Cant find the original orion thread, I suppose this will have to do the job for now -

The core's topped out. No pictures yet - which is a shame because it was sunny in town today, but hopefully I'll have my camera out again soon after a spell where I've not had chance.

Already, but it looks so tiny :(

I can't be arsed now but tomorrow I'll do a month by month picturagramthingy of Orions progress seeing as the hacker fucked up all our previous work....tosser

I can't be arsed now but tomorrow I'll do a month by month picturagramthingy of Orions progress seeing as the hacker fucked up all our previous work....tosser

Ay, I'm starting to think we'll never get those threads back :(

Already, but it looks so tiny :(

True - but I think the triplex apartments will sit on top without core access all the way up - plus the scaffolding and stuff makes it look fatter than it really is. Should still look spiffing, no fear.

This is interesting, not sure if you guys have seen it before, but I think its relatively knew, Orion's cranes up there.

http://www.crworld.co.uk/aware/CR%20Heights%20Birmingham%20City%20Council.pdf

so now that the core has been topped out what do u guys think.... as has been said add 3 floors (triplex apartment) and how tall and slender is it?

The core has been topped out.....I was expecting more.

The core's topped out!! I take it that it doesn't look that impressive then, I haven't seen it in the flesh for a while.

SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE SOME PICTURES!!!!!!

I'll be able to get some over the weeknd but hopefully someone will beat me to it.

Isn't it probable that the liftshafts will only serve the bottom floor of the triplexes? So we can expect it to be 2 floors higher than the topped out core?

tis true caw!

They seem to be preparing the crane for another height increase - saw it lifting sections of itself up as I was passing today.

well i never thought the crane looked very tall..... this should now give us some idea of what we can expect in height

what makes you guys think its topped out?

what makes you guys think its topped out?

The slip former is being disassembled.

Orion yesterday
http://************/9uofx0.jpg

topped out tower core
http://************/9uohsg.jpg

http://************/9uoi2e.jpg

This is such a mish mash of architectural styles I really hope it's going to look ok. The listed facade section has cheap white pvc windows which look terrible. I've also noticed that the Nelson building on the Aston campus is also sporting a similar white/grey square rendering
http://************/9uoi89.jpg

http://************/9uoish.jpg

http://************/9uoj6h.jpg

Some great pictures there ...
I would say theres still another 7-8 floors left to rise yet (including the mezzaine penthouses) dont fret so people :cheers1:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/163TheOrionBuilding_pic1.jpg

http://************/9uofx0.jpg

Good pics again Foxtrot.

am i missing something?

look at the pictures in birminghamcultures post. yes the tower is to rise more as i expect the core will not go through the penthouseat the top....so theres another 3/4 floors height left to gain (though BC, the core has topped out so not 7/8 extra floors lol)

however, on the view from the queensway looking towards the tunnel....i se 2 steps in the building....however, the rendering has 3 steps?!?!?!?!?

I think there could be 3 steps there - if the lift shaft is on the New St & HCT corner then that could be one vertical, then a step back to the line of the tower crane and another vertical, then step back to the back of the lorry and the final vertical.

Or the scaffolding could be misleading...

damn misleading scaffolding lol

also to those of you who may think its looks a little fatter than we first thought, remember that unlike hct, this one is rapped in a layer of scaffolding....... will be thinnner when finished!

Looks like the core is on the corner of the tower and has 4 penthouse floors to go on top of it

http://************/9uohsg.jpg

http://************/9uylc7.jpg http://************/9uylhl.jpg

Still looks a bit short to me but I suppose I'll have to see it in the flesh to appreciate it's height

Dont forget the top penthouses are a bit taller then the lower ones dont fret smiley another 12-15m add on top will look very significant.

Dont forget the top penthouses are a bit taller then the lower ones dont fret smiley another 12-15m add on top will look very significant.

Yeah I know that but it still seems stumpy.....I'll be in town taking some pics soon so maybe I'll be in a better position to judge it then

Thanks for those pictures U. From the first two it appears the height of the actual tower is similar to that in the rendering. And from this one ...
http://************/9uylhl.jpg
... it looks like some lucky buggers will be getting gardens!

Sorry about the size but I can't be bothered to resize them and I didn't get this angle last time :)

http://************/a1n8uw.jpg

http://************/a1n94w.jpg

not sure about the orion stonework
http://************/a1n97t.jpg

and this has got nothing to do with orion but I like it. Very birmingham and I like the guy in the kashmir top
http://************/a1n9ep.jpg

this scheme is HUGE!!!

Some pics from today.....it still looks stumpy to me though

Skyscraper Alley
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionAug7th2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Orion7thAug2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionAug7th05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Orion7thAug05.jpg

Thought I'd take a pic of the Orion sign on the hoardings...stupid girls nearly got in the way!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionAugust7th2005.jpg

Nearly forgot this one taken from Centenary Square
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionHCTAug7th2005.jpg

long way to go yet but looking cool

Some great shots there, think it be great when unwrapped. 4 more floors to go should give it that pinnacle effect, Im hoping for ... I heard another 10 storey is planned, is it on this side of the alley or the other?

