Breathtaking If it is lit up like that all over the tower. It will look stunning or as Woody put it wicked... lol

Here you are have some pictures of HCT

http://www.shutterpoint.co.uk/architecture/images/DSC_7154.jpg

http://www.shutterpoint.co.uk/architecture/images/DSC_7156.jpg

Cracking Hoody!

The aircraft warning lights have been installed and were on today.

It's not fucking tall enough to warrant any though :(

ok right. if a plane was flying 200m above birmingham city centre it's gonna have major fucking problems regardless of whether or not there are any buildings there. when was the last time you saw a huge fuck-off jumbo jet scraping the paintwork off the bt tower? the way the CAA talk about it you'd think you'd be able to stand in centenary square and see the passengers waving at you. they're planes!!! i went to san francisco once and the airport is right near the downtown area, the plane i was on went right over the skyscrapers, it didnt have to dodge from side to side to avoid them.

I think pilots in the US must drink less than their UK counterparts and are therefore trusted not to fly into things. :drunk:

can some one get some pics of the lights

thanks

The silver panels at the back are falling off! There is absolute chaos in town...

^ :hahano:

Shit!

The silver panels at the back are falling off! There is absolute chaos in town...

Serious?!?!

Absolutely dead serious.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4467338.stm

Jesus Christ. What's with all the crap falling off this building?!

Not gonna rouse support for more scrapers, especially if someone gets injured or worse.

Me mate at the council's just had a note to avoid the area... :\

Oh dear - I hope nobody does get hurt, I trust the people behind the Manc tower will be tightening their H&S up as well...

Breaking news

Panel fall causes road chaos Nov 24 2005


Commuters have been warned to expect chaos on the roads tonight after metal panels fell from a city skyscraper in high winds.

Four sections of panelling dropped from Beetham Tower on Holloway Circus on to the road below early this afternoon.

Police were forced to shut the road and are advising motorists to find an alternative route through the city centre.

obviously built to last ;) this one x

That's what happens when projects fall behind schedule then people are leaned on to get them back on track.....

Hope no-ones hurt!

Fuck the schedule, just secure it and make sure it doesn't happen again!

nah, news said no fatalities, but they are keeping the roads closed until they are sure the building is safe !!!

I drove into the centre of Birmingham at about 6:30 and there were no hold ups whatsoever. I didn't attempt to drive past HCT just in case I got stuck in traffic... or hit by something ;) The only suspicious sighting was four new pink Nissan Micra cc's driving round in convoy with writing on them saying something like "text this number and you could win this car!" It has to be one of the campest moments of my life :colgate:

What a fucking joke about the panels falling off in high winds. I kind of KNEW this sort of thing was going to happen. :no: Can't do anything properly can they?

Crazy! How could they fuck up this bad? Did they attach the panels to the wall with bluetack or something?

Where exactly did the panels fall from? The only way i could see any metal panels falling onto the road in front is if it was one of the panels on the side of the penthouses at the top.

First the scaffolding and now this! The public surely must have lost support for skyscrapers...

Terrible news.


Hopefully it's an isolated promlem and they wont have to replace all the panels.


But I guess it remains to be seen.

First the scaffolding and now this! The public surely must have lost support for skyscrapers...

I don't think that the public will lose support, especially when the building is opened they'll forget about it (provided no-one gets hurt).

The roads are restricted again this morning - presumably there is some other problem or maybe they are taking precautions?

From today's Post.

Tower alert stops traffic Nov 25 2005
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Part of the Birmingham City Centre was still closed to traffic last night after four pieces of cladding fell from a 40-storey building.

Some of the cladding fell from close to the top of the Beetham Tower building at Holloway Circus, causing workers to be evacuated from shops and offices.

Roads surrounding what will be Birmingham's tallest building were closed from lunchtime. It is the second time that the £70 million building has caused traffic diversions.

In February this year, scaffolding fell nearly 400ft from the tower's roof, narrowly missing workers and passing cars.


A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said two crews were sent to the incident last night as a precautionary measure, but were not required.


There were no reports of injuries.

The aircraft warning lights look cool at night from over here in Walsall. I attempted to take a photo from my balcony but it came out really blurred....it's too cold to go back outside again so you're stuck with this one for now :)

http://tinypic.com/hvtphl.jpg

I was just about to say that - you can see 'em from part of tamworth! i noticed just from whilst driving home.

They're visible from Dudley Port Railway station as well.

can we see some close up pics please?

Tower firm warned over falling metal Nov 28 2005
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

By Neil Connor


The developers of Beetham Tower have been warned they could face legal action after the building's structural problems caused part of the city centre to be closed last week.

Coun Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, has instructed senior officers to study building legislation with a view to charging the developers for traffic problems that followed the closure of part of Smallbrook Queensway.

Coun Tilsley (Lib Dem Sheldon) said the road closures caused problems for city centre users and retailers at a " critical" time of year.


Parts of Holloway Circus and Smallbrook Queensway were closed after four pieces of metal cladding fell from the side of the 40-storey tower on Thursday. The roads around Birmingham's tallest building were reopened on Saturday.



It is the second time traffic diversions have been set up as a result of problems with the £70 million building. The first happened in February when scaffolding fell nearly 400ft from the tower's roof, narrowly missing workers and passing cars.


Coun Tilsley said the road closure caused considerable damage to the city centre's image.


He said: " We had the problem in February when the scaffolding collapsed. We have now had three days of disruption at a critical time of the year for city centre retailers.


"Developers must realise that while we do want to modernise the city, and work with them, it has to be organised in a way that causes as little disruption as possible.


"We cannot put up with the negative impact that this has had upon city users."


The deputy leader is also calling for a meeting with West Midlands Police Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee to organise a unified strategy to deal with gridlock.


Coun Tilsley said the council-has to deal with tailbacks alone once the police have made the necessary road closures.


He said that before local government reorganisation in 1974, the Chief Constable of Birmingham City Police would have ensured that officers would have been at major junctions to keep the traffic moving.


"When accidents and incidents happen, the police make the necessary closures but then give the city no assistance to sort out the log jams," said Coun Tilsley, who is responsible for emergency planning.


The Beetham Organisation was unavailable for comment last night.

The first happened in February when scaffolding fell nearly 400ft from the tower's roof, narrowly missing workers and passing cars.

Oh Gawd!!!

I'd like to know what caused the panels to fly off, is it a design fault or were they just badly attached? Either way lucky no one was hurt.

The chances of futher Beetham towers has taken a big step back i think and its their own fault too by the look of things, maybe Brum is just not meant to get any tall towers, whereas other cities are looking to build up maybe we should think about underground living or something....just a thought

The chances of futher Beetham towers has taken a big step back i think and its their own fault too by the look of things

What about the guys that are actually building the tower?

Didn't bits off the Unity building fall off recently? And the cladding not that far up on that, yet.

The thing is, a piece of masonry or a panel falling off a skyscraper is PERCEIVED to be more dangerous than a lowrise, but in fact the danger is the same - a panel falling 4 floors will kill you just as much as a panel falling 40 floors.

Laing O'Rourke will be in the doggy-doo for this big style (probably).

It is the second time they've dropped something this year.

They deserve a kick up the arse

The chances of futher Beetham towers has taken a big step back i think and its their own fault too by the look of things, maybe Brum is just not meant to get any tall towers, whereas other cities are looking to build up maybe we should think about underground living or something....just a thought

I'm not sure about this really - the decision whether to return to Brum will be based on economics. Would Beetham make a profit on any further Brum Towers? Is there a a suitable site available at the right price? I think these factors would have more of a bearing than any possible altercation with the council.

You can see there are five missing tiles on the left hand core of the tower, i wonder when they will get replaced and the others checked?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture011.jpg

i cant imagine they would be allowed to be left unchecked

Those tiles are a pain in the arse.

