I totally forgot about this tower, I havn't been in this thread in about 6 months.


Great to see pics of the inside...I actually quite like the cladding.

Also that roundabout accross the road is great.

This tower in Birmingham may be shorter than the Beetham Tower in Manchester, but the Birmingham tower is definately more graceful & classy. The Manchester building looks really awkward, and looks as if it was designed by a 3 year old child!

This tower in Birmingham may be shorter than the Beetham Tower in Manchester, but the Birmingham tower is definately more graceful & classy. The Manchester building looks really awkward, and looks as if it was designed by a 3 year old child!

That's a slightly sweeping statement. IMO The Manc one looks magnificent
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=7616669#post7616669

I prefer HCTs more complex form but love the colour of the Manc one and height isn't everything. Having said that I think what has been built here in Bham was the right thing to do as it's brought a bit of colour to our otherwise grey / brown skyline but it should have been a little taller.

I'd love to see the curved lowrise (scala House?) which was the Laing site office reskinned in darker swiss re glass.

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/4842/img42911pn.jpg

Given the choice between the two Beetham's I still prefer HCT. Yes it would have been really cool with a few more floors, but it has character and a presence, whereas the Manchester building looks like yet another non-descript slab. Reminds me of the Monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey

I like HCT very much but the Manchester tower is in another league,dont you think,I have seen both in the flesh and the Manchester tower is a jaw dropping sight when you are on Deansgate inparticular. People just walking past it can't help but crane their necks up in amazment at the size of it. I didnt get the same sense of awe at HCT when I saw it,in fact I was a little dissapointed.Also I don't like the way the pattern on the front of HCT just changes half way up,it spoils it for me where as the Beetham/Hilton in Manchester has proper distinction between the resi/hotel in the form of a cantilever and banding effect which works very well. As far as the slab effect of Beetham/hilton I think it works very well here, a curved tower would not relate to the surrounding streets very well.Whats wrong with slabs anyway,this tower is like two and a half of your hyatts stacked on top of each other but with blue/green cladding. Still I like HCT and its curved facade works well in its location as does the rectangular mass of Beetham/Hilton for its location.Mr Simpson has obviously thought about both towers and their surroundings carefully.

Hct is surrounded by tall buildings. Manc isnt.

Hct would also look far better with nothing but low rise surroundings.

http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/3739/spinniny10la.jpg

Well, we're getting there, admittedly not as many nearby as you brummies, but i do agree, HCT, would look loads better without the sentinels in front of it!

Hmm, while both look really good, I have to say that I like the Manchester one more. I think the back of HCT spoils it slightly :(

the back of hct does spoil it slightly but damn the front is impressive!!

DEL

funnily enough I prefer the back of HCT more than the front

can someone answer my question about where the flags are and if they have lighting at the top yet or is that it completely done now?

Is the glass going to look better
On which Beetham ,HCT or Hilton?If you mean the Manc tower then yes it will look better when fully cladded and the protecting cards are taken out of the windows,if you mean HCT then what you see now is what you get.

funnily enough I prefer the back of HCT more than the front

it seems a lot of people on here prefer the back

I prefer it from the side where it is super slim and looks just as imposing as the Hilton Mcr.

The flags are on the pavement outside and belong to the Radisson.

I prefer it from the side where it is super slim and looks just as imposing as the Hilton Mcr.

i agree. the view from Mr Egg is really good. but anyway, i love the cladding. when you see it from far off as you enter town on the bristol road it looks like a waterfall

Any ideas on when we'll be able to see the whole thing lit up?

I saw this thing on TV once where they lit up each floor in turn on a glass skyscraper and it looked really cool. Maybe they should do that with HCT?

My favorite view (taken on my phone)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/djguinness/24022006033.jpg

The Raddison hotel/HCT was heaving with Americans and Japanese visitors over the weekend, many of them having arrived here earlier in the week, and here for the world's largest dog show, Crufts, at the NEC. One conversation went along the lines of how impressed they were with the hotel, and, the monorail at the airport, which apparently was adjudged to be one of the best they had used, anywhere.
If these kind of messages get back to their country-folk in their respective homelands, then this sort of word-of-mouth recommendation of the city can only add greatly to the marketing people's task of promoting what is good in Brum, to an international audience.

That's a nice pic, in fact I'e got it set as my Wallpaper, well Desktop backdrop.

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/central4.jpg

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/central8.jpg

I rather like West2 now.

Loathed it when we first saw renders.

aye, it adds to the scene

The building I detest is that two tone brown building to the left of Beetham Tower.... hope that one is removed when New Street Station is redeveloped, I'd gladly press the button to blow the thing up!!

Well, it's a free country and you're entiltled to be wrong, but I LOVE the big Brown thing on Hill Street!

http://www.geocities.com/birmingham_highrise/P1010064.jpg






Just me then?

That's an awful picture of central Birmingham ..... looks like Hulme in Manchester.

yep

luckily its a view that will never be seen again

The Big Brown Bastard's growing on me. Yes, it's disgusting, but... that's kinda good. I think as our city centre becomes more modern and shiny and glassy and... bland, we need the odd monstrosity to laugh at.

I love that picture above. Shame HCT's spoiled the view ;)

In fact, the Big Brown Bastard is a masterpiece. I've always disliked it just because it seems natural too, but looking at it again... it's beautiful. If they try and knock it down I'll tie myself to it, and they'll have to knock Blunther down too.

http://www.puffins-brixham.velnet.co.uk/nick/central8.jpg

That's a very good shot.Imagine it with two additional towers around NS and one opposite HCT.

Well, I'll make a concession. Keep The Brown Thing but strip all the brown off, put some proper windows in and turn it into a NICE building! :)

Alternatively, knock it down and build a big-ass tower there. Perfect site :banana:

Well, I'll make a concession. Keep The Brown Thing but strip all the brown off, put some proper windows in and turn it into a NICE building! :)

Alternatively, knock it down and build a big-ass tower there. Perfect site :banana:

Just you try it, sunshine...

:gunz: :bowtie:

I quite like the brown thing too, AMakes me think of the Ministry of truth in 1984, though it could do with integrating better with hill street rather than a load of gratings, maybe some shops or something...

Likelyhood is however it not going anywhere, BT say that the building is being rationalised at the moment as only 5% of the stuff in there is being used, needless to say this will take a long time, Also there is a link to the Anchor system there, and BT are still a bit twitchy about admitting that.

Any chance of the Holiday Inn getting knocked down, It is awful and a big tower there would make smallbrook Queensway look ace.

What's the Anchor system?

I also vote for Holiday Inn to go. Or, again, a damn good reclad. The pressure must be on them by now...

Of course, "The Big Brown thing on Hill Street" is not it's offical name, I think it's something like 20 Station Street, or something, but It'll always be "The Big Brown thing on Hill Street" to me!

And any more talk of knocking it down will have both me and Blunther Chained Singing songs about not being moved, or something.

They can blow up that hideous Holiday Inn though.

What's the Anchor system?

I also vote for Holiday Inn to go. Or, again, a damn good reclad. The pressure must be on them by now...

The Anchor System is a series of tunnels that house a Cold War telecommunications installation under the city. Click the link below to read more.

http://www.birminghamanchor.co.uk/

CH

Like all things big & brown, it is cack!

The Anchor System is a series of tunnels that house a Cold War telecommunications installation under the city. Click the link below to read more.

http://www.birminghamanchor.co.uk/

CH

Ah yes - I have heard of this - there is a vent that I spotted in the JQ not far from the Assay Office - very intersting :)

Thanks! :cheers:

Oh no! That's the last we'll see of Bio the Mole!

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2388/icam01618hf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Here's a small contribution from me, taken today. Nothing you haven't seen before. HCT looks strangely small compared with the Sentinels on this non-3D photo. :yes:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2388/icam01618hf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Here's a small contribution from me, taken today. Nothing you haven't seen before. HCT looks strangely small compared with the Sentinels on this non-3D photo. :yes:

Yes, and look at the size of that lampost, it's twice the size of HCT :eek2:

Was it my imagination, the back drop of downtown Birmingham Midlands Today use shows the skyline really well, was the top of Beetham Tower illuminated? Something looked different about it.

Probably Central News on ITV - great view. The BBC have a terrible viewcam looking towards FiveWays tower but along the really depressing brown canalside buildings. For heaven's sake, either swing it around towards Quayside or move it so it looks at HCT and Orion! Why doesn't somebody at the BBC realise the negative viewcam and change it. I might message them about it right now.

"For heaven's sake, can somebody there please swing the existing viewcam around so that it doesn't look along a very depressing canal towards FiveWays Tower? Just to the right is a great view of Broad St's towers, or better still, how about from the front of the Mailbox towards the new Radisson Hotel / Orion Building. The existing view really gives off a negative image that Brum's spent so long trying to remove. The least the BBC can do is try to emulate Central's perspective and show Brum's wonderful skyline somehow.
Please sort it!"

There you go! That's better.

Yes, and look at the size of that lampost, it's twice the size of HCT :eek2:


hehe

yes, sorry it was Central News ..... illusions of grandeur pretending I watch the BBC!!

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

....

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

And the failure to have the world indoor athletics last year at the NIA?

Have the contractors been re-aligning the 'lines' on the back of HCT? I am sure they aren't as wibbly as they used to be...

Have the contractors been re-aligning the 'lines' on the back of HCT? I am sure they aren't as wibbly as they used to be...

Nah .. i think it's the light. The windows are in fact all in line but then filled in un- symmetrically. I will try to find a shot showing what i mean, meanwhile heres a bit more eye candy for you all :)

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

Are you up to funny tricks CH?

The photo above, and the Masshouse one look, well, old - like they're out of a book of 70's Brum or something.

Elastic-trickery?

CH, our news resident photographer....... and good one at that!

Are you up to funny tricks CH?

The photo above, and the Masshouse one look, well, old - like they're out of a book of 70's Brum or something.

Elastic-trickery?

I only wish i was Bio, i would get rid of that horrible brown lump in front of HCT :)

Are you up to funny tricks CH?

The photo above, and the Masshouse one look, well, old - like they're out of a book of 70's Brum or something.

Elastic-trickery?


Well, you DO know that on some photo-edit programmes, there is a filter button you can press which gives you that "instant 70s picture postcard look" about the pictures you're retouching yeah?

Well, on my computer I also have in addition to that feature an even more exclusive one which, at the press of a button, enables me to instantly increase the heights of any towers I wish - therefore you get this stunning result looking at the very same picture that you see above! :tongue2:


http://************/sz9ca0.jpg

And, blow me, it even added some extra tall antennae on top of the HCT for me (even though I didn't ask it to) and gave the Centre City Tower a nice spruce up for good measure too! Blimey - ain't photo-edit brilliant?!?! :D

Well, you DO know that on some photo-edit programmes, there is a filter button you can press which gives you that "instant 70s picture postcard look" about the pictures you're retouching yeah?

Well, on my computer I also have in addition to that feature an even more exclusive one which, at the press of a button, enables me to instantly increase the heights of any towers I wish - therefore you get this stunning result looking at the very same picture that you see above! :tongue2:


http://************/sz9ca0.jpg

And, blow me, it even added some extra tall antennae on top of the HCT for me (even though I didn't ask it to) and gave the Centre City Tower a nice spruce up for good measure too! Blimey - ain't photo-edit brilliant?!?! :D


Can't be that good if it cannot shrink that brown thing back into its basement, i must admit that CCT looks grand !

Can't be that good if it cannot shrink that brown thing back into its basement, i must admit that CCT looks grand !


