING.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

GN tower and CJC are both lower than Orion

only 4 under construction, manchester has about 40

why is this though if birmingham is the 2nd city ???

Why is it that Birmingham threads are spammed by people from Manchester all the time. If I want to read about Manchester, I'll go in the Manchester forum.

I think the word you were looking for is not "spammed", it is "trolled"

only 4 under construction, manchester has about 40

why is this though if birmingham is the 2nd city ???

a good point well made mate,

40 KEEP DREAMING.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

well, 32...I was shocked at birmingham's amount too, surely there's gotta be more than 4?? someone should go on a scout to try and find more, any way, i'll leave now so no arguments are started.

Less than 32, we are talkin about the City Centre....

And get your lousy stinky Manc-key ass out of here :hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

Pardon?

Towers ain't everything :)

We've got some spanking regeneration projects soon to start which'll benefit us more than any towers could do.

Still... a couple'd be nice :)

Pardon?

:ohno: :ohno:
32 including Salford Quays. Salford Quays is in Gr Manchester not the City of Manchester. In this thread we are talkin about the developments of the City of Birmingham not West Midlands. So every time you sneak in here with some funny statistics you should be more careful. :nono:

OK then, let's not include the quays. If that's what you believe. That brings the total down to 30. :sleepy:

The stats are from this website

www.skyscrapernews.com

Run by woodhousen, caw123 and gothicform

and they are very correct, please carry on with your thread about birmingham.

But please Soul, don't entice me into this thread by contradicting the figures, - these stats ARE correct. Any sane person would agree. As blunther has said -, it aint about towers that much anyway, so what's your big problem? deal with the reality. please :sleepy:

And get your lousy stinky Manc-key ass out of here :hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

how childish.

:hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

/\ funny guy.

Can another brummie slap this guy down please so he doesn't think he's all big and hard? I was just trying to be nice.

I got down the number of Manc developments from 40 to 30 in 10 minutes, I guess with a bit of research I can reveal the real number of developments about 12-15. The Mancunian Propaganda starts to crumble

Can another brummie slap this guy down please so he doesn't think he's all big and hard? I was just trying to be nice.
Now who's behaving childish.... :)

I got down the number of Manc developments from 40 to 30 in 10 minutes, I guess with a bit of research I can reveal the real number of developments about 12-15. The Mancunian Propaganda starts to cramble

How are you doing this? are you bribing the builders with your oh so sweet charm?

:crazy:

Oh god, you are so so so dumb, words cannot describe the lack of intelligence in your brain. You're making a fool out of yourself.

Do you seriously think that there's some massive scam on about how many highrises are u/c in manchester to the extent that we'd make them up??? MY GOD man. You are hilariously brain dead.

Now who's behaving childish.... :)

You?

Soul, I think the general consensus on Manchester is that it includes places like Salford and Trafford, even though they fall under different authorities. Gtr Mcr is comparable to the W Mids though.

Manchester is leading the way in getting taller buildings up - that much is certain, but I think Brum leads in terms of number of talls standing. Either way it doesn't matter a great deal - both cities are doing well, but Mcr is definitely doing better at the moment. And really, we are talking buildings over 60m, which in both cities are not really anything to write home about.

Personally, I would happily sacrifice a skyscraper to ensure we get the proposed New St, Eastside, superhospital sorted. But we don't need to - there's plenty on the cards :)

Apologies KITR - you are welcome here any time :)

Thanks mate :)

Totally agree with your post.

Oh god, you are so so so dumb, words cannot describe the lack of intelligence in your brain. You're making a fool out of yourself.

Do you seriously think that there's some massive scam on about how many highrises are u/c in manchester to the extent that we'd make them up??? MY GOD man. You are hilariously brain dead.

My intelligence is fine mate your lack of humour though is UNBELIEVABLE. I'll give you some lessons.

I got down the number of Manc developments from 40 to 30 in 10 minutes, I guess with a bit of research I can reveal the real number of developments about 12-15. The Mancunian Propaganda starts to crumble JOKE

Can another brummie slap this guy down please so he doesn't think he's all big and hard? I was just trying to be nice. Lack of Humour

Towers over 80m, rumoured, proposed, U/C or approved

Total (In comparison Manchester has 26)
Over 80m = 22
Over 90m = 19
Over 100m = 13(14?)
Over 110m = 9 (11?)
Over 120m = 8
Over 130m = 4
Over 140m = 2
Over 150m+ = 2

Towers

Arena Central Tower 187.00 Approved
BT Tower 152.00 Complete
Broad Street Tower 134.00 Proposed
Rough Diamond Tower 1 130.00 Pre Planning
Holloway Circus Tower 122.00 Under Construction
Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 1 120.00 Pre Planning
Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 2 120.00 Pre Planning
Rough Diamond Tower 2 120.00 Pre Planning
Martineau Galleries Tower 1 110.00 Proposed
New Street Station Tower 1 100.00+ Pre Planning
New Street Station Tower 2 100.00+Pre Planning
Alpha Tower 100.00 Complete
Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower 100.00 Complete
City Park Gate 90.00 (100m+ spire)Pre Planning
Clydesdale Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00 Complete
Cleveland Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00 Complete
The Orion Building 90.00 Under Construction
Fiveways Shopping Centre Redevelopment 90.00 Proposed
Retail Quarter, Park Central 90.00 Approved
The Rotunda 81.00 Complete
New Street Station Tower 3 80.00 Pre Planning
National Westminster House 80.00 Complete