Btw, its visible from Quinton - warning lights look like the tallest things in town. Even if they aint. Need a few more building this size.

They do such a good job on the front and then fuck up the back. Why didnt they just make the front and the back look the same. It would have looked amazing if they had done that.

No I prefer it as it is, The front is almost conventional. The back is distinctive.

The back of the building has an interesting form but really is let down by the relatively drab looking materials.

Drab as oposed to what? have you actually seen the buildings that surround HCT?

Why didnt they just make the front and the back look the same.

Think how boring YOU would look if your back looked the same as your front... actually that would be quite a feat and possibly you could then get work in a freak show. :cheers:

Drab as oposed to what? have you actually seen the buildings that surround HCT?

As opposed to the front of the building of course!

As opposed to the front of the building of course!

What would you have chosen?

I shall say this again:


I for one LOVE the back of HCT!!! I't's FAR more distinctive than the front which, may I add, I like too. I think it's just a bit more daring than the slightly bland front.

Ok some of you like it but its like the NVs towers in Salford. Front of them amazing but the back of them is a right mistake.

I sort of fall in the middle-ground here - I like the front, and the curve makes the building quicte distinctive, and I like the back EXCEPT the irregular pattern. Maybe it is just because I like things tidy. :)

Of course the Rotunda, like it's lovechild the Gherkin, doesn't have a back to complain about!

I'm not too keen on the back but really like the facade.I think they could have done better especially since it's the part you see from the city centre.

I LIKE the back... It is unusual and funky and unique... It gives it more character... I love the building on a whole... It is beautiful...

how are they going to replace the tiles? they have removed the crane and lifts from the building


also - i like the back aswell - i cant understand why people have a problem with it


also - PLEASE can someone get some pics of the entrance and the lighting scheme there and at the top

thanks

What would you have chosen?

Very reflective, almost mirror like, steel cladding.

^^One problem with that is the 'twinkle effect' that can upset people - especially if your office window faces it :lol:

I recall seeing a news report (on Alright on The Night or something) on a statue in a town centre which had a large mirrored bowl facing the sky, and it concentrated the suns rays that much that when it was a clear day it would fry pigeons that flew over it. The news reader was borderline hysterical as he finished the piece.

How about a shiny black or even frosted white glass?

^^One problem with that is the 'twinkle effect' that can upset people - especially if your office window faces it :lol:

I recall seeing a news report (on Alright on The Night or something) on a statue in a town centre which had a large mirrored bowl facing the sky, and it concentrated the suns rays that much that when it was a clear day it would fry pigeons that flew over it. The news reader was borderline hysterical as he finished the piece. I'm sure that was in Nottingham or somewhere.

Im in the camp where i actually prefer the back to the front of the tower, When you see it from the central areas it looks great helps add to the big city feel and Orion also making its presence felt as it nears its full height

I love this building, both back and front. I think of the back sections as the spines of the structure. I was not too sure about the finish on the glass frontage but after seeing it close up today i love it.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/HCT-front.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/HCT-back.jpg

Looking good in the sun.

This building should look amazing in the summer sun.

its birminghams best modern day building (not a difficult achievment). only wished it was 50m's taller! but still, it's there as it is and it adds greatly to brums skyline.

Thanks for the photos.

10 years time i doubt HCT will even stand out on our skyline!! (I HOPE)

It'll be just another tower like Hyatt or Alpha.

Thanks for the photos.

No worries Nacho, I was out with a new camera today as the weather was so good. I have more if anyone is interested ?

CH

yes please!!

I'm afraid I don't like the windows on the rear where they're not in a straight line - looks messy.

I'm afraid I don't like the windows on the rear where they're not in a straight line - looks messy. Yeah that is a bit odd, but I'm not too keen on the Sealife Centre type swishy glass on the front.

Funky cladding :eek:

is the cladding really like that or does it appear that way because of some optical illusion? :?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/HCT-front.jpg

I'm afraid I don't like the windows on the rear where they're not in a straight line - looks messy.
Yeah it does look messy, it looks like some of the windows are the wrong way round.

Funky cladding :eek:

is the cladding really like that or does it appear that way because of some optical illusion? :?


The cladding actually has that pattern painted on (well, probably not paint), so it can even be seen from the inside. There were some pictures looking out from the inside floating around somewhere that showed just how obvious it is.

As promised.

CH


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beethan-Tower-Birmingham-1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beethan-Tower-Birmingham-2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beethan-Tower-Birmingham-3.jpg

Everywhere i have read about the falling panels it has been stated that "four' panels fell off the tower, this photo shows that it was actually five panels.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/HCT-5-missing-tiles.jpg

I like this shot :)

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Alpha-Orion-Beetham-Towers.jpg

Everywhere i have read about the falling panels it has been stated that "four' panels fell off the tower, this photo shows that it was actually five panels.

CH


Yeah, i was thinking about that too.

Mabye the reports meant that four landed on the road, while the other fell on top of surrounding buildings or something?

I like it so much more from the front than I do from the back. Some people prefer the back but I cant really see why. I'm impressed how this has turned out. However, (IMO) not the best highrise in Birmingham. Its gonna take something really good to beat Hyatt.

Are you mad? Of course HCT's the best highrise in Birmingham.

I guess you're not taking into account environmental credentials, form, height or use - which also includes a 5* hotel. Frankly, it's far superior to the Hyatt on practically everything and the only thing I can see which the Hyatt wins over HCT on is location and being square & shiney. ;)

I was talking in terms of appearance.

I don't like the back, I'm afraid. It looks unfinished - as if corners were cut to save money. Does *anyone* like the back?

I dont. But I adore the front.

I think this is a smashing looking building, very elegant. I'm passing through Birmingham over Christmas so hopefully I'll get to see it in real-life, if only through the window of a National Express bus.

Umm im not sure if people know this, but it seems the lighting (which is cumpolsurary on every new tower in Brum) is under where the poor peoples homes meet the penthouses. I like it

http://www.aeicables.co.uk/gallery/images/lib25.jpg

Compared to the old

http://www.splintervisual.co.uk/images/03.jpg

This will look cool if this is going to happen :) Hopefully they'll floodlight the back too.

this is probably the best place to light the building as there are no bedrooms on that level and as its inset the light will not glow to the floors above to stop those lovely rich people from sleeping!

this is probably the best place to light the building as there are no bedrooms on that level and as its inset the light will not glow to the floors above to stop those lovely rich people from sleeping!

Nope. But a bright light just below them will reduce the view they will get at night.

Umm im not sure if people know this, but it seems the lighting (which is cumpolsurary on every new tower in Brum) is under where the poor peoples homes meet the penthouses. I like it, if this is the case.

Why is it a compulsory requirement anyway? Arent we supposed to be saving energy in this day and age?

i think its a bit late for them to be thinking about light pollution if they have decided to spend £3,000,000 on living in a penthouse in birmingham city centre!

Why is it a compulsory requirement anyway? Arent we supposed to be saving energy in this day and age?


The council believe lighting schemes will give the city a distinctive skyline known across the UK.

http://www.**************************/php-cgi/gallery/albums/Aerial-Images/06CH1205_279.jpg

The council believe lighting schemes will give the city a distinctive skyline known across the UK.

If they are going to add unnecessary lighting to it then strap solar panels all down that big backside of it a la CIS in Manchester

I'll always have a soft spot for this tower. It was the first (and only so far) 'scraper of significance that I watched being constructed from start to end, and the finished article doesn't dissapoint either.

http://static.flickr.com/35/68058091_35b9bb6936.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/24/68058099_6068eff83e.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/20/68058094_8b0cf0c7af.jpg?v=0

^^great shots.

