LEEDS - Bridgewater Place (110m) [Archive] - Page 4

Leeds No.1

July 21st, 2006, 01:26 PM

An interesting article about the tower cranes at BWP, with pictures!
leedstoday.net

View to a thrill...
They're the kings of the city. We find out what it's like to operate one of the increasing number of tower cranes on Leeds's skyline
All right, here's the answer to the question you all want to ask: there's an emergency bucket.
If an operator of one of the burgeoning number of tower cranes on the skyline of our city gets caught short, several hundred feet in the air, there is always the bucket of last resort.
But to avoid that, crane operators learn to make a visit to the toilet the very last thing they do before starting the long climb into the sky at the start of a shift. And they learn to have strong bladders.
For crane operator Martin Smales, that climb can take 30 minutes, since he is the operator of the city's tallest crane being used to build the 32-storey Bridgewater Place, a mix of flats and offices on Victoria Road.
It is 118. 5 metres high so that's just about 400 feet of vertical ladder for Martin to climb, with landing stages in between for breathers, until he reaches his cab.
You'll see the cab if you crick your neck and gaze into the sky around the Water Lane area – it's that tiny thing clinging onto the side of the crane, with nothing between it and the hard ground all those hundreds of feet below.
And just in case you're thinking the cab is a little oasis of stillness in the sky, it isn't. It can be swayed by the wind several feet in any direction, and the crane cannot be operated at all in winds above 54mph.
At Bridgewater Place, Martin is never in the air for more than four hours without coming down for a break, but in the past he has been perched in the sky for up to 12 hours at a stretch.
"That does get a bit much, it's a long time to be up there," he said.
Naturally, Martin, who is 35 and comes from Seacroft in Leeds, has no problem with heights – anyone afraid of them would be a bit daft to choose a job as a tower crane operator.
Once up there, Martin says he has plenty of home comforts in his cab: as well as the bucket, there's a kettle for tea making and a radio. And Martin takes a rucksack with him containing his essential supplies of water and sandwiches.
"It can be nice and cosy up there, especially when the weather is bad outside," he said.
Some cabs, he says, have pictures in them too, not always of the family viewing type – there are reputedly a couple of female tower crane operators in the country but by and large this is very much a man's world.
And then of course there is the view out of the window – though Martin stopped noticing that a while ago since he has been working on Bridgewater Place for about 16 months now.
"I had a good look at Leeds the first time I went up, but now I don't really notice, I'm too busy working," he said.
As for his place in the building site hierarchy, Martin says that, sadly, although he is physically the highest, he's just another plant operator as far as the other workers are concerned.
"We're not treated as anything special," he says, though on a good week, working all seven days, he can earn about £800.
His children though are impressed by the job: Paige 11 and Oliver, 10, always look up to see if they can spot their dad whenever they pass the site.
But Martin, who worked as a scaffolder before he retrained, will have his tallest crane title taken away from him when work begins on even higher buildings in the city – one of the two planned Lumiere Towers will be 22 storeys higher than Bridgewater Place.
As the skyline of Leeds rises higher, the region's major crane hiring company, Sheffield based HTC, is putting more of its cranes into the area. Currently, out of a national fleet of 200 cranes, the company has 13 in and around the centre of Leeds.
Steve Rowton, safety manager for HTC, said: "Tower crane operators tend to come to the job after doing something else first, we have one man who used to work in IT for Asda and another who used to be in sales.
"They are actually very safe pieces of equipment and have become part of the city landscape."
But to bring a tower crane onto a construction site is a massive job and George Davis, of Dewsbury, who runs Crane Advisory Services, is the man brought in to tell companies what type and size of crane they will need.
"In a built up area like Leeds City Centre there are all kinds of factors to consider. The crane can't fly over roads and other buildings for safety reasons."
A tower crane will be brought to the site by mobile crane and put together over a weekend.
Most tower cranes are built in Germany and some are so sophisticated that, once in place, they can make themselves taller by inserting sections with a jacking frame.
As for the tallest crane in the country, it was dismantled recently at Beetham tower in Manchester and was 175.5 meters or 575 feet high.

To see more pictures visit: www.photostoday.co.uk
21 July 2006

http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=39&ArticleID=1643662

guffer

July 22nd, 2006, 11:43 AM

he he he i :) .....i know a number of tower crane drivers ,they do not learn to control their bladder for a long shift in the hot box tucked under the jib of their cranes at all.....no no no they simply take a supply of empty bottles with screw caps up with them in the morning...as for the other i just dont know i guess it easier to control when sitting down all day...

guffer

July 22nd, 2006, 11:52 AM

I was wandering around last week up in the resi block....the layout of the appts is well under way and im dissapointed to say they are really tiny.Its a case of cramming too many appts in one space to make big bucks.Apart from that the interiors are coming on well the computer floors are down on most levels as are the walls and ceilings,the fitting of cill boards and skirtings is under way also this is a sign that its coming to an end....so October is looking good to me for completion...i cant foresee any delay.

insider007

July 22nd, 2006, 12:10 PM

October Finish ! Not Likely ! They don't take the hoists down until November ! Holiday season will also reduce the work force by about 25% on any particular day.

You look at the building and it is the old 80/20 rule. They have got 80% of the large runs of floor and walls down which takes 20% of the time to do. The last 20% of the floors and ceilings etc which involves all the tricky cuts and details takes 80% of the time to do.

Closing out and completing this building will have all the pain of an duck giving birth to an elephant !

Leeds No.1

July 22nd, 2006, 12:21 PM

No it really will be finished in October; its a confirmed date; the rate its going at the moment looks like October is right (thats not meant to suggest the rate of construction is slow/fast)

insider007

July 22nd, 2006, 12:30 PM

Thats the date they have approval to release from the board in Sidney.

mark*ie

July 22nd, 2006, 03:12 PM

Thats the date they have approval to release from the board in Sidney.
Have been informed by sales rep on Friday... time for completetion on bridgewater place earliest Jan 2007 latest April 2007.

mark*ie

July 22nd, 2006, 03:39 PM

No it really will be finished in October; its a confirmed date; the rate its going at the moment looks like October is right (thats not meant to suggest the rate of construction is slow/fast)

Have been informed by sales rep on Friday... time for completetion on bridgewater place earliest Jan 2007 latest April 2007.

Leeds No.1

July 22nd, 2006, 05:16 PM

I think that would be for interior. October is for exterior/office interior and exterior (for Eversheds)

jimbo

July 22nd, 2006, 05:39 PM

I think that would be for interior. October is for exterior/office interior and exterior (for Eversheds)

I'm sure we've been told this before, but final completion of all elements inc the apartments is spring next year. The offices / low rise elements look to be ready for October this year.

Eitherway its a stunning addition to the skyline and great to see in the flesh after nearly 5 years of renders.

Subliving

July 23rd, 2006, 11:10 PM

Correct, it is stunning! And the best thing about it? It isn't a glass box!

Subliving.

Fred2

July 23rd, 2006, 11:50 PM

Correct, it is stunning! And the best thing about it? It isn't a glass box!

Subliving.

Yes, even I like it very much - and that's saying something !

Subliving

July 23rd, 2006, 11:55 PM

Yes, even I like it very much - and that's saying something !

Well, from my perspective, and I know I'm not going to be popular for saying this, although glass boxes can be aesthetically pleasing, once you've seen one, you've seen them all. And to be honest, it doesn't matter how many angles, sides, how tall etc, it's not really that difficult to design. It's essentially a bundle of primary shapes, thrown together in slightly varying patterns.

<\rant>

Subliving.

mark*ie

July 25th, 2006, 11:33 AM

Well, from my perspective, and I know I'm not going to be popular for saying this, although glass boxes can be aesthetically pleasing, once you've seen one, you've seen them all. And to be honest, it doesn't matter how many angles, sides, how tall etc, it's not really that difficult to design. It's essentially a bundle of primary shapes, thrown together in slightly varying patterns.

<\rant>

Subliving.

There is no doubt BWP is going to look great when complete, and will do for many years to come... I agree with the "glass box" infact any box for that matter can look pretty much bland and boring, though i think glass can look good with the right angles shape colour, colours and design... just look at criterion place!