Okey dokey - well at the click of another button - there you go - one clean uninterrupted view of HCT in all its 700 ft-plus finery - and that horrible brown thing that was blocking the view in front now consigned to nothing but a pile of rubble....... happy? :)

http://************/szbio0.jpg

Okey dokey - well at the click of another button - there you go - one clean uninterrupted view of HCT in all its 700 ft-plus finery - and that horrible brown thing that was blocking the view in front now consigned to nothing but a pile of rubble....... happy? :)

http://************/szbio0.jpg

Very Happy Martin :) :) :)

:lol: :banana: :cheer:

Glad to be of service then!

Well, I've just decided that CCT doesn't quite look as clean as I would like so I've given it even more of a facelift - and now it's positively sparkling!!

http://************/szct90.jpg

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, HCT has also gone in for the Colgate treatment..... the skyline now looks like fucking Dallas! :lol:

http://************/szcthy.jpg

My eyes! They Burn!!

Don't supose you could get a semi Decent picture of the building in my Avatar, As I'm not quite happy with the angle, or would that be beyond your skills? (!)

My eyes! They Burn!!

Don't supose you could get a semi Decent picture of the building in my Avatar, As I'm not quite happy with the angle, or would that be beyond your skills? (!)

This is all i have at the moment Stephen but next time i'm down that way i'll give it a go for you.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Big-Brown-Thing-thumb.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Big-Brown-Thing.jpg

My eyes! They Burn!!

Don't supose you could get a semi Decent picture of the building in my Avatar, As I'm not quite happy with the angle, or would that be beyond your skills? (!)


Er......hmmmmm...I have such an aversion to that darned monstrosity that I'm damned if I'm gonna touch it with a bargepole....even allowing for the photoshop treatment. ;) Besides, I don't have any pics of it I could access anyway - unless you could come up with any better?

Alternatively, I would be more than welcome to do a clever photoshop "impression" of the building being reduced to blackened smoking shell with a huge ball and chain having swung through it!! God I'm evil aren't I? :lol: :D

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Big-Brown-Thing.jpg

^^

Fuck me - the hideous brown thing seems to almost be a match for the HCT in terms of the vertical window sections - look closely and compare the two - they do look frighteningly similar from this viewpoint...... :eek2:

^^

Fuck me - the hideous brown thing seems to almost be a match for the HCT in terms of the vertical window sections - look closely and compare the two - they do look frighteningly similar from this viewpoint...... :eek2:

:drool:

Great pic! I'll need to trim it a bit to get rid of that stuff in the background, but :drool: Phorah!!

:cheer:

thanks!

^^

Fuck me - the hideous brown thing seems to almost be a match for the HCT in terms of the vertical window sections - look closely and compare the two - they do look frighteningly similar from this viewpoint...... :eek2:

Now there's a frightening thought, the architect was inspired by Stephen's Big Brown Thing ?

Now there's a frightening thought, the architect was inspired by Stephen's Big Brown Thing ?

It would definately appear to be thus. That horrific realisation has now kinda put me off the HCT a bit now - I will never appreciate it in the same way ever again...... :runaway:

That photo just goes to show why Birmingham really needs an observation tower rather than us having to make use of multi storey car parks to get good pictures. Bring on the Pinnacle!!

Well, you DO know that on some photo-edit programmes, there is a filter button you can press which gives you that "instant 70s picture postcard look" about the pictures you're retouching yeah?

Well, on my computer I also have in addition to that feature an even more exclusive one which, at the press of a button, enables me to instantly increase the heights of any towers I wish - therefore you get this stunning result looking at the very same picture that you see above! :tongue2:

And, blow me, it even added some extra tall antennae on top of the HCT for me (even though I didn't ask it to) and gave the Centre City Tower a nice spruce up for good measure too! Blimey - ain't photo-edit brilliant?!?! :D

Terrific - and good to see HCT at its proper height :)

Is there really a 'postcard' filter or is that a wind up?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Big-Brown-Thing.jpg

i really cant wait until they pack this with explosives and the press the button bringing this down in a cloud of dist!

The car park or that horrible brown building??

well both if i had the chance...but was mainly talking about the brown building

What are the chances of 2 100m ish towers at the car park and the brown shit building site. Imagine that view with 2 more glass towers :runaway:

well ther HCT site once once proposed to be 2 glass round tower at 90m..... so ur not the first to think of thast idea

HCT can be seen all the way from the Motorway.

You can see it from the outskirts of Nuneaton over 20 miles away .... plus the BT Tower.

well both if i had the chance...but was mainly talking about the brown building

You leave it alone you bully, or me and Steve'll have you.

mr....... i have, i am not had!

From Great Barr (between Jct 7 and Scott Arms lights) HCT and the BT Tower seem to merge as one and looks quite cool, photograph pending.

And seeing as everyone's in an off topic mood here are some of my old photo's of everyones big, brown, bolshy abomination.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/Shit1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/PICT0024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/PICT0023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/PICT0020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/PICT0018.jpg

well ther HCT site once once proposed to be 2 glass round tower at 90m..... so ur not the first to think of thast idea

I think that whole block that takes in HCT will be developed over the next few years, including the "Brown Thing". Is it actually occupied ..... you can't tell becuase the windows are as thin as the slits you get in castle battlements?!

mr....... i have, i am not had!

Dis the Brown thing again, and you will be. SIDEWAYS.



Hmm, Not sure I like the way this is going, wheres a good Moderator when you need one?

well i hope the car park and the "brown lump" have a shortened life: the contrast between HCT and the surrounding area is extreme to say the least.

I know, it is quite possibly the worst 'tall-ish' city centre buildings I have ever come across ...... and that includes Sheffield!

That one on Hurst Street is worse.

How tall is the Brown thing on Hill Street anyway?

That one on Hurst Street is worse.

How tall is the Brown thing on Hill Street anyway?

Yes, it looks like it was constructed by the same firm 'Pebble Dash 'r' Us'! The one on Hill Street is about 14 storeys, probably about 150ft or so?

I walked past today and noticed the address.....this thread should officially be called...ahem.... No 10 Holloway Circus.

Rate the brown bastardo:
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=7911558#post7911558

Here's a couple more for you .......

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Brown-Lump-1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Brown-Lump.jpg

Stop encouraging Stephen - that poor lad is going to get so turned on by all this eye candy he might get a heart attack from his multiple violent orgasms!!!!!!


:runaway:

Nice pics Cargo.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Brown-Lump.jpg

^^
Actually - that second picture has some amazing potential for a brand new "If Only Buildings Could Talk" caption competition.

So here's MY entry ahead of the rest of the pack just to get you started. :tongue2:


http://************/t0q98n.jpg

Just one error there. Clydesdale and Cleveland Towers would have camp voices. (They aint known as fairy towers for nothing!)... ;)

Yeah - foul mouthed Sentinels they may be no longer! Haaarumph! :rofl: :lol:

Just one error there. Clydesdale and Cleveland Towers would have camp voices. (They aint known as fairy towers for nothing!)... ;)

I wondered why I'd seen a couple of those rainbow flags in the windows of said towers. :|

Just one error there. Clydesdale and Cleveland Towers would have camp voices. (They aint known as fairy towers for nothing!)... ;)

I've always known them as Dorothy Towers ;)

^^
Actually - that second picture has some amazing potential for a brand new "If Only Buildings Could Talk" caption competition.



Try as I might I can't think of a good Pinnical/BT tower one..

^^
Actually - that second picture has some amazing potential for a brand new "If Only Buildings Could Talk" caption competition.

So here's MY entry ahead of the rest of the pack just to get you started. :tongue2:


http://************/t0q98n.jpg

:rofl:

Try as I might I can't think of a good Pinnical/BT tower one..

"Hello Big Boy. You're a mighty erection aren't you?" ;)

that second picture has some amazing potential for a brand new "If Only Buildings Could Talk" caption competition.
]

Nice thoughts. :)

If buildings could talk, maybe HCT would be a rapper?

Soething like this?

Hello

1-I wish I was little bit taller,
I wish I was a baller,
I wish I had a girl who looked good
I would call her
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
and a six-four impala

I wish I was like six-foot-nine
So I can get with Leoshi
Cause she don't know me but yo she's really fine
You know I see her all the time
Everywhere I go, and even in my dreams
I can scheme a way to make her mine
Cause I know she's livin phat
Her boyfriend's tall and he plays ball
So how am I gonna compete with that
'Cause when it comes to playing basketball
I'm always last to be picked
And in some cases never picked at all
So I just lean up on the wall
Or sit up in the bleachers with the rest of the girls
Who came to watch their men ball
Dag y'all! I never understood, black
Why the jocks get the fly girls
And me I get the hood rats
I tell 'em scat, skittle, scabobble
Got hit with a bottle
And I been in the hospital
For talkin' that mess
I confess it's a shame when you livin' in a city
That's the size of a box and nobody knows yo' name
Glad I came to my senses
Like quick-quick got sick-sick to my stomach
Overcome by the thoughts of me and her together
Right?
So when I asked her out she said I wasn't her type
(rpt 1, 1)

I wish I had a brand-new car
So far, I got this hatchback
And everywhere I go, yo I gets laughed at
And when I'm in my car I'm laid back
I got an 8-track and a spare tire in the backseat
But that's flat
And do you really wanna know what's really whack
See I can't even get a date
So, what do you think of that?
I heard that prom night is a bomb night
With the hood rats you can hold tight
But really tho' I 'm a figaro
When I'm in my car I can't even get a hello
Well so many people wanna cruise Crenshaw on Sunday
Well then I'ma have to get in my car and go
You know I take the 110 until the 105
Get off at Crenshaw tell my homies look alive
Cause it's hard to survive when your livin'
In a concrete jungle and
These girls just keep passin' me by
She looks fly, she looks fly
Makes me say my, my, my
(rpt 1, 1)

I wish I was a little bit taller y'all
I wish I was a baller...
I wish I was a little bit taller y'all
I wish I was a baller (3)

Hey, I wish I had my way
'Cause everyday would be a Friday
You could even speed on the highway
I would play ghetto games
Name my kids ghetto names
Little Mookie, big Al, Lorraine
Yo you know that's on the real
So if you're down on your luck
Then you should know just how I feel
Cause if you don't want me around
See I go simple, I go easy, I go greyhound
Hey, you , what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
Ahhhh, yes, ain't that fresh?
Everybody wants to get down like dat
(rpt 1, 1)

I wish, I wish, I wish (fade out)

^^ Ahoy! It's Mike Skinner innit? ;)

^^ Ahoy! It's Mike Skinner innit? ;)

Skeelow. Its ages old think at was late 80's early 90's definately, cos I was at school when it came out.

Oh, right, but it still comes across like the sort of thing the Streets would come up with - same level of intellect an' that! :lol:

Oh, right, but it still comes across like the sort of thing the Streets would come up with - same level of intellect an' that! :lol:

Not so much that, it was more the "I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller" line which made me think of HCT!

http://www.**************************/php-cgi/gallery2/d/10628-1/30CH0306+023.jpghttp://www.**************************/php-cgi/gallery2/d/10630-1/30CH0306+469.jpg
http://www.**************************/php-cgi/gallery2/d/10632-1/30CH0306+471.jpghttp://www.**************************/php-cgi/gallery2/d/10634-1/30CH0306+478.jpg

Great track Skeelo, have you ever heard the remix on "2 many DJs"when it mixes into the Breeders. It's f*ing amazing.

Nice pics there.

Just found a press release from BCC.


Sentinels take on a reclad with the colours of the gay flag.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/SimonTheSoundMan/Buildings/gay_sent.jpg

Nice.

Great mock up ;)

How amazing would it be if we had two glass rotundas situated there instead :runaway:

Leave them alone you lot, they look just fine as they are :gunz:

Deck them out in some skirts and handbags, I say!

HCT can then act as the referee with Centre City Tower, That Shitty Brown Lump and Stephenson Mutant comprising the spectators........
















http://************/t8t168.jpg


:tongue2:

:hahaha:

Now only if you could use your fantastic editing work to do some proper skyline renders ;)

:hahaha:

Now only if you could use your fantastic editing work to do some proper skyline renders ;)


That would be a waste! keep us the good work Martin!

Deck them out in some skirts and handbags, I say!

HCT can then act as the referee with Centre City Tower, That Shitty Brown Lump and Stephenson Mutant comprising the spectators........
















http://************/t8t168.jpg


:tongue2:
:hahaha: :lol: :rofl:

^^
Actually - that second picture has some amazing potential for a brand new "If Only Buildings Could Talk" caption competition.

So here's MY entry ahead of the rest of the pack just to get you started. :tongue2:


http://************/t0q98n.jpg
:rofl: :hilarious

The Dorothy Towers sketch is pure genius!! Keep up the good work Martin :)

When does HCT open to residents? Last time i drove into brum it looked great, i can't wait to see it lit up at night

When are they going to finish the back? Seriously though, an unusual view of the 'spine' of HCT...

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_1.jpg

It's not actually as big as you think...

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_2.jpg

Then again...

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_3.jpg

Isn't this what we all want to see? To complete the quartet of towers with The Sentinels?

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_comp.jpg

I want a 150m tower on the last remaining corner - pretty please.

http://www.battlemccarthy.com/projects/images/holloway_landscape_p02.jpg

Just found this today on This website (http://www.battlemccarthy.com/projects/landscape/holloway.html) I think its quite old, because it refers to a 44 storey tower. But the image appears to show the roof of the NCP car park as a roof garden!

Anyone any idea what happened to this?

150m? Something like this then?

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_comp_2.jpg

I recall that the roof garden over the NCP carpark was part of the planning submission but it clearly stated that the applicant did not control the adjacent site so the proposals were purely for illustration. At the time Cala had a competing proposal for the same site but including the Albany and the NCP car park.

Does anyone know how well the apartments have been selling, has it fully sold yet? Can't find any advertised at the main city agents which is odd.

looks like they have abandoned the idea of illuminating the top 2 recessed floors

was looking forward to seeing that too :ohno: :ohno:

150m? Something like this then?

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_comp_2.jpg

That's about the orginal design height isn't it?

150m? Something like this then?

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_comp_2.jpg


Naaah....if you're going to do it tall, it's best to go the whole hog in style and come up with the Full Monty......

:)

http://************/vy759g.jpg

Show off ;)

Caption compertition!

one on right "well, yes, size does matter, thanks very much"

http://www.linearb.net/images/holloway_1.jpg
That's a stunning pic Shel.

Show off ;)


Yeah - that's the HCT on the right being just that eh? :) :D

(double post)

here is a nice picture from the website

http://www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urlpicture&blobheader=image%2Fjpeg&blobkey=id&blobtable=ImageFile&blobwhere=1143207700968&cachecontrol=immediate&ssbinary=true

Thats a lovely picture we just need the lighting (I hope its still planned)

Some old construction pics they have quite an American feel to it

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/birmingham/ve_day/VE%20Day%20002.jpg

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/birmingham/jun05%20169.jpg

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/userpics/10048/File%20two%20002.jpg

Talking of a nice pic of HCT has anyone seen the new edition of the Rabbit guide to Birmingham. There are some in Waterstones New St on grnd floor.

Lovely nightime shot of HCT.

If anyone can get a scan....

[IMG]http://www.polperropress.co.uk/uploads/l_rabbit-guide-birm.jpg[IMG]

If you visit http://www.iansimpsonarchitects.com/site/main.htm you can see some small new images.

Wow - this one is an absolute beaut... has plenty of potential for another wicked Photoshop job methinks! ;)

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/userpics/10048/File%20two%20002.jpg

There - for Felt tip. :)


http://www.polperropress.co.uk/uploads/l_rabbit-guide-birm.jpg

^^ Actually that pic makes HCT look rather short and dumpy now.... :( :|

http://www.site-eye.co.uk/atwork/birmingham%20big.jpg

^^ Actually that pic makes HCT look rather short and dumpy now.... :( :|

And it makes City Centre Tower look about 20 Meters tall!

Wow - this one is an absolute beaut... has plenty of potential for another wicked Photoshop job methinks! ;)

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/userpics/10048/File%20two%20002.jpg

Hey, just realised thats a Dawn picture, NICE!
Makes a change to the sunset pics.

I can think of 4 towers that will feature in that picture, along with the Cube...

All in perspective (ish)

Grey = Broad St Tower
Gold = Cube
Blue = Arena Central
Orange = 2 x New St Stn

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/Biosonic/HCTDawn1.jpg

The Cube should act alot bigger on the skyline I would've thought and I really hope Arena Central has some sort of spire like the original designs.

Well, The Cube is 17 storeys so reaches about halfway up the Sentinels, and if Arena Central is to get its spire at up to 175m then the main body of the building has to drop...

Well, The Cube is 17 storeys so reaches about halfway up the Sentinels, and if Arena Central is to get its spire at up to 175m then the main body of the building has to drop...

Yes, but the Cube is only 11m shorter then the Sentinels and surely Arena Central can accomodate a spire without reducing the roof height, didnt it already have planning permission for a spire to take it over 200m?

The Cube will be 20m or more lower (I thought it was 67m) than the Sentinels and Arena Central has planning permission for 175m. I am not sure whether this is roof height or overall height though.

The Cube will be 20m or more lower (I thought it was 67m) than the Sentinels and Arena Central has planning permission for 175m. I am not sure whether this is roof height or overall height though.

I thought the cube was 72m atrium then 79m complete build.

A gift for Stephen

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/The-Big-Brown-Thing.jpg

Tank Oo!

Hmm..! and on this one you can see the way it delightfully plays with local environment at ground level!

Well, I say play, more sorta buggers, but...

Big init?

That area is so dead though, knock that down replace it with obviously a highrise entertainment complex ;) K-pissh, residents at HCT and Orion will have there very own little playground

John Bright Street was an enterainment complex, pubs, clubs heck it even had it's own art Gallery, wasn't that long ago.

(and it had a cinema, forgot about that. It use to be the Broad street of it's day!

Now its just a dead street especially when you come out the side of New Street and the Pavillions.

I can see the brown thing getting a Jury's Inn treatment in the future - a hotel!!! The Jury's Inn once was a telephone building so you never know.

I can see the brown thing getting a Jury's Inn treatment in the future - a hotel!!! The Jury's Inn once was a telephone building so you never know.

Well blow me you learn somat new everyday.

Was it all originally plant (I read about the tunnels) and telecoms equipment? There must be lots of space and empty areas as telecoms equipment is fraction of its former size nowadays. Do people still actually work in there? They must have a high turnover of staff with everyone committing suicide after working in that building for a few months.

I can see the brown thing getting a Jury's Inn treatment in the future - a hotel!!! The Jury's Inn once was a telephone building so you never know.

And it already looks less like a prison than Etap Hotel!

I think the Jury's on Broad Street was simply BT offices, they sold the building to Argent when they moved over to Brindley Place and Argent did the hotel deal

why can;t they just dynamite the place and start again

I think the Jury's on Broad Street was simply BT offices, they sold the building to Argent when they moved over to Brindley Place and Argent did the hotel deal

I went there as a kid - BT did a big "technology of the future" exhibition. Great stuff they even suggested we all might have pocket-sized mobile telephones, video conferencing and everything ;) )

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/The-Big-Brown-Thing.jpg

I noticed in town today, and you can see on this pic, that a mast-climber is being erected against the lift core, and... at last... THEY ARE REPLACING THE PANELS!!!! :cheer:

yes, i too saw this the other day

(edited to remove misunderstanding, nothing to see here, please move along)

bloody hell its great i say, should have been done sooner

The mast-climber is on the wrong side for the missing panels and i can't see what use the scaffold would be ...lol

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

First time HCT has looked Silver......SEXY!

Had a slightly strange weekend.

As an unexpected pre-birthday treat my other half arranged for us to stay in the new Radisson Hotel.

We drank champagne and dined heartily. I also asked her to marry me! :lovethem:

http://i3.************/w9xy13.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xyk5.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xyyd.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xz79.jpg

http://i3.************/w9wu1t.jpg

http://i3.************/w9wtpk.jpg

http://i3.************/w9wtfs.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xibk.jpg

http://i3.************/w9wweu.jpg
A Sentinel from the 9th floor

http://i3.************/w9ximq.jpg
A Gift for Stephen with the added bonus of Natwest and Stephenson Tower

http://i3.************/w9xsvk.jpg
Rotunda, CCT and Selfriges from the 18th floor

http://i3.************/w9xl5v.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xow0.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xlqa.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xnw8.jpg

http://i3.************/w9xocw.jpg

http://i3.************/w9y6x0.jpg
I don't often post pictures of myself in the bath but she did say yes :) :) :)

Had a slightly strange weekend.

As an unexpected pre-birthday treat my other half arranged for us to stay in the new Radisson Hotel.

We drank champagne and dined heartily. I also asked her to marry me! :lovethem:


CONGRATULATIONS!!

Congratulations :cheers1:

HOLD ON, HE NEVER SAID WHETHER OR NOT SHE AGREED.......DID SHE?????

...and does she know that urposting semi naked pictures of urself on the internet lol?

congrats mate

and nice pics too

http://www.martin.com/casestory/images/DeuPo-blue-(8).jpg

Just got back from a holiday in Cologne, & I visited Bonn & saw what Birmingham's HCT could've looked like. It is very similar in shape, but is 163 metres tall. It looked great.

HOLD ON, HE NEVER SAID WHETHER OR NOT SHE AGREED.......DID SHE?????

...and does she know that urposting semi naked pictures of urself on the internet lol?

congrats mate

and nice pics too

thanks chaps

Yes she did and yes she does. she thinks im stupid.

The radisson is a very nice hotel and the restaurant is excellent. I recommend it to everyone. The gym is on one the corner of the 18th floor and looks out towards the sentinels but saddly was closed for refurbishment.

thanks chaps

Yes she did and yes she does. she thinks im stupid.

The radisson is a very nice hotel and the restaurant is excellent. I recommend it to everyone. The gym is on one the corner of the 18th floor and looks out towards the sentinels but saddly was closed for refurbishment.

Blimey, the Gym must have had some use since I stayed there in February! Looks like they've had the windows cleaned in the lift lobby areas since I was there, they were filthy & couldn't get clear shots of the Rotunda like you.

I was surprised at how dirty the windows were and some of the lower ones were covered in bird shit. Also some external grills on the outside at the 18th floor had black (protective?) film like you get on a new face of mobile phone screens peeling off them which I thought was a bit odd.

Yes, I thought the building needed a bit of tidying up on the outside, which you don't notice at street level. Perhaps with summer on the way the outside will get a good clean up.

Congrats U475 Foxtrot!

yeah congratulations

HOLD ON, HE NEVER SAID WHETHER OR NOT SHE AGREED.......DID SHE?????

...and does she know that urposting semi naked pictures of urself on the internet lol?

congrats mate

and nice pics too

"I don't often post pictures of myself in the bath but she did say yes "

CONGRATULATIONS :cheers1:

Heartiest Congrats U475 (... but how did you cope with 'choppy ocean' on some of the windows? Makes me kinda sea-sick!)

I asked the workmen what was going on, they said they were checking every single panel and securing any found to be loose. I asked how many dud ones they had found but the best i could get out of them was "not many".

By the way Foxtrot, as for it "looking silver", if you can get over to St Martins/The Rag Market very early on a sunny morning HCT catches the rising sun and absolutely sparkles :)

CH

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

Congratulations, Foxy & the missus-to-be. You certainly do things in style

Great pics btw, although to be honest I do prefer Brum at night because some of those nearby towers and rooftops looked decidedly rough in broad daylight

Hopefully in a few years time and the redevelopment of the area gathers pace you'll probably check into the same room on your 10th anniversary and take pics of much more sexier buildings that will look cool during the day as well as night

Great pictures there. Particularly interesting is the view of the gutted rotunda. Congratulations by the way!

Congrats!!!

Your other-halfs jumper matches the beding!

Mark.


http://i3.************/w9xibk.jpg

i didnt even see her there, i just thought it was a big pillow....... no offense foxy

congrats foxy ! :)

congrats.

Having your glowing endorsement we will deffo check out the restaurant soon. What floor is it on?

First floor only and it's not cheap ;) Cost almost as much as the room

Thanks again everyone

Congrats Dan. I assume we will all get an invite to the wedding! ;)

Nice photos and congratulations !

Lucky git :P

http://i3.************/whd3wy.gifhttp://i3.************/whd0rm.gifhttp://i3.************/whd6rm.gifhttp://i3.************/whdseg.gif

Congratulations to Mr Foxtrot and his missus :applause: :cheers1:

That does look strangely like Guinness in your champagne glass though - are you mixing your social signifiers?

the mail reports that the Holiday Inn next door to Beetham tower has been sold to Cairn hotels and is to undergo substantial refurbishment (or "major investment"). Other than some mention of creating more double rooms, no mention of an external reclad, but it's a good sign...

the mail reports that the Holiday Inn next door to Beetham tower has been sold to Cairn hotels and is to undergo substantial refurbishment (or "major investment"). Other than some mention of creating more double rooms, no mention of an external reclad, but it's a good sign...

I used to work at one of its sister hotels.
They have been trying to get rid of this for a while and there has been some discussion of total demolition, which we could hope for.

But i guess substantial refurbishment is good.

this is one of the few times where is say ANYTHING is an improvement with holiday inn

Looks like I'm the last to say it, but nice one Foxy :)

Dunno if it's good news about Holliday Inn getting investment... means it'll be here to stay for another while at least. If it's only internal, and they're spending millions, then it'll still look pants, but they won't want to knock it down after splashing out....

This sentinal looks really awkward and clumsy, like he's been caught having a wank by his mom or something, and is trying to think of an explanation.

http://i3.************/w9wweu.jpg

More likey caught trying on mum's clothes.

:lol:

I have never really looked at one in isolation before. They are twins and aren't ofte seen alone.

I drove past Beetham tower yesterday from Paradise Circus, and noticed on the third or fourth floor, on the corner glass there is a man size hole, as if someone has ran through it, has anyone else noticed it?

More likey caught trying on mum's clothes.


You're asking for it aren't you? I mean...... for this pic to be posted up once again!


http://************/t8t168.jpg

I drove past Beetham tower yesterday from Paradise Circus, and noticed on the third or fourth floor, on the corner glass there is a man size hole, as if someone has ran through it, has anyone else noticed it?


^^


Probably got damaged by the sharp edge of a large handbag swinging into it... ;)

Well, I was kinda hoping for the naught school boy look, in a nice summer frock

"I err. was just trying it on, I know it's wrong, but it feels so right"

This sentinal looks really awkward and clumsy, like he's been caught having a wank by his mom or something, and is trying to think of an explanation.

http://i3.************/w9wweu.jpg


But you've already seen in the past what he really gets up to when his back is turned, haven't you Blunthy? Look at him! What a depraved old slag he is!!

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

....Oh dear....looks like he's had a tipple too many now by the looks of things.....

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


....And as if that isn't bad enough, the cheeky devil starts to practice his acrobatics whenever no one is looking.....

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


.....Not to mention stretching exercises, whilst impersonating a unicorn...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/ExtratallSentinel2.jpg


.....Then indulging in not-so-discreet sharing of a Frankfurter with his neighbour.....

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


Noty such an innocent building after all, is he? ;)

You are a nutter Martin :lol:

I just noticed on your handbag picture you increased the height of Scala House. Naughty ;)

I drove past Beetham tower yesterday from Paradise Circus, and noticed on the third or fourth floor, on the corner glass there is a man size hole, as if someone has ran through it, has anyone else noticed it?

That's been there for a while - there are also a couple of broken windows higher up too.

Someone should tell Radisson - I nominate Foxy seeing as he spends so much time there :)

But you've already seen in the past what he really gets up to when his back is turned, haven't you Blunthy? Look at him! What a depraved old slag he is!!

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

....Oh dear....looks like he's had a tipple too many now by the looks of things.....

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


....And as if that isn't bad enough, the cheeky devil starts to practice his acrobatics whenever no one is looking.....

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


.....Not to mention stretching exercises, whilst impersonating a unicorn...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/MartianG/ExtratallSentinel2.jpg


.....Then indulging in not-so-discreet sharing of a Frankfurter with his neighbour.....

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


Noty such an innocent building after all, is he? ;)


:lol: You're crazy :nuts:

:D OMG PLEASE BUILD SENTINALS LIKE THAT!!!

I saw the Manc Beecham tower on the news, it looked fantastic, it just brought home to me how bad cutting down the more intresting shaped, and in my 'umble better designed, Birmingham one was.

But because of it's height the Manchester one is the better building.

And what for? because some drunk plane pilot might crash into it? Just as the can the BT Tower?

IT MAKE ME, SO MAADDD!

I saw the Manc Beecham tower on the news, it looked fantastic, it just brought home to me how bad cutting down the more intresting shaped, and in my 'umble better designed, Birmingham one was.

But because of it's height the Manchester one is the better building.

And what for? because some drunk plane pilot might crash into it? Just as the can the BT Tower?

IT MAKE ME, SO MAADDD!


I saw it too - but as ever they had to go and get the figures wrong didn't they?.... they said it stood 564 feet high when we all know it stands 561 feet. And not just that - they said the highest floor (the one where Ian Simpson and the reporter were broadcasting from) was [the alleged] 564 feet above the street when the BLADE is the highest point at what is correctly 561 feet..... Can't trust these idiots to get things right can we? :no:

I saw the Manc Beecham tower on the news, it looked fantastic, it just brought home to me how bad cutting down the more intresting shaped, and in my 'umble better designed, Birmingham one was.

But because of it's height the Manchester one is the better building.

And what for? because some drunk plane pilot might crash into it? Just as the can the BT Tower?

IT MAKE ME, SO MAADDD!

I don't think the CAA regs can stand long term. Go on Google Earth and look at Canary Wharf and London City Airport. Look how CLOSE CW is to the airport, AND the runway POINTS STRAIGHT AT the development!!

Then look at Brum by comparison, the orientation of the runway (and the proposed 2nd one) plus the distance from the city centre....

I know the CAA say that the height above sea level which is the main factor, but which area would you say is at higher risk of somehing happening?

Sooner or later, someone will challenge it in court, and it will be history!

I don't think the CAA regs can stand long term. Go on Google Earth and look at Canary Wharf and London City Airport. Look how CLOSE CW is to the airport, AND the runway POINTS STRAIGHT AT the development!!

Then look at Brum by comparison, the orientation of the runway (and the proposed 2nd one) plus the distance from the city centre....

I know the CAA say that the height above sea level which is the main factor, but which area would you say is at higher risk of somehing happening?

Sooner or later, someone will challenge it in court, and it will be history!This calls for a... :hm:


All I can think is the flight path goes around Brum and not over it. If a plane goes over Brum something is wrong, such as it's about to crash into the ground. One crashing into the Bull Ring killing 100,000 people is far worse than a 150m tower with 5,000 people in it. :hm:

HM?

Heavy Metal?

or

Hmmm.....?

Her Majesty

*ignore!!

Congratulations Foxtrot :cheers:

Congratulations Foxy....enjoy your birthday this saturday too :cheers:

As mentioned on The Rotunda Thread, the tiles on the rear of HCT look like they're being replaced or rearranged!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT014008062006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT013008062006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT017708062006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT017708062006.jpg


Christ almighty, it looks huge in this pic! Nice angle.

It will always be a short arse to Martin G :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT013008062006.jpg

]

Thanks for the photos.Nice perspective.

Well Nacho I felt obliged coz you kept moaning about my crap contribution lately :)

Did someone drop a big 'B' with the cladding then I wonder?

Don't you think those two 'spikes' look a bit pathetic and quite frankly wasted where they are? - why couldn't they be taller so you could see them from the other side of the tower, and look as if they are on the roof, just like in the original render - with the red beacons on top of each one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/roadhog/DSCF2408.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/roadhog/DSCF2395.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/roadhog/DSCF2407.jpg

To think, I used to stand on that car park to get all my HCT photos. Oh those were the days.

Christ almighty, it looks huge in this pic! Nice angle.


But, let's not forget that Smiley has this amazing camera that, due to its telephoto ability, can make EVERY building look much taller than it really is - thus completely flattering to deceive. That's not to say his pics are bad - far from it, he always takes excellent pictures of just about anything. Good on Smiley! (You jammy bastard!) :)

As mentioned on The Rotunda Thread, the tiles on the rear of HCT look like they're being replaced or rearranged!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%205/PICT014008062006.jpg

^^


Just look at that! As if we needed any further proof that Stephen Robinson's favourite building and HCT are almost blood brothers from this perspective....!!! (Just don't mention the utter abomination that is Ori.........ooops, I almost just did...) :runaway:

By the way Smiley - how the hell did you manage to kidnap one of the little animated Blue Flame Guys from the British Gas TV commercial?? :eek2:

Ive always mulled over whether i like the backside of the HCT but after seeing it from the M6 driving home the other day and not seeing it for a few months ive decided i really like it...its a great feature which not many buildings or can say they posess!

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=463607

Sexiful

Taken from Property Week.


Beetham considers £80m double hotel saleProperty Week | 16.06.2006Liverpool-based developer Beetham Organization is considering its first big sell-off after receiving an unsolicited approach for its two hotels in Birmingham and Liverpool

Guess who's lights were on last night? :)

And the Sentinels :)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0207.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0203.jpg

and this one is a semi decent picture:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0192.jpg

Nice pics Stephen - good work :cheers1:

Tank Oo.

I've tried to go for unusal angles, rather than the obvious/best ones which is some look a bit odd, hawh, It's just I'm a crap photographer!

btw, i noticed the lights on beetham last week.... but only really noticed it from frankley, not close up

from what i could see, the top section was lit up white...anyone else confirm/expand further on this?

I saw a series of blue uplighters shining in the penthouse recess...

Looks like they are taking the cladding off and then putting it back on with safer clips (note: the cladding did fall off because of crappy plastic clips).

I got this last saturday whilst on my Orion Lights trip:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/HCT-Lights-1.jpg

I saw a white light on top of HCT all last week - can't make out what it was; I thought it was the 'SAS' logo - but it's now gone

Fanks CH :)

Dunno if y'all have seen this before but...
http://www.site-eye.co.uk/sample2.html

Dunno if y'all have seen this before but...
http://www.site-eye.co.uk/sample2.html

That's very cool. I wonder how many times ssc forumers appear in that video (for a nano second of course) taking photos of it's construction. I think they do actually build them about that fast in Dubai though!!!

Thanks Babycakes!

I love this photo btw Stephen. It looks like some crazy futuristic tower from an over the top science fiction B movie. The cladding actually looks like the buildings floors so it looks deceptively tall there :crazy:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0207.jpg

Does it show some of the cladding falling off and loads of police cars turning up?

I couldn't resist a few HCT shots as usual

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%206/PICT002416072006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%206/PICT002616072006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%206/PICT002716072006.jpg