The current height is just over 400ft the original was planned to top the 600ft barrier with antenne

It was reduced becasue of the CAA ruling that said no building could exceed a height more than 250m (i think that's the height) above sea level. As brum is on such high ground, that meant the original tower broke the height barrier. Although, we now have reason to believe the ruling no longer exists. Well, we severly hope it doesn't anyway.

The current height is just over 400ft the original was planned to top the 600ft barrier with antenne

Not so fast now - 393 feet actually!

It was reduced becasue of the CAA ruling that said no building could exceed a height more than 250m (i think that's the height) above sea level. As brum is on such high ground, that meant the original tower broke the height barrier. Although, we now have reason to believe the ruling no longer exists. Well, we severly hope it doesn't anyway.

Yeah - so thanks to the fuckin' CAA intervening with their devious ruling - which now turns out to be a compete lie - it appears Brums plans for tall 140m+ skyscrapers have been sabotaged. :evil:

that is so cruel posting a pic of its original height im gutted myself.

Didn't they also reduce the height because of 9/11? I thought the planners were reluctant to make it too high incase a terrorist comes and crashes a plane into it.

Martin G ... ITS NOT 393FT

Secondly, your be suprised, BST dare I say it is relatively close to the 140m barrier

hes off again!

Martin G ... ITS NOT 393FT

Secondly, your be suprised, BST dare I say it is relatively close to the 140m barrier
I just had a thought: maybe it's 393ft right now but there'll be extra 7 or 8 feet added by the plinths that the antennae will be mounted on :runaway:

Dont let Martin G drag you into his wicked maze, its not 393ft ;) :cheers1:

Who wants to start the pantomime audience call-and-response thingy then? :D


















(Oh yes it is!!!)

:lol:

Oh no it isn't..... ;)

I have been told by someone close to the project that there are no spires/masts :(

That's not to say there is no provision for them though. If BST gets built, HCT might want to stick one up to reclaim their crown!

Looking good on midlands today!

Shafali did the weather forcast infront of HCT, although CCT looked embarrasing in the background

Umm im gonna stick me head out here, but people I think we might have a height increase ... those spikes on the back ... there not the attennes ... nope I think there holders for them :runaway: Look at this image, anyone notice anything about the 2nd image of it sideways on ... yep you can just make out the silver spike which reaches the same height as the building, and then theres an antenne on top

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/708/9titleblock2.jpg

I know someone who worked on this project and they say they have not seen anything about masts - in fact they said they were being dropped.

And the spikes appear to be closed so nothing could protrude through them.

I hope I am wrong though :)

But, really, it doesn't change the building height - a coupe of flag poles won't help us get closer to Manchester's Beetham (we do have the nicer-looking one though!)

surley they could have designed the back of the building better

I cant see them being dropped, in the council documents they expect any new highrise to have a lighting scheme and any building of this height needs airplane warning lights.

looks great, hope they light the recess, but i guess peoples living rooms will be there, maybe they can have some lighting at the top ?

I think they are lighting the recess Brum2003 - the cantilevered bit above won't be a glass floor so as long as they direct the light properly it shouldn't cause a problem.

I think aircraft warning lights are becoming redundant BC with the dawn of proximity detectors etc - the planes can tell you when you are getting too low. And the city centre buildings are pretty well lit anyway.

If they can get away with them, and they have designed the bases for them, I think they will try the masts, but all I know is what my contact told me - no masts. I hope you're right and I'm wrong though :cheers1:

You've got my hopes up now B'Culture. I hope these hopes won't end in disappointment.
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/708/9titleblock2.jpg
I have to say, their diagrams were incredibly accurate! As were their renders.

Yes ,it would be nice to have those masts.Why go to the trouble of placing them in the diagram if not?

the cladding has nearly filled all of the gap. It makes a real difference.

the cladding has nearly filled all of the gap. It makes a real difference.

time for some new photo's then I reckon :)

Drove past tonight and the Horsefair roundabout is lit up in green and there's also a gobo projecting moving patterns onto the front face of HCT.

oh cool. was down there this week, but it was in the early hours so i missed that

we need another big one to begin soon

i noticed the spires are stuck on the end of the spikes, maybe they will be the finishing touch ?

i noticed the spires are stuck on the end of the spikes, maybe they will be the finishing touch ?

Said that 5 days ago Brum, keep up ;) :hahaha:

I cant see a reason why they wont put the spires up, the spikes are there and it will add a rather nice finishing touch as you say

sorry bit slow on the uptake x spires would be cool, speacially with the red lights, drove past yesterday and noticed they are addign the entrance canopy, think the hoardings will be down soon x

There are no holes in the end of the spikes! Ergo, one cannot fit masts into them...

There are no holes in the end of the spikes! Ergo, one cannot fit masts into them...

Nope, they go on the back of the spikes

You have to squint, but if you look at the base of the masts....

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/708/9titleblock2.jpg

... they go through the spikes. It would look rather odd being at the back of the spike.

The masts to appear to crown the lift shafts - it would be nice if they go up, but I just cannot see it :(

I'd guess they are just lightning conductors.

heres those pics from earlier:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/djguinness/august05158.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/djguinness/august05156.jpg

Lightining conductors nowadays are usually a metal grid across the top of the building - the offer more protection without "inviting" a strike.

Cracking pics btw :)

I think HCT is fantastic, a great and very welcome addition to the skyline too!

Saw this for the first time yesterday on a trip 'oop north', looked fantastic in the setting sun. Birmingham's really developing quite a skyline.

Also - Does anyone know what the hell that massive plume of black smoke was from yesterday? It stretched from Walsall all the way across the motorway towards Birmingham.

The fire was in a factory unit in Moxley.