Going back to BWP are there plans to illuminate this building at night ? Think it would look great at a certain level(s) stages and or floors!

mark*ie

July 25th, 2006, 12:39 PM

All welcome when it is finally completed..!!!! As long as you bring a bottle or two.... :cheers:

Don't forget to include me I'm on the 14th floor... just a few stops away! :scouserd:

stevehewis

July 25th, 2006, 10:16 PM

All welcome It has been a long time coming... I have heard a bad rumour though and that is that the appartments have been overpriced and could be worth less on completion then myself and other people have purchased them for.. it is very concerning what's peoples views on this..?? Has anyone else heard this rumour and is there other purchasers on this site..??
:bash:

Leeds No.1

July 26th, 2006, 11:48 AM

Yes I've heard that rumour, but I doubt its true- the area is improving. And people who enjoy hi-rise living will enjoy BWP and shouldnt care whether the value decreases or increases!

Fred2

July 26th, 2006, 12:11 PM

Yes I've heard that rumour, but I doubt its true- the area is improving. And people who enjoy hi-rise living will enjoy BWP and shouldnt care whether the value decreases or increases!

Everything depends on the general economic situation and the availability of jobs - and in the specific case of Leeds city centre apartments - the generation of more middle ranking jobs in the legal and financial services which Leeds is supposed to be good at. The signs are not too favourable with unemployment generally rising. The apparent lack of success of Greenbank (and the effect on its proposed tall tower) may be but a straw in the wind.

namsingh

July 26th, 2006, 12:36 PM

With the current trend Leeds is ATTRACTING a lot of interest from abroad and around the UK. It can only increase. I really think the City is going upwards. Look at prices in the surrounding areas. They have increased over 4X and are holding their value. City space is very valuable at the moment. IMO if you get the chance to buy at a good price do it. Worthwhile investment.

namsingh

July 28th, 2006, 11:09 AM

Some fresh pics this morning apart from the first one. Excuse the quality, i'm getting a better phone camera soon!!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/Bwp1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/Bwp2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/Bwp3.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/Bwp4.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/Bwp5.jpg

Leeds No.1

July 28th, 2006, 11:36 AM

Good pics- base nearing completion by the looks of it. And that camera is quite good for a phone!

mark*ie

July 29th, 2006, 04:25 AM

Small crane at BWP to be dismantaled in 2 weeks !
Ask the crane driver ! I did :)

di Livio

July 29th, 2006, 08:45 AM

I love the way BWP draws the eye away from WRH, it looks fantastic from Roundhay Road.

You could just be right about Brum,but the way things are moving I think it still will be Manchester,It already has a tall scraper and they are already testing the foundations at the 60 storey Eastgate site and there is bloody huge hole out for the 40 storey Greengate tower plus the existing towers,I dont think leeds will catch up with this, Even Bridgewater place is only about the same height as CIS. But lets not forget the dark horse of Liverpool,there is a very impressive cluster of midrise towers springing up around the 2 Beethams.

Noticed Leeds forumers don't seem to contribute much to some of the sub-forums, which is a good thing imo.
Not bad for a city that is 'arrogant' and 'over-hyped'

Leeds No.1

July 29th, 2006, 12:30 PM

I think we don't bother so much because we know that Leeds has proposals and constructions to rival any other major city, but 'some other cities' (we all know who) deny it does, so it ends up in city bashing. But as long as we know its ok

mark*ie

July 29th, 2006, 05:13 PM

I love the way BWP draws the eye away from WRH, it looks fantastic from Roundhay Road.

Are there plans to illuminate BWP at night ? Think it would look great at a certain level(s) stages and or floors!

Rob

July 29th, 2006, 06:45 PM

Are there plans to illuminate BWP at night ? Think it would look great at a certain level(s) stages and or floors!

This image from the Bridgewater Place website would suggest it will be.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/pf88899ce078a2715562fa16a4e6da262/edc583a6.jpg

guffer

July 30th, 2006, 07:02 AM

Val Verde

July 30th, 2006, 08:56 PM

namsingh

July 31st, 2006, 09:40 AM

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/BWP6.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/BWP7.jpg

mark*ie

July 31st, 2006, 01:32 PM

This image from the Bridgewater Place website would suggest it will be.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/pf88899ce078a2715562fa16a4e6da262/edc583a6.jpg

Nice photo Rob! Thanks mate... Did notice this at the BWP site, on the panaramic view, just wasn't sure if it was artistic licence or not ?... cool blue very nice!

JOliver

July 31st, 2006, 03:29 PM

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/BWP6.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/naminder/Skyscraper-buildings/BWP7.jpg

No offence mate, but phone pictures do little justice to the beauty of this building.

namsingh

July 31st, 2006, 04:22 PM

I know :( Looks like i'm gonna have to start carrying my Sony digicam with me. I'm gonna stop till i get some class shots.

JOliver

July 31st, 2006, 08:27 PM

Yeah that's what I ended up with, and my Fuji is a large beast.

aviator

July 31st, 2006, 08:52 PM

Looking at this tower in the last couple of days it appears that the main building has in my opinion topped out (unless anyone can prove to me otherwise) and I can also see the general shape of how the tower appears which appears excellent. Has anyone got any current pictures as it is surely bulking out by now?

Think you're right there, mister. Unless my memory is faulty, this is a building of 30 storeys above ground and two (for car parking) below ground. Anyway, here's my offering of a couple of pics taken last Tuesday:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/25%20July%202006/P1010206.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/25%20July%202006/P1010207.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/25%20July%202006/P1010211.jpg

Skychaser 2005

July 31st, 2006, 09:02 PM

Wonder when the spire is going to put on the top of the biulding. That will add another 20 metres or so?

jimbo

July 31st, 2006, 11:08 PM

brilliant stuff aviator, that shot of BWP from outside the Elbow Rooms (Call Lane as it intersects lower Briggate) is superb and shows how domineering the tower is on the skyline from certain locations. As said already, along Roundhay Road, from the M1 approaching the city etc, it really stands out, much more than West Riding House ever seemed to do.

aviator

August 1st, 2006, 03:00 PM

Just spotted a short piece in the last but one Estates Gazette. Ernst and Young are to take 30,000 sq ft at Bridgewater Place. Add that to the 125,000 sq ft taken by Eversheds, and it means that two thirds of the office element has now been let.

mark*ie

August 1st, 2006, 03:15 PM

mark*ie

August 3rd, 2006, 07:56 PM

New Photos BWP...
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP017.jpg

Looking impressive from victoria bridge

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP008.jpg

Two balconies on the east and west side residential.. and in as many weeks!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP012.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP013.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP015.jpg

Skid-Mark

August 3rd, 2006, 08:05 PM

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/25%20July%202006/P1010211.jpg

Great shot there, this'll look great from here at night.

SmartCity

August 3rd, 2006, 11:36 PM

Great pictures everbody. Looking at the night picture Rob posted (taken from the BWP website) the spire looks like it will be equivalent to a further 8 storeys.

mark*ie

August 4th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Great pictures everbody. Looking at the night picture Rob posted (taken from the BWP website) the spire looks like it will be equivalent to a further 8 storeys.

Apparently 137 meters with spire...

Skyscraper news . com

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=734

TopPic

August 4th, 2006, 01:41 PM

well ive been to the top recently and since doing some research i came across these forums so i thought i would share the view from the top floor of BWplace i hope you all enjoy them :)

will post some more at later date

Here (http://img206.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img206/7667/1154691007z0m.smil)

*edit - doesnt seem to work with Firefox browser so use your IE

namsingh

August 4th, 2006, 01:57 PM

Stunning. wow. was thinking about how cp will look from there!!

LegEnd

August 4th, 2006, 05:10 PM

Nice pics, can't wait till those views contain Lumiere and Critieron

Btw the slideshow worked for me, I'm using Firefox 2.

Molly

August 6th, 2006, 05:59 PM

pics from today:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid211/pa33c78e38e79f542a2edf8d71bf90345/eda5aedb.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid211/peec4808109ac98c1fd9b65bc4b4c248c/eda5b748.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid211/pb46966c1abb722ca0c9e476f70f2be4d/eda5af0c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid211/p3ca35119641f087c5993b461f456cccc/eda5b753.jpg

Leeds No.1

August 6th, 2006, 06:21 PM

Ooh there nice pictures- and certainly shows how far its progressed- just to remember it when it was barely a stub of a core!

paulmat

August 6th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Looking good. I went past this a little while ago, and couldn't make up my mind on wheather I liked it of not, but it's gonna look really good once it's finished.

tylerburbank

August 7th, 2006, 09:46 PM

This building is by far the most interesting and dynamic skyscraper to go up in the UK in years! The design itself is both unique and daring, having one sloping side and one curved side. I love it! And I think as Leed's first real highrise building it is perfect, not too tall to be an eyesore and not too short as to be seen as stumpy or insignificant. This building will also stand the test of time and likely open up a doorway to building much taller buildings on Leeds' skyline. It also lacks the 'ouch' factor of something as lavishly tall as Beetham in Manchester, which as Manchester's first major highrise the negative responses are no suprise because of its sheer size. Kudos to the Bridge Water architect!