Great pics Smiley.
Don't worry too much about the stumpy look of Orion now. As Woody pointed out, there's a layer of scaffolding to come away and the elevated ring road takes off at least 2 storeys from the base of the tower. Also, the vertical lines on the tower faces will give a greater sense of height. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one finished.
Thought I'd take a pic of the Orion sign on the hoardings...stupid girls nearly got in the way!!
Really! Do you expect us to believe that?! You take a photo of a couple of cuties, which just happens to have the Orion boarding in the background, and then pretend it's a photo of the building site. We know what you're up to in town :naughty:

What it would look like with John Bright

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Orion7thAug05.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/411/orion12da.png

It is going to look stumpy with all the scaffolding and wrapping around it, but hopefully those few meters taken off when unveiled will make it look more streamlined :) Sure itll all be champion and nice photos :)

Remember that the penthouses will take the final height of the tower to up by the crane cab in this picture. It will look cracking, and in a couple of years she'll have a little sister too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Orion7thAug05.jpg

Remember - the lowest point (which isn't the high point on Orion 2 - looked very similar though) is just over 1/3 the height of the tower. Here's my knock-up to show how much taller it's gonna get. Enjoy!

http://************/aabor8.jpg

I've got a feeling that's a tad optimistic MSP. :(

i agree it does appear a tad optemistic but he has a point....we'll just av to wait and see

Think about it - there's no way the tower, at only 4 floors plus the Triplex penthouses above (7 total then), as it is under the scaffold, relates to what is shown on the visuals. The tower climbs to almost double the height as the second highest shoulder. That's not being optimistic, that's fact.

So the people who live at the top will have to get out of the lift early and walk up several flights of stairs?

I don't know why the shaft slip or Doka has finished where it has - weigh it up with the visuals, it doesn't match up. The maximum number of floors that can conceivably go without an elevator are the top 2, being the upper penthouse storeys.

Why do i get the feeling this tower might of actually been cut in height.

Though if it had, surely we would of heard about it.

Has that ever happened before?

No chance Jolon - They've even increased Orion 2 in height :cheers:

Well maybe all this 'looks small' is cos we were so use to 90m being a tall building at one time, but since you just completed HCT, these small n's just dont look big anymore :P

http://************/acdbwj.jpg

if you look at the renders the tower appears to be about 17 floors above the lowest bit of orion, shown by the red line, from this angle some of the lower floors are hidden by the road and the penthouses may be slightly heigher ceilings than the rest, add the feature on the roof and it might look about this tall, although im un sure how many floors its to be now? 28? does that iiclude grond floor or is it 29 with? if so you can add another floor!

Its defo 28 floors

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/p052c93ea65fba695b239790a1a4aee52/f64b70da.jpg


The core does seem to be on the low side when compared to the rendering but there are four penthouse floors on the render so when completed it should not be too far off the sentinals height. The raised queensway does not help as you lose two floors straight away.

No chance Jolon - They've even increased Orion 2 in height :cheers:

Yeah, i know it's not very likely. It's just the way the core seems to end so low down. It just doesn't add up.

But now i've just looked at blueboy's post, it makes more sense now.

We always seem to be moaning about this tower....first it was a barren cleared site with weeds growing on it (we moaned about them and the lack of activity) then the initial bulk of the project was constructed but the tower didn't seem to want to make an appearence (how we moaned!) and now we're moaning that the actual tower seems too stubby (me included).....It's definitely 28 storeys and it's going to look fantastic, moaning and grumbling over :)

woohoo to that!

Starting too make an aperance on the skyline from st.andrews now. Its got a body apperaring around the core which looks fairly big!
With the penthouses it will look about the same height as the hyatt from that angle!

A few Orion from today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Orion27thAugust2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Orion27thAug2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/OrionAug272005.jpg

^^^
Whoops forgot to resize that middle one :)

here's a close up of the facade
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/OrionAug2705.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/OrionAug27th2005.jpg

Umm It looks as if I was right, still 3 floors to go excluding the top Penthouses ... so 6/7 more storeys :runaway:

Compare the 2nd picture of Smileys wonderfull collection :cheers1: to the render ;)

I hope you've got your rendering head on BC, I've got some skyline shots to post up later :cool:

;) I am :) but my computers been playing up recently, to many stored images :hahaha:

cant wait to see them

Oh, and the crane has risen significantly since last set of photos :yes:

Beast!
Although it does look a bit of a mess with all that tatty scafolding.

Top pics smiley

again, as i said in the new stret thread, would sem that the orion crane is due to rise even more with the sections of crane on the roof!

well spotted!
but why has the core appeared to have topped out, Surely the lifts will reach the top floors?

well theres no point........ with the top 3 floors all being the same house/flat....... why do all floors need a lift??? only the lowest floor needs a lift lol

Today while I was passing!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/midgeblackandwhite/Picturefile614.jpg

and a close up of the top where it seems patriotism is alive and well!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/midgeblackandwhite/Picturefile615.jpg

what camera did you use if you dont mind me asking as i'm looking to get one soon

what camera did you use if you dont mind me asking as i'm looking to get one soon
Its a Canon Powershot S1 IS. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/midgeblackandwhite/Picturefile615.jpg

This image quite clearly shows that the core is still to rise further. You can see the rebar protruding from the top to allow laps onto more vertical bars. I don't know why they are doing it in 2 phases. Perhaps it steps back into a single liftshaft for the remaining floors or something.

http://www.doka.com/imperia/md/content/doka/english/formworknews/8.pdf

This DOKA newsletter says the core will be 85m. Article about Orion on page 4, and photo on the first page.