Don't forget the baby tower at MG BC - I suspect it is only 15-20 storeys but that could place it around 70m

Towers over 80m, rumoured, proposed, U/C or approved

Over 80m = 21
Over 90m = 18
Over 100m = 12
Over 110m = 10
Over 120m = 9
Over 130m = 4
Over 140m = 3
Over 150m+ = 3

Towers

Arena Central Tower 187.00 Approved
The Birmingham Pinnacle 175.00 Proposed
BT Tower 152.00 Complete
Broad Street Tower 134.00 Proposed
New Street Station Tower 1 125.00+ Pre Planning
New Street Station Tower 2 125.00+ Pre Planning
Holloway Circus Tower 122.00 Under Construction
Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 1 120.00 Pre Planning
Paradise Circus Redevelopment Tower 2 120.00 Pre Planning
Martineau Galleries Tower 1 110.00 Proposed
Alpha Tower 100.00 Complete
Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower 100.00 Complete
City Park Gate 90.00 (100m+ spire) Proposed
Clydesdale Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00 Complete
Cleveland Tower (The Sentinals) 90.00 Complete
The Orion Building 90.00 Under Construction
Fiveways Shopping Centre Redevelopment 90.00 Proposed
Retail Quarter, Park Central 90.00 Approved
The Rotunda 81.00 Complete
New Street Station Tower 3 80.00 Pre Planning
National Westminster House 80.00 Complete

Hi All, I gave Birmingham '7' in the Skyline vote (principally from UK/European perspective I suppose) because it's improved/still improving, which i'm glad about (being my city of birth & to where i've recently returned). Some of the new proposals are good, but I have some reservations too (soz?). To me, anything taller than our current Telecom (BT) Tower is illogical - which the proposed Arena Central will be, as well as the Eastside tower(s) I understand (although these latter are located lower down in the Rea valley) - of course, i mean taller when when the whole skyline is viewed from a distance vis-a-vis ground to top height of each individual building (is there a technical name for this difference?). I think the 'crown' of the city centre should remain the cluster of satelitte dishes on top of the BT tower (as is such a feature - or often tower with an observation level+aerial - in many other cities). Aesthetically this is the most satisfying type of skyline (& ideologically/philosophically ie. the city communicating with the rest of the world, etc). Of course the 'problem' with Birmingham is that the BT tower is, in fact, relatively small (152m) and is itself located slightly below the city centre ridge. Nevertheless, one can still get a pretty 'grandiose' overall appearance from several well-designed (& carefully located) c.30/40-storey high rises (not skyscrapers alas??). A more radical alternative would be to also replace the 1960s BT Tower with a more contemporary-looking & taller one (& in a more central location) - although I have some affection for the existing one (bizarre huh?). I'm yet to be convinced that the sheer mass/height of Arena Central will complement the city unless other additions (& losses) are undertaken to complement it . . . (er, so what do you think?). . . .

I think the BT Tower will remain a pinnacle of sorts from most vantage points, being as it is so far away from anything. There should hopefully be another similar feature on the other side of the skyline in the form of The Pinnacle (from what you're saying, I'm guessing you haven't seen this project yet? Have a look at the thread if not :)), and with a proper cluster in between, including hopefully an Arena Central of considerable height, I think we'll have a very pleasing to the eye skyline :)

Welcome by the way :wave:

yes, welcome Mercian!

I'm not so sure the BT Tower will be around in 20 years time, so Birmingham shouldn't let that be the deciding factor on the construction of tall buildings. As Birmingham gets more 175+ metre towers, telecoms companies will rent space on the top of these towers, as they do already with Alpha Tower, which will make the BT structure redundant.

Thanks (what a wonderfully active site!). ... I've got this thing about Telecom Towers I suppose (after living in Germany where, as i'm sure you know, virtually all the cities - medium to large - have one as their principal scraper). As such, it'll be sad should ours (modest as it is) eventually go (& not be replaced), but that's progress ... I suppose The Pinnacle (aka "Lollipop" I've heard - oh dear!) might be a replacement of sorts(?).

I like the BT Tower too mate - you ain't alone :)

I think it's a brummie thing. Most people from outside think it's an eyesore, but when you grow up with it and see it poking its little head up above the trees from all over the place, you grow quite fond of it.

If it's ever threatened with demolition we'll form a human chain around the base :)

I can see something like AC being the next BT tower.

We could use the Pinnacle and fry people with microwaves as they go around the rollercoaster.

Well, I think the BT Tower has a certain, er, 'elegance' (... unlike Arena Central! soz!). Maybe a case could be made for listing the Tower (if it isn't already?, precedent set by New Street Signal Box & Rotunda) - although a Grade 2 (as it would no doubt be awarded) doesn't guarantee against demolition, only a preference against it. (But the modest height is a problem ... I know - a revolving restaurant extension, of course! - Actually I've always thought London's looks silly because of that.)

Hi Mercian!

I too would list the BT Tower - I love it and it is probably the most comforting building you see if you have been away from home - it watches over us and allows us to talk to the world :)

They would have a job knocking it down given the proximity of Brindley House (which will soon be occupied) so it should be safe for a while yet.

I also like the way it stands alone on the north side of the city centre - a balance to all the towers existing or planned to the south and west.

Welcome Mercian.