:banana:

Smoggie_Si

August 7th, 2006, 11:03 PM

Leeds No.1

August 7th, 2006, 11:37 PM

Well no, I know a few people who think similar things. I think it is one of the best towers going up; the Beetham towers are good, but they're all a bit samey; Orion- well we know what people think of that. I think The Gherkin is the only one that is also worthy of the comments made- dynamic and interesting.

Liam

August 9th, 2006, 05:16 PM

Is construction of BWP behind schedule ? According to the website it was supposed to reach floor 20 by last March.

My old man is a director of the UK arm of Skanska, and he told me with delight that in all, BWP is a year behind schedule. He also told me some pretty bad horror stories about Beetham in Manchester, where it's been lucky that no one has died. Why? Well, windows falling out from some of the higher floors could be catogorised as 'dangerous'. Same shenanigans happened on more than one occasion on the much loved 'Gherkin' in London too apparently.....

tylerburbank

August 9th, 2006, 07:55 PM

the Gherkin is ok, but personally I would have built it much higher. That's London for ya I guess.

Rob

August 9th, 2006, 08:11 PM

Kudos to the Bridge Water architect!

:banana:

The architect is the now world renowned Aedas (http://www.aedas.com), although when the project started, it was a local architectural company called Abbey Holford Rowe that were subsequently bought up and taken over by Aedas.

Bachy Soletanche

August 9th, 2006, 09:36 PM

i like this building, tis a nice shape, possibly I could say the cladding on the tower dosn't seem quite as good as the cladding on the lower building, but I'll wait till it's comlete before making final coment. Nice use of the River location, and it'll be intresting to see the spire on it.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0576.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0581.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0583.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0586.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0588.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0604.jpg

Leeds No.1

August 10th, 2006, 01:32 PM

I'd say the other way round actually; the cladding on the office element is not as good as the tower. But oh well each to their own.

tylerburbank

August 10th, 2006, 09:22 PM

Next time I come to Leeds this building will be finished, I think that's well exciting. Oh dear how sad am I? I still think its the most interesting highrise going up in England, and if you think about it, it really is pretty unique and stylish. I think that once this baby is complete it'll win awards.

Leeds_John

August 10th, 2006, 10:28 PM

Nice to see someone from San Fran on this forum, i am a regular to San Fran, its always a pleasure to pop into City Lights book store on Columbus with a nice view of the TransAmerica building upon exiting the store!

I notice from the last photo a sneaky peek of the development going on at City Island, does anyone have any decent detailed renders of what is being whipped up there? Its not been discussed much considering development has started

JOliver

August 10th, 2006, 11:45 PM

I think we can't have enough of BWP

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9418/bwpuu8.jpg

Bachy Soletanche

August 10th, 2006, 11:57 PM

My old man is a director of the UK arm of Skanska, and he told me with delight that in all, BWP is a year behind schedule. He also told me some pretty bad horror stories about Beetham in Manchester, where it's been lucky that no one has died. Why? Well, windows falling out from some of the higher floors could be catogorised as 'dangerous'. Same shenanigans happened on more than one occasion on the much loved 'Gherkin' in London too apparently.....

Beetham Birmingham you mean?

Also, why hasn't this one got a thread in the Rate-a-Scraper bit? Or did I miss it?

jimbo

August 11th, 2006, 12:31 AM

I think we can't have enough of BWP

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9418/bwpuu8.jpg

that is a stunning photo. contrast between the cladding with the blue sky, with the tower now fully bulked out, its an absolute stonker. oh boy, it really has come on so quickly. Can't wait to see it in the flesh again in September.

mark*ie

August 11th, 2006, 12:36 AM

I think we can't have enough of BWP

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9418/bwpuu8.jpg

Just love this shot of BWP!
Nice photo mate

magicrealist

August 11th, 2006, 11:53 AM

the Gherkin is ok, but personally I would have built it much higher. That's London for ya I guess.
It was originally planned to be taller but the local planners asked foster to tone it down a bit. Still, i think the adjective "ok" is a little ironic. It's an astonishing site when you come out of Liverpool Street. Even more so close up. The finest building built in London for a hundred years! Plus, such is it's iconic status it now features in every shot depicting London plus has spawned many imitations around the world.

C'mon, name me a "better" scraper built in the last ten years.

Molly

August 11th, 2006, 12:40 PM

It was originally planned to be taller but the local planners asked foster to tone it down a bit.
..well it is the capital city of the UK after all so we don't want to do anything too impressive do we.

I myself wanted it taller and ideally placed in the midle of Regents park. It would have made a superb stand alone building.

guffer

August 11th, 2006, 08:28 PM

It was originally planned to be taller but the local planners asked foster to tone it down a bit. Still, i think the adjective "ok" is a little ironic. It's an astonishing site when you come out of Liverpool Street. Even more so close up. The finest building built in London for a hundred years! Plus, such is it's iconic status it now features in every shot depicting London plus has spawned many imitations around the world.

C'mon, name me a "better" scraper built in the last ten years.

bwp has far more character than the gurkin.......
any way the carpets are down on level 6 east building and they will be down on level 7 east next week the week after the hoist is coming off the north elevation of the east block...get ready 8 weeks to completion and in move eversheds levels 5,6,7,8......

jimbo

August 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM

bwp has far more character than the gurkin.......
any way the carpets are down on level 6 east building and they will be down on level 7 east next week the week after the hoist is coming off the north elevation of the east block...get ready 8 weeks to completion and in move eversheds levels 5,6,7,8......

oooh, relative aesthetics. I think BWP and 30 St Marys Axe are so individual and unique compared to the glass boxes that have predominated, particularly in Canary Wharf, but which one has more character? Not sure that's possible to answer. BWP, whilst tall, does not dominate a skyline in the same way that the Gherkin does, though it certainly dominates its local environment (nod of flat cap to aviator / mark*ie and JOliver's recent photos). the Gherkin is truely iconic, a real marker of quality and one of the most easily recognised buildings in the UK. BWP...... it won't reached those heights, but puts down a marker for tall towers in Leeds. I expect Lumiere or Criterion Place will become the 'iconic' towers for Leeds when they eventually get off the ground.

Eversheds moving in for October then? Great stuff. Wonder if the atrium will be open to the general public - wouldn't mind a wander through there myself. Expect it to be a spectacular space.

Engels

August 13th, 2006, 07:33 PM

Came up to Leeds for the first time in 4 years yesturday and was really impressed with everything that's gone on since i left. I have a really cool pic of this building i'll post up in the next day or two but driving past it on my way in to the centre (off Jnc 3 M621) really showed it off well and the way the south of the city is developing with both office and residentail developments really giving you that big city feel that i never really got before when i lived there (Leeds Uni alumni).

Well done Leeds a lovely little city doesn't seem to feel so little anymore and i was almost wishing i was back (don't tell anyone on the Brum forum i said that will you)

Gallery North

August 13th, 2006, 10:37 PM

I wanted to show this iconic building from some of the less developed parts of the city. For those old enough to know, a certain Led Zeppelin album cover does a similar thing with skyscraper flats being built in the background and the old buildings being demolished in the foreground. I hope these shots pull this off.

Rebirth

http://www.gallerynorth.co.uk/forum/Rebirth.jpg

From the gas works

http://www.gallerynorth.co.uk/forum/From the gas works.jpg

Stairway To Heaven

http://www.gallerynorth.co.uk/forum/Stairway to Heaven.jpg

www.gallerynorth.co.uk

TopPic

August 14th, 2006, 12:22 PM

nice pics there gallery

larven

August 14th, 2006, 02:03 PM

BWP's big brother in Dubai. This ones over 300m so quite a big taller than our baby but couldn't help noticing a similarity between them.

http://i8.tinypic.com/24l3ey1.jpg

aviator

August 16th, 2006, 03:49 PM

The latest news is that the curtain glazing is starting to go up on the entrance facade. That fact and today's good weather made me want to kick myself that I hadn't brought my camera with me. :bash:

di Livio

August 16th, 2006, 07:58 PM

I've just wasted 20 seconds of my life putting this webcam pic on here. BWP dazzling in the afternoon sun.

http://bridgewaterlive.aql.com/bridgewater.jpg

Did anyone else notice Man Utd were beaten on penalties by the Kaizer Chiefs in pre-season?