I don't get why some people think it looks better from the back. Look at those pictures, it's beautiful!!!

I cant wait to see it all lit up - its gonna be stunning.

Saw this beaut for the first time just after xmas and was amazed how good it looks in the flesh. I really wasn't asure what i'd think of the cladding when I saw it but it was really a stunning effect and the change in cladding type half way up, which bugs me in the phtos, was hardly noticeable. Thumbs up all round :D

when can we expect to see people moving in?

i see this building almost every morning from where i work (almost 10 miles away on beacon hill) and from there it really stands out amongst brums other buildings. can't wait to see the lighting at night when this building starts to be used. and i hope they light the top differently as it'd make a big impact on birminghams skyline.

Are you a Lickey Hills Ranger DSB?

Are you a Lickey Hills Ranger DSB?

no, im a post man! ;)

and are the lickey hills out bromsgrove way? beacon hill is in the rather less picturesque direction of sedgley/coseley.

New city hotel's starring role Jan 2 2006


Motorists and shoppers in Birmingham city centre are being treated to a seasonal light show with a difference at the new Radisson SAS hotel.

With little over two weeks until it is due to open, bedrooms at Birmingham's latest upmarket hotel, which occupies the first 18 floors of the 400ft Beetham Tower in Holloway Circus, were lit up in the shape of a star to give a twinkling welcome to 2006.

The New Year ushers in another chapter in the city's ongoing renaissance, as the flagship hotel is the first Radisson SAS to open in the Midlands, while the eye-catching glass fronted Beetham Tower is the tallest residential building outside London.

The hotel, which welcomes its first guests on January 16, has 211 rooms, seven suites and a presidential suite boasting stunning views of the city's skyline, a health and fitness centre, with spa, gym and sauna, and ten meeting and events rooms.

"We want to wish the city a very happy new year," said general manager Kathrine Ohm Thomas. "A star represents new beginnings for the city and also sets us up for a very exciting 2006.

wow...any pics??

HCT is up for a very prestigious award!

It has been shortlisted, along with the Spinnaker Tower, The Palm, and Taipei101 for FHM magazine's building of the year!

OK. Maybe not that prestigious... Vote for it, and other stuff below!

http://www.fhm.com/site/surveys/blokeawards2006/awards.asp

Hilarious.

There are some horrible questions in that quiz...

Its good to see something like that being nominated again, Selfridges won it two years ago I think, well people will start taking notice of Brum even with tiny things like this.

Its all good ;)

im quite proud!!

an interesting read


http://www.statesman-travel.co.uk/news/dec2005/radissonsasdec2005.htm

It's on Ebay now...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Birmingham-Right-in-the-centre_W0QQitemZ4430782415QQcategoryZ93847QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

£199,995.00 - we could all club together and put in a joint bid - except i have only got about £200 in my account :bash:

Well, I did not win the prize, organised by Central ITV, of a Monday night in the 'presidential suite' at the new Birmingham Radisson, when it opens on the 16th Jan.
That apart, just wondered if anyone was planning a wander there to raise a glass or two in the new bar on opening day?

Well, I did not win the prize, organised by Central ITV, of a Monday night in the 'presidential suite' at the new Birmingham Radisson, when it opens on the 16th Jan.
That apart, just wondered if anyone was planning a wander there to raise a glass or two in the new bar on opening day?

Brilliant idea, i would be up for that ... anyone else ?

CH

I'm popping up town today so i'll get a few pics of HCT and of the entrance (by Request)

its nothing special, wouldn't get too excited

I'm popping up town today so i'll get a few pics of HCT and of the entrance (by Request)

Go for it, post them up as soon as you get chance :cheers1:

Can't locate my black tie (!) as I gather tonight is a posh/VIP 'do' ..

I was going to head down there tonight but I believe it's invited guests only. may head down tomorrow instead.

Been listening to the radio and they're broadcasting from HCT. The hotel has 100% ocupancy on Saturday and 50% occupancy tonight fact fans :)

who wants to see inside the building??

looks really classy



http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/01/16/radisson_opens_feature.shtml

The views of Birmingham from this building are hardly very alluring...

There were no reports of the new Radisson hotel opening in Brum, on tonights local television.. However, did anyone notice the 'backdrop' to Central News ITv tonight, showing a panoramic view of Birmingham including HCT and Selfridges, etc.,whereas usually they show the view from the studio complex at Gas street. It looked particularly impressive showing as it did the night-time lighting.

Also watching as I did 'BBC Midlands Today', afterwards, they showed footage of city centre aerial footage of such locations as, Orion, Selfridges, Mailbox, etc. All looked most impressive from above.

The views of Birmingham from this building are hardly very alluring...

I thought that! Give it a few years and the area will be tarted up beyond recognition.

That's the problem with tall buildings - you can see dirty back gardens :bash:

I was looking on my computer and found this that (I think) I took in autumn last year. It shows HCT in context quite well.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/Biosonic/VictoriaSqHCT.jpg

Orion looks a bit shit in that photo, let's be honest.

Still like the dark glass, still bewildered by the red tiles.

I think it looks superb, modern and tidy. The red brick/tiles is very in keeping with a lot of brum buildings after all.

I think Orion looks OK there (pity it's not all dark glass) but whne you see it joined to the white and the 'normal' facade facing the car park it looks, well, odd.

I think the opposite funnily enough. I think it looks poor in that photo but when seen together with the white it looks better

In fact HCT looks part of Orion in that pic.

I noticed a 1 bedroom flat for sale on 27th floor of one of the sentinels... 70k, I might just take a look.

actually it was 70 something?

run for your lives...
http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/robot.jpg

I think the opposite funnily enough. I think it looks poor in that photo but when seen together with the white it looks better

It's funny how this building divides opinion...

It would be nice to have a high Radisson logo somewhere - possibly at the rear. Also, the logo over the entrance isn't illuminated properly.....

It would be nice to have a high Radisson logo somewhere - possibly at the rear. Also, the logo over the entrance isn't illuminated properly.....


Have you noticed the ad's running this week in the Post & Mail ?. The Radisson logo is splattered across the front of the penthouse.

CH

HCT is up for a very prestigious award!

It has been shortlisted, along with the Spinnaker Tower, The Palm, and Taipei101 for FHM magazine's building of the year!

OK. Maybe not that prestigious... Vote for it, and other stuff below!

http://www.fhm.com/site/surveys/blokeawards2006/awards.asp

Had a look at FHM today, and HCT came last.

Then again, FHMs readership aren't exactly known for being architectural connoisseurs......

Had a look at FHM today, and HCT came last.

Then again, FHMs readership aren't exactly known for being architectural connoisseurs......

:hahaha: thats just the order they're listed in!!

Results aren't till the april edition. GET VOTING FOR HCT!

run for your lives...
http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/robot.jpg


:? :? :?

This is only my second post on the forums and I was wondering the same as Martin G....I'm glad he asked first

Ello Splodge :wave:

I think EK might have caught a UFO attacking BT Tower...

:hahaha: thats just the order they're listed in!!

Results aren't till the april edition. GET VOTING FOR HCT!

Ah, I guess my mind was thinking of other stuff in the magazine at the time! :cheers:

I like the Spinnaker Tower, Taipei 101, and Holloway Circus Tower, so whatever position our tower finishes in the FHM poll will be good advertising for Birmingham, and HCT.

Hi, this is my first post on here, so go easy on the noob :)

Haved lived in Brum for nearly all my life (approx 40 years) and have seen city centre developments rise, stumble and now hopefully rise once more.

Have followed this particular thread very closely as the HCT seems to be, at the moment, Brum's most prestigious new tall. Personally I don't particularly like the frontage, but do admire the curvy sides and in the rather more distinctive back.