Very interesting PDF. thanks CAW

So was my optimistic dwg correct then? The tower is to be 3x higher than the lowest part?

MoreStorey if anything your diagram was a bit to short ;) as you can see form the rendering the main tower is about twice the size of the 2nd block

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid146/p052c93ea65fba695b239790a1a4aee52/f64b70da.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Orion27thAug2005.jpg

the tower is starting to make an impact on the view from st andrews, looks like it ll appear about as tall as alpha from that angle, so it should be quite tall, unfortunatly it partially blocks the veiw of the hyatt!

Driving through the city centre this morning I noted that the Orion crane has again been extended.

It wouldn't surprise me if the penthouses have their own lift, but we shall see! Looking forward to the cladding going on - and the wraps coming off!

so do you reakon that the tower will be taller than that core??

Almost definite - I would say the penthouses are yet to go on. They wouldn't use the form work they previously used because the extrenal walls of the penthouses are mostly glass, so bespoke formwork or precast concrete will probably be used.

... plus, the press would have reported the topping-out of Orion - it is pretty high profile!

I'm confused. The article that caw posted states the core will be 85m tall. There is no way that is 85m, so how are they gonna make it any taller, and if it is being made any taller, why have they stopped. I believe that there is still more than just the penthouses to go on.

I'm confused. The article that caw posted states the core will be 85m tall. There is no way that is 85m, so how are they gonna make it any taller, and if it is being made any taller, why have they stopped. I believe that there is still more than just the penthouses to go on.

Read my last post. The core will certainly start to rise further.

Biosonic - all formwork is bespoke. (Edit - I see what you mean though beacuse the floor plates change shape)

If the core is to be 85m then the top of the building will definatly rise to at least 90m

If the core is to be 85m then the top of the building will definatly rise to at least 90m

Now, if I remember correctly when discussing the height of Orion I was the only one to say that it was taller then 90m - Oh my joy :rofl:

The lowrise parts of the building look really class! Whether it's 90m or not, this is quality architecture.

The lowrise parts of the building look really class! Whether it's 90m or not, this is quality architecture.

I'm inlcined to agree with you although I think the white render looks misplaced and the cheap and nasty windows in the existing facade demonstrate Crosby's contempt for the city planners' ruling that they must retain that section of the original building. (Why they couldn't keep the entire facade that wrapped around the corner is beyond me.)

BUT, I don't mean to sound disparaging - I do like this building, and the tower will look great! :)

And one thing that a lot of people seem to overlook - it is a huge building!

I'm disappointed with some aspects of this building, mainly the modern windows in the old facade and the new red cladding which tries but fails to match the red brick. From this angle the architecture looks a complete mess.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Orion27thAug2005.jpg
Why couldn't we of had more of the yellow stone cladding seen in the bottom left of this picture? I think that would have complimented the red brick better than the red tiles on the lower sections.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/OrionAug27th2005.jpg
Hopefully when the whole building is finished the design will pull together. I expect the tower to be very impressive.

The red tiles are a bit naff, which is a shame. Like you said a bit of stone would have been nice. Why do no modern buildings use stone?

Anyway. I like messy architecture. I think the whole city's a bit messy architecturewise, and that's what I like about it. Shbould be a good building - it is fucking massive.

mmm. Not sure I'd want to live in one of those lower flats with the yellow brick. Imagine saying you live at Orion and going back there. Bit of an anti-climax!

as with blunther, yes it would have eben nice if more stone was used....but i too like messy archtecture, keeps the eye busy and always something new to look at!

Better than bland like that fucking hotel shite anyway.

...definately

For sure dog.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was part of the planning conditions to have the 'layers' with the different textures - it is used to make the visuals interesting and tried to maintain a streetscape. Because of the nature of the area, a single frontage would be monolithic, whereas this makes the area complex - it almost gives the impression of a collection of buildings.

John Bright St will look great when all this is done, and when you look up toward Orion and Westside/West 2, all the levels look fantastic. Very London-esque with such high density.

It certainly does look like four or five different buildings.

yeah, the skiline view of john bright street wil look god but when are they gonna sort out the street scape with all those abandoned high quality building... i truly believe that JBS could be one of the cities gems with a nice load of cafes and bars!

does anyone notice how about 5 years ago they started to paint new streets many bridges, then just left them half painted, looks a right mess....(see pics above)

shows the contempt the national authorities have for the city really !!! can you imagine them getting away with it any where else ??

yeah orion does look a bit awkward, which is odd cus on sheepcote street they have made a big effort with liberty place and the listed buildings incorporated !!!

this does look messy x

heres how id like to see the area of JBS tarted up..

it includes:

* an etension of the Alexander northward to allow for the demolition of the bridge
* a new square
* a new round tower to overlook the new enterance to New street

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/JBSjpg.jpg

nice, have you demolished spearmint rhino extreme?

nice, have you demolished spearmint rhino extreme?
If you have thats a big mistake! Beautiful building.. :)

yup.......sPEARMINT RHINO OR A NICE OPEN PLAZA........ I NO WHICH ID WANT

be nice if it was kept and turned into soem kind of live music venue ? or arts venue, to bring life into the street.....then the reast as bars cafes with apartments above, would feel very continental then, knock down the gala bulding and have a wedge shaped square there instead ?

i agree about the brodge from the alex though, looks very tatty

hmmm, i can see you point but im not sure im convinced..... doing it this way, a focal point is made of the Alex..... as of yet, no one know it is there but now it will front a new plaza with cafe and resturants surrounding it.... making the area a destination...... and by doing this you are also opening up the area to show off the grand architecture of the buildings opposite spearmint .........and im sure spearmint is a fake anyway!....though ofcourse, the brooke is going lol

spearmint is real mr, used to be a cinema think it was the futurist, but may have been something before that too, may even have been a music hall back in the day !!!

you could always build the fronT of the alex where john bright street runs and knock down the newer foyer and have the square there ? at least you keep the old cinema which is in keeping with the rest of john bright street ? and you also get a new square that is highly visible from the ring road

personally your idea's great, but i think the cioty needs to start hanging on to its heritage where possible, as BIO said, quite why crosby could not keep the beautiful corner building and incorporate it into orion !! the replacement does not have the same charm

and believe me i love modern architecture

where is the brooke going, hope its not the building itself, always thought john bright sreet had the best collection of buildigns in the city.....seems its integrity is slowly being eroded....hope i am wrong

Well said. We dont wanna be getting rid of buildings like the old futurist cinema. A square or this building. Give me this building anyday. There's other shit to demolish to create the square.

The old Grapes pub (ok for us old-uns) is now a Select and Save shop and apartments above (white building) probably ready for the new influx of tennants. So this won't go, but the building behind it, next to SR hopefully could bite the dust along with the Casino.

yeah i noticed and its 24/7, must be brums first real 24/7 store, apart from garages x

Is it just me, Or has Orion's crane been jacked up?

I work in digbeth, and I noticed it on tuesday. Looks higher than Alpha Tower from where I am now.

es it has been jacked up

The old Grapes pub (ok for us old-uns) is now a Select and Save shop and apartments above (white building) probably ready for the new influx of tennants. So this won't go, but the building behind it, next to SR hopefully could bite the dust along with the Casino.
mmm happen to notice that they're presently selling 3 bottles of Blossom Hill for £8.99, which take it from me is quite good! (hic) :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Orion27thAug2005.jpg

Orion is very in keeping with the listed New St signal house (bottom right).Weird that.

I've just concluded that the terracotta tiling that wraps around the curve looks awful. Why couldn't they have just kept the black glass bit as the facade? It think it looks quite classy...

Or maybe a blue tile instead of terracotta?

why is the new st signal station listed??

why is the new st signal station listed??

Because it is a pretty nifty piece of 60's archietcture (or 70's - whenever). I like it a lot, and hey, you need a signal box for New St!

It is a pity they couldn't coat it with something to stop the concrete getting grubby though.

I dunno Bio, the terracotta tiling really grew on me. Just look at the picture, it adds a lot of color and character into area. If all of it were black, it would look kinda grim.

I dunno Bio, the terracotta tiling really grew on me. Just look at the picture, it adds a lot of color and character into area. If all of it were black, it would look kinda grim.

Point taken about the black colour, but I am not convinced about the terracotta. Brickwork to match the existing facade or even buff tiling (but it would get dirty), but not that red. I think it looks like a mismatch. Even a light blue render would look better!

I agree it needs something there though....

i like the terracotta brick - looks classy

I like the terracotta brick, just not the tiling. Not in terracotta anyway....

I'm also of the opinion that it would've looked ten times better with just black glass.

The floorplates are now the same height as the core. Now what?

Only the floorplates to the tower MSP - and this morning I spied them beginning to extend the concrete columns from the top floor of the tower - we're on our way up again!!

If anybody goes on a camera walk this weekend could you get an Orion photo?

Wish id had my camera today!
The view from the Selfridges carpark roof (with the bridge) was stunnin' in the sunlight

They've started to add the extra floors on top now, by putting in slimmer columns and perimeter frames.

This and more will be in tomorrow's Birmingham Post.



International fashion designer turned interior decorator John Rocha has visited Birmingham to unveil his plans for his latest project - the city's most expensive ever penthouse.


The £1.65 million apartment will be the jewel in the crown of The Orion Building, a tower of more than 300 flats designed by Ireland-based Rocha in collaboration with Crosby Homes and BBLB Architects.


Located opposite the Mailbox, and due for completion in September 2006, the 25th floor penthouse will offer 360-degree views of Birmingham and be equivalent in size to two four-bedroom detached houses.


***

be equivalent in size to two four-bedroom detached houses.
Blimey - wouldn't mind one four bed detached! Or even just a penthouse cupboard.

I thought that the 2 centre triplex appartments in HCT were supposed to be the most expensive? Or have the plans changed - they're not on Beetham's website anymore!

they divided them into smaller units

They weren't having much luck on selling the penthouses in HCT

They weren't having much luck on selling the penthouses in HCT

We should have bought one between all the Birmingham forumers

Some pictures from yesterday ...
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/Orion-WithHCT.jpg
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/Orion-BehindScaf.jpg
A close-up of the top:
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/Orion-ScafCloseUp.jpg

I noticed that the top of the tower is going to be visible from a number of public places:
Centenary Square
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/Orion-FromCentenarySquare.jpg
Gas St Basin
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/Orion-FromGasSt.jpg

Thanks for those.

Good pics Steve...I was thinking about popping into town yesterday for some pics but I just sat on my fat ass at home instead

...I was thinking about popping into town yesterday for some pics but I just sat on my fat ass at home instead
Easily done.
In fact, that's my plan for today.

so is that the full height then?

No Stephen - she's got a few more floors yet I believe :)

Not yet.

excellent, it looks a bit stubby at the mo, but maybe cuz that's due to the cladding thickening it out.

You know given the time I spend on this list I really should get another job.. Or maybe I should just be grateful?

Today's article with pics conecerning the new penthouse.
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_objectid=16190949%26method=full%26siteid=50002%26headline=revealed%2d%2d%2dcity%2ds%2d%2d1%2d65m%2dapartment-name_page.html

It looks like 4 floors are going to be built as the construction technique now, on top of the core, therefore should top our pretty quickly.

I went past orion today and noticed that they appear to have tarted up part of john bright street. So far it looks good, much of the boarding has gone so it makes it appear really clear. can't wait to see have orion2 fits in.

I'm loving the plaque with the 'The Orion Building' logo etched into it... :)

whys it dead on this site today

oh and good news about orion too

I've just noticed, the Orion 2, John Bright street thingy does that mean Edwards will be going too?? If so, me unhappy

I don't know if Edwards is going to go - it is not in the footprint of Orion 2 but the noise could be an issue..

Tributes paid to architect

Oct 7 2005

Tributes have been paid to a Birmingham businessman who died while on holiday with his family.

Nigel Lomas, the founding partner of Midlands based architect BBLB, collapsed while out running on St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. The 55-year-old was on holiday with his wife.

Ed Baverstock, a partner at the practice, said: "We are all shocked and saddened by Nigel's death. He was so full of life and inspired great passion and enthusiasm in those around him. "He has made many many friends in the property and construction industry over the years and his death is a great loss to those who knew him and worked with him. A dedicated family man, our thoughts are with his widow, Hilary, and children, Robert, Richard and Rachel."

After graduating from Birmingham School of Architecture, Mr Lomas began his career in 1979 and became chief architect at Redditch Borough Council before forming Bolton Lomas Bradshaw in 1988 with Terry Bolton and John Bradshaw. Shocked and saddened to hear this news today. I have known and worked occassionally with Nigel for a few years now and my sympathies go to both his family and colleagues. Last time I saw him was at the Tour of Britain where I chewed his ear off about Orion and the other BBLB schemes being won or built in the city.

He was a genuinely nice guy who has left a great legacy and it's a real shame he won't see Orion finished.

Wow! what can I say ... apart from London I dont know of any other UK city where a 90m tower can look well so tiny on the skyline, yet when you greet this tower in flesh, the only word to discribe it, is "monster" ... Its gigantic, a real asset to the city and makes Brum even more dense so much so that the wall of 70m midrises is climbing to 90m and instead of 100m pinnacles we a steadily reaching pinncacles of 120m+ ... slowly but surely we are getting there, and one thing which Birmingham has compared to others is our "in your face" towers everywhere you look in Brum you have some 60m+ obsticle in your way. before you know it the Mailbox is gonna be in the shade 24/7 ;)

Proportional I see the tower section of Orion as being similar to the top of Natwest but because it's not on the ridge it gets a bit lost on the skyline. However from the front entrance of the Mailbox the tower will look HUGE. Really looking forward to this seeing this finished.

indeed, i was at the mail box the other day, already orion looks very imposing as you walk down those steps

I forgot about the split-level penthouse detail, and the gull-wing roof. That will make such a good crown to the building.

More views can be seen on the BBLB website http://www.bblb-architects.co.uk/

They seem to be showing pictures of the Orion Building from before they increased the heightof the tower, looks better with the additional stories!

Looking on the planning website, it looks like Crosby have submitted planning for the John Bright St development (Orion 2?) :)

Oooh, what's it say?

Woody knows how to capture the text but to summarise it is for erection of new buildings, retention of facades and conversion of existing buildings.

Multiple uses - cafe, drinking, professional, retail, residential.

This ain't gonna be anything terrific because it would detract from Orion, but it will look decent enough I think.

Blunther
Any recent pictures of Orion?
Does it specify a number of floors Bio?

Blunther

I am detecting a friendly jibe at Usherling/Ladingham Blunth? ;)

No mention of heights I am afraid.

Recent pics of Orion - photos or renders? None from me I am afrad although check out BBLB's website for some good renders.

Blunther
:)

Haven't seen a photo of Orion for a while now, and haven't been into town either.

Maybe it'll have grown by the time I next see it.

Blunther

lol

"Woody knows how to capture the txt from the file balg blah blah"

....no bio, woody know how to re-type the text into word and post it on the forum for all you lovely people!

though becasue i am sooooo nice, here is a pic of it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/woodhousen/crosbyjbs_planningapp.jpg

..a note to remember, outline planing aplication was approved earlier this week and the council seem to like this scheme

there is a program called omnipage that can scan pictures of text (eg images or pdfs that wont let you copy the text straight) and produce word or pdf files with highlightable text. It can be obtained from all the usual torrent sites, or if anyone needs some pic transferred to text I can do it pretty easy.

Cheers ghostdog - much appreciated! :)

And Woody - we are forever in your debt. :) I thought you had a secret place in the council where you could copy and paste...

I wonder who the architect is on this one then?

.....a place in the council???

...a contact in BCC or part of the website that you copy info from...

lol....no, though i can always wish cant i!

Usherling
People have mentioned aout Orion 2
what is that????

Usherling

(Notice the Usherling, Usherling thing) :tongue2:

bless, we have a newbie that needs teachiong.... i suggest u have a lok at the profect list thread in the birmingham forum...everything is explained there

Well you were once a newbie and were taught once. I am proud to be a newbie, is it big funky sexy and most of all TALL

Is this Orion Two it looks very much like the one next to it already

it looks pretty cool, Like Orion already there.
http://www.imgcity.net/server/primary/f64be5c0.jpg

If not shut me up

^^ Yep :yes:

I reckon this will be the 'ugly' side of Orion 2 as if you squint, there seems to be a light-feature on the corner that faces toward Centenary Sq...

I quite like in fact I love

Orion (1) today:
http://www.truplex.com/personal/ssc/05_10_20-Orion.jpg
Is there a way of judging the final height of the building from the height of the crane?

One cannot be certain but it I would say 2-3 floors below the job would be about right - that would allow room for manoeuvre above the top floor + scaffolding.

Maybe as high as the 2nd landing down (in the tower crane) from the cab?

That's a big crane!

Great pics btw :)

Here are my pics from today....the clouds had started to appear by the time I started snapping
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/bce0630f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/c467a2b3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/407ded0d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionOctober20th2005.jpg

Top pics smiley

Good pics Smiley. You did a much more thorough job than I.

I even managed to get my thumb in the last photo :)

That is progressing quickly now isn't, it looks like it'll be very tall. I like Orion it's very cool. Top pics Smiley

impressive as ever!

Great photos you guys.It looks quite imposing in that last one.

Studying it, it makes me quite enjot this building as I enjot this building every time I look at it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/OrionOctober20th2005.jpg

Look at that blue car below !!

Ha Ha, he/she must be a she definately must be pissed :drunk:

That.

Is a bloody impressive ammount of scaffolding!

It is a very impressive amount of scaffolding, but y'know it's Brum we breack more world records than the Guiness Book of Record
*Do we?*
*Yeah*
*Do we heck*

looks fucking great in the flesh, went to massive records today (near pizza hut) and was stunned at how good it looks already

Hopefuly it will look amazing when done imagine how it will look when AC is under construction and Cube the area where ever you look will have imposing tall modern structures around. The area will be very splendid

Just looking at the size of the cars on the last pic shows that this is gonna be a (relatively) big mother of a building. I haven't driven past for a month or two so I'm very impressed with the photos!

Looking good - can't wait to see the wraps come off!

I think this is the tallest building I've ever seen constructed inside scaffolding.

It is a very impressive amount of scaffolding, but y'know it's Brum we breack more world records than the Guiness Book of Record
*Do we?*
*Yeah*
*Do we heck*

yes most number of beautiful old buildings willingly pulled down, and most skyscrapers not built.

We should all be proud of that.

Zenith I think we should

_______________________
hmmmmmm....

lol see what I did he he

I think this is the tallest building I've ever seen constructed inside scaffolding.

I never thought of that. You could be right there EB. And do think we also have a tall being demolished inside scaffold too...

A good time to be a scaffold company, no?

http://************/fday4i.jpg

It's a beauty, it's coming on now!!!!
Looking at the renders I could not imagine it would be that tall...... And it isn't even finished!!!

Foxy's pic from this angle at least shows what I believe to be going wrong in Brum in some parts of the city (both past and present), with regard to new buildings and their architectural styles. The terracotta brickwork for example, on the Orion building, does nothing for me, it is ghastly,together with those unexciting windows, together with a mis-match of different styles both above it and beside it. All this on a prime street corner that could have been so much more endearing to the eye. This is also one of the first buildings that greets you to Birmingham coming in to New Street station in one of the approaches; it is hardly inspiring for the visitor to be welcomed by such a monstrosity.


Then to the left you have the preserved facade of the previous building with its' new uPVC windows.... above that you have what some could view as an extension to Centenary Plaza. To the left of that is some horrid 'bolt-on' , and in this shot we see that other carbuncle of a building that is 'Westside' .( Thankfully 'Westside 2' is far more aesthetically pleasing). Not to mention the vile 'Gala casino' building.
My hope is that when the superb-looking Orion tower is complete then it will at least detract from this second-rate part of the building.

generally I really like the red brick but I do agree about the grey and cream add on part, this seems to be the fashion with parts of mailbox and even Mathew Boulton College, with the Orion add on I think it would not be so bad if they at least painted the grey in a similar colour to the brick?

Foxy's pic from this angle at least shows what I believe to be going wrong in Brum in some parts of the city (both past and present), with regard to new buildings and their architectural styles. The terracotta brickwork for example, on the Orion building, does nothing for me, it is ghastly,together with those unexciting windows, together with a mis-match of different styles both above it and beside it. All this on a prime street corner that could have been so much more endearing to the eye. This is also one of the first buildings that greets you to Birmingham coming in to New Street station in one of the approaches; it is hardly inspiring for the visitor to be welcomed by such a monstrosity.


Then to the left you have the preserved facade of the previous building with its' new uPVC windows.... above that you have what some could view as an extension to Centenary Plaza. To the left of that is some horrid 'bolt-on' , and in this shot we see that other carbuncle of a building that is 'Westside' .( Thankfully 'Westside 2' is far more aesthetically pleasing). Not to mention the vile 'Gala casino' building.
My hope is that when the superb-looking Orion tower is complete then it will at least detract from this second-rate part of the building.

I barely agree with any of that 9(I do on west 1 and 2). Now its fully revealed I think orion is pretty good. the terocatta let the distant view off it down but up close even that works quite well. I also think the uPVC widnows help to match the old part with the modern white part above. Using more traditonal windows woul have made the facade seem out of place IMO.

i like it a lot, the mix and match effect soften the blow and tones down what is potentially a very dominating building.....

this is a massive structure on abirmingham scale and could ahve totaly dominated the street scene. however, the mix and match effect softens it down and makes it 10 times more pleasing to the eye! IMO

I personally don't mind the windows, however I don't like the street lights.

I do not see anything wrong with this building. If I had to be picky, perhaps the cream color could be a little darker, perhaps blue?

The mix of styles in my opinion makes the building a lot more interesting to look at. But I don't think it detracts from the overall beauty of the building. It's a nice contrast. I agree that Gala and Westside are shite though.

I am still undecided on the low-rise part of this :?

It is a bit schizo - the right side is fairly trad, the curve is almost 1950's except for the terracotta tiles, and the left side looks like a "oh, we have to keep the facade so let's go for the bog-standard setting it against a white rendered background" but as Woody says the building has to have the differing textures and layers to prevent it from dominating the area.

Personally I would lose the terracotta and the white render and replace it with sheer glass on a steel frame - but that would cost too much... ;)

What colour is the cladding on the tower going to be? Is it still to be blue like in the original renders?

I quite like it except for the crap orange tiles. They look so fake and cheap and plastic and new and dull and unispired and fucking god damned awful.

ANything would be better than that. I'd like to see a hay-clad building myself. Cover those tiles in hay and it'd look ace. And it'd be cheaper :yes:

I'd like to see a hay-clad building myself. Cover those tiles in hay and it'd look ace. And it'd be cheaper :yes:
A thatched building, I'd go with that.
But I hear there's a shortage of skilled thatchers, so it might not be as cheap as you think.

I quite like it except for the crap orange tiles. They look so fake and cheap and plastic and new and dull and unispired and fucking god damned awful.

ANything would be better than that. I'd like to see a hay-clad building myself. Cover those tiles in hay and it'd look ace. And it'd be cheaper :yes:

I was in London last week and there were buildings in Paddington with far more orange tiles that this, although I do admit it is a bit of a garish colour, luckily its only a small section though.

I'm liking this building, as well as HCT - i'm guna have to get my jacksy down to Brum to see all this for myself soon, and then in a year or so, even Sheffield will have a tal building to shout about - our very own 32-storey residential.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/447SheffieldConranTowerGreenLighted_pic1.jpg

Of course of a lot of Birmingham is Orang, err red brick and terracotta Law courts for example

A mighty welcome addition that is to Sheffield too - I am very fond of the place :)

I think terracotta rainscreen is OK - when used in the right place. It is a good way of achieving uniformity in a sensitive place, but it can be over-used or misused.

It reminds me of an orange version of a big block of Dairy Milk though.

its amazing, i cant belive how proper the tower looks!

imean, its a real skyscraper. it looks like something from birmingham!!
im so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________

That's how Hella Good described the Sheff tower! I know - it's a bit strange ain't it?

i meant it like this;

birmingham is getting a lot of good projects and is quite highrise compared to sheffield. i was simply saying that the tower was good enough to be in birmingham.

take it as a compliment - it was meant like that.

theres nothing strange about that.

"take it as a compliment - it was meant like that."

how dare you compliment our city... bloody Madona, aren't you getting a bit old to be feckin about on skyscraper city forums, go back to your manky old husband and... uh! whatevber girlfriend!

I am beginning to get impressed by this development. I thought this one was a bummer compared to HCT .. but looking by it it does seems promising now ( except for the cheep finish in some parts ( lke windows ). I like the side facing New St.. many interesting textures.. but the side facing the Signal Box leading towards the tower is a bit boring compared the the other sides.. the texture is a bit too uniform.. would have preferred a bit more glass perhaps. But let me reserve my final judgement till the tower is finished and the scaffolding off... this one could be one intereting building !

I think it will definitely be interesting Fusionist! Not to everybody's taste mind ;)

Thought I'd give my new phone camera a whirl today

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/839/orion3fi.th.jpg (http://img271.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orion3fi.jpg)

^ Cool pic, seems to have shot up again :yes:

^ Cool pic, seems to have shot up again :yes:

It's really coming along quite nicely. She looks taller than Alpha Tower from certain parts of town... :)

wat a beaut

Has this topped out now?

well the contrete core have been topped out but they are yet to add th 3 strpey glass penthouse yet we think

^^ There's not much more to go on this if you have a look at the crane - they need some room to dismantle it so I would say they have 1 or 2 more floors. The penthouse must be made of the more slender concrete columns they were pouring the other week (which would make sense as they are not bearing as much load as the lower ones).

I wonder how long they are going to take rendering it? Or is it cladding? They will be forging ahead over winter - that is one of the reasons why they polythene is on the scoffold - the protect the workers (well, give them no excuse for not showing in bad weather....)

"take it as a compliment - it was meant like that."

how dare you compliment our city... bloody Madona, aren't you getting a bit old to be feckin about on skyscraper city forums, go back to your manky old husband and... uh! whatevber girlfriend!

bugger off twat.
and if youre going to be insulting - spell it correctly

bugger off twat.
and if youre going to be insulting - spell it correctly

You deserve a real insulting for not detecting that his post was *just a little* sarcastic! :hilarious :rofl:

Thought I'd give my new phone camera a whirl today

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/839/orion3fi.th.jpg (http://img271.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orion3fi.jpg)


this tower has the bobthebuilderr seal of approval

nice one bob! and in the usual bob kind of way - do you think this development will distract the shoppers at the Mailbox / Bullring........

sarcasm and insults aside, i think this tower will be great when finished.

Great Pic Hella Good. It looks pretty sweet now.
MSP I would say it will distract shoppers!!! It will distrsct me when i'm shopping..........

nice one bob! and in the usual bob kind of way - do you think this development will distract the shoppers at the Mailbox / Bullring........


seriously its a really nice tower,i dont know why all the hate and dissings of this tower have appeared

I believe that the Zuton's are playing a small 7pm gig tonight underneath the subway front of Mailbox, worth checking out if your in that part of town tonight, Supergrass played the other week.nice one lizbos :)

http://************/fmmdnd.jpg

http://************/fmmbme.jpg

http://************/fmmdj7.jpg

http://************/fmmdts.jpg

Do you think the king of of T mMobile is a brummie? We've got sponsership of WBA, a drive in and now bands playing in the city underpasses? brilliant :)

nice one, Pissed that I missed it but now I can just put the album on, look at the pics and I'm there. :)

Shit, I've always said that that would be an ace place for a gig!

I'd sue them... They stole your idea!
The third pic shows that Orion will be quite Domeniring!!

wow, gig under a road. - well mint.

This tower's looking fab.

Now that it very, very cool! A really good use of an urban space, places like that are so often under used, this is exactly the kind of thing that needs to be promoted!

I love that underpass. I actually have a picture of it on the background of my phone.

As much as i would love to see the queensway abolished, little gems like this would go with it. Although i doubt we'll see this stretch of road flattened any time soon.

I love that underpass. I actually have a picture of it on the background of my phone.

As much as i would love to see the queensway abolished, little gems like this would go with it. Although i doubt we'll see this stretch of road flattened any time soon.
...why do you love it...?

I have always thought that the car park under there would make a great bar/club :)

"The Undercroft"

...why do you love it...?

Because it's got character, and i doubt many other underpasses in the country look like that. If it was gone, it would be replaced with a pretty boring boulavard like the one at masshouse, which may look nice, but is just plain bland.

Orion sets out its tasty stall Nov 10 2005
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Developer Crosby Homes ( Special Projects) has announced the release of the first street-level commercial units at its latest Birmingam project, The Orion Building in Navigation Street, with three further units to follow next year.

Created in collaboration with international designer John Rocha and BBLB architects, The Orion Building comprises over 350 luxury apartments together with stylish communal areas and a stunning penthouse suite.

Located between New Street Station and the Mailbox, The Orion Building is already regarded among the city ' s most desirable addresses.

Available on the ground floor is a near-3,200 sq ft commercial unit, including over 100 feet of frontage on John Bright Street, overlooking the newly created square.

The location and layout of the property lends itself particularly to restaurant use, according to Russell Williams of city agents Shopfront Property Consultants:




"This is a perfect spot for a quality, high profile restaurant operator."

Orion is one of my favourite projects in the city for along time after HCT, Mailbox and the new Bull Ring, I think its in prime location and gives that part of the city the enclosure it needed. stack a few more up next to it and behind it not to mention infront of it, this part of the city will be so dense it be like walking through somewhere like Rotterdam. I just hope when Orion 2 starts next year they dont leave scaffolding on all through construction cause it would make both buildings including westside look a real mess :)

Because it's got character, and i doubt many other underpasses in the country look like that. If it was gone, it would be replaced with a pretty boring boulavard like the one at masshouse, which may look nice, but is just plain bland.
er ok...? :runaway:

I agree with him. It's a fine venue and I can see it being a real cheese for bands in brum.

Anyone got any recent pictures? Havent been in to town recently to see it :(

I should've taken some pics when I was up there last weekend, but dusk was falling.

I'll reserve judgement on the tower, but the corner of Navigation Street and John Bright Street works reasonably well - though nothing to get excited about. However, the Navigation Street frontage between the corner and the tower does not look promising, with the scale, massing and detailing all missing the mark, from what I could tell.

We'll see when it's all revealed I suppose. Still better than a bombsite carpark, which it was for decades before!

Well after 18 months i finally got a replacement camera and now i can resume my picture taking duties :banana:

Heres how Orion is looking today, rising slowly as ever!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture001.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture008.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture009.jpg

Thanks for the pictures :) its a bit of a mini monster, just how I like umm ;)

shouldn't they have finsihed buillding this by now

its a bit of a mini monster, just how I like umm ;)

what do you mean?

That one's looking quite big, weren't they building a second slightly shorter tower alongside it? When's that one going to happen? I really don't like that view of Beethem in the last photo, the curved front looks great but the side is just messy and what's with the line of windows that isn't straight? I think the back could have been better as well.

I noticed that about HCT too Andrew.

I agree there, HCT looks really good from the front, but they seem to have have given up on designing the back and sides and opted for the B&Q ceramic-effect tiles, presumably attached with blu-tack :(

Orion is looking impressive though, has anyone been close enough to see if they have actually clad whats underneath the scaffolding & sheets?

I love the back of HCT including the changing alignment of the windows. It would look boring if it wa straight.

nice to see orion again, had been missing it recently