JOliver

August 16th, 2006, 08:17 PM

Did anyone else notice Man Utd were beaten on penalties by the Kaizer Chiefs in pre-season?

Did they play 5-a-side then, or MU struggled even 11 v 5?

jimbo

August 16th, 2006, 10:01 PM

BWP's big brother in Dubai. This ones over 300m so quite a big taller than our baby but couldn't help noticing a similarity between them.

http://i8.tinypic.com/24l3ey1.jpg

thanks larven - that really is uncanny. Is it designed by Aedas as well? If not, well, it looks stonkingly familiar doesn't it, although the blue glass looks much more bling. Which is rather appropriate for Dubai I suppose.

J.A.W

August 17th, 2006, 03:43 PM

That Dubai tower's a bloody horrible monstrosity- I dont have great credit for BWP either im afraid - Leeds needs a great piece of modern architecture to balance i'ts impressive victoriana, and BWP could have been a real opportunity but it looks a little botched, cheap and thoroughly ungainly, I cant deny however that it's size is pretty imposing when coming into Leeds train station. Its materials look like a suburban business park rather than The icon of Modern leeds which it should be.

Engels

August 17th, 2006, 05:55 PM

As promised a nice pic of BWP from an odd angle (somewhere south of the river) that i took on last weekends visit to Leeds

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/chris_engels/latejuly2006076.jpg

Talisker

August 17th, 2006, 10:25 PM

16th august:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/xapbpoh/BWP1.jpg

magicrealist

August 18th, 2006, 12:43 PM

As promised a nice pic of BWP from an odd angle (somewhere south of the river) that i took on last weekends visit to Leeds

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/chris_engels/latejuly2006076.jpg
See that first balcony (juliette apparently...) that's mine that is! 'tis called dock street and it used to be, literally a dock. the road was a waterway!

i like the fact that when SSC forumers visit other cities they wander round taking pics and post them on here. way cool! well done mr engels. btw, who's the chick?

oootle

August 18th, 2006, 01:11 PM

16th august:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/xapbpoh/BWP1.jpg

this really is an amazing picture, looks almost unreal!

aviator

August 18th, 2006, 01:23 PM

As promised a nice pic of BWP from an odd angle (somewhere south of the river) that i took on last weekends visit to Leeds

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/chris_engels/latejuly2006076.jpg

I love this view of the tower; the contrast between the higgledy piggledy Dock Street and BWP's clean lines.

By the way, crane number 2 is being taken down as we speak.

Fred2

August 18th, 2006, 03:12 PM

'tis called dock street and it used to be, literally a dock. the road was a waterway!

That's news to me. I have never seen that on any old map of the area.

di Livio

August 18th, 2006, 03:37 PM

Not a waterway as such, but there is a small strecth of water next to it, where the fountains are. Kinda reminds me of the Shambles in York.

http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/33/2004225_35931033.jpg

1964. Dock Street looking West in the direction of Bridge End. This narrow street was at one time a hive of activity. On the right are Aire and Calder Navigation buildings where goods were loaded from carts onto barges and vice-versa via loading dock platforms. On the left are Georgian properties which once belonged to early wool cloth merchants. A sign on the first floor of number 32 indicates the premises of Peel's Printing Press. This area no longer looks run-down and dingy as in this image from the 1960s. Leeds Waterfront has been rejuvenated with a mix of new and old. Old buildings have been renovated with the emphasis on conservation and preservation. There are smart riverside and loft apartments for city living and a variety of shops, hotels restaurants and bars.

Nearby...

http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/13/3013.jpg

magicrealist

August 18th, 2006, 04:56 PM

That's news to me. I have never seen that on any old map of the area.
Hmm, you might be right (said) fred.

The reason I believe it to be true is that in my place there is a great big roman numeral 2 made of sandstone that i was told used to house a crane. the crane overhung the waterway (actually, the entrance to the car park bit on the left) in order to lift stuff off barges. Or so the story goes...

Fred2

August 18th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Hmm, you might be right (said) fred.

The reason I believe it to be true is that in my place there is a great big roman numeral 2 made of sandstone that i was told used to house a crane. the crane overhung the waterway (actually, the entrance to the car park bit on the left) in order to lift stuff off barges. Or so the story goes...

Dock Street itself was never a waterway. The Georgian terrace houses on the south side (probably some 200 years old) could hardly have been built directly on water ! However, there was the Aire and Calder Dock parallel to the street and the river, with its entrance at its eastern end, on the site of which are now apartments. The Dock first appears on a map dating from 1831 (but not on an earlier one of 1815). Incidentally, Clarence Dock first appears on the first Ordnance Survey map of Leeds in 1847 as the New Dock. It was also later called the Leeds Dock. I think it was actually opened in 1840.

Gallery North

August 18th, 2006, 07:23 PM

For those interested in the chic. I've redone the photograph.

http://www.gallerynorth.co.uk/forum/chic.jpg

Skid-Mark

August 18th, 2006, 10:09 PM

bwp has far more character than the gurkin.......

:hahaha:
Don't agree with that i'm affraid, The Gherkin at time of construction was ground-breaking on many levels, including the rotating floor plans (each floor is something like 5 degree further clockwise than the previous) thus it was rightly awarded with many accolades, including "Best new skyscraper" in the world category.

Bwp is a great building and could well be the catalyst for the leeds construction boom (indeed i hope it is), but i think it's a little over stated to say it has more character than 30 St. Mary Axe.

rabbits field

August 19th, 2006, 11:16 AM

Its materials look like a suburban business park rather than The icon of Modern leeds which it should be.
It doesn't help that its built on the edge of what looks like a suburban business park either. :D

oscar9

August 19th, 2006, 05:03 PM

I don't like the slanted side of this tower,I think it would have looked more elegant if the slant was not there and more storeys added to make up for lost floorspace. A 140m tower with two curved sides would have looked great. I still think this is an impressive building though.

J.A.W

August 19th, 2006, 11:57 PM

aviator

August 20th, 2006, 12:06 AM

its pale whity or silver colours i dont like, cosmetic cladding - I personally would prefer concrete - something solid, but i can feel many cringes upon that thought, or those dark, bleuy grey bricks you get - that i feel would make it so much swisher, confident and harmonious to my eyes. But ive been attacked for criticising BWP on another thread, so the builders must have known better.

I don't quite understand what you're trying to say. I can see you don't like "cosmetic cladding". So, why do you bring in blue/grey bricks? If the architects had used those, they would have been as much a cosmetic cladding as what you decry now, wouldn't they?

Leeds No.1

August 20th, 2006, 12:29 AM

All cladding is cosmetic- thats the point in cladding. If it wasnt cosmetic, they wouldn't bother with it and just have exposed brick like there is on part of the Plaza.

J.A.W

August 20th, 2006, 01:09 AM

cosmetic was a ridiculous word to use - im looking for a word like flimsy, but not so derogatory, basically i like solid and bricks and concrete are solid. This cladding reminds me of something though...im going to go sleep on it...........

:sleepy:

leeds-rich

August 20th, 2006, 11:49 AM

As LeedsNo1 said on the Official Leeds Thread shouln't this be Bridgewater Place thread 2 by now seen as we are well over 500 posts?

di Livio

August 20th, 2006, 01:58 PM

Bully-off for the new thread.

http://static.flickr.com/96/217711015_4234064622_b.jpg

Leeds No.1

August 20th, 2006, 02:39 PM

wow thats a really good photo!

Leeds_John

August 20th, 2006, 03:16 PM

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9418/bwpuu8.jpg

From JOliver

di Livio

August 20th, 2006, 04:52 PM

wow thats a really good photo!

I have to confess it isn't mine. I liked these two better, but couldn't get them on here as they're both gif. files.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38272308@N00/211132964/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38272308@N00/211132961/in/photostream/

I think the slope at the back gives the structure a much more dynamic feel than you would get with just a straight edged tower.

Leeds No.1

August 20th, 2006, 06:45 PM

oootle

August 20th, 2006, 07:42 PM

Yes I think the same; and the way the podium is at an angle to the tower works well too. Looks a bit typical 1970s office block though, but it kinda works with the glass and the tower so its not as bad.