I just wish they'd built the tower in a much more relevent area, such as Eastside towards Milliennium Point because I think it stands out like a sore thumb where it is now. The juxtasposition between it and the neighbouring buildings (including the rather bland Sentinel Towers) is extreme and as a consequence makes the HCT stand out for all the wrong reasons. ie. you're trying to impress tourists and foreign business into a swanky hotel but when they look out of their windows they're going to see the arse-end of Brum in all its ugly glory.

Moreover, its going to be a nightmare to get too: once the tower is fully open for business all that extra traffic volume around HC is only going to make congestion even worse. Not a good advert for Brum's ongoing message of looking "forward".

If they'd built the tower on Eastside or around the Masshouse redevelopments it would have fitted in very well with the area and its neighbouring new buildings. It would've also looked more appetising for future developments of sister Beetham towers. Whereas its present location makes the opportunity of a sister tower opposite rather limiting and overbearing.

However, now that its built I hope the surrounding areas are rapidly developed as well, especially the NCP carpark and the old Queensway cinema/offices directly opposite are flattened and replaced with something appropriate, although Im not sure whether building more talls in that area is the answer.

Anyway, that's me done for what it's worth. Hope to be posting more on here.

Cheers :cheers:

PS. And can anyone update me regarding the on/off project concerning Arena Central? I keep a look out for latest news on the BCC website but that hasn't been updated for nearly a year now!

Hello Sonny (I sound like a policeman :rofl: ) :wave:

Glad you can join us!

I know what you mean - by having such a prestigious building located there it highlights the grubbiness of its surroundings. However - it is only a few mins away from the Mailbox, Arena Central (we're all watching, and waiting...) and, importantly for a hotel, New St Station.

However, buildings like this tend to spearhead regeneration, and as redevelopment continues down Bath Row towards Holloway Circus and New St Station redevelopment begins, I think we'll find HCT will be in much better surroundings in 5 years. All indicators are that the Dome will go soon so the area will have its long overdue upgrade before long.

you're trying to impress tourists and foreign business into a swanky hotel but when they look out of their windows they're going to see the arse-end of Brum in all its ugly glory.
It has been suggested that the building is back-to-front, and the inhabitants should really be looking the other way, over the city.
I don't know what parts of Birmingham are visible from the various floors, but I assume you'd be able to see the Lickey Hills, Clent, etc in the background, Chamberlain clock tower and, for those on the lower floors, there is also the pagoda in Holloway Circus. So although there are a lot of bland, run-down buildings in that area, there are buildings and places to draw the eye and that is what visitors will remember.

sonny, to a degree i do agree with you but there are a number of things your are suggesting which in a town planning sense mabye are a little inaccurate.

by suggesting you should build a tower like this in a new up and coming area such as masshouse or eastside andnot where it is now would suggest that you people should only see regenerated areas....however, if new buildings arent built, then the areas will not actually get regenerated.

as bio said, these developments are the sort of thing that triggers regeneration and i believe that was one of its aims. but think of the first phases of bridley place, gas street, eastside....... the 1st phases will always be surrounded in shit.

in HCT case, you have all the john bright street redevelpment, the Cube, all the regeneration of teh gay district (revurban, southside, crosby) theres ALOT happening

welcome btw

Welcome to the forum Sonny.

I grabbed this shot this afternoon .... it looks like they have started riveting the panels on. Not a job i would like to do especially in todays weather !.

Welcome Sonny.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-Radisson--Abseiling.jpg

Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

Thats dodgy! didnt realise how big those panels were

well good to see they are being replaced......

Great work CH! Even though the quality isn't top you should enter it into the Urban Photo Contest.

I guess those guys might be progressing to replace the broken windows too?

Great work CH! Even though the quality isn't top you should enter it into the Urban Photo Contest.

I guess those guys might be progressing to replace the broken windows too?

I have more, possibly a better one even, i will take another look at the roll.

In my defence [lol] i zoomed in until just short of pixillation on the original file. Plus : it was overcast, misty and so cold i thought that me jacobs were going to crack and drop off :)

CH

Thanks for the pic.

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome :)

I take on board what you say about a new tall acting as a catalyst for other developments in the area. and I sincerely hope that particular area of the Queensway is targeted for new investment. I guess what would really make it work is if they pedestranised the area just like with New Street/Corp Steet/Bull Street from years ago. What a difference a pavement and a few trees make to an area.

However, Im also old enough to remember the early 70s when there were offices going up all over the shop but not enough businesses taking up the lets. As a consequence you had offices on the Hagley Road, Broad Street, Colmore Row et al all empty and loads of "To Let" signs in the windows. And all because of oversupply.

I can see this happening to Brum if we're not too careful. For some reason a lot of businesses,especially the big corporations would rather move to Manchester/Liverpool where rents per sq/m are cheaper than the capital and transport & business confidence is strong in a catchment area in a strategic location such as the NW of England, especially since they have a truly international airport which can also make a difference.

Birmingham, on the other hand, is still trying to shake off its old image of an old manufacturing town but commerce is still not willing to take a big enough plunge. I think its because of this is perhaps one reason why Arena Central and the Paradise Circus developments are on hold because of the apparent/perceived lack of demand to fill floor space.

Its catch 22 I guess, Birmingham wants to generate more investment by building more towers but doesn't have the confidence to push on because it fears the business just isn't there. Which also explains why the Nat West Tower is being demolished and downsized because there is just not the confidence to fully let a Tall, so they play safe with a comfortable 16'er.

Sorry if Im waffling on. Im as frustrated as anyone with Brum's slow progress to be linked as a "European City". But there is so much dithering going on it makes planners and developers want to give up and move further up North with their ideas. :sleepy:

the 1st phases will always be surrounded in shit.

I love that wonderful observation of yours; so very carefully considered, so aptly put, but so very accurate. Good job you're not an estate agent "Sorry mate, this house is surrounded in shit!" :rofl: :rofl:

mmmmm ... any better Bio ?

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-Abseilers1.jpg

That's brilliant CH - you should enter that one :)

I wonder what's in their buckets..?

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome :)

I take on board what you say about a new tall acting as a catalyst for other developments in the area. and I sincerely hope that particular area of the Queensway is targeted for new investment. I guess what would really make it work is if they pedestranised the area just like with New Street/Corp Steet/Bull Street from years ago. What a difference a pavement and a few trees make to an area.

However, Im also old enough to remember the early 70s when there were offices going up all over the shop but not enough businesses taking up the lets. As a consequence you had offices on the Hagley Road, Broad Street, Colmore Row et al all empty and loads of "To Let" signs in the windows. And all because of oversupply.

I can see this happening to Brum if we're not too careful. For some reason a lot of businesses,especially the big corporations would rather move to Manchester/Liverpool where rents per sq/m are cheaper than the capital and transport & business confidence is strong in a catchment area in a strategic location such as the NW of England, especially since they have a truly international airport which can also make a difference.

Birmingham, on the other hand, is still trying to shake off its old image of an old manufacturing town but commerce is still not willing to take a big enough plunge. I think its because of this is perhaps one reason why Arena Central and the Paradise Circus developments are on hold because of the apparent/perceived lack of demand to fill floor space.

Its catch 22 I guess, Birmingham wants to generate more investment by building more towers but doesn't have the confidence to push on because it fears the business just isn't there. Which also explains why the Nat West Tower is being demolished and downsized because there is just not the confidence to fully let a Tall, so they play safe with a comfortable 16'er.

Sorry if Im waffling on. Im as frustrated as anyone with Brum's slow progress to be linked as a "European City". But there is so much dithering going on it makes planners and developers want to give up and move further up North with their ideas. :sleepy:

Sonny, I would like to address the very good points you have made.

I am not old enough to remember the oversupply of the 70's but I can see you fears. I do not think we will have any problems on this front because not many offices are built speculatively in this city - most are sold/nearly sold before they are built (the offices you see with To Let signs today are usually too small or have small floorplates). Baskerville House, and I believe the new Post & Mail, are both speculative but everything else is pre-let.

Unfortunately the investment at Holloway Circus island suggests that there will not be a significant upgrade such as filling in the subway. I think the council should look at creating a large slab over the tunnel entrances either side of the island to allow pedestrians to cross above-ground. This would at least be a positive step.

Birmingham has the largest financial sector outside London, and we have one of the largest (if not the largest) legal sector outside the capital. Large companies that want an office outside London will probably not choose Brum simply because it is too close to London, with cost of offices being a valid second point. Birmingham is successful in getting the FIRST office outside London - when companies are looking to expand across the UK Brum is a first choice. Also Birmingham is a viable alternative to London - just over an hour away on the train yet cheaper.

Birmingham is responsible for a huge amount of registered companies (the highest concentration on the country I believe) so we have a healthy business base. I know it is historical, but we can boast Jaguar, MG Rover, Land Rover, Cadbury's, Lucas, GKN, Lloyds Bank, Midland Bank, TSB amongst our offspring (the West Mids).

You are right that we need to sort a few things out to boost business. A truly international airport, upgraded New St Stn, better public transport are high priorities.

Big up Brum! :cheers:

I wonder what's in their buckets..?

Well, if I was that high up...

I wonder what's in their buckets..?

Well I imagine they could get very nervous up there.....when you've gotta go.....you gotta.

The hotel entrance:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture116.jpg


Those guys are still up there

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture115.jpg

Fab pics Dee ! :)

yeah we have pics.....nice one dee

Thanks for the photos.

The hotel entrance:


Those guys are still up there

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture115.jpg

yeah the pic of its rear is totally :eek2: . I've always said Im an arse man, and you can't get much better than HCT's ass :)

And those guys up there must have steel balls to place so much trust in a few bits of wire keeping them up there. You wouldn't get me anywhere near the roof for all the money in John Prescott's truss

Sonny, I would like to address the very good points you have made.

I am not old enough to remember the oversupply of the 70's but I can see you fears. I do not think we will have any problems on this front because not many offices are built speculatively in this city - most are sold/nearly sold before they are built (the offices you see with To Let signs today are usually too small or have small floorplates). Baskerville House, and I believe the new Post & Mail, are both speculative but everything else is pre-let.

Unfortunately the investment at Holloway Circus island suggests that there will not be a significant upgrade such as filling in the subway. I think the council should look at creating a large slab over the tunnel entrances either side of the island to allow pedestrians to cross above-ground. This would at least be a positive step.

Birmingham has the largest financial sector outside London, and we have one of the largest (if not the largest) legal sector outside the capital. Large companies that want an office outside London will probably not choose Brum simply because it is too close to London, with cost of offices being a valid second point. Birmingham is successful in getting the FIRST office outside London - when companies are looking to expand across the UK Brum is a first choice. Also Birmingham is a viable alternative to London - just over an hour away on the train yet cheaper.

Birmingham is responsible for a huge amount of registered companies (the highest concentration on the country I believe) so we have a healthy business base. I know it is historical, but we can boast Jaguar, MG Rover, Land Rover, Cadbury's, Lucas, GKN, Lloyds Bank, Midland Bank, TSB amongst our offspring (the West Mids).

You are right that we need to sort a few things out to boost business. A truly international airport, upgraded New St Stn, better public transport are high priorities.

Big up Brum! :cheers:


Agree you completely. Trouble is though the whole of Birmingham would probably agree with you too, but its the perception outside the west mids that brings up back down to earth!

Forgive me if Im going off-topic just for a sec. But the most frustrating obstacle that prevents Brum from being taken seriously on the international stage is that it's still seen as a "one-trade town". In other words it still has an image problem!

It tries hard (and hats off all round during 98 when we won the G7 and Eurovision), but instead of building on that we always seem to fail when it comes to winning other national and international events, such as:-

our failure with winning the Millennium Dome back in the late 90s (which was politically motivated anyway so we never had a chance against London)

failure with the National Stadium (ditto)

failure retaining the Motor Show last year.

constant failure of BCC to redevelop New Street Station, Digbeth CS and the airport (look at how many PPs for DCS have come and gone. And now after years of peeing about they decide to go back to square 1 and refurb Digbeth with a few million quid FFS)

failure of even competing for the Commonwealth Games (went to Manchester and boy, did they do a hell of a good job :eek2: )

failure to win the City of Culture 2008 (went to Liverpool. We failed because we didn't push hard enough, and didn't get our message across clearly)

failure with the Olympics back in the early 90s (we were seen as a joke for even thinking we had a chance)

failure to host a party political conference (I think this year's Labour Conference is in Manchester for the first time in decades, as opposed to the usual sea-side resorts like Blackpool. So where was Birmingham's bid?)

failure by BCC to sort out the new central library resulting in more delay and money wasted in endless proposals.

These are just a few examples of why Brum isn't kicking ass right now: it deserves better but either through political manoeuvring, internecine ineptitude or lack of self-confidence & clear direction we just don't quite project ourselves as a world-class thriving city.

We missed out on the Games and City Of Culture: you look at those two winning cities that have now benefited: billions of pounds of investment and acclaim that breads more confidence and further investment. While poor old Brum struggles on trying to be the bride rather than the bride's maid.

Admittedly BCC and Advantage WM are doing their best and have brought us Brindley Place and other on-going developments. But Brum can and MUST do better on the international stage. We need prestigious events to come here again: so we must expand our airport; must expand New Street Station, must expand Digbeth CS, must expand the NEC etc. We must build just the one central library on Eastside, must redevelop Paradise Circus and we MUST build Arena Central to its fullest height and no compromises. (BCC should suit-up and tell the CAA & John Prescott to go feck themselves!)

HCT is a start, I just hope we can keep the mommentum going and give Brum a resounding kick-ass image that we have arrived. Go Large and Bring it on!!! (plays Rocky theme in background :) )

oops, sorry guys, I seem to have spent too much time on my soap box again :speech:

Arent the Conservatives using the ICC for their conference this year?

Tories are having their spring conference in Manc, Labour are having their main autumn conference in Manc.

First time either party has held a confernce away from the usual sea-side conference centres.

Arent the Conservatives using the ICC for their conference this year?

No, according to Google they're bigging down in Bournemouth Oct 06.

Sonny - see my post 670, the Tories are in Manc 06 Spring.

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=party.event.detail.page&obj_id=125826

No, the conference will be by the sea,@ the BIC, Bournemouth.

and the autumn 06 Labour conference...

http://www.politics.co.uk/party-politics/labour-party/labour-conference-heads-manchester-$7643568.htm

Agree you completely. Trouble is though the whole of Birmingham would probably agree with you too, but its the perception outside the west mids that brings up back down to earth!

Forgive me if Im going off-topic just for a sec. But the most frustrating obstacle that prevents Brum from being taken seriously on the international stage is that it's still seen as a "one-trade town". In other words it still has an image problem!

It tries hard (and hats off all round during 98 when we won the G7 and Eurovision), but instead of building on that we always seem to fail when it comes to winning other national and international events, such as:-

our failure with winning the Millennium Dome back in the late 90s (which was politically motivated anyway so we never had a chance against London)

failure with the National Stadium (ditto)

oh come on, the government and national lottery, the FA and other had alreayd invested way too much money into wembley before the idea of moving had even been raised..... it was always going to be at wembley even though a good 70% of uk residents wanted it in brum

failure retaining the Motor Show last year.

the motorshow had been in birmingham for years and the visitor numbers had dropped stupidlyso. the move is not at fault of birmingham. the motorshow has down-graded itself and gone to a SMALLER and CHEAPER location.....the motorshow is doomed

constant failure of BCC to redevelop New Street Station, Digbeth CS and the airport (look at how many PPs for DCS have come and gone. And now after years of peeing about they decide to go back to square 1 and refurb Digbeth with a few million quid FFS)

NS and Digbeth yes i agree but hey things are finaly picking up momentum, New Street IS NOW going to ber redeveloped, degbeth CS IS NOW BEING REDEVELOPED. however, i do not agree with the thoughts on the airport. BHX is a thriving airport and is an expanding airport. just look at the routes they now fly with national carriers.... to the middle east and asian subcontinent we have a range of flights that airports twice the size (manc) cant compete with. Dubia, islamabad, terhan, dehli, amristar....

failure of even competing for the Commonwealth Games (went to Manchester and boy, did they do a hell of a good job :eek2: )

every city does not have to jump to get EVERY event.... and yes manc did do a good job

failure to win the City of Culture 2008 (went to Liverpool. We failed because we didn't push hard enough, and didn't get our message across clearly)

we didnt win CoC because we were too rich and too successful. do you not think that it was a little too convenient for the poorest of the contenders won?personally i dont think it should have gone to birmingham....Newcastle on the other had was robbed.....

failure with the Olympics back in the early 90s (we were seen as a joke for even thinking we had a chance)

it was decided that the national government at the time would only support a capitals bid t host the olympics..... birmingham didntwin, but no-one other than london would have...and hey, we made a good case.

failure to host a party political conference (I think this year's Labour Conference is in Manchester for the first time in decades, as opposed to the usual sea-side resorts like Blackpool. So where was Birmingham's bid?)

birmingham did bid for both and missed out. i dont know why but i cant help but feel that btoh patrties are not going to host the conference in the same city for long.

failure by BCC to sort out the new central library resulting in more delay and money wasted in endless proposals.

ok, i dont know what to say to that one cuz i agree with u...

These are just a few examples of why Brum isn't kicking ass right now: it deserves better but either through political manoeuvring, internecine ineptitude or lack of self-confidence & clear direction we just don't quite project ourselves as a world-class thriving city.

We missed out on the Games and City Of Culture: you look at those two winning cities that have now benefited: billions of pounds of investment and acclaim that breads more confidence and further investment. While poor old Brum struggles on trying to be the bride rather than the bride's maid.

Admittedly BCC and Advantage WM are doing their best and have brought us Brindley Place and other on-going developments. But Brum can and MUST do better on the international stage. We need prestigious events to come here again: so we must expand our airport; must expand New Street Station, must expand Digbeth CS, must expand the NEC etc. We must build just the one central library on Eastside, must redevelop Paradise Circus and we MUST build Arena Central to its fullest height and no compromises. (BCC should suit-up and tell the CAA & John Prescott to go feck themselves!)

HCT is a start, I just hope we can keep the mommentum going and give Brum a resounding kick-ass image that we have arrived. Go Large and Bring it on!!! (plays Rocky theme in background :) )

oops, sorry guys, I seem to have spent too much time on my soap box again :speech:

please do not think i dont share your frustration, i do. but the point is, birmingham is not a failing city as many suggest and hintwe have many assets and with london prices soaring, these wil be acknoledged soon

I wonder what's in their buckets..?



Their own shit perhaps??


:tongue2:

oh come on, the government and national lottery, the FA and other had alreayd invested way too much money into wembley before the idea of moving had even been raised..... it was always going to be at wembley even though a good 70% of uk residents wanted it in brum

This is my point: Birmingham tried to compete but the level-playing field was always going to favour London. They haven't forgiven us for taking the Motorshow off them in the 70s as well as making a success of the NEC, which they hated too. We tried: we got shafted by external forces.


the motorshow had been in birmingham for years and the visitor numbers had dropped stupidlyso. the move is not at fault of birmingham. the motorshow has down-graded itself and gone to a SMALLER and CHEAPER location.....the motorshow is doomed


I believe Brum was at fault for being so complacent, thinking that the MS would always stay at the NEC. But with continuing transport problems to-and-from the NEC (the motorway in particular); coupled withl ridiculously high floor rental, fees and other charges the NEC bean-counters got greedy in their complacency and the MS went south and thus taking several thousand foreign visitors and more importantly foreign media with it.


NS and Digbeth yes i agree but hey things are finaly picking up momentum, New Street IS NOW going to ber redeveloped, degbeth CS IS NOW BEING REDEVELOPED. however, i do not agree with the thoughts on the airport. BHX is a thriving airport and is an expanding airport. just look at the routes they now fly with national carriers.... to the middle east and asian subcontinent we have a range of flights that airports twice the size (manc) cant compete with. Dubia, islamabad, terhan, dehli, amristar....

But is it flying to the all important US & Chinese markets? Yes there are limited flights to New York but not enough penetration anywhere else. Will the proposed £1billion expansion of the airport ever get off the ground with so much opposition not only from the usual suspects but also from the BAA, Coventry Airport's own designs and perhaps even Solihull BC?


we didnt win CoC because we were too rich and too successful. do you not think that it was a little too convenient for the poorest of the contenders won?personally i dont think it should have gone to birmingham....Newcastle on the other had was robbed.....


Agreed but its the perception from abroad is what counts: "Birmingham lost, lets not look at the reasons why, better qualified people have chose Liverpool, lets take our business there. QED!"



birmingham did bid for both and missed out. i dont know why but i cant help but feel that btoh patrties are not going to host the conference in the same city for long.


I agree too: although methinks Liverpool will be next in the pecking order.

Im not disagreeing with anything you say: its just that we need to consider what the world outside of our city think of us, that's all. You've made some excellent points as usual and we would all broadly agree because we live in and around the area, so we know what the score is. What we have to do next is tell the world that we're not a failing city. We have to try harder, the BCC have to gear-up and take risks. The CAA must relent on their small-minded rules. Build that football stadium, win that super casino, build the bloody AC. Then the world will listen to us :)

I think I'll end this off-topic thread here and continue it on a more relevent thread as I do seem to have taken us off the whole discussion that is the HCT :o)

I think I'll end this off-topic thread here and continue it on a more relevent thread as I do seem to have taken us off the whole discussion that is the HCT :o)



If you don't mind I'd like to join you when and wherever this discussion about Brum's current failings should continue, as I too have said a lot of things in the past not too dissimilar to all the valid points you have posted in this thread - but instead have been accused of being negative and simply defeatist in my view on Brum's inherent and perceived lack of "progress" and its ever-worrying trend for self-conscious backpedalling as a result of being stung by years of petty regional backbiting and stereotyping of its old infrastructure (concrete jungle, motorways, soulless 60s hell, etc etc etc...) that has more than stifled its deserved share of the plaudits over the years.

At present it's a tad late for me to engage my brain in further debate but I will continue to read your posts with interest - welcome to the forum too btw! :)

A couple of off-topic items...

I can't imagine the Tories ever holding a conference in Liverpool :lol:

Birmingham is a strange success story because of its progress IN SPITE of the barriers put up by central government (I believe the NEC was the last major project funded by Westminster - the ICC was BCC and the EEC and Millennium Point was BCC & Lottery).

The CoC bid was criticised because the bid managers in Brum did not engage with the people like Liverpool did. It was perceived as 'their' project, not 'ours'. That said, I am sure that our successful regeneration and Liverpool's need for regeneration had a part to play.

Going back earlier...

Natwest Tower is empty because the floorplates are too small. It isn't going to be downsized - the replacement will be lower but I think the total floor area is higher :)

Sonny - I agree with your sentiments entirely. In the past 5-10 years though I have noticed a sea-change in Brum. We have always known we are the second city, but we have never been able to stand alongside Mcr because of our poor image, our self-doubt and the fact we had a largely unattractive city with not much on offer. Now we are a major Eurpoean city with large tourism, massive regeneration, a huge business sector and, whilst we still have manifacturing at our core, a diverse economy.

We never used to think we could take on the likes of Manchester. Now we know we can, and we can beat them.

(Btw that wasn't aimed at provoking Mancunian forumers, more aimed at making us Brummies feel proud :) )

Has anyone tried the bar in our brand-spankingly new Raddison hotel yet? Hoping to get there next week, before a long-overdue visit to the 'Wellington' in Bennetts Hill..

Staying there tomorrow night for a Valentines weekend in Birmingham. Their booking system is a bit dodgy at the moment though, I kept being routed through to a Radisson Hotel in Ireland!

Where's the lighting scheme on the HCT? it seems to be in virtual darkness at night.

Where's the lighting scheme on the HCT? it seems to be in virtual darkness at night.


Enjoy your stay FLD :)

hmmmm, i dont know....have all the flats been occupied?

I will let you know on Monday, I have a room on the 17th floor booked at the Radisson SAS for tomorrow, I'm going to see if hotel guests have access to the top floor of the building....... should be able to see my house in Worcester from up there!!!!

i doubt you'll have access to the top floor unfortunately. I don't think the flats are finished yet, and even when they are they'll probably have a seperate secure entrance.

FLD - please can you try and get some pictures from high up??



thanks

and yeah - what happened to the lighting scheme??"?!??!?!?!

You're probably right Jolon ...... but I could always 'accidentally' get into the wrong lift from the wrong entrance up to my room!

Will try & remember to take some pictures, think the rooms don't face out over town, so not quite sure what vista I will be confronted with yet. May get a side on view of Centre City Tower, Debenhams & the Bullring but not sure yet. Shame it wasn't tonight I was staying, the sun set will be beautiful .... I think rain is forecast for tomorrow over the Midlands, have a good weekend all!

Back from a weekend in Birmingham & stay at the Radisson. Managed to get a room on the 18th floor sandwiched between the Presidential Suite & the Sauna (which was out of action) & the Gym. Our room faced out onto Holloway Circus, which gave good views to the south and west of the city with Cleveland & Clydesdale towers looming opposite. You could also get a good view of the dancers in the DanceXchange & Birmingham Royal Ballet buildings in the Hippodrome complex.

The side windows on the landing by the lifts gave you views onto the Holiday Inn, Centre City Tower & you could also see Selfridges & the Bullring. From the Gym you get great views of Five Ways in the distance, the Mailbox, Hyatt, Alpha Tower & because the windows curve round a corner you can see the Council House, BT Tower & New Street Station.

The Orion building looked a good bit taller than us on the 18th floor, I should imagine the occupants of that tower will get fantastic views of most of the city, including the Beetham Tower we were in. I did get some good photos, day & night shots, I will try & figure out how to post them shortly!!!!!................

lol orion blood better be taller than u guys at 18 sloors considering its 10 storeys taller than u and on higher ground lol

looking firward to the pictures

I know, I tried to see if I could get access to the lifts to take me to the top of this building, but the doors were locked off from the public. We had great views on the 18th floor, I should imagine the views from the top will be amazing! I did notice when I was walking back along Smallbrook Queensway in the afternoon that there were workmen at the very top of the tower & also a couple of floors down from the top on a balcony, which I think are the Penthouse apartments. I have a feeling they could've been setting up the lighting for the top of the tower as I could just about make out some cabling.

maybe, sounds like tha ppartments arent finished yet, wonder when they will be able to be lived in

This was definately external work being carried out, it looked as if some sort of units (lighting housings?) were being attached on the outside of the building, on the roof & also on the last 2 or 3 floors.

And they need to replace the missing panels on the back

Yes, there are a few missing!!!

Woody

I believe the residential half is not to be released until next month. Looking at the state of the entrance [see pic below] i would not be happy having to negotiate that mess to get to my penthouse suite ... lol :)

Someone asked for pictures of the entrance to the hotel, here are all three entrances.

CH

The Radisson Hotel

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-Radisson-Ent.jpg

Tradesman's Entrance

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-Trade-Ent.jpg

To the Apartments

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-App-Entrance.jpg

FLD - can you put up those pics you took from your stay


thanks

Yes, I've never done it before, I'll check I've got the correct leads & stuff. I'll probably have to do it tomorrow.

http://photobucket.com/albums/e283/Dex40/?action=view&current=b1001.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Dex40/b1002.jpg

^^That's really nice!

Whatever happened to that statue of the Lady with the nice bottom that was there?

Didn't it get swiped or something?

here's some more pics from inside


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1255227S-

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1255228S-The_main_bathroom_in_one_of_the_suites-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1255229S-An_alternate_view_of_the_bedroom_in_one_of_the_Radisson_suites-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1255231S-The_guest_bathroom_in_one_of_the_suites-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

Yes, I think it did get stolen a few years ago....... think it ended up at the harbour in Copenhagen!!!

Gaz, were you there over last weekend too?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Dex40/b1001.jpg

^^^

No - i was looking on Tripadvisor and saw a link to some travelers pics and just copied them


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186402-d550133-Reviews-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html


i am deffo gonna go and stay there one day though -

thanks for your pics FLD
The one out the window looking at the sentinal is amazing

its ironic isn't it

some of the most posh and richest people to visit the city will be staying in these beautiful rooms, looking out at the sentinal across the road which has major heroin and drug problems, where last week a man was seen waving a gun and 30 armed police officers stormed the flats and arrested 3 men

The lady, "Phoebe" I think was her name, now resides at the top end of Corporation St.
with Aston University residential towers as her backdrop. Right where the buses exit out on to The Qweensway (that was).

Gaz, it isn't as expensive as you think at weekends. Some rooms over the internet you can get for as little as £50. At breakfast, you can eat yourself silly, it was really nice. If you fancy a work out, the gym on the 18th floor gives you fantastic views towards Broad Street, Central Birmingham, Birmingham University & the Lickey & Clent Hills beyond.

I'm certainly not posh or rich either!!! Any way, the windows were too well insulated, and we were 200ft in the air, too high up to notice little ant like figures having their gun fight battles down below!!!!!

^^^ LOL

I didnt realise it was that affordable

what kind of breakfast was it? Continental?

Bakon, eggs, fried bread, beans, mushrooms etc??
I am drooling now!

What were the staff like? Friendly? I really think the friendliness of staff in places like hotels makes a big impression on a visitors perception of a city as a whole.
I remember going to Washington DC and the taxi driver who drove us from the airport was very rude - which left me with a bad impression of the place, but i know that was only one person.

You could have absolutely anything, from smoked salmon & scrambled eggs, Japanese style breakfasts, German style breakfasts, the full English .... anything you wanted. There were a lot of foreign tourists staying at the hotel, we sat next to a German family at breakfast, but I also heared Italians speaking & also Americans.

The staff are completely friendly, I didn't see one English name on a name badge, they were from all over the world, from Russia to New Zealand.

You could have absolutely anything, from smoked salmon & scrambled eggs, Japanese style breakfasts, German style breakfasts, the full English .... anything you wanted. There were a lot of foreign tourists staying at the hotel, we sat next to a German family at breakfast, but I also heared Italians speaking & also Americans.

The staff are completely friendly, I didn't see one English name on a name badge, they were from all over the world, from Russia to New Zealand.
was the breakfast included in the price or not? If not how much are we talkin?

I paid for an Executive room which included breakfast, I think you have to pay extra with other rooms.

here are some more pics of inside from tripadvisor.com


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1259051S-SAS_Fashion_Style_Room-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1259052S-SAS_Birmingham_Bring_Your_Sunglasses-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1259053S-SAS_Birmingham-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Images-g186402-d550133-b1259062S-SAS_Birmingham-Radisson_SAS_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.jpg

P.S
Have we had any progress on the lighting scheme at the top yet??