The Gap's gone!

about time too

To everyone who's dissing HCTs height, sure its kina short and certainly no skyscraper but it looks damn good. I guess its kinda like Melinda Messeneger rather than nicole kidman, but find me red blooded male that wouldnt give melinda a good seeing to? You've got to remember too that for a mid-rise box-city like birmingham this is about as good as it gets.

Ghostdog, there was me thinking you were being nice then you go and add "that for a mid-rise box-city like birmingham this is about as good as it gets" and ruin it all ;)

PS - I did read that bit about you being a disenfranchised ex-pat Brummie...

:lol: somebody's already broken a window - on the 30th floor (roughly)

Now that it's virtually finished on the outside, I have to now confess that it........

looks.....

...a bit......

...kind of......



....crap, doesn't it?


:runaway:

You haven't seen any photo's of her front on yet, pass judgement then

Naaah - I'm talking about the height, Smiley...I'm so disappointed that it's still a relative short-arse - especially now that we're getting a more vivid insight into just how colossal Manchester's counterpart is going to be. :(

That first photo is a bit decepeptive coz of the shite in the foreground but yes the Manchester equivalent although not so good looking is a monster in comparison

For sheer "neck-crane-ability" at close quarters that big-ass mutha is sure hard to beat!

I will try and fit in another (well overdue) day trip to Brum and get some pics of the HCT properly in due course. Only then will I be able to appreciate how tall is really is.

Naaah - I'm talking about the height, Smiley...I'm so disappointed that it's still a relative short-arse - especially now that we're getting a more vivid insight into just how colossal Manchester's counterpart is going to be. :(

I thought Manchester's was only 6 floors higher?? Plus a bit of fancy metalwork on top? It does have a setting that makes it look taller though.

I'm up in Mancland this weekend so I'll check out the 'neck-crane-ability' of their Beetham :)

I thought Manchester's was only 6 floors higher?? Plus a bit of fancy metalwork on top? It does have a setting that makes it look taller though.



Only six? It's more like 9 floors mate! And apparently unlike HCT's "dwarf" ceiling heights, the ones on the Manc one are a tad higher as far as we know.

Now that it's virtually finished on the outside, I have to now confess that it........

looks.....

...a bit......

...kind of......



....crap, doesn't it?

Martin !!!!! are u taking the pisss ????? Its fucking fabulous, so differnt, so modern shiny and I love it to bits !...it makes everything around it look terrible...oh wait !!

christ man !

It's simply not tall enough. 395 feet....that's no skyscraper! :( >(

I thought it was 393 ft....have we had a height extension? :banana:

Whatever - 393, 395, 398........it's not 400 feet is it? 122 metres is unequivocaly NOT 400 feet!

Its a tower to be proud of really impressive a stunning addition to the skyline.

According to Google Calculator:
122 meters = 400.262467 feet

Google is actually a calculator. In the search space, type "unit A" "to" "unit B" ie. 122m to feet. Google should give you at the top of the search in bold the calculations.

Also try, x (multiply), / (divide), - (subtract), + (addition)

It could even do BEDMAS.

You can say what you want to say but it is a stunning addition to the skyline and looks classy and modern

Thanks to Beetham for building it in Brum
hope they decide to build more

what the hell does it matter if its 393 ft or 400ft? Any of these numbers aren't gonna make it a skyscraper neither are they gonna make the project a disaster. These arguments are ridiculous.

Well, according to this old site it says:

http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=100629

122m = 399 feet.

So they got it wrong then? ;)

Anyway, Woodhousen swears it's more like 130 metres high, which I find more dubious.

i just tried the same conversion on my phone.....122m = 400.26246719 ft, so yes they got it wrong if its 122m tall , i always thought it was 130m anyway to make it the tallest uk resi? in which case it'd be 426.50918635 ft high. either way it dont matter, it is what it is, looks tall from the side but not so much from the front if you ask me...

bless martin........


i was on the one who informed emporis of the height of HCT 122m to roof, 130m to added safety features, communications and spires.... a figure i still maintain!

Only six? It's more like 9 floors mate! And apparently unlike HCT's "dwarf" ceiling heights, the ones on the Manc one are a tad higher as far as we know.
Better make that 10! the top floor is double ceiling height but only counts as one.Beetham Manchester is equivilent of 50 stories.

Oh yeah, shite......I forgot that that top floor has a ceiling height of almost 75 feet. Probably to accommodate the ego of the fucking rich bastard who will end up living up there...

The glass is all in now except for a couple of broken panes and work is going on at the entrance now
http://tinypic.com/dz7zte.jpg

nice hymermobil
http://tinypic.com/dz7zn4.jpg

nice pictures.....

Some more hct skyliney ones. The Queens Gate building just needs a clean and 4 or 5 full height glass floors on her :)

http://tinypic.com/dz8bpt.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz8by8.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz8c4i.jpg

The Orien Builing looks Huge in that first photo.

Are they getting rid of that 60 building car park thingy next to Queens gate, and just behind one of the big block of flats?

or did I just make that up?

Great photos Orion has really gained height since i last saw it, its a massive buildings with so much work on the lower areas as well as the tower, no wonder its taking so long to climb, can't wait to see it finished.

Holiday inn really needs to go, far to small and ugly with HCT next to it.

Looking fantastic!

Holiday inn really needs to go, far to small and ugly with HCT next to it.

I wonder how that will look on the skyline with a scraper there. Can you even fit one there?

Skyscraper canyon..... *drools*

The Orien Builing looks Huge in that first photo.

Are they getting rid of that 60 building car park thingy next to Queens gate, and just behind one of the big block of flats?

or did I just make that up?