I like both of those on flickr but the way it is reflecting the cloud makes it look a bit dirty; even though it isnt. Both images make it appear taller I think.

The tower itself doesn't much, but a see a bit of a similarily on the lower areas behind the tower. That sort of style is slowly coming back into fashion now anyway.

Leeds No.1

August 20th, 2006, 08:14 PM

No I wasn't referring to the tower either; I meant only the podium looked a bit like a 70s style office block. Bit sterile but its ok. If it was just that podium and no tower though; just as an office block, I wouldn't be very pleased. But its not! So its ok :)

jimbo

August 20th, 2006, 08:20 PM

As LeedsNo1 said on the Official Leeds Thread shouln't this be Bridgewater Place thread 2 by now seen as we are well over 500 posts?

if you look at the London Project and Construction thread, or any of the main skyscrapercity forums, Jan the admin person announced that the site bandwidth had been enhanced and that the standard thread size can now be 1,000 posts. Don't actually need a new BWP thread, but hey ho, we've got one already. To be fair construction completion would probably have corresponded with 1,000 posts of the main thread. Not to worry.

Skid-Mark

August 20th, 2006, 09:29 PM

The narrow band windows on this tower give it an resemblence to the HSBC tower in canary wharf.

J.A.W

August 21st, 2006, 05:00 PM

yes - ithink HSBC looks nicer cos cadding flush, but dont know if that would work well on bridgewater. The podium is so bad as to be almost a disgrace - at least the tower itself is a little sleeker.
I also think that the slope on one side adds a bit of dynamism to its shape , but I think the other being vertical is right and proper

aviator

August 22nd, 2006, 10:29 AM

....The podium is so bad as to be almost a disgrace - at least the tower itself is a little sleeker......

When you talk about the podium, are you referring to the 8/9 storey office element? I'm biased because I like the whole building but what is it you don't like about the lower storeys?

Mark1511

August 22nd, 2006, 04:38 PM

The two storey 'villa' style offices are looking increasingly out of place in their newer, taller surroundings.

J.A.W

August 22nd, 2006, 05:26 PM

the podium isnt nice to me because it has little satisfying shape, it uses an american 80's looking glas, and strip windows - nowadays on large developments, quality designers should be trying to look at new and interesting ways of doing what no brain strips of glass does. This could have been built 20 or more years ago so does little in the way of satisfying me.

stevehewis

August 22nd, 2006, 06:15 PM

all some people can do is moan and find faults with things, BWP is an excellent building which will look outstanding when completed. Can we start giving positive posts on here. JAW if it does not satisfy you why do you bother reading the forum, or are you just jealous that Bradford will never get such a building..!!!

This is a good forum on BWP and lets start some positive quotes.. I can not wait for completion then I can move in into my swanky appartment..!!!

Leeds_John

August 22nd, 2006, 06:32 PM

BWP is a swell development but JAW and others are entitled to constructive criticism (or just palin lambasting if they feel it is justified)... BWP could have been better (particularly is certain aspects of the podium, though the atrium will rock) and it is important to air both positive and negative opinions about such major developments on this forum

Skid-Mark

August 22nd, 2006, 07:45 PM

^^ It's also a major step forward in high rise construction for leeds.

di Livio

August 22nd, 2006, 09:25 PM

My only complaint would be the cladding on the tower doesn;t look like this...

http://www.explore-london.co.uk/lloyd2.jpg

...yet it's far from being the worst I've seen.

Leeds No.1

August 22nd, 2006, 11:36 PM

Yeh I'd agree with that; its still good cladding though. Maybe that perfect style of cladding on the Lloyds building could be used on another building in Leeds. A city house reclad using those materials maybe? Interesting to say the least!

J.A.W

August 23rd, 2006, 01:20 PM

Ive just been to leeds and saw BWP in the flesh - I have no more complaints to make
I will visit any building before i complain (on material aspects that is) next time.

J.A.W

August 23rd, 2006, 01:22 PM

the atrium will rock
Yes - i only noticed that this morning - none of the photos ive seen seem to show that well

CharlieP

August 23rd, 2006, 02:17 PM

BWP is a swell development but JAW and others are entitled to constructive criticism (or just palin lambasting if they feel it is justified)...

Pole to Pole was complete shit, that stutter in A Fish Called Wanda was really badly acted, and the rest of the Monty Python team were far funnier...

di Livio

August 23rd, 2006, 04:12 PM

Pole to Pole was complete shit, that stutter in A Fish Called Wanda was really badly acted, and the rest of the Monty Python team were far funnier...

Around the World in 80 Days was pretty good though. I also don't agree with your assessment of his contribution to Python. The Spanish Inquisition, Scott of the Sahara, and DOCTUR! DOCTUR! would be nothing without him.

http://www.current.org/prog/prog0523lumberjacks.jpg

CleanAir

August 23rd, 2006, 06:44 PM

mark*ie

August 23rd, 2006, 07:06 PM

In my opinion there is far too much of this palin lambasting. Palins everywhere are constantly faced with this kind of prejudice. Why can't you just leave them alone to lead their own lives? They do no harm and most of them are very hard working.
Besides which the spanish inquisition was my favourite sketch!

Come on now everyone lets be serious.. please NO MORE spam,spam,spam,
spam,spam,spam,spam,spam,spam,
spam,spam,spam,spam,spam,spam,
spam,spam,spam,... SPAM ! Nudge, nudge wink wink,Thank you..

mark*ie

August 28th, 2006, 08:36 PM

More recent phots...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP2005.jpg

Yes that's right ! There is aquatic life as we know it in the River Aire.., Steve Hewis do you like fishing ?

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/markie_h/BWP2018.jpg

skyfitsboy

August 28th, 2006, 09:18 PM

Here's couple taken this afternoon, very windy down there today!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/b977e46c.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/fdda365f.jpg

Leeds_John

August 28th, 2006, 09:33 PM

OOOOO its begining to look pretty sexy now, does anyone know when the commercial units inside the atrium will start to open?

mark*ie

August 28th, 2006, 09:42 PM

OOOOO its begining to look pretty sexy now, does anyone know when the commercial units inside the atrium will start to open?

All i do know is that Eversheds the solicitors are moving in this October, so should expect to see the retail commercial side of things shortly after earliest November latest Jan next year....

Even Flow

August 28th, 2006, 10:40 PM

Seems like BWP was the place to be this weekend.
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2797/bwpfri2ph7.jpg

di Livio

August 29th, 2006, 02:31 PM

It's old, but i quite like this one.

http://static.flickr.com/59/212448971_1e2f544937_b.jpg

daveylad2

August 31st, 2006, 03:15 PM

From Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/)
http://static.flickr.com/78/229932934_07fdb48c08_b.jpg

Electric_City

August 31st, 2006, 07:51 PM

Article in today's Yorkshire Post business supplement about BWP, including photos taken from the top of the building. According to the main article "Now visitors can take the elevator to the very top of the 105-metre structure, Yorkshire's tallest building".

Front page introduction at:
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1299&ArticleID=1731981

Main article at:
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1299&ArticleID=1732246

jimbo

August 31st, 2006, 08:34 PM

From Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/)
http://static.flickr.com/78/229932934_07fdb48c08_b.jpg

momma, fantastic perspective there. not seen BWP from that angle before (presume taken from within Marshall Mills). Great to see it at full height.

Reminds me vaguely of a ships prow - the curved front looks something like Sir James Stirling's No.1 Poultry 5 mins walk from my desk. Well something like that anyway. Perhaps its just me :)

No.1 Poultry (http://www.londonarchitecture.co.uk/Building/740/1_Poultry.php)

Val Verde

August 31st, 2006, 09:22 PM

Looking good now is Bridgewater Place and nice pictures. Just a question is how come in the last couple of weeks has some of the windows been covered in plywood. Is there a specific reason for this as it looks rather unattractive and could even give the wrong impression to visitors that this building appears derelict which its clearly not.

Orgoglioso

August 31st, 2006, 09:37 PM

thats because some of the windows have been damaged from the rainfall because the roof is still not finished and water is leaking through. The lower floors are being furbished but are being ruined by the water deleying the project.

yayight

August 31st, 2006, 11:02 PM

This might be a stupid question but what are those yellow metal containers what hang over the edge near the top. Are they skips?

di Livio

September 1st, 2006, 12:11 PM

Perhaps its just me :)

No, I've thought the same, the slope at the back seems to give it some forward thrust. i'd not, however, made the connection with the nautical-looking no.1 Poultry, one of Prince Charles's 'monstrous carbuncles'.