I grabbed this shot whilst i was out and about today.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/BeethamHCT-Highgate.jpg

oooh I like that angle. Nice to see Southside peeping its head out too! Nice one.

I grabbed this shot today whilst i was out and about today.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/BeethamHCT-Highgate.jpg

Great shot Cargo.Notice the difference betwween the hotel and residential section.

Where was it taken from ?

yes, very good shot: just a few more HCTs on the skyline and you'd be fooled into thinking you were in Chicago :-)

I've just spent the weekend at the Radisson - fantastic. I've got few pics and will post them once I've got round to downloading them (and worked out how to post them). It's a superb building even better inside than out. Just a shame you can't get ay higher than the 18th floor.

Good man MD.Post em' up.

Went through town last night, no lights at the top yet apart from the aircraft warning beacons.

Where was it taken from ?

Nacho


It was taken from the side of PeeCee World in Highgate.

CH

Where was it taken from ?

Nacho

It was taken from the side of PeeCee World in Highgate.

CH

Another sodding double post

Thanks ...twice. :)

Taken from last month's Post.


Hotel embarrassed by tower gaffe Feb 7 2006
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.
By Adam Smith, Birmingham Mail


BIRMINGHAM'S latest city centre hotel has scored a PR own goal with its advertising hoardings - by including London's BT tower in the skyline.

Under the Radisson SAS strapline "a new style of hotel for a new style of city" Brum's iconic buildings, Selfridges and the Rotunda, are shown in all their glory.

But the BT tower in the heart of Brum is nowhere to be seen and is replaced by the London tower.

The mistake has been repeated on advertising boards around Birmingham International Airport.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham Radisson SAS said: "We are very embarrassed and regret that such a big mistake was made. It was human error and was the fault of our design company who sent the poster off too quickly. The problem has been rectified and any new posters will not feature London's BT Tower."

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce's spokesman John Lamb said he was surprised at the omission of the Second City's own 500ft British Telecom tower.


"You can't really miss it, can you? It is hardly the smallest building in our city," he said. "It is a bizarre mistake considering how much Radisson has invested in Birmingham. Perhaps the owners should have a tour around the city so they can recognise the place."


The Radisson SAS Hotel, opened last month, has 214 rooms in Birmingham's tallest new building, Beetham Tower. Last year the Beetham spin doctors inadvertently featured Manchester flats in a poster promoting property in the tower.


Holloway Head had to be closed when pieces of scaffolding started to fall to the ground from Beetham Tower.

^^The ad in the Birmingham Post is a cheap, cobbled together strap at the bottom and it was weeks (and a letter) beforethey changed the London BT to the Brum one :)

Taken from last month's Post.


Hotel embarrassed by tower gaffe Feb 7 2006
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.
By Adam Smith, Birmingham Mail


BIRMINGHAM'S latest city centre hotel has scored a PR own goal with its advertising hoardings - by including London's BT tower in the skyline.

Under the Radisson SAS strapline "a new style of hotel for a new style of city" Brum's iconic buildings, Selfridges and the Rotunda, are shown in all their glory.

But the BT tower in the heart of Brum is nowhere to be seen and is replaced by the London tower.

The mistake has been repeated on advertising boards around Birmingham International Airport.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham Radisson SAS said: "We are very embarrassed and regret that such a big mistake was made. It was human error and was the fault of our design company who sent the poster off too quickly. The problem has been rectified and any new posters will not feature London's BT Tower."

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce's spokesman John Lamb said he was surprised at the omission of the Second City's own 500ft British Telecom tower.


"You can't really miss it, can you? It is hardly the smallest building in our city," he said. "It is a bizarre mistake considering how much Radisson has invested in Birmingham. Perhaps the owners should have a tour around the city so they can recognise the place."



^^

That has got to be one of the most hilarious things I have ever read in a long time, without a shadow of a doubt. Seriously - I am having convulsions of laughter even now as I type this. What a bunch of 24 carat fuckwits!!
:hilarious :lol: :rofl: :baaa: :stupid: :horse:

But the Birmingham Post kept having it on the base of their front page for about 2 weeks! It doesn't take a lot to realise this and actually notify SAS Radisson straight away does it? So the Post and BHX helped with the own goal a lot too. Whereas all of us spotted it as soon as it went to press. The pic of Selfridges was crap too - a 2d graphic and not a lovely photo of it.

Went to the bar in HCT tonight.

It's ok, some of the detailing isn’t elegant and a little heavy handed in places . The angled lighting in the wc's can only be described as a bit in your face but I suppose you could describe it as northwest style which isn't a bad thing :)

However after a session a the Lord Clifden in the JQ I did notice that it felt detached from the rest of the city. After being served by painfully polite Eastern Europeans I seemed to be uncomfortably surrounded by plastic "Hollyoaks" people outdoing each other on a "look at me, I’m in Birmingham" way.

It ain't Circo but It's ok, here's some pics from the bar

http://i2.tinypic.com/qq3jft.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qq3iwy.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qq3io6.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/qq3i8x.jpg

lol well in our ever changing city, theres always a place for the "look at me" bars...... just hope that more development in the area doesnt make HCT sooo out of the way...... we really do not to re-awaken john bright street!

:lol: I hope no-one was in the loos as you were taking pictures!

The Lord Clifden - where's that?

Yes, did it feel a little strange

The Lord Clifden is on Great Hampton Street opposite Hampton Lofts going out towards the Hockley Flyover. It's the one with the nice green frontage and the semicircular leaded window. Unfortunatly the interior bears little relation to the exterior.

I grabbed this shot as i came through tongiht. I wish someone would flatten that monstrosity to the right of the post office, there was a great pub in the building this thing replaced called The Golden Eagle http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/BM/WMbiBIxx054.htm a great live venue back in my day. Does anyone else remember it ?

CH


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Beetham-Victoria.jpg

unfortunately the only thing that would look in keeping with the area would be the kind of thing that this monstrosity replaced (think theres a picture of it somewhare on a thread). i little bit of victorian retro would do here.

but then they dont do this kind of this anymore

unfortunately the only thing that would look in keeping with the area would be the kind of thing that this monstrosity replaced (think theres a picture of it somewhere on a thread). i little bit of victorian retro would do here.

but then they dont build those kind of buildings anymore

They did for the building next to the Council House along Colmore Row, sorta.

They did for the building next to the Council House along Colmore Row, sorta.

I know the building, the one with the Star Bucks. I quite like it and think that it fits well into the area, has some class to it.

CH

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Dex40/b1004.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Dex40/b1004.jpg

Top right is the one i'm thinking of, the one on the bottom right i absolutely loath.

CH

Top right is the one i'm thinking of, the one on the bottom right i absolutely loath.

CH

Bottom left you mean?

Bottom left you mean?

No, sorry Stephen, lets clear this up :)

A: I like
B: I dislike [and is the building we were originally talking about]
C: I abhor, it's like a really crap attempt to appease prince charles.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/b1004.jpg

Ahem HCT...

;-)

I really like HCT from the front as you see it from Park Central or the Bristol Rd it's very dramatic but just doesn;t have the same imact from the city or even from China town/ Markets as it's quite a narrow building

i'll post a nice pic of it in a bit

there's a great view of HCT as you're facing town on the bristol road just next to sainsbury's in selly oak. it's flanked by the sentinels on either side. looks part of one complex

As promised a nice pic of HCT...

nothing orriginal but it's nice with the sun on it

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

good pic! What are those flags? Are they on the roundabout or on the pavement outside the entrance?

also have they put the lighting in at the top yet??