Well, they've just cleaned it up and revealed the honey-coloured concrete, so probably yes - they'll knock it down soon! :lol:

No - I think it's staying. I have heard whispers that the Dome is going soon though...

there was an application for the redevelopment of the DOME a few months back, quite a large resi complex i seem to remember.......

http://tinypic.com/dz7zn4.jpg


Ive always loved it from the back, but disliked it from the front.


When ever I post a pic of it in the world forums its always of its back and sides.

i know what you mean...most people hate the back but i actually like it!

I quite like the back but thinking about it, the bit between the silver lift shafts should be navy blue IMO.

Step out of the new New St Station and the first thing you see is the glistening shaft of HCT ;)

I like the back, it is slight reministant of a errr.. male uretha though....

Maybe that's just me. I hope so anyway.

I like the back, it is slight reministant of a errr.. male uretha though....

:rofl:

Maybe that's just me. I hope so anyway.

I hope that doeasn't mean that YOU resemble a urethra Stephen!

Btw - is it "a urethra" or "an urethra"? It is "an umbrella" but "an urethra" doesn't sound right...

Just me thinking that. I'd hate to live in the world where other people are having simliar thoughts as me like that. Grr.. scary!

the back is horrible, surley it coud have been covered up better,

It's a pity that the sides/ends (right & left of the lift shafts) are obscured - clear glass would be better...

looking at that photo it looks great from the back! its a bit of an odd building i think, in some lights and angle it looks fantastic, but on a dull day from other views its, a little, well, disapointing. i can never make my mind up, but its still easily brums best tall

i like the building from all angles. The back is a bit patchy with the different colour glass panes but still looks good - as you say it would be better if it was all one colour, but still it is very nice

is there any sign of any lighting goin gup on the recessed levels? also, has anyone got any pics of what the recessed level is like?

Is that it? They won't cover up the gaps in the back then? If they do, that actually wouldn't look too bad.

Is that it? They won't cover up the gaps in the back then? If they do, that actually wouldn't look too bad.

What gaps do you mean? If you mean the ones where the external lifts are connected on the shafts, then they will be filled in when the lift is taken down.

I quite like the rear. It's a strange shape and it took time to grow on me.
The only part I don't 'get' is where the pattern in the silver strip down the middle goes astray towards the base of the building.
I've taken out the 'tail' of clear panes and without that little section I like the rear.
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/HCT-rear.jpg

I got into town at the weekend and had time to take some photos of HCT - first photos I've taken since they completed the glass cladding. It also looks like the gardens in the centre of the roundabout have been completed too. :)
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_01_HCT-RightLion.jpg
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_01_HCT-Pagoda.jpg
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_01_HCT-LeftLion.jpg

Great pics, good use of the foreground :applause: I prefer the rear of the building - much more interesting and unique.

Nice pics Steve - good work!

If you have 10 mins (and if it is easy enough to do) any chance of playing around with the back of HCT? What would it look like with the bit between the cores being aquamarine like the rest of the building? Or dark blue?

Maybe they could change it every year!

Great pics, good use of the foreground :applause: I prefer the rear of the building - much more interesting and unique.

silly man :no:

;)

I ain't sure about the back. I expected the silver bit to be more reflective and shiny... more like chrome than... well.... matt grey.

If it were chrome cores with the proper cladding in between it'd get a 10 from me...

I love the front, and from the sides it's corking, but the back does let it down a touch for me.

sorry but have to diasagree the back lets down the building big time , most people may only see that side and thus end up and take with them a negative image of the building

you lot have been smoking crack


how does the back give the building a negative image? I really like it.

Although I think the building looks great from ALL angles, the front has a look of "one glance and you've seen it all" whereas the back is something to look at for a long time, studying every crease, crevice, gorge and canyon. :crazy:
The front is more Telford than Birmingham. http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8433/bananaskipping0ne.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8433/bananaskipping0ne.gif (http://imageshack.us)

:laugh:

Strange lad :)

The front's quite simple, but it's fucking gorgeous with it. A bit like a foxy, but dumb woman. The back's like an intelligent munter. Which would you rtather shag? :)

But then, this ain't a brief fling. It's a marriage... so my own analogy's fucked me over there.

I'll murder the bastard :fiddle: :fiddle: :poke: :toilet:

^^ At least it doesn't resemble a French Stick - er, does it...um.... Richmond?? :lol:

Been near HCT for the first time in a while tonight and it looks grrreat - from Centenary Square and Victoria Square - great to see it when you're shopping, or when you're on your way to see Texas at the Carling Academy :banana:

Came in to Brum today on the train, HCT stands out like an Iconic structure and actually looks taller then the BT Tower, Masshouse is also flying up and when martineau, CPG and Masshouse are finished will look quite outstanding.

I really hope we get a monster soon but until that day, us Brummies have nothing to fear the skyline is unmatched outside of London and I say that with a smile :)

Bring on BST and AC

Masshouse has reached it's height at one end now hasn't it? It's a bloody big building :)

Hope they start work on the others soon...

http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_01_HCT-LeftLion.jpg[/QUOTE]

What an absoluty beauty this is now its more or less finished ,i think i'll have to have another jaunt around Brum again soon

Found this, watch her grow!! http://www.site-eye.co.uk/sample2qt.html

Great find ^^

Great Video

eddyk - you're a star :lol:

Poor old EB can't come up with a signature without someone parodying it!!!

That video is great!

:okay: Nice one! :)

Noticed on the local news tonight, that the telly crews were along Bristol Street for a report; good long-distance shots of a gleaming HCT in the background, on what was a very sunny October's day in the second city.

yeah - nice video - they did say ages ago that they were making a time-lapse film of HCT

so whats going on at the moment with the tower? Are they just doing internal fixtures etc or have they finished the entrance at the bottom?? any pics?

what about the lighting at the top? any sign of it yet??

yeah - nice video - they did say ages ago that they were making a time-lapse film of HCT

so whats going on at the moment with the tower? Are they just doing internal fixtures etc or have they finished the entrance at the bottom?? any pics?

what about the lighting at the top? any sign of it yet??

I had a walk past today, but I forgot my camera (sorry) the have removed the hoardings from infront of it, so you can see inside to the ground floor. They had just started replacing the pavement directly outside too.

You'd think they'd have done the lighting at the top sooner to show it off wouldn't you?

For those who have a fetish for seeing HCT's curves side-on, here's a picture of her taken from the outside the Custard Factory.
Ahr, she's a tall and slender lass.
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_13_HCT-SideOn.jpg

I aint checked this thread in quite some time, I can't believe how quickly this building has progressed. Looking good too, has anyone got an evening picture of the tower, or is it nothing to shout about at night just yet?

For those who have a fetish for seeing HCT's curves side-on, here's a picture of her taken from the outside the Custard Factory.
Ahr, she's a tall and slender lass.
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_13_HCT-SideOn.jpg


Pretty - but not as outrageously tall and slender as "you-know-who" some 87 miles further north. ;)

Pretty - but not as outrageously tall and slender as "you-know-who" some 87 miles further north. ;)
True ... but from the top of HCT you'll be able to see "you-know-who" rising above the hills. However, from the top of "you-know-who" you'll be up in the rain clouds and won't be able to see a thing ;)

Do you Mean Beecham Tower West?

arf!

I think HCT is a nicer shape, but I'll hold full judgment till they've got the full structure up in Manchester, not too sure about that fin thing on it, yet..

What is "you know who" this ain't fuccking Harry Potter ya know :cheers1:

I have to applaud myself that joke is pretty good

Yes, but even though the further north one is taller, this one's more elegant. Up spin will you G Man - stop spinning downwards all the time.

Oh it's PRETTIER and BETTER LOOKING without a doubt. Anything beats a boring old slab. But if it was the original 44 storeys topped with the mighty deely-boppers as planned, it would be an absolute shimmering leggy Cosmopolitan Beauty of Miss Universe proportions, not the rather stunted Dot Cotton Poundstretcher Tights that it's in grave danger of being... :lol:

I'm afraid HCTis a poor Mans version of the Beetham in Manchester, I feel the shape of HCT makes it look a tad tacky and dated already, unlike the sleek classic lines of "you know who". HCT really should have been taller, another missed opportunity but overall a good 6 out of 10.

ha ha, deluded fool

Oh it's PRETTIER and BETTER LOOKING without a doubt. Anything beats a boring old slab. But if it was the original 44 storeys topped with the mighty deely-boppers as planned,

Well they could always put up the Deely-Boppers on later, or even better a huge Statue of Kat Deely on the top that makes it 2 inches taller that You know what.

Up spin will you G Man - stop spinning downwards all the time.
Respect, ya'll (queue manic sign language and shaking hands with one's fists).

I feel the shape of HCT makes it look a tad tacky and dated already, unlike the sleek classic lines of "you know who".
Really? I much prefer the curves myself.
Living in Birmingham there is a fear of straight-lined buildings. It doesn't matter how tall, elegant or futuristic the building, if it's straight-lined and in Birmingham then it's a box. Whereas a tall slab in Manchester may well get rave reviews.

HCT really should have been taller, another missed opportunity
A very good point and I'm very frustrated that we've missed out in that respect. :(

Really? I much prefer the curves myself.
Frankly I'd much rather have elegant midrises like HCT, BST, Rotunda, 8 Brindlyplace than tall manchester boxes :)

I've seen HCT in the flesh and although I like the tower it hardly made my jaw drop.I've seen Beetham Manchester in the flesh too and although its only 2/3 way up it makes me think WOW. Give me a big fuck off scraper anyday!I love the glass slab effect too it looks crystal sharp and cutting.

not that i dont accept ur point but a few things to recognise about our tower....:
* its in a vlaaey
* its next door friends are 1 x 90m towers and a 75m office block......with lots of highrise friends around it

however, if anything, there is nothing like that with ur tower..... its in the middle of nowhere (i mean i the terms of surrounding towers) and as a result has a much bigger impact!

/\ yes, but from two views it gives an immense impact

http://freake.demon.co.uk/sscpics/man023.jpg

sorry to have to post that here, delete it if you want :)

no no, dont worry bout it..... please dont think im saying the manc beetham is not impressive...thats deffinately not what im saying lol.... but the gap between how impressive urs is from HCT is made even larger from the positions of our towers!

Our sleek baby amongst many friends.

http://tinypic.com/55nlw9

Our sleek baby amongst many friends.

http://tinypic.com/55nlw9

Looking good, a couple more nice towers would take the emphasis off the other ugly ones though :yes:

CentreCity Tower (brown one) right of HCT is to be cleaned up and lit at night apparently.

^^ That panorama looks very impressive! It's great cos the towers all look very evenly spaced! Quite comprehensive really. Now the full length view will probably add a few more from the Broad St/Hagley Road end and the opposite side would have the Rotunda, Telecom Tower, Nat West, Bank Of Ireland, McLaren and the soon to be dead P&M tower...

The sooner the P&M tower is demolished, the better. Only a multi-billion pound reclad would save it from looking dreadful i'm afraid :(

Notice how the Maths (?) building at Sheffield University is a dead ringer for the doomed P&M Dinpy? Eh? EH?? EH????

Notice how the Maths (?) building at Sheffield University is a dead ringer for the doomed P&M Dinpy? Eh? EH?? EH????

Indeed, that is hideous too, but at least its used. Anyway, we're digressing - when is HCT scheduled to be completed (ie OPEN) :dunno:

I don't know the answer to that one :(

I still find it difficult how people bang on about British "tall" buildings.Come on,Manchester's Beetham and London's talls aren't tall at all.Recent visits to Asia have put everything into perspective for me.

I still find it difficult how people bang on about British "tall" buildings.Come on,Manchester's Beetham and London's talls aren't tall at all.Recent visits to Asia have put everything into perspective for me.
Of course , but they are tall and impressive for little Ye Olde England and its modest skylines....plus you have to start somewhere.

The sooner the P&M tower is demolished, the better. Only a multi-billion pound reclad would save it from looking dreadful i'm afraid :(

Have you seen what's going up in its place? If you hated the old, you really won't like it!

All 100%

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

What jhn Bright Tower, Eyereyen Tower and Auchenleck twers ????

Nice mock up EK.And as you say ,these will all happen.That doesn't look bad at all.

Taking into account the ridge ,do you think that BST should be a shade taller than HCT from that angle ?

I still find it difficult how people bang on about British "tall" buildings.Come on,Manchester's Beetham and London's talls aren't tall at all.Recent visits to Asia have put everything into perspective for me.

nobody bangs on about talls, we are extremely greatful for what we have. A 400m would looks extremely stupid stuck out on its own, you've gotta build smaller buildings and the build upto a taller pinicle.

I know, peeple were saying how stupid AC would look on the Birmingham skyline at it's orginal height I said NO IT WILL NOT, But we shall se soon, won't we shall see :banana:

nobody bangs on about talls, we are extremely greatful for what we have. A 400m would looks extremely stupid stuck out on its own, you've gotta build smaller buildings and the build upto a taller pinicle.

Yes Peyre,you're right of course.What I was trying to get over was that some posters are consistantly going on about ours is taller than yours etc,blah blah blah....but stepping out of England we can see that our country is vertically challenged.Anway,all the British cities are improving little by little.The future looks bright.

It certainly does, if the future is orange the furture is bright

Our sleek baby amongst many friends.

http://tinypic.com/55nlw9

What's the little brown/black on the left? P+M building?

'orrible!

5 ways tower

What's the little brown/black on the left? P+M building?

'orrible!
Nah!
I quite like that building up close. It isnt the tallest of towers but its got a pretty nice facde :)

I'm afraid HCTis a poor Mans version of the Beetham in Manchester, I feel the shape of HCT makes it look a tad tacky and dated already, unlike the sleek classic lines of "you know who". HCT really should have been taller, another missed opportunity but overall a good 6 out of 10.
Still feel Birmingham has a better skyine than Manchester.

Notice how the Maths (?) building at Sheffield University is a dead ringer for the doomed P&M Dinpy? Eh? EH?? EH????

its the arts tower, and it has the most fun moving lift ever...i sat on it with two mates for 18 hrs once drinking lager and eating biscuits lol

HCT is an excellent building. The shape, the proportions, the little gap beneath the protruding penthouses, the shape of the metal clad cores, the little 'killer heel' spikes, the arrangement of the different cladding panels. Details, details, details - all of which make this a really great looking buildings. Please ignore the usual Manc trolls (BITN).

My only reservations are the glass cladding to the front - they should have used a darker shade - particularly the clear window panels should be a tinted dark green or blue IMO.

5 ways tower


Err.. towards the left anyway, about 3 building in. I think it's Hagley House, at least I think I've worked it out as that.

Edited to add, no on second thoughs you're right. I found a "better" picture

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

And it is the rather nice, if apparently doomed 5 Ways Tower.

(edited again to add, and won't CCT look good tarted up like the Sentenals?)

I love that panorama - fantastic. I was in town today and what with the fabulously warm Oct sunshine, it didn't half look good. Masshouse is really looking imposing now and Moor Street Station is getting so classy.

please can someone take some pics of the entrance?? thanks

HCT is an excellent building. The shape, the proportions, the little gap beneath the protruding penthouses, the shape of the metal clad cores, the little 'killer heel' spikes, the arrangement of the different cladding panels. Details, details, details - all of which make this a really great looking buildings. Please ignore the usual Manc trolls (BITN).

My only reservations are the glass cladding to the front - they should have used a darker shade - particularly the clear window panels should be a tinted dark green or blue IMO.

Yeh right, I only ever post on the Leeds or Manc pages. First time I have ventured over here. Oh bye the way, i'm from Leeds you KNOB !

Brum forumers, meet BITN (that's T before N).

Nice bloke! :cheers:

Oh bye the way, i'm from Leeds you KNOB !

:wave: :gossip: :weird:

SleepyOne: I think you should apologise to BITN, firstly for calling him a troll and then for calling him a Manc.

BITN: you're welcome to post messages on this forum - personal opinions are not outlawed in Birmingham.

I think he should apologise mostly for calling him a Manc ;)

HCT is better than Deansgate though....

I think he should apologise mostly for calling him a Manc ;)

HCT is better than Deansgate though....
If by Deansgate you mean the Beetham/Hilton tower as I presume you do.. I think its wise to wait for the Manchester monster to be completed before comparing.

If by Deansgate you mean the Beetham/Hilton tower as I presume you do.. I think its wise to wait for the Manchester monster to be completed before comparing.

I don't think so. I can say (IMHO) Eastgate looks better than Deansgate just by looking at the renders. Of course renders aren't eveything but they are pretty accurate these days :)

I can alredy see the glazing to Deansgate and I prefer the colour to HCT... but the coolour wouldn't be appropriate to HCT - Brum needs a brighter building to lighten the skyline.

And it's not a 'Manchester monster' because it isn't that much taller. It appears to be because of the relative scarcity of taller buildings in Manchester and its immediate low-rise neighbours.

I am not condemning Deansgate - I think it is wonderful and I would happily see it in Brum or anywhere else. What I am saying is that I prefer HCT. I read somewhere that the curve costs more than a flat frontage but saves money on structure because of the reduced wind loads it offers. Not only does it look pretty it is a good pieve of engineering too :)

You are absolutely right

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

WAHEH Now that s askyline up yours Canary Wharf. And oh yeah what are all those buildings????? :doh:

Don't think much to the Arena Central design. and I thought they were going to tart up City Central Tower?

Nice image though.!

I don't think so. I can say (IMHO) Eastgate looks better than Deansgate just by looking at the renders. Of course renders aren't eveything but they are pretty accurate these days :)

I can alredy see the glazing to Deansgate and I prefer the colour to HCT... but the coolour wouldn't be appropriate to HCT - Brum needs a brighter building to lighten the skyline.

And it's not a 'Manchester monster' because it isn't that much taller. It appears to be because of the relative scarcity of taller buildings in Manchester and its immediate low-rise neighbours.

I am not condemning Deansgate - I think it is wonderful and I would happily see it in Brum or anywhere else. What I am saying is that I prefer HCT. I read somewhere that the curve costs more than a flat frontage but saves money on structure because of the reduced wind loads it offers. Not only does it look pretty it is a good pieve of engineering too :) I see what you are saying,HCT is very appealing shape, I like it, but I find the front cladding a little 'busy' and prefer the simpler cladding on the Beetham Hilton.Its a matter of taste . BTW a 50 storey tower outside of London is a bloody monster.

BTW a 50 storey tower outside of London is a bloody monster.

Not if you live in HK,NY,etc.... ;)

Not if you live in HK,NY,etc.... ;)

Or Melbourne, Sydney etc :)

Hello there Smiley ole chap! :wave:

Seen my latest Beetham pics yet?? ;)

Not if you live in HK,NY,etc.... ;)
Outside of London meaning within our green and pleasant land :)

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/arse.jpg
:eek2:

I know imagine having a skyline like that it looks very American

doh

I was in town today and spotted some scaffolding on the roof of HCT.
Any chance this could be one of the antennae going up?
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_20-HCT.jpg

Steve were you taking photo's around 1.30pm? Coz I saw someone with a flashy camera pointing it at HCT around that time.

Optimistic eh Steve?

It's probably just all the bits which were supposed to go into the building, but turns out are leftovers. It'll collapse in a heap by winter.

I've look at this for the past couple of weeks and wondered what it was. There isn't one on the other side so I would guess not a mast, but you never know.

It could just be a cage that will hold all the scaffolding that they'll lower down at the end. Or is that steelwork sitting on top?

Mysterious :?

Steve were you taking photo's around 1.30pm? Coz I saw someone with a flashy camera pointing it at HCT around that time.
Probably not me - I was at HCT around 11:30. Although I did return to the Mailbox after lunch, so I was in that area around 1:30.

Don't let anyone from the CAA see this picture :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCT20thOct05.jpg

looking fantastic as ever

looks like a short arse in that pic. No wonder outsiders thinks its not that tall (it really is)

Good pics smiles

Noooooooooo! That plane is about to clip the top of that tree!
Methinks we need guidelines to govern the height of the city's flora.
Don't let anyone from the CAA see this picture :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCT20thOct05.jpg

A few more from today just for the sake of it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCT2010005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCT20thOctober05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCT.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/HCTOctober20th005.jpg

Maybe the 'plane's a paper dart?

In the second last pic, it looks as if it's a Chineese Skyscraper don't it with the Pagonda, Yeah *Have that up your arse, Hong Kong*

Thanks for the pics.

They are good, they are very splendid

looks like a short arse in that pic. No wonder outsiders thinks its not that tall (it really is)



You took the turds right out of my waterspout by saying that mate! :yes:

HCT = shortarse.

:) You took the turds right out of my waterspout by saying that mate! :yes:

HCT = shortarse.

As soon as I saw yours was the last post on here Martin I knew that's what you'd write....it's like I can read your mind, spooky eh?

:angel:

:cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :pepper: :lock:

I love that first picture Smiley. Looks tall in that one!!!

I think the fact the pattern is busy on the front of the building defo detracts from the height. If it was plain glass head to toe it would seem sleeker and more soaring. I love it from the side, it seems very tall from side angles.

I think the fact the pattern is busy on the front of the building defo detracts from the height. If it was plain glass head to toe it would seem sleeker and more soaring. I love it from the side, it seems very tall from side angles.
The height is great the tower is great i dont see any problem whatsoever with it.

http://tinypic.com/et9u8n.jpg

Do you think the windows have been put in the wrong positions?

http://tinypic.com/dz7zn4.jpg
I don't think so, as it's the same on both sides and I don't think the main contractor could make make that clanger.

Intresting to see how beethem and this scheme are being marketed. Don't want to incur the wrath of Curly Turd (Thanks martin) but doesn't that say 'second largest city in the UK with a population of over 1million' :)
http://www.thebeethamorganization.com/
http://www.thebeethamorganization.com/content/downloads/BO_HC_brochure_v6.pdf

My uncle Colin's got a RV like that.

Given Beetham are now planning a second tower in Liverpool and from what I gather there is strong demand for apartments in HCT, hopefully they'll come back to Brum sooner rather than later. Being an eternal optimist Broad Street Tower will get through as proposed and there will be a glut of tall proposal all above the CAA limit. Here's to Beetham's 50 story Brum beauty!! :rock:

I'll drink to that :cheers1: Cheers

Yes I hope Beetham will come back to brum with designs greater than Ken Shuttleworth, (Cube we have him) but they are a growing big business and they may make a plac e within Birmingham. Let's hope this may happen :)

Given Beetham are now planning a second tower in Liverpool and from what I gather there is strong demand for apartments in HCT, hopefully they'll come back to Brum sooner rather than later. Being an eternal optimist Broad Street Tower will get through as proposed and there will be a glut of tall proposal all above the CAA limit. Here's to Beetham's 50 story Brum beauty!! :rock:
From rumours I've heard they have already located a second site in London and have a second Manchester tower under consideration, so your hopes for a second in Birmingham may not be too far off.

Sod Birmingham I want one in Walsall :happy:

Sod Birmingham I want one in Walsall :happy:

You can have this:

http://www.eb.cx/img/ssc/manchester/2005-09-03/abh-1.jpg

What building is that and where, I want one in Walsall as well, but Birmingham is where i was born work eat and drink so erm i'll have Birmingham instead

^^ That's the Michael Bolton Institute Building in Manchester. Not far from Spinningfields. :yes:

It is a very impressive building, well not impressive but quite nice, it would do well in Walsall or Brownhills :laugh:

http://tinypic.com/et9u8n.jpg

Do you think the windows have been put in the wrong positions?

Perhaps different size rooms/suites?

What building is that and where
Just look at who took it, do you really need to ask? :laugh:

Just look at who took it, do you really need to ask? :laugh:

:cheers:

I'll drink to that :cheers1: Cheers

Yes I hope Beetham will come back to brum with designs greater than Ken Shuttleworth, (Cube we have him) but they are a growing big business and they may make a plac e within Birmingham. Let's hope this may happen :)


Hmmm. Another one?

Now there's a thought.

The building opposite the tower, on the corner of Holloway circus is empty.

And the builders of HCT have been using it as a canteen and rest area.

Maybe it'll get a twin! How cool would that look?!

It would look very cool. Bimingham needs Architecture Groups that are big like Beetham to expand the oppitunity of Brum. But hey we have Ken Shuttleworth and MAKE who cares. (Joke)

You mean 4 towers? Two Sentinals and the two Green curvery things?

Sounds good to me!

But do they build it at the same height, or at the full height that they cut it down "in case someone drove a plane into it"?

Originally Posted by EarlyBirdFrom rumours I've heard they have already located a second site in London and have a second Manchester tower under consideration, so your hopes for a second in Birmingham may not be too far off.

More idle speculation here, but if they were to return to Brum I think there is a fair chance they'll hold fire until the outcome of BST application. If that goes through at the full height there is a good chance Beetham will then look build taller. Sometimes it's wise to wait and see how the land lies. Here's hoping anyway...:happy: :happy:

You mean 4 towers? Two Sentinals and the two Green curvery things?

Sounds good to me!

But do they build it at the same height, or at the full height that they cut it down "in case someone drove a plane into it"?

Thats what I thought yes! I think if they did that (and I am speculating here) it would look much better being an identical twin to the existing HCT, so it'll all be Symetrical...

I'm sure the thought has crossed someone elses mind. The curvy building on the opposite corner is empty apart from the builders, and it would be relatively easy to build because it wouldn't breach the height restrictions!

idententical ...but taller!

I wouldnt mind an improved version of HCT.
HCT is great, but it isnt perfect, especially at the back. Why not improve upon it? :)

Definetely needs to be of a different height, preferably taller. I'd like to see some variety in building it's twin.

Maybe darker glass and a spire? I was actually quite surprised with the color of the present HCT when in the beginning.

Lets build another ten dotted round the city centre with one in Walsall and one in Smethwick as well so Blunther and myself can add to our sigs

BTW the second Beetham in liverpool is U/C, 125m tall, 138m to the spire

I was looking at the first Liverpool Beethams today, not a patch on the Birmingham one, too short and to be honest looks at some angles not unlike an (very) upmarket 1960 Council built thing. Also has "Art" at the bottom which really are terrible, good in themselves but in terrible locations that just create hidden areas, that morse code one looks like a large piswar <sp>.

i dreamt about HCT last night. I was driving past and i saw a massive spire on the top! a real big one


but then when i woke up i was gutted!


:weirdo:

I'd call you said for building dreaming, but I've done it too.. not recently mind..

Although in my passed few dreams, the locations have been exhaggerated by my brain, lol.. For instance, Other night I was climbing up a hill to get a view of Manchester.. Which was looking more like la Defence than the real thing, lol..

Even funnier was dreamin I was at home and seeing my town, Wigan.. from my bedroom.. It was looking like a small city with big buildings and office blocks, I can't even see Wigan from my bedroom.. Ah well, always nice to dream :(

I've done that. I dreamt I was sat on a massive hill somewhere in Crumpsall overlooking Manc. I was sat holding this girl as we and a few dozen more sat silently watching this missile falling towards the centre of Manc. As it hit, and it went all nuclear, I remember squeezing this girl and the dream ended.

Most bizzare.

Anyway, any recent pics?

Not great weather but this was today. Don't think we'll notice much change now untill she's occupied

http://tinypic.com/fdaxao.jpg

Oh it's finished well very so nearly.
It is a darling
*Gives HCT a BIG hug*

The CHristmas celebrations in the Radisson will have to be postponed until January 16th 2006, the official opening date. Was in town last weekend and took some photos of HCT (still trying to negotiate my way around the joys of working with 'Photobucket'). Noticed looking through the zoom-lens that there were a lot of furniture items already installed in some of the hotel rooms, could clearly see gold-legged tables by the windows, together with wardrobes and standard lamps. (Incidentally one of the reasons I was in town was also to photograph the Nelson memorial bedecked with the bi-centenary Battle of Trafalgar floral tributes,in St Martin's Square, and also the huge banner on the side of the Town Hall which apparently listed all of the citizens of our city who had served and died on HMS VIctory. Alas when I arrived the banner had been removed; did anyone manage to take some phots of this?)

Have a look on the council website Forward - I think there are pics and the list their. Under war memorials if I am not mistaken.

That is one ugly building. Looks like a control tower in an airport!
:runaway:

would be an awesome airport

Love it!

That is one ugly building. Looks like a control tower in an airport!
:runaway:


What drugs are you on?

It might not be as tall, but its a much prettier building than the one in Manchester.

It seems like a lot of people are a bit jealous of this building it is an amazing tower.

That is one ugly building. Looks like a control tower in an airport!
:runaway:

looks good to me :bash:

i'd been waiting all year to go to the the nelson celebration, and then i fell ill so bloody missed it, anybody have pictures of the even i'll be very gratefull

I can see the similarities....
http://gallery.feeorin.com/albums/aroundtown/abw.jpg
http://tinypic.com/fdaxao.jpg

Shortarse.

Fartarse!

What drugs are you on?

It might not be as tall, but its a much prettier building than the one in Manchester.
Don't talk nonsense!

They are both very different - number one, but both suit their position very well. They are both very good buildings. So, you get someone from Manchester that says he doesn't like it, and then have to react? They are both very fine buildings. TBH, I don't like the top of HCT I think it is the one thing that does spoil it, but many people think the same of the overhang on the Manchester building. However, it's not clever to get into a slagging match over two very good buildings of which we should all be proud whether they are in "our" city or not. They are both symbols of the way our country is developing, and long may this development continue.

FFS! If anyone had said 6 or 7 years ago that Brum and Manc would have these two buildings, you would have been laughed at!

The two Beethams are completely different so it's no use comparing them. I've seen and photographed them both so I feel i'm more entitled than most to comment. The Manchester one is definitely the most jawdropping and dynamik, it's a sheer wall of aesthetically pleasing glass that absolutely dominates it's surroundings. HCT does not dominate, I don't know if that's a slight on HCT or an appraisal of Bham's already bulky skyline. HCT certainly is more eye pleasing though....it's (her) curves are legendary lol.
Both are British which we should be proud of

Hear Hear! (To both WeasteDevil and Smiley)

Both are great towers and both have been tailor-made to their city. Now, I write without authority regarding the Mcr one, but:

- Birmingham's maintains the curve of the previous building, and therefore the curve of Smallbrook Queensway, wrapping around the Rotunda at the far end.

- Manchester's maintains the rectilinear geometry characterised by most of Manchester's highrises.

- Birmingham's injects some much needed colour into the city skyline.

- Manchester's has a classy pattern that adds texture to Manchester's already colourful cityscape.

- Birmingham's nestles at the foot of the city centre ridge, fitting in with the skyline (even though it should have been taller) and demarcating the new southern edge of the highrise centre (for now).

- Manchester's dominates its surrounding area, making a bold statement for a progressive city and setting the benchmark for future developments.

BOTH contain classy hotels, and BOTH have their doubters about the cantilevered section he he he.

I think each city should be proud of their new towers, and proud of each others. :)

On my way to Birmingham New Street Station (to travel bak up to Manchester) I passed this tower. Now that its near enough complete I can safely say that it is one beautiful 'scraper. Its a shame that its not a little taller but that could be said about many of the UK's other towers. My enjoyment of the building was ruined somewhat by the chaos on the roads though.

Looks good now its externally finished, what about the Orion tower just down the road, hows that progressing?

I don't know what's going on with the traffic at the moment Inquisitor - it took me ages to get home last night :(

Things are going to get worse in Brum traffic-wise too when the tram lines start going down, and they reconfigure the roads at Masshouse.

And all hell will break loose when they start New St Stn....

Orion's going OK dinp - I think there are some recnt pics on the Orion thread. I will try to find out when the wraps are due to come off (they are putting in windows and rendering currently I think - they will want the building watertight ASAP although there's still soe work to do at the top)

Hey, I didn't mean to spark a Brum/Manchester war! I actually grew up in Lichfield, on the outskirts of Birmingham, and know Birmingham pretty well.

The HCT does, as is demonstrated in the photo above, look just a bit like a control tower in an airport.

What is it with Birmingham and rounded buildings? I'm thinking of the old Bull Ring.

personally i can see absollutely no comparrison between HCT and a control tower

We like rounded buildings City :)

Especially there - one end of Smallbrook Queensway wraps around the Rotunda, and the other wraps around HCT.

Curvy :banana:

Hey, I didn't mean to spark a Brum/Manchester war! I actually grew up in Lichfield, on the outskirts of Birmingham, and know Birmingham pretty well.

The HCT does, as is demonstrated in the photo above, look just a bit like a control tower in an airport.

What is it with Birmingham and rounded buildings? I'm thinking of the old Bull Ring.
But the same could be said of Manchester ..What is it with the huge rectangular slabs or sloped roofs?Its just a matter of matching in whats already there. I quite like these themes for cities, slopes and squares for Manc.Curves for Brum.Odd shaped towers for Leeds and for Liverpool ....er a mish mash I think

Curves are sexy.

Bio, cheers for the idea to check the BCC website for the 'Trafalgar' celebrations. The photograph of the large banner on the side of the Town Hall was what I had hoped to have taken myself, before it was removed alas.

^^^You're most welcome - glad you found what you wanted! :)

But the same could be said of Manchester ..What is it with the huge rectangular slabs or sloped roofs?Its just a matter of matching in whats already there. I quite like these themes for cities, slopes and squares for Manc.Curves for Brum.Odd shaped towers for Leeds and for Liverpool ....er a mish mash I think

Very true. How boring would it be if all our cities looked the same.

http://tinypic.com/fxs0vq.jpg

wow, now if it looks like that all over when its lit up, it will look wicked