In his A vision of Britain : a personal view of architecture from the 1980s, he has a pop at the proposed Headrow Centre for being a soulless new shopping mall. Weird really, given that it has that toy-town pastiche look he seems to favour.

tays825

September 1st, 2006, 05:04 PM

The yellow containers are known as Xena (Preston)Platforms and are used to enable the contractor to drop loads into intermediate floors using the tower crane.

I.e. the load is dropped into the platform from above and then slid into the building using pallet trucks.

The platforms are moved around by the tower crane and are wedged inbetween floors prior to loading.

mark*ie

September 2nd, 2006, 05:17 AM

Rob

September 3rd, 2006, 12:40 PM

Quite a commonly used method, we've used similar simple assemblies called 'ballasted platforms' which is simply steel channels sticking out with a steel 'tub' full of weights on the other end to stop it tipping up.

Even Flow

September 3rd, 2006, 04:29 PM

Bwp Today.

Rear of Atrium
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/299/bwpatriumck8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1150/bwpvrhb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Even Flow

September 3rd, 2006, 07:56 PM

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9443/bwpnearhz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5983/bwpfarce3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/5695/bwpfar2px0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

jimbo

September 3rd, 2006, 08:47 PM

top notch photos evenflow. The main office section with its straight edges is clean and to be fair a little uninspiring, but the cladding does look marvellous. Hopefully it won't age or discolour too badly. Walking through the atrium will be superb. Eager to see what the sloping backside of the tower will look like - its really the only bit I can't make head or tail of at the moment.

Jebus

September 4th, 2006, 12:33 AM

Nice pics Even Flow. Here's a few of my own

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP1.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP3.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP4.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP5.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP6.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP7.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP8.jpg

daveylad2

September 4th, 2006, 12:58 AM

Jebus I thought you had forsaken us. Good to see you back with some nice pictures of BWP.

di Livio

September 4th, 2006, 10:13 AM

A reminder of what the back should look like.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/citylife/images/construction_bridgewater_270.jpg

Subliving

September 5th, 2006, 11:23 AM

I hope you guys are going to keep posting photos of the construction process, as when I move to London for uni, I'm no longer going to be able to have my daily walk-past of BWP. Y'all take really good photos of the progress made, thumbs up!

Subliving.

namsingh

September 8th, 2006, 08:53 PM

Don't know why but the other day I drove past and I swear it looks like a GIANT TRANSFORMER, we should nick name it MEGATRON or something!!! From the top sloped side.

Skid-Mark

September 9th, 2006, 09:34 AM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP3.jpg

Great photo there mate. :scouserd:

Chogmook

September 9th, 2006, 11:59 AM

http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/5695/bwpfar2px0.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5983/bwpfarce3.jpg

And people said Beetham Manchester looked out of place!!!!!!!! :)

jimbo

September 9th, 2006, 12:43 PM

well from that angle, it does look sort of imposing, but only in the context of the lowrise, ex-industrial buildings that are in the foreground. Many of the other photos on this thread (Jebus, EvenFlow etc) show it from other sightlines in the city, and it fits rather well. The location you've taken those photos from is the still rather derelict Globe Road which has a plethora of proposals submitted (not least Globe Road / GreenBank which is sited about 200m behind you when you took those photos). I think the 1st new major tower in a city centre can look rather lonesome, and people have got used to the existing skyline which hasn't changed significantly in the past 20 years - when Lumiere and Criterion start to appear BWP will look much less lonely.

Fred2

September 9th, 2006, 10:19 PM

There's a stunning view of BWP and Leeds city centre buildings (yesterday in glorious sunshine) from Horsforth five miles away.

LeedsLad

September 10th, 2006, 12:57 PM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2001-09-06/BWP8.jpg
Love your pics Jebus! It's like a little puzzle trying to spot your tags too! You seemed to disappear for a while...
Anyway love this pic - it kind of sums up Leeds for me - aspiring modern business city (BWP), grand history and charming old buildings (CornX), set in lovely green surroundings (green space)...

Rob

September 10th, 2006, 07:15 PM

This one was taken from Horsforth earlier this year (from my house), I will need to wait until autumn before updating the photo as the view is partially blocked by the leaf filled branch of a tree at the moment.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid204/pc971a0f98372bc6d29aa3a622d41ced0/ef4e3afc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid204/p1ac563f36e14cf856e3bc426ad74d845/ef4e281f.jpg

Even Flow

September 15th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Went to take some more photos of this today, only to find I'd forgotten to put the batteries back in my camera after taking them out to use in my walkman. :bash: :bash:

So, in my best descriptive tone...........
They've removed the small hoist from the front of the office section, so they can glaze the hole thats been left.
The office section looks very far on now, all the lights were on inside and you could see them hammering things etc, the roofs all look finished as well.
They're adding little touches to the exterior of the office section like plastic panelling etc to cover up wiring and things.

The cladding on the far side of the tower as you look from the webcam is flying along, they've almost clad all the lift shaft now and are continuing with the balconies.

Lots going on landscaping wise as well with the entrance to the underground car park and paths etc being layed out. :)

Fred2

September 15th, 2006, 03:36 PM

Orgoglioso

September 15th, 2006, 06:19 PM

found this in the YEP

Weather to blame for skyscraper delay

Work on the Bridgewater Place skyscraper in Leeds is running months behind schedule – and Britain's miserable weather is to blame.

Bridgewater Place under construction
The finishing touches were originally due to be applied to the 32-storey development's basic structure by the end of last month.
Now, though, the completion date for Yorkshire's tallest building has been pushed back to November.
The delay has been partly caused by a concrete sub-contractor going out of business.
But a spokeswoman for joint developers Landmark Development Projects and St James Securities today revealed that Mother Nature must also share some of the responsibility.
She said bad weather had hampered the construction work, with wind and rain making it difficult to use the giant cranes needed for a scheme of this size.
The setback means law firm Eversheds – which is leasing 121,000 sq ft of office space over four floors of the building – will not be moving in until Easter next year.
It had hoped to be trading from its new home by Christmas.
The spokeswoman for Landmark and St James today insisted the £140m project was still running smoothly.
Happy
She said Eversheds and other confirmed occupiers like sandwich retailer Philpotts were happy with the progress that was being made.
The spokeswoman also stressed that the fit-out of the skyscraper's 200 apartments had begun on time in August - but declined to comment when asked if the other hold-ups had pushed Bridgewater Place over budget.
She did say, though, that the main contractor on the project, Bovis Lend Lease (BLL), could be penalised under the terms of its deal with the developers.
BLL would certainly appear to be bracing itself for some kind of financial 'hit' – earlier this year it emerged the firm had put aside millions of pounds to cover the expected fall-out from the project.
Bridgewater Place stands at the corner of Water Lane and Victoria Road, a few minutes' walk from Leeds City Station.
It is one of a number of high-rise building schemes which are set to change the face of the Leeds skyline over the next few years.
Other projects in the pipeline include businesswoman Jan Fletcher's City One development in Holbeck and Sovereign Street's so-called "kissing towers".
The tallest of them all, however, promises to be the 54-storey glass skyscraper which would form part of the Lumiere complex planned for Wellington Street.

Looks like there's still hope for city 1 and criterion place then!

Alphie

September 15th, 2006, 07:11 PM

I think the YEP probably has less of a clue than we do tbh

Rob

September 15th, 2006, 07:50 PM

Lovely photos there Bob. Did you use a powerful telephoto lens (it must be a good five miles away as the crow flies) ?

Thanks Fred. It was with a cheap-ish digital camera placed in front of one lense of a pair of old binoculars .. it worked a treat.

Leeds No.1

September 22nd, 2006, 08:22 AM

Lets get this forum going again! I saw BWP on saturday, at night- well 0630 coz I got a train to London. Looked rather good-I hope they light it vibrantly- the construction lights can be seen clearly against the more dim lights of other buildings during the night. BWP was one of the few buildings I could actually see coming back at about 2300.

mistertee

September 22nd, 2006, 03:27 PM

I've seen BWP lit up from Cookridge. Near Est Est Est at the top of Spen Lane you can briefly see it through the trees.

I've also seen it from a small road that leads to New Road Side, Horsforth, near Tesco. Although to be fair, you've always been able to make out the blue light at the top of WRH from there too.

guffer

September 24th, 2006, 05:16 PM

Word has it Eversheds will not be moving in until easter 2007
the contractor fitting the windows has had their contract terminated,but completion for 5,6,7,8 eversheds levels will be 06/10/2006. GOODLUCK bovis LL

mark*ie

September 24th, 2006, 11:07 PM

aviator

September 25th, 2006, 01:13 PM

Some random shots I mean to post a week ago before the Skyscraper City gremlins struck.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20Sept%202006/P1010205-1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20Sept%202006/P1010208.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20Sept%202006/P1010212.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20Sept%202006/P1010213.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20Sept%202006/P1010214.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/15%20Sept%202006/P1010218.jpg

mistertee

September 25th, 2006, 02:29 PM

Leeds No.1

September 25th, 2006, 05:40 PM

guffer

September 25th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Thanks for the info, guffer... So how come has the contractor, lost the contract ?

missing targets, holding up other contractors apparently,also eversheds are sueing BLL for £17,500,000 yes thats in millions.....for the lengthy delays..

Gallery North

September 25th, 2006, 08:12 PM

Those are very good pictures; they actually makes the tower look quite tall and quite high quality (not saying other pictures and in real life it looks awful)! But those pictures would certainly sell the tower to me.

Someone described the back of the tower as 'The Stairway To Heaven'. I thought that was quite good!

Yes that was one of mine. Although the description came about as a result of the stairway in the foreground rather than a direct description of the back of the building itself. Although, looking at it again, I can see the stairway effect of the back of the tower.

Stairway to Heaven
http://www.gallerynorth.co.uk/forum/Stairway to Heaven.jpg

Leeds No.1

September 25th, 2006, 08:26 PM

Oh lol- you shouldnt have said that! I thought it was really clever and artistic that name! When it was regarding BWP, rather than an actual stairway though!

oscar9

September 25th, 2006, 08:37 PM

Excellent snaps all-round today Aviator!

I'm sure you could take several shots of BWP from different angles and convince people that they were shots of a different building. Slim curvy tower, big sloping beast, I don't know how to describe the back.
The back spoils it in my opinion,what were they thinking? because the curved side looks quite effective, if a bit bussiness park like. The back looks like a set of ladders. The tower would look so much better with two curved sides and a bit more height.

Leeds No.1

September 25th, 2006, 08:47 PM

I really like the back. It allows balconies to be incorporated, without changing the design; ie it would reall work having a curved tower with balconies stuck off the side. Its better to have them built in as so.

Gallery North

September 25th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Oh lol- you shouldnt have said that! I thought it was really clever and artistic that name! When it was regarding BWP, rather than an actual stairway though!

Illusion shattered then No 1.

The picture was one of three which I was using to draw a parallel with a certain Led Zeppelin album cover which had old buildings being demolished in the fore ground whilst skyscrapers were being built in the background. The track Stairway to Heaven was on that album so there is a bit of an artistic twist.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=235619&page=43&pp=20

www.gallerynorth.co.uk

Leeds_John

September 26th, 2006, 04:43 PM

http://bridgewaterlive.aql.com/bridgewater.jpg

di Livio

October 3rd, 2006, 09:49 AM

BBC Message 1 - posted by formerleodian, Jul 20, 2006

I was born in Leeds, but have recently moved to another county, the reason...well Leeds is being sold out to the yuppy brigade. How many normal Leeds people can afford to live there? ...

...and the biggest eyesore in Leeds is Bridgewater place it is like a massive white elephant in the middle of the city i have been watching its creation on the bbc webcam and it isn't the type of thing for Leeds...

...When i moved from Leeds this year after 37 years there i didn't have one regret because slowly and slowly Leeds folk are being squeezed out of their city for the affluent society, Leeds is a working class city not a hooray henry southern city, many leeds folk don't want fancy apartments and posh shops. Clr carter and Leeds city council LOOK after the LEEDS folk that vote for you not the posh weekenders.

http://static.flickr.com/86/237214584_4a9f43e04e_o.jpg

Liam

October 3rd, 2006, 11:36 AM

BBC Message 1 - posted by formerleodian, Jul 20, 2006

I was born in Leeds, but have recently moved to another county, the reason...well Leeds is being sold out to the yuppy brigade. How many normal Leeds people can afford to live there? ...

...and the biggest eyesore in Leeds is Bridgewater place it is like a massive white elephant in the middle of the city i have been watching its creation on the bbc webcam and it isn't the type of thing for Leeds...

"...When i moved from Leeds this year after 37 years there i didn't have one regret because slowly and slowly Leeds folk are being squeezed out of their city for the affluent society, Leeds is a working class city not a hooray henry southern city, many leeds folk don't want fancy apartments and posh shops. Clr carter and Leeds city council LOOK after the LEEDS folk that vote for you not the posh weekenders".

Yes, development, regeneration and improvements are a terrible, terrible thing.

CharlieP

October 3rd, 2006, 12:03 PM

"...When i moved from Leeds this year after 37 years there i didn't have one regret because slowly and slowly Leeds folk are being squeezed out of their city for the affluent society, Leeds is a working class city not a hooray henry southern city, many leeds folk don't want fancy apartments and posh shops. Clr carter and Leeds city council LOOK after the LEEDS folk that vote for you not the posh weekenders".

:dunno:

SimCity4

October 3rd, 2006, 12:31 PM

BBC Message 1 - posted by formerleodian, Jul 20, 2006

I was born in Leeds, but have recently moved to another county, the reason...well Leeds is being sold out to the yuppy brigade. How many normal Leeds people can afford to live there? ...

...and the biggest eyesore in Leeds is Bridgewater place it is like a massive white elephant in the middle of the city i have been watching its creation on the bbc webcam and it isn't the type of thing for Leeds...

"...When i moved from Leeds this year after 37 years there i didn't have one regret because slowly and slowly Leeds folk are being squeezed out of their city for the affluent society, Leeds is a working class city not a hooray henry southern city, many leeds folk don't want fancy apartments and posh shops. Clr carter and Leeds city council LOOK after the LEEDS folk that vote for you not the posh weekenders".

Yes, development, regeneration and improvements are a terrible, terrible thing.
You must be very old fashiond to think that regeneration and improvements are a terrible thing and wheres your proof becouse i dont see Leeds Folk being squeezed out Ive Lived in Leeds all my Life

Leeds_John

October 3rd, 2006, 12:39 PM

Would he prefer the housing stock in Leeds to remain fixed with no development in the face of increasing demend to live in Leeds leading to house prices rising even further than what they are? not very friendly to the poor folks of Leeds like myself!

Liam

October 3rd, 2006, 04:45 PM

I didn't write it!

There was just a SLIGHT element of sarcasm in my post, which quotes an earlier one. The only thing I wrote was that improvement was a terrible, terrible thing. Which of course is bollocks.

Leeds No.1

October 3rd, 2006, 05:30 PM

Leeds as a working class city? Well. I mean to an extent yes, but its not like its always been a grim northern city full of working class people- the northern suburbs have always been high class. And while there are lots of upper class shops now, its not like its lost the cheaper shops- theres still the markets, £1 shops, £stretcher; Merrion Centre type things...

Leeds No.1

October 4th, 2006, 08:39 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/webcams/bridgewater_place_webcam.shtml

The webcam shows the lower office element lit up as an actual building with the lights, rather than the building site lights and showing it as a building site- so is it ready for occupation now?

Subliving

October 5th, 2006, 06:53 PM

Smoggie_Si

October 5th, 2006, 11:14 PM

Well, I've now been away from Leeds for close to a month, and I've just got the internet back. (Oh the unbelievable pleasure of checking emails!!!)

What the heck is happening at Bridgewater Place. From what I can see ont he webcam, the answer to my question would be answered by the word, "Nothing." Is this the case? Please tell me otherwise! I would hate work on this project to have halted. It would be disasterous for Leeds, the first true skyscraper to be built there to be left uncompleted for months when it's so close!

Does anyone have any decent pictures of how the tower has progressed? I'm used to walking past it every day on my lunch break from work. And although I now have the Ghurkin in my sights as I head to uni, it doesn't help me stop wondering about BWP. Cheers.

Subliving.

Hey Subliving, hope that the move to London went well, welcome to the small and extremely select SSC Leeds/London faction (Jimbo and me basically!).

Don't get too concerned about BWP, when I was in Leeds t'other weekend it was continuing apace, I suspect any percieved lack of progress is due to concentrating on completing the office section to get Eversheds in on time.

Rob

October 6th, 2006, 07:28 PM

Don't panic, I went past yesterday and they are working hard on the site, doing quite a lot to the ground works such as entrance roads and paving. There is a lot of work involved with finishing the office element as Smoggie says, and they have also had major probems with their window supplier which I believe has had their contract terminated which would explain the lack of recent progress on any cladding.

jimbo

October 6th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Hey Subliving, hope that the move to London went well, welcome to the small and extremely select SSC Leeds/London faction (Jimbo and me basically!).

Don't get too concerned about BWP, when I was in Leeds t'other weekend it was continuing apace, I suspect any percieved lack of progress is due to concentrating on completing the office section to get Eversheds in on time.

yeah, I thought the progress had been reasonable. On the lower levels clearly most of the action is on the inside now. I took a few photos a couple of weekends back which show the glass panels in the atrium going in, and I'll upload later.

that night time photo posted by di Livio from the bridge over the Aire at Brewery Wharf is stunning.

welcome to London Village subliving. Smoggie and I often meet for apres work beers somewhere in the city if you fancy it.

mistertee

October 6th, 2006, 08:49 PM

BRIDGEWATER PLACE:

It sits on a water table and continually floods,the basement car park is too low to take a 4x4 or more importantly a fire engine, the sprinkler reserve tanks dont hold enough water to put out a fire above level 18, Bovis stand to lose 16 million and you had better believe there are serious cost cuttings on the fit out. Level 5 has no fire protection behind the plasterboard, 2 very big firms have gone bust on this job, maybe its cursed ,8 months behind and counting, the apartments up to level 20 are fucking tiny, still as long as the yuppies keep buying them it keeps me in luxury, holbeck village pmsfl, linfoot the owner of bridgewater has reputedly paid the royal mail 500k to change the postcode to ls1...............

I got this from another website. Any truth in this?

The King

October 6th, 2006, 09:53 PM

there is no way on earth that the building control officer would allow the fire protection not to be installed and the sprinkler system the same goes why would you install the system too small

where did this information come from mistertee????

mistertee

October 7th, 2006, 04:56 PM

Just some bloke on a football forum who is working on BWP. Here's his latest:

reply:That was the fact before the geotechnical engineers came in...
They've dug piles and a drainage system now

bloke:ha ha ha ha ha when did they re pile it mate ??ive been on there since ground up and theres only the pre caps in its never been underpinned and which drainage system has been put in to combat the leaking walls ?? erm none to be exact they tanked and injected them but still big problems.........maybe its the only job in the world where they built the tower up and then put pilings in eh???? nah your talking shite

JOliver

October 7th, 2006, 05:55 PM

A couple of pictures from today. There were no visible activities on site today, I think they used to work on Saturdays before?

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1233/bwp2cm5.jpg

http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/1680/bwpfg0.jpg

Jebus

October 9th, 2006, 04:34 AM

Just a few snaps, wanted to take some night shots but wasn't dark enough!

.. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2006-10-06/BWP1.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2006-10-06/BWP2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/save_mejebus/BWP%2006-10-06/BWP4.jpg

Skychaser 2005

October 9th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Did anyone see The Parliament Show ( I think thats the name) on BBC1 Sunday lunchtime.

The section of the show which comes from Leeds now features a large screen behind the presenter showing a live picture of BWP and surrounding area.

Must say, it looked brilliant set against the other buildings in the area. Wonder whether they will ever use this live camera on Look North like they used to do when they were at Woodhouse Lane. That featured the city centre from the top of Leeds Met Uni.

Skychaser 2005

October 9th, 2006, 09:08 PM

guffer

October 9th, 2006, 09:51 PM

Just some bloke on a football forum who is working on BWP. Here's his latest:

here here well said ,,obviously aint a clue what hes on about i personally saw the fire protection getting installed the sprinklers are in abundance and as for the after thought involving piling........get a life

insider007

October 9th, 2006, 10:00 PM

jimbo

October 9th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Things not well at Bridgewater again. Curtain walling and gladding contractor EPL have had their contract terminated by Bovis. Thats why progress has again slowed to a stop on the envelope.

They have a labour only gang installing what cladding they have on site but they are trying to negotiate the direct supply of cladding from EPL's supplier.

This is only going to delay completion further. Completion before spring next year looks unlikely.

bummer! Deary me, what is it with these suppliers and subcontractors. I suppose there isn't much of a problem for Eversheds, but for the future residents who no doubt want to get into their swanky new apartments, more delays. Have Linfoot been good with communication of such matters I wonder?

Mace terminated the contract with the supplier of cladding at the Willis Building down in London and that delayed the work by around 2 months IIRC.

magicrealist

October 10th, 2006, 11:04 AM

Small building projects have problems. Sometimes BIG problems. So you can imagine the kind of problems a building project on this scale can generate! Look at the Wembley fiasco. It's just very complex and human beings are real good at making mistakes. And then pretending they haven't.

When the dust settles, BWP is a good start for tall buildings in Leeds.

guffer

October 15th, 2006, 12:18 PM

bummer! Deary me, what is it with these suppliers and subcontractors. I suppose there isn't much of a problem for Eversheds, but for the future residents who no doubt want to get into their swanky new apartments, more delays. Have Linfoot been good with communication of such matters I wonder?

Mace terminated the contract with the supplier of cladding at the Willis Building down in London and that delayed the work by around 2 months IIRC.

The main wall of scaffolding on the north atrium is coming down this week, this will open up the atrium floor for completion and a final clean probably within the next 2 weeks, level 6 is on closedown for next thursday the 20th this means it will be complete and locked up.levels 7-8-5 will follow within the next fortnight,eversheds are chewing at the bit to move in and will do so as soon as these levels are finished, EPL the window contractors are well gone and forgotten, the new guys are making good progress now, even though they spent the last month putting EPL work in order,there is still a delay in some of the glazing from Dubai but it is trickling through slowly.On a brighter note the contract is moving on nicley,the sky lobby looks stunning from the level 8 link bridge.

love leeds

October 15th, 2006, 02:50 PM

C:\Documents and Settings\mohammed ali\My Documents\Samsung PC Studio\Image

love leeds

October 15th, 2006, 02:51 PM

sorry trying to put image on dunno how to

aviator

October 15th, 2006, 05:11 PM

As well as the activity guffer's described, they're adding cladding to the building's podium. It's black marble or granite and looks very smart. To get an impression of the effect, take a look at No 1 City Square by the same architects.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/apm22/13%20October%202006/P1010222.jpg

Stig282

October 15th, 2006, 06:47 PM

Why the hell is glass coming from Dubai?
What's wrong with good local (UK) firms? I thought Pilkington were world leaders?...

Sometimes I wonder about the rationale behind UK companies. Keep the money in the country people!!!

LDN_EUROPE

October 17th, 2006, 06:26 PM

Stig - its called a globalised free market (a very good thing in my opinion).

Leeds_John

October 17th, 2006, 07:25 PM

Everything is made by companies that pay their workers the lowest wage... yeah, real good!!

Leeds_John

October 17th, 2006, 07:27 PM

Not to mention the lowest benefits, safety safeguards, no unionised representation etc etc.

guffer

October 17th, 2006, 08:10 PM

Not to mention the lowest benefits, safety safeguards, no unionised representation etc etc.

Talk about companys paying the least monies they can, obviously just to feed the fat cats pockets at the top of the ladder, The BWP work force is roughly 40 to 50 % foreign labour mainly Polish, Romanian, and Lithuanian all supplied by labour masters who more than likley dont have a trade themselves, but line their pockets for not doing or contributing any thing to the actual build to site.I have met many of these such people on my travels,but one thing i will say about the foreign labour is that they will put the hours in as well as the weekends unlike many of the Brits on site.
Anyway there is a big push on site now due to level 6 shut off on Thursday, which means that one level will be ready for eversheds,and one level less to worry about.BLL are getting down to the "nittygritty" everyone is blaming each other for delays, the paper work is getting messy, and its getting close to contracharge time,dont forget BLL stand to lose up to 40 million on this one (well not lose but wont make as much profit) so they will attempt to reinburse as much as possible from their contractors on site as they possibly can.Yes thats the same guys who have sweat blood to build this place for BLL.Contracting not a very nice game to be in when the going gets tough,maybe the smaller firms have bitten off more than they can chew,and will fall by the wayside.:nono: