Is it Michael who lives in the Sentinals in B'ham city centre?? or is that somebody else??


I do indeed live in the Sentinals (Clevelend Tower), on the topic of living in tower blocks i have lived in Pheonix Rise (Wolverhampton) on the 17th floor balcony when the block got refurbished it was like a brand spanking new flat when i moved there and i could see for miles (Wrekin, Clee Hills and even as far as Welshpool!) and i have live in Hampton View (Known as Alder House in Heath Town on the 20th floor)

2 of Pheonix Rise (Wolverhampton)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4764695324_dcb16d7872_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4764054173_c172dd8a94_b.jpg

Oh wow, are the first couple of floors on Phoenix Rise boarded up now? I wonder how long it's got left. There were 5 or 6 tower blocks on this patch of land, soon there'll be none. :(

You certainly like living in tower blocks don't you? :D

Mainly when i was a child tho. I have good memories from living in Pheonix Rise as a youngster, it will be sad when it does get demolished :(.

******

*****

They are looking great and I love the bold, silver lettering used for the block's names. If you've got anymore photos send them my way Fletchie and i'll post them up for you. Anyway, the football's about to start:cheers:

edit

***

I'm a little bit sad they've lost their retro 1960s look but times have to move on I guess and they do look nice in white, like the ones by the ICC. :yes:

Many thanks matey for posting them up, they really do look fab! Although I have to say I was getting sea legs up on the roof as some of the scaffold boards were alittle warped with the hot weather so it was tread with caution:nuts: With the wind as well I didn't hang around and I'm not one who is usually bothered by height!

Any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer or find out for you.


I can see the Turves green flats from my window and one of them has a green strip light around the top, im assuming its Moat House as the backdrop lighting on the name block is also green. Are the others going to have this strip lighting and if so any different colours?

Sorry to be a pain in the arse (again), but does anyone have some recent pics of the Chapel Street Estate in Brierley Hill? I proudly lived there 10 years ago and I'd like to see how it looks now. Google Street View doesn't really do it justice and I'm not even sure how recent those pics were taken. In particular, I would like to see various shots of Bodmin Court, if it hasn't been bulldozed already.

Not sure if I've added this photo from a year ago to here.

It is of Lincoln House in Ladywood (near Five Ways). It dates to 1960.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3669094053_ac17dc735a_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4777604391_94b4c830cb_b.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4777604401_d5694a3a46_b.jpg

Just a couple of Kenrick Park updates. Butterfield the big block is getting a refurb aswell, it's gonna be a mammoth task but it will look nice afterwards. They are taking a lifetime to do up the small blocks imagine how long it will take for the big one!

Not sure if I've added this photo from a year ago to here.

It is of Lincoln House in Ladywood (near Five Ways). It dates to 1960.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3669094053_ac17dc735a_b.jpg

How many more you got?? Should post up the Ladywood slums.

Should look gritty and brutal as f**k, knowing Ladywood, Lol!

Thanks for the photos and info, Michael. :happy: These blocks are now looking very European and I look forward to seeing what the big one will look like. I wonder if it'll be a different colour.

How many more you got?? Should post up the Ladywood slums.

Should look gritty and brutal as f**k, knowing Ladywood, Lol!

Nothing else tower wise of Ladywood. Was there for Five Ways and Broadway Plaza.

Anything else from Five Ways I've got was office blocks.

Thanks for the photos and info, Michael. :happy: These blocks are now looking very European and I look forward to seeing what the big one will look like. I wonder if it'll be a different colour.

I want it to be a nice rich red :banana:

Need some help in identifying 2 (or I think it's 3) charming and bright towers adjacent to the M5/M6 junction. I can't be arsed looking through 150 pages on this thread I'm afraid.

I don't have any pictures, but these buildings were refurbed and the facades repainted etc about a couple of years ago now probably but the job that was done I think was fantastic, it really brightened the place up and has made them look quite sophisticated and has given them a modern European look, Spain comes to mind.

They are painted in an off-white with exterior balcony metal and window frame work a nice dark grey colour, and each balcony face is painted in one of a set of 4 colours I think, light blue/orange/light yellow and possible some sort of red colour, i can't remember.

You can clock the towers to your left as you are travelling along the dual carriageway spur from M5 south joining the M6 near Wednesbury.

What are they called and which company did the facelift?

I think you mean Charlemont Farm in West Bromwich. These ones?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3844027162_41fb4c07d6.jpg

Someone took some photos a while back and posted them on this thread. Try typing Charlemont into the search thing and see what you can find. :)

Someone else may be able to tell you who worked on them.

Wow i like them blocks they are very colourful.

Marvellous! Thanks butterfield, I shall go and look now I have a name :)

Who would of thought that was in West Brom eh.

I've got myself a job in Sandwell in which I often go into council owned homes and buildings.

Travelling around Sandwell I am amazed at how big the place is and the amount of refurbished tower blocks there are there.

I've recently been to the top floor of Darley House in Oldbury and here is a photo I took looking down at the surrounding area. I will try and get some proper photos over the weekend. There are good views of Birmingham's skyline, West Bromwich and Turner's Hill.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Photo0089.jpg

Darley House is mossive. I think there were other similar tall blocks on that same site once upon a time. Sounds an interesting job, van. I look forward to seeing any other photos you may take along the way. :)

Is there anything in particular you would like photos of?

I'll be in Alfred Gunn House (only 4th floor unfortunately) and Darley House tomorrow.

Is there anything in particular you would like photos of?

Errrm.... anything that looks interesting, the Birmingham skyline obviously (which can also be posted on other threads for general viewing), the M5, the hill behind Darley House, the three tower blocks on the Lion Farm(?) estate nearby, possible distant views of countryside, view towards Wolverhampton, possibly interior shots of block if allowed. I'm sure that'll be enough to keep you going. :D


I'll be in Alfred Gunn House (only 4th floor unfortunately)

Being the weird shape it is, looking like a number of tower blocks stuck together, does Alfred Gunn House have more than one entrance or is it all linked together?

Is there anything in particular you would like photos of?

I'll be in Alfred Gunn House (only 4th floor unfortunately) and Darley House tomorrow.

The Chapel Street estate in Brierley Hill. I would actually pay you, seriously (especially if you could get inside one of the blocks of flats, e.g. Bodmin Court) :)

I'm back from a holiday in Italy. Flying into Birmingham, I'm sure I could see various tower blocks popping up (at least I think it was Birmingham - we were landing).

The weather was very annoying yesterday. The sun went in when I arrived and came out as soon as I left so these photos aren't particularly good. Because of this I didn't bother going back to Darley House unfortunately. :(

Anyway, some photos from Alfred Gunn House.

Kenrick Park blocks.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/8-28.jpg

Darley House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/1-81.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/2-76.gif

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/6-36.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/7-32.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/9-26.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/10-22.jpg

Balcony

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/5-44.jpg
Kitchen
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/3-59.jpg

Living room

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/4-54.jpg


Being the weird shape it is, looking like a number of tower blocks stuck together, does Alfred Gunn House have more than one entrance or is it all linked together?
It has 4 main entrances for the residents but the blocks are all linked together with corridors. It's a bit of a maze inside.

The Chapel Street estate in Brierley Hill. I would actually pay you, seriously (especially if you could get inside one of the blocks of flats, e.g. Bodmin Court) :)

I shall see what I can do for you. :)

Lovely living room. :shifty:

I think tower block photos look better on a dull day. :D Being only on the 4th floor you still got some good views.

Link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10661683



Can't we use some excuses to save these bromford beauties??

What about this story can't we use this as an excuse?? Lol. I'm serious.





Work to demolish a tower block was delayed after a pair of peregrine falcons set up home on the building's roof.

The parents and three chicks flew their nest last week at Bayley Tower in Bromford, Birmingham.

It was discovered in spring but housing officers were advised not to disturb the birds until they had all left.

Peregrines prefer open landscapes, but also like urban environments, nesting in buildings and preying on pigeons.

Birmingham City Council housing spokesman John Lines said: "I don't normally like it when tenants move into my properties and don't pay rent, but in this case I'll make an exception.

"We believe this is the first successful breeding of falcons in Birmingham for many years."

Kept secret

The existence of the falcons was kept secret for fear thugs would try and steal the chicks.

Last month the family tried to leave the nest but the chicks were too weak and were unable to fly properly.

One suffered serious injuries and had to be put down by a vet.

Two were taken to the falconry centre at Hagley for treatment before being returned to the nest at Bayley Tower, which they successfully flew last week.

Housing officers will now put a new nesting box on nearby towers in case the falcons, or others, return.

Saw this in the Birmingham Mail Extra


Tower demolished

Work will begin next month to prepare a landmark city centre tower block for demolition. Stephenson Tower will be brought crashing down as part of £600 million plans to create a revamped New Street Station. The 1960s-built block was once the height of luxury but it will be felled as part of the scheme.

Are they being serious? Stephenson Tower 'the height of luxury'?

It's what that short article in the paper said.

:lol:

Well, I guess back when it was built, there were still massive areas of slum housing. Tower blocks were very much seen as the way forward for housing, as they were modern and well suited for their requirements. However, it didn't take long before their flaws were found....

Got a shot from a distance of the Turves Green flats that have had/undergoing a refurb:)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4821184949_418e2631c9_b.jpg

Lancaster House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/10-23.jpg


Moorlands Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/13-11.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/12-14.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/11-13.jpg


St. Giles Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/14-9.jpg


Darley House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/4-55.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/5-45.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/2-77.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/3-68.jpg



Views from Darley House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/8-29.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/9-28.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/6-37.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/7-33.jpg

Good stuff Van! Pritchett's getting plastered at the moment!!

I'm shocked at Lancaster House! That was such an old-looking building.

Birmingham keeps the ''old-ish tower-block look'' which is great while other one's are looking less and less like tower-blocks.lol

Beech... or Willow (not sure which) viewed from the 4th floor of Aspen.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/2-78.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/1-82.jpg

Cheers for the pics Van Heckler i really like those blocks !

They've been knocking all sorts of bits out of the interior of Dorset Tower for the past couple of days and it's a miserable sight with the windows open and the inside all gutted; a sad end for a beast I grew up in the shadow of.

It can't be too long now before the machines move in.

Demolition on Dorset Tower starts on August 9th.

When is Pheonix Rise, Wolverhampton getting knocked down?

I didn't know it had been confirmed for demolition. Has it been boarded up?

What's with pages 151, 152 & 153 even though they don't exist, it's a tad annoying.

I use the 25 posts a page format so it's 121 and 122 that don't exist for me. The forum has little glitches like this from time to time.

Kendal Tower revamp nearing completion:)

http://a.imageshack.us/img46/969/dscf1646c.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/i/dscf1646c.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://a.imageshack.us/img251/6650/dscf1645z.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/dscf1645z.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://a.imageshack.us/img28/6282/dscf1644q.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/dscf1644q.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://a.imageshack.us/img101/8315/dscf1643j.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/i/dscf1643j.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Oh, I was thinking it was you who lived in that one in Smethwick. Is that The Black Country Wench then? I think you started contributing to this thread around the same time as each other. :D

Hi, it is indeed me that lives in the block in Smethwick ~ Thompson Gardens!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/Birmingham23rdJune201083.jpg

This is definitely my home! Would like to know where you got that shot from as I can't really place anything on there, is it by Jt 1 of the M5?

My apologies for not posting for a while, I have been very ill and unable to get to the computer. I have been promising some photos of Thompson Gardens and the interior, in the next couple of days as I have cleared my memory card on my camera at long last, I will take some and post them up on here. It's great to see the thread still flourishing.

Happened to be in Edgbaston on Saturday and noticed that the flats off Monument Road are in the process of being demolished, was on the bus at the time and only had my mobile camera with me, and did not fancy taking my mobile out on the Number 8 bus, so will attempt to get down there in my new car if I can.

Just found this on my photobucket account.

This photo was taken about a month ago when we had an especially lovely sunset. It was taken from my living room which faces Rowley Hills.

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/PinkBabe1966/th_PIC_0096-2.jpg?t=1280881600

[QUOTE=van heckler;60858201]Lancaster House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/10-23.jpg


Blimey - and here's what it used to look like!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%208/TowerBlocks12thJan200882.jpg

Hi, it is indeed me that lives in the block in Smethwick ~ Thompson Gardens!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/Birmingham23rdJune201083.jpg

This is definitely my home! Would like to know where you got that shot from as I can't really place anything on there, is it by Jt 1 of the M5?




BCW - it's taken from the top of this tower block.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT013016072006.jpg

.....which is part of this mini-cluster in Newtown. Great views from the top on a clear day!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT016216072006.jpg

I didn't know it had been confirmed for demolition. Has it been boarded up?

I had read in the express and star the it would get knocked down in may, but thats like 3 months ago. Maybe there not going to knock it down and do it up again but i doubt it.

Just saw some scaffolding outside phenoix rise. Looks like it is going.

Kendal Tower revamp nearing completion:)

http://a.imageshack.us/img46/969/dscf1646c.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/i/dscf1646c.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

What are they painting? Black squares or a white overall?

Painting white over the brickwork.

Oh that's good. Pritchett has also got a new white coat now!!

Painting white over the brickwork.

All the old windows have been replaced with double-glazed units, but I don't understand why they haven't insulated the bare brickwork before painting:bash:

Bradmore the other day..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbyng/4880085788/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbyng/4879475543/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbyng/4880082612/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbyng/4880081836/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbyng/4879473399/

Addenbrooke Court from the 13th floor of Wesley Court in Old Hill, Sandwell.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/2-79.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/5-46.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/7-34.jpg

Looking over towards Dudley.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/1-83.jpg

Looking up at Wesley Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/3-69.jpg

Looking down

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/4-56.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/6-38.jpg

Woweee, look at them! Those crests four floors off the ground are unique - they don't even fit in with the blocks!

Thanks for the shots! :happy:

EK: :redx:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/1-83.jpg

There's Butterfield Court on the horizon. :wave:

Interesting photos and an interesting job - even if only for us. :D

I do wish someone would sort out the page numbers on this thread - it is bizarre. :nuts:

Bradmore the other day..

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4880085788_a45ec14e15_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4879475543_ae7f57abc4_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4880082612_63cc1a8e62_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4880081836_8e6919e8ac_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4879473399_78a305dcdb_b.jpg

A beastie arrives at Dorset Tower!

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/1469/picture6y.png (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/picture6y.png/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4920692579_c7ffca605b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52342624@N04/4920692579/)
23082010276 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52342624@N04/4920692579/) by sefton66 (http://www.flickr.com/people/52342624@N04/), on Flickr


The Green Lights on the refurbished flats at Turves Green

Them lights look cool in the darkness.

Them lights look cool in the darkness.

one of the other tall towers has had them switched on recently, they are a lot greener than they appear in the picture, really bright and stand out makes a difference especially in a out of town location.

Halesowen blocks.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4949165733_5c257211f9_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4949762010_4dbe07b155_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4949760016_dba77674a8_z.jpg

Halesowen Ghetto

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4949175915_71b53dfd90_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4949173433_ab709fcdc8_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4949770458_4a66a9e418_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4949182425_dfc08288ce_z.jpg

Don't know where this one is?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4949186821_55c73dd81b_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4949185561_c847f097ca_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4949781782_d98323975d_z.jpg

^^

Interesting pics. You get a good view of the dense "Halesowen ghetto" from the M5 somewhere around Frankley services when heading north.

That block you don't recognise is towards Woodgate Valley - I think it's called Kestrel House, although it's been a while since my proper tower block days so I may be wrong.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4949192187_d43192de2c_z.jpg

Not sure where these are? Towards Handsworth? Aston?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4949784692_23af93c1fc_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4949790164_0062db3bf2_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4949203869_2ef40b6830_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4949798506_663103ba01_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4949209321_59c62a00df_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4949216337_952ae2d78a_z.jpg

The colours were changing so quickly as the sun set.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4949811510_2da566bac2_z.jpg

Zoom not quite powerful enough at this distance.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4949225199_a06610c748_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4949819618_3744e2d4c3_z.jpg

Great pics Lizzy :)

Have you moved into your new flat then? Looks like it could be Brindley House or Millennium?

Great pics Lizzy :)

Have you moved into your new flat then? Looks like it could be Brindley House or Millennium?

Cheers, I really do need a new camera though. Top floor the latter. Superb appartment, and the views are great, will get some more when I get chance. I raelly like that area and St Pauls is two mins round the corner. Very quiet part of town on a night or weekend which is noce but busy in week days with office workers.

Great viewpoint you've got there EK and I'm very jealous. Love your photos of the Halesowen block too. I've never really ventured to SW Birmingham much and there so many tower blocks down there so i need to remedy that soon. I travel down the M5 semi-regulary so a stop off is overdue.

Cheers y'all.

Smiley you would get some great shots from down there.

Any idea on the Aston ones? They are hidden away.

I was thinking about the towers that are biting the dust, but there seems to be a fair few new ones going back up but in the city core which is nice, we just need those two or three tall ones still to generate that big city feel.

One viewpoint I would like to get is from a hill by the NEC and the view looks ace. Not sure how to get there though.

Demolition teams take down Dorset Tower for Tesco

11th August 2010

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/assets/_files/cached/img/310x233/aug_10/businessdesk__1281512074_Dorset_Tower_-_cropped.jpg?access=604T013T840

DEMOLITION work is taking place this week to bring down a 18-storey former tenement building to make way for a new supermarket development.

Dorset Tower, in the Ladywood district of the Birmingham, is coming down as part of Tesco's plans to build a new store in the area.

The 52m building behind Spring Hill Library has lain derelict for a number of years and Tesco has been working with the city council to incorporate the land into the site of their new store.

It's gone Sutton Baggie, it went the week before last!

^^ Yeah, the date says 11th August 2010 lol

^^ Yeah, the date says 11th August 2010 lol

I know guys. I posted the story to highlight the Tesco element and also it is good to have news on each thread informing readers who aren't in the know.:) It acts as an offical source of information rather than hearsay from you and I.:)

I know guys. I posted the story to highlight the Tesco element and also it is good to have news on each thread informing readers who aren't in the know.:) It acts as an official source of information rather than hearsay from you and I.:)

I've thought for a long time that if the success of the Jewellery Quarter could expand along this route up to City Road and the area leading up to Bearwood and so on, it could really create something good. I have travelled this area of the city for past three years and I think there are some great old derelict buildings that could be preserved, and a few pockets of niceness. The thing about a lot of these run down areas is that they have retained the old Victorian streets, unlike parts of the city centre and are ripe for development with a traditional feel. I don't feel threatened at all around Dudley Road and Handsworth. Maybe at night? But so much potential and the hospitals up there could benefit from nice properties for workers. So close to the M5 and Worcestershire there too.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5004283694_efff61d183_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5004290368_31fa48c215_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5004279228_9e99aa092c_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5004277126_88778b9c5d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5004274644_e6e71158cd_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5003657769_814c21e581_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5003655221_1dde00e9e9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5004256504_f7c0678403_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5004253530_20b6f904a3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5003644291_c89feb0284_b.jpg

I saw these tower blocks from the Maypole near Alcester Road South

Hillcroft House, Middlefield House, Harrison House and Parker House

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5039187730_c3ebe96bcb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5039187730/)
Tower blocks near the Maypole (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5039187730/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5038569493_f7cfd4fc7c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5038569493/)
Tower blocks near the Maypole (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5038569493/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

I see that Queens Gardens block (I think that is the name ; it's just behind Morrisons)in Wednesbury is getting refurbished .It has always been a well kept tower and houses mainly older people .Any news on this block Fletchie?:)

I see that Queens Gardens block (I think that is the name ; it's just behind Morrisons)in Wednesbury is getting refurbished .It has always been a well kept tower and houses mainly older people .Any news on this block Fletchie?:)

That's the ONLY tower block in Wednesbury these days I think. I haven't been that way for a while so thanks for letting us know, Nacho. :)

Yes Butterfield, I think it's the remaining tower block .Carisbrook House which could be seen from the M6 and where I crashed many a night ,was demolished around seven years ago .If I remember correctly , Woody documented it.However ,I did notice that they have started to build quite a lot of shorter blocks of three and four storeys .Some of them looked quite decent .

Here is an example and , by chance, it is only a stone's throw from Carisbrook House .

http://www.look4aproperty.com/property/01181722

All the cradle rails have come off Pritchett now and she's looking really smart. Just a few interior tasks to do now and a tidy up of the surrounding areas and entrances.
I am also proud to announce that the halo lights are now working and boy is she bright!! Think if Turves Green blocks but in blue! Are you listening Sentinels and HCT?? You should be ashamed of yourselves lol!

Sounds good MSP ; I imagine it should be seen easily from the city centre .Do the halo lights bother the residents at all ? Do you notice their presence when you are inside the flat ?

Seeing that I am 5 floors down from them and can't sense them, no. They are really focussed on the top rim. The Sentinels and HCT should experiment with something similar and not the crappy MBI's or HQI's they use at present.

Burcombe Tower on the Lyndhurst Estate, Erdington has been demolished! :ohno: Picture of the tower before demo!

http://www.emporis.com/img/6/2008/02/592291.jpg

Harlech can't be too far behind then. :(

I'm guessing they will move onto Harlech once they've cleared the Burcombe site. :ohno:

I do remember there still being a mobile phone mast on top of Harlech up until just before I moved away, so it might linger around a bit longer unless they've removed it now...

I'll drive near Harlech this week and check the top for a mobile phone mast.

A mobile phone mast contract held up the demolition of one of the towers at New Oscott for what seemed like a year.

This is also holding up demolition of Birchfield Tower which is now a somber site with its two neighbours gone.:ohno:

You moved away on a short term basis or relocated?

I only noticed the phonemast from the bus coming back from town, as you can just see Harlech peeking over the horizon - it's one of the reasons why I love it. It's like a sentinel on that estate and can be seen for miles.

I've gone off to university so I've still got a home back in Brum, but for the next few years I'll be spending most of my time in Bristol. :)

Went down Monument Road on the No8 at the weekend. The blocks in this photo are gutted, ready for demolition.

http://martinrossbrown.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/0604pf10.jpg
(photo taken Apr 2008)

I spotted Harlech from a distance today and the phone mast is still there. So I'm guessing this tower will be still standing by the time you graduate from uni at Bristol.

I spotted Harlech from a distance today and the phone mast is still there. So I'm guessing this tower will be still standing by the time you graduate from uni at Bristol.

2020?! I wish... :(


And I love them blocks on the Chamberlain Gardens estate. One of the nicer estates in Brum...

One's already gone... a while back.

Shame about the video quality but someone may enjoy the following .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otFFoxc4dAo&feature=related

The Walsall-esque Pennycrofts Court in Stafford. Drove past this the other day.

1965
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5194/stafford1965jz4.jpg


Recent view of the block. Note the large green area - Kingsmead Marsh - hard to believe this is practically in the centre of Stafford!
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9521/staffordws3.jpg

View from the top of Pennycrofts Court overlooking the marsh:
http://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/static/images/cme_images/agenda21/biodiversity/kingsmead/kingsmead12.jpg

love the 1965 image of pennycrofts. You missed out another tower block in the town, situated on highfields. It use to have a twin, but they knocked it down. Ya right about the marsh. Whole town built on one, and pennycrofts is i beleave sinking "very slowley":)

Hello all, have been absent for the past few months due to a certain BBC programme broadcast last night about fire safety and high rises....

Anyhow, now that nonsense is all done and dusted with, I'M BACK!! :banana:

Have I missed anything??

A couple of pictures of Pritchett Tower in Small Heath, taken from Carrs Lane in the centre.. The lights really make a difference!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/5118489371_d1f23a34b9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5119099972_cfda724d8c_b.jpg

^^ Yeah, notice this for the first time on the train tonight, I'm a bit shocked they have done it this far out from the city centre.

Noticed this tonight. It look's fantastic.

It isn't that far out from the city centre, it's a very short walk from the Middleway. I suppose it's also very prominent from the Bullring, in the distance.

It isn't that far out from the city centre, it's a very short walk from the Middleway. I suppose it's also very prominent from the Bullring, in the distance.

Yeah, I know, but what I mean is how many other tower blocks on the edge of the middleway have this feature?

Obviously Bakeman House at The Swan has the same, but that is it's own little clusture with Equipoint and is miles away from the city centre.

I think it maybe because the blocks along the Middleway have mostly been refurbished already. The council seem to be getting more and more ambitious with each refurb. Given what's proposed for Newtown, things look set to get even crazier!

That looks very nice .I'm thinking what they could have done to the Castle Vale blocks if they were still standing .I imagine it would have been quite impressive at night driving along the M6- a city in itself .:)

That looks very nice .I'm thinking what they could have done to the Castle Vale blocks if they were still standing .I imagine it would have been quite impressive at night driving along the M6- a city in itself .:)

There is one block in Castle Vale that has blue strip-lighting on it, but that is it.

Drove past the Lyndhurst estate today and noticed that some of the refurbishments are well advanced. The new signage looks great on the towers.

I also noticed that Harlech has hoardings around it now, which weren't there a couple of months ago. It's completely closed off the little car park to the front of it. I'm guessing demolition really isn't that far off now. :(

1 on the two towers on Monument Road (Egdbaston/Ladywood) has been fully knocked down, while the other one has be split in half! looks like it was phases instead of the whole building at once.. had to put the contrast up on the photo a little but its visible

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/5149475353_39c8eeceae_b.jpg

Went down Monument Road on the No8 at the weekend. The blocks in this photo are gutted, ready for demolition.

http://martinrossbrown.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/0604pf10.jpg
(photo taken Apr 2008)

:cry: They proper commieblocks. :(

Got Stephenson Tower again on a nice blue sky November Saturday morning (might as well while it is still up)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5151678264_8db6059cbd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151678264/)
New Street Station - Stephenson Tower and Centre City Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151678264/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/5151680616_fe15890b65_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151680616/)
New Street Station - Stephenson Tower and Centre City Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151680616/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/5151682750_69c2d30292_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151682750/)
New Street Station - Stephenson Tower and the Pallasades (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151682750/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/5151685022_04655ef6ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151685022/)
New Street Station - Stephenson Tower and Centre City Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151685022/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5151080929_da658394ef_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151080929/)
New Street Station - Stephenson Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5151080929/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5155062794_c036dfcc3a_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1392/5154448443_7522376846_b.jpg

A fire at an industrial unit, not far from this Newtown tower .

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=firefighters-tackle-blaze-at-newtown-factory%26method=full%26objectid=27661306%26siteid=97319-name_page.html

A fire at an industrial unit, not far from this Newtown tower .

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=firefighters-tackle-blaze-at-newtown-factory%26method=full%26objectid=27661306%26siteid=97319-name_page.html


I saw the smoke from that fire not long after it started as I was standing at the end of our landing watching my husband go to work and thought it was from one of the blocks. The smoke was jet black and rose straight into the air, against the dawn it was quite an spectacular sight.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3586382504_7616ed9207_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3585562133_4b5bd595a6_z.jpg?zz=1

Where is that EK ? The first one looks like a model estate; almost perfect .:)

Where is that EK ? The first one looks like a model estate; almost perfect .:)

It is Chelmsley Wood. It has had its problems and so hardly a perfect estate. Which is a pity as it is right on the edge of the country side and should be a lovely place to live.

:)

yes you're right. Some great shots from the Cov line. Does anyone know that hill in background as I may drive up and take some shots, there's a back road to Lichfields which rises up a hill over that way and I keeop meaning to take a trip to get some shots... there's a servoce station at the top so you can pull in and walk down to the fields. Should be impressive.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3585562133_4b5bd595a6_z.jpg?zz=1

The hill behind this photo is man made using household rubbish from the local area. It is at Bickenhill and they use the methane gas given off by the rotting rubbish to create electricity.

The hill has been rising for the last couple of decades but I understand its life as a generator/land fill is coming to an end and eventually we wil be left with a landscaped hill.

You can usually see a couple of trucks and diggers operating on the top of the mound.

It has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. There was a period over a couple of years where it went from quite flat to a massive heap, not all that long ago. It was unrecognisable!

It will look great when they close it down and landscape it over with trees, etc. It will look like a natural part of the landscape. :)

Queens Drive blocked off near Stephenson Tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5231759094_d62aef4daf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5231759094/)
Birmingham New Street Station - Queens Drive (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5231759094/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5231169131_4c9015629d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5231169131/)
Birmingham New Street Station - Queens Drive (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5231169131/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Wickets Tower and Century Tower in Edgbaston - from Priory Road (also Bristol Road and Pershore Road)

Taken from Edgbaston Road

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5234594421_23f8c9218b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234594421/)
Century Tower and Wickets Tower, Priory Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234594421/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5235190076_c392170b74_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235190076/)
Century Tower and Wickets Tower, Priory Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235190076/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Wickets Tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5234600711_746286f8c5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234600711/)
Wickets Tower - Priory Road / Pershore Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234600711/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5234607583_6b84e1f599_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234607583/)
Wickets Tower - Priory Road / Pershore Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5234607583/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Century Tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5235196582_c9f451b863_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235196582/)
Century Tower - Priory Road / Bristol Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235196582/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5235203414_3db77702d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235203414/)
Century Tower - Priory Road / Bristol Road (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5235203414/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

I didn't know they had cricketing names .I wonder if there any plans to do these towers up .They would look good lit up at night .

I always knew that these two had cricketing names. Was a third smaller tower, but decided not to get it.

Probably named the Third Man .

:rofl: Where do these come from Nacho?!

It's called Boundary House (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=edgbaston+road,+edgbaston&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.147177,44.736328&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Edgbaston+Rd,+Birmingham,+United+Kingdom&ll=52.457601,-1.906373&spn=0.001139,0.00273&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=52.457601,-1.906373&panoid=Cpe1_6NCab0KZcEqaUO30Q&cbp=12,292.19,,0,3.05)

I don't get what Nacho said. :shifty:

They really are monsters aren't they? :happy: Are they still having a makeover?

It's nice to finally be able to look at this thread properly - for weeks the pages have all been set out wrong and at times unviewable, but as of today it seems fine!

It kept going to page 156 for some reason.

A bit about the Calthorpe (http://www.brumagem.co.uk/ae_Calthorpe_Edgbaston.htm) area of Edgbaston

Manton and Reynolds has now started, site set up almost complete and mast climbers going up!

I don't get what Nacho said. :shifty:

They really are monsters aren't they? :happy: Are they still having a makeover?

It's nice to finally be able to look at this thread properly - for weeks the pages have all been set out wrong and at times unviewable, but as of today it seems fine!

You Silly Mid-On Butters!!

Yes these towers are monsters and would look great rendered in white - I don't know how the residents put up with those old windows, maybe BCC have these lined up for refurb soon?

You Silly Mid-On Butters!!

Yes these towers are monsters and would look great rendered in white - I don't know how the residents put up with those old windows, maybe BCC have these lined up for refurb soon?

Are these still BCC?? They need to be placed into quality HA hands as soon as possible really.. With all the development going on, this area needs to have its standards pushed up quite a lot. A newer aesthetic would give a much better impression to tourists heading to watch the games.

Go up the Priory Road, and you end up in the rich, posh part of Edgbaston ...

They have started erecting scaffolding around the two tower blocks called Manton House and Reynolds House in Newtown. They sit on Newbury Road opposite the Leisure Centre.

Driving past these two towers in Ocker Hill today to see they are hitting the wrecking ball. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ocker+Hill,+Tipton,+United+Kingdom&sll=52.542126,-2.042041&sspn=0.001794,0.005681&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ocker+Hill,+Tipton,+West+Midlands,+United+Kingdom&ll=52.542231,-2.041987&spn=0.001794,0.005681&t=h&z=18

:(

Goodbye to some more local landmarks. They're both called Bolton Court, by the way.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%209/SandwellBlocks26thJuly20082.jpg

They have started erecting scaffolding around the two tower blocks called Manton House and Reynolds House in Newtown. They sit on Newbury Road opposite the Leisure Centre.

That'll prove to be an exciting refurb. :)

That's them. Boarded up, saw a crane on site which means only one thing.:(

Goodbye to some more local landmarks. They're both called Bolton Court, by the way.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%209/SandwellBlocks26thJuly20082.jpg

After nothing happening for several months, demolition equipment now back on site to knock down the final tower on Birchfield Road, Perry Barr.
Not seen anything in planning for this site though, so it looks like nature will attempt to take it over for the next few years.:ohno:

I was wondering what was happening to this tower, don't it still have telecommunication on the top of it?

Its a huge site, some of the houses behind were knocked down also, hopefully the site won't be left to rot for years. Its not really I nice location though next to a 8 lane dual carriageway and right next to a junction too! Wouldn't be my idea location for houses/apartments..

They're planning on doing a mixed-use kinda thing. Facing onto the street will be shops and maybe some flats, and then the phase behind that will just be pure residential, from what I gather. It will be quite a major project for the area, so they're really trying to get it right.

:(

Goodbye to some more local landmarks. They're both called Bolton Court, by the way.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%209/SandwellBlocks26thJuly20082.jpg

Blimey Butterfield - where did you dig this photo up from? I could tell it was one of mine due to the blue skies cos I only went out with my camera when it was sunny. Shame to see these two go but at least we have got them saved for posterity on here.

I typed the word 'Bolton' into the search function on this very thread as I remembered you'd taken some good photos of them. :D

They have started erecting scaffolding around the two tower blocks called Manton House and Reynolds House in Newtown. They sit on Newbury Road opposite the Leisure Centre.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5366547017_a05c20f5bb_b.jpg

^^

I guess, like with all the other identical Birmingham blocks, they'll have the balconies 'filled in' and will be painted a brighter colour like white.

^^And, apparently, a stainless steel 'sharks fin' up the side. :)

^^ The 'fin' will go through the middle of both blocks

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5367505905_8fd117c74f_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5368115616_b22444a008_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5367502857_406db4b72c_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5368110970_9427415e92_b.jpg

Oh! :eek:

Now we've got something to compare the Opal Tower in Leeds to!

The demolition of the final birchfield tower is now well underway, hopefully work on the new project wil commence soon after the site is cleared

Just drove past kenrick park on the m5 and noticed there FINALY doing up the maga block. I wonder why it's taking them so long to refurb.

Could be all sorts of reasons. It's a different structure to the others so there would have to be new calculations such as to how much weight it can take from all the scaffolding.

More flats meaning more residents meaning more people to consult about changes to their environment.

Bigger building meaning more materials needed which all costs money. The feasibility of all these changes has to be considered at every point.

Could be all sorts of reasons. It's a different structure to the others so there would have to be new calculations such as to how much weight it can take from all the scaffolding.

More flats meaning more residents meaning more people to consult about changes to their environment.

Bigger building meaning more materials needed which all costs money. The feasibility of all these changes has to be considered at every point.

Your spot on because the 3 smaller blocks were done so quickly

Bus was driving really fast as you can tell, but this is what the final tower block at Birchfield looks like now
It would be amazing if we could build as fast as we demolish!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5381719823_88d01dd91a_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5381722137_0a56eca91b_b.jpg

Latest state of Stephenson Tower

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5396001696_e1a16441e4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5396001696/)
Stephenson Tower - holes at the bottom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5396001696/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5395407055_9a13643da4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5395407055/)
Stephenson Tower - holes at the bottom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5395407055/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5396005972_6183a2da3d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5396005972/)
Stephenson Tower - holes at the bottom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5396005972/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5395411059_5159cd99e6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5395411059/)
Stephenson Tower - holes at the bottom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5395411059/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

^^And, apparently, a stainless steel 'sharks fin' up the side. :)

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

The demolition of the final birchfield tower is now well underway, hopefully work on the new project wil commence soon after the site is cleared

The final Birchfield tower has now gone!:ohno:

The front building of the tower in Newtown has been demolished..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5417202644_f8ecd49893_b.jpg

I could be wrong, but it looks like either century tower or wickets tower, close to the cricket ground (i can't remember which is which) is being prepared for its facelift, lots of barriers going up around the outside, and several potacabins in the car park.

^^About time! That refurb was approved ages ago! :)

^^ Theres a smaller tower block just to the left of 'wickets' and 'century' don't know its name, but it already has the cradle type thing being put on the side.

It's Boundary House (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Edgbaston+Rd,+Birmingham,+UK&aq=0&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=17.392686,44.780273&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Edgbaston+Rd,+Birmingham,+West+Midlands+B12,+United+Kingdom&ll=52.457775,-1.906219&spn=0.002184,0.005466&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.457688,-1.906295&panoid=kwe69p6cvEVxHWaEc_l9_Q&cbp=12,266.26,,0,-22.31).

I didn't take shots of it last time that I got Wickets and Century

Tower blocks from Curzon Street. As seen over the Digbeth Branch Canal. Think they are Humber Tower, Trent Tower and Dovey Tower.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5441741987_1e93b01cbe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5441741987/)
Digbeth Branch Canal - Curzon Street (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5441741987/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Another shot of the same towers, but from Meriden Street. Road was blocked off near the railway bridge.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5445850353_9c9c5e9d81_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5445850353/)
Meriden Street - Railway Bridge - Road Closed (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5445850353/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

You'll have to excuse my ignorance if its already been mentioned in here, but one of the blocks opposite the Fort Dunlop building, that have sat empty for a few years, has a big concrete eating machine taking chunks out of it!

The one which is the first you pass on the left hand side whilst heading North on the M6.

Aah thanks, that'll be Bailey and Stoneycroft Towers. They've been empty for a mighty long time!

I'll post pictures of Stoneycroft Tower on here later when I sort my camera out. Does anyone know what is happening to Stephenson Tower next to New Street Station?

Does anyone know what is happening to Stephenson Tower next to New Street Station?

There is currently scaffolding going up at the bottom of the tower.

Assume they will scaffold the whole tower and take it down brick by brick.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5627624336_44bf471b72_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5627040877_4f8514d943_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5627629528_af1fa15123_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5627046655_ed6362e56f_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5627051309_288c573746_m.jpg
Stoneycroft Tower in Castle Bromwich off Chippendale Road - Under demolition April 2011

Blimey, didn't realise it was coming down already... Thanks for the shots! :)

A tower block in West Brom is getting a re-fit, next to the blue and green ones

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5634665940_0d0e5147ce_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5634666674_a53945f802_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5634667860_a28a1e1243_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5634668592_f623d35e9c_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5634088169_63ccaf0b0c_m.jpg
Some more of Stoneycroft Tower demolition progress!

I posted this on the Aston University Phase II demolition thread.

Banners on Dalton and Lawrence Tower's.

Got some pics today of the banners.

Dalton Tower at midday is always below the sun - so pics not as good as I would like

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5635719070_f017b8e9bf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635719070/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition - banners (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635719070/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5635138629_d0c7925ac1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635138629/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition - banners (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635138629/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

From James Watt Queensway you get a better look at Lawrence Tower and it's banner

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5635139417_be5726d9dd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635139417/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition - banners (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635139417/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

They have put black material at the bottom of each tower (looks like black bags)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5635140523_193ae0ecef_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635140523/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition - banners (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5635140523/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

I notice one tower is still fully occupied next to the two being prepared for demolition, but standing right where the new block is going. Is this a phased demolition with that tower being dismantled due to its proximity to the new block completed a few years ago, anybody in the know?

All the 1970s towers are going to be demolished but at different stages through the project. This tower is going to be blown up next month.

I didn't realise those university towers were being demolished! :eek: Aren't they the ones people say look rather New Yorkish? What are they being replaced with?

^^Yep, they're own answer to NY's apartment blocks. :)

They're being replaced with newer student blocks, like the one recently completed behind. Here's a render of one of the towers. You can see a few more here: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/about/campus-redevelopment/aston-student-village/picture-gallery/
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=24201

The thread for construction: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1252827

Wow. I really am lagging behind on what's going on in Brum these days. I didn't even know a new block had already been built behind.

Yep, there's a world beyond Burnt Tree Island... :)

Photos I took today.

Yes it has changed a lot. And they have cleared a lot of rubble out of the way in the last month or so.

Latest pics ...

From Jennens Road (this view will change after 8th of May 2011)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5641618578_a691d0e0a8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641618578/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641618578/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5641618958_81f42d5aba_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641618958/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641618958/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Another look from Aston Street - behind the gridded window holes

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5641619584_c72d33b4d7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641619584/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641619584/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5641620044_01131a4aab_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641620044/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5641620044/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Does anyone know when they are set to be demolished? I mean blown up err I mean blown down? :)

Sunday the 8th of May

Article in the Birmingham Mail.

Note they got the wrong Queensway - they mean James Watt Queensway not Smallbrook Queensway.

Aston University towers to be blown up as part of regeneration project (http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2011/04/07/aston-university-towers-to-be-blown-up-as-part-of-regeneration-project-97319-28474058/)



http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/apr2011/1/4/an-artist-s-impression-of-the-new-aston-university-campus-and-inset-the-old-towers-set-to-be-demolished-916782718.jpg
An artist's impression of the new Aston University campus and (inset) the old towers set to be demolished

TWO 1970s student tower-blocks at Aston University are to be reduced to rubble to help clear the way for a £300 million campus regeneration project.

Dalton and Lawrence Towers, off Smallbrook Queensway, are to be blown up by demolition experts to launch the key second phase of the scheme.

Demolition Day – on Sunday May 8 – will create university history, with the event the first time two towers have been razed to the ground on a fully operational campus.

A total of 1,500 students will be evacuated on the day but will be able to witness the demolition at close quarters from a big screen on the campus.

The Aston Student Village and new research centres will see the campus transformed by 2014.

The first phase of the £215 million village programme was completed late last year, providing more than 1300 en-suite bedrooms.

Stage two, which will provide another 1050 en-suite rooms by next year, will commence with the demolition of Dalton and Lawrence Towers.

A university spokesman said: “Due to the proximity of the towers to other buildings, businesses and major inner city roads, we will be establishing an ‘exclusion zone’ around the site, evacuating three student residences, and closing certain roads and footpaths in the area.

“However, the main University building and the Students’ Guild will remain open as the demolition will take place in the examination period.”

“We know how important campus living is to our students. They want to live in the heart of Birmingham not in the suburbs of Birmingham, and we are going to be able to offer guaranteed quality accommodation to all first years and all international students.”

The other projects that make up the £300 million regeneration programme include the construction of the first ‘new build’ University Technical College school in the UK, the Aston University Engineering Academy, which will open in September next year for 14 to 19-year-olds wanting to study engineering and business.

Wonder what time the'll be coming down

Anyone know what they are doing to Wickets Tower, Century Tower and Boundary House in Edgbaston?

There is hoardings at the bottom, and some things going up the tower. Are they giving them a make over. Pretty sure people are still living there, as saw someone on a balcony on one tower.

Yeah they're being refurbished. If I remember correctly, they're going to become completely white.

Does anyone know what time the Aston Uni campus blocks will be demolished on the 8th May, and where you woud reccommend the best place to be to view / capture footage of the blow down?

They are letting motorists know in advance of possible delays. So don't go on Moor Street Queensway, James Watt Queensway, Jennens Road etc on the 8th of May.

Saw several of these signs waiting to get off the bus on Moor Street Queensway. Saw one at the bottom of the bus mall, one opposite Masshouse (this one) and one on Corporation Street (near the courts - opposite the road works)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5662203488_b9d26fb659_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662203488/)
Advanced Warning of Major Works Taking Place 8th May 2011 - Delays Expected - sign on Moor Street Queensway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662203488/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr


After getting that sign, headed up James Watt Queensway to get a few updates.

The green lorries are gone (as is the yellow Ainscough mobile crane).

On the right are several green trailers.

First window

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5661707817_ab7d96e57c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5661707817/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5661707817/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Second window (to the left - around the corner)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5662276232_da55a90dda_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662276232/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662276232/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5662277212_2d6152f5e8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662277212/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662277212/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Third window (further on to the left)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5662278112_90599b3c51_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662278112/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5662278112/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5661711581_f5a27bb12a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5661711581/)
Aston University Student Residences - Phase II - demolition (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5661711581/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Views on Aston Street not worth getting - just big piles of rubble.

I did see a UBS delivery van leaving from the top gate on Aston Street. The land round there is back at road level - you can see cars and vans inside.

I wonder if the emergency services get many calls from people who suddenly see a tower collapsing from a distance, unaware it was scheduled for a blow down? I can just imagine someone looking across Brum from Pritchet Tower and suddenly seeing the Aston towers tumbling, and shitting themselves. :|

Hopefully 12 days notice is enough - if any motorists stuck on the Queensway's bothers to read them!

I saw it from the bus, so the signs aren't hard to miss.

Will be odd once they are blown up.

But people outside of the Queensway vicinity won't have a clue if they don't drive around there or know about the towers.

Would they give it a mention of Midlands Today / Central News ?
New article in the Birmingham Mail or Post?

Do we know of a time for kaboom?

No only the date so far.

I wonder if the emergency services get many calls from people who suddenly see a tower collapsing from a distance, unaware it was scheduled for a blow down? I can just imagine someone looking across Brum from Pritchet Tower and suddenly seeing the Aston towers tumbling, and shitting themselves. :|
^^
Oh, you mean like the controlled demolition of WTC in NYC!

no he means when there is actually a controlled demolition and not a terrorist attack.

Proposed time for the Aston Uni accomodation blocks demolition?

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/information/temporary-diversions/birmingham-city-centre-aston-university-tower-demolition

Birmingham City Centre, Aston University Tower Demolition

Sunday, 8 May 2011 between 10:45 and 11:45 (approx.).

James Watt Queensway will be closed between Lancaster Circus and Newton Street due to the demolition of a tower block at Aston University. Additionally the Lancaster Circus Flyover will be closed for a short time at approx 11:00.

Might as well repost these here

newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/) has photos of the demoliton on Flickr ...

Here is some 2011 Aston Blow Down (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/sets/72157626548021631/with/5699093264/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5699085688_b0525df3fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699085688/)
IMG_1493 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699085688/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/5699093264_a0862cb5d0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699093264/)
IMG_1516 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699093264/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5698524269_e6a99cae7f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698524269/)
IMG_1524 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698524269/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/5698527553_4bff3d99bc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698527553/)
IMG_1533 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698527553/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/5698531519_5c13803c40_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698531519/)
IMG_1546 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698531519/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5699105816_83188b0020_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699105816/)
IMG_1553 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699105816/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/5699107990_07fcac6bb4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699107990/)
IMG_1560 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699107990/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5698537419_761c6313f6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698537419/)
IMG_1565 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5698537419/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5699111424_78103abd99_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699111424/)
IMG_1571 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/newboldimages/5699111424/) by newboldimages (http://www.flickr.com/people/newboldimages/), on Flickr


Couple of more good quality videos from a different vantage point.

j_1uo2_2G8E

mddSpYrBtS8

Article on BBC News

Aston University tower blocks blown up (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-13327913?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)


Two university tower blocks have been demolished in a controlled explosion in central Birmingham.

Built in the 1970s, the 21 and 23-storey Aston University blocks had been accommodation for generations of students living on campus.

Billy Young, from Demolition Ltd, said it was a complex operation because of the site and need to divert services.

The demolition is part of a £300m regeneration of the campus. Students were able to watch the event.

'Vibration damage'

He said: "The logistics of working on a live campus, live services - there were a lot of services that had to be diverted in and around the site before the implosion could take place.

"We also had complications of a Victorian water main and gas mains and adjacent footpath that had to monitored on the day in case of any vibration damage."

The Aston Student Village and new research centres will be completed by 2014.

The first phase of the £215m village project was finished last year which provided more than 1,300 bedrooms for students.

The next stage of the scheme will provide another 1,050 rooms by next yea and will start now Dalton and Lawrence Towers have been brought down.

Midlands Today new clip.....

http://www.youtube.com/user/ukprojection#p/u/0/EK4B9VMMKJs

..

Midlands Today new clip.....

http://www.youtube.com/user/ukprojection#p/u/0/EK4B9VMMKJs

EK4B9VMMKJs

Stephenson Tower slowly disappearing, goodbye!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/5839656231_9cd65a3521_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/5839655775_9c28822c29_b.jpg

Looks better already lol :)

Can't believe the Aston Uni towers have been demolished! I must say, I kind of liked them. They were not unattractive, IMO. As for Stephenson Tower though, good bloody riddance. That shit has been an eyesore for decades and a stain on Birmingham city centre!

Sorry to ask again, but does anyone have any (recent) pics of the Chapel Street flats in Brierley Hill, particularly of Bodmin Court? I lived there back in '02 (almost a decade ago). I'd be interested to see how the area in general has changed, or not changed?

Stephenson Tower - scaffolding and covers

Got shots of the tower with those covers on.

Zoom in from the corner of Navigation Street / Hill Street

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/5846212402_da41be557d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846212402/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846212402/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Bit closer on Hill Street

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/5845660617_f6c132ebcb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845660617/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845660617/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/5846215198_83ea45831f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846215198/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846215198/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Big City Plan, Advantage West Midlands etc

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/5845663115_d839cb82e9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845663115/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845663115/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

New Street New Start

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5845664357_90a5f139d0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845664357/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845664357/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/5846218816_f8e62b2db2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846218816/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846218816/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5845666649_aee685d439_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845666649/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5845666649/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5846221344_b94afa3de4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846221344/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846221344/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/5846222654_89614503c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846222654/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846222654/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

With The Crown

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/5846223790_7e76c1bd6b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846223790/)
Stephenson Tower under scaffolding and now under wraps (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5846223790/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Can't believe the Aston Uni towers have been demolished! I must say, I kind of liked them. They were not unattractive, IMO. As for Stephenson Tower though, good bloody riddance. That shit has been an eyesore for decades and a stain on Birmingham city centre!

They have been shifting the rubble of the late Dalton and Lawrence Tower's. Can still see the remains of them though.

Bit odd that Stafford Tower is still standing, especially as they have started the foundations of the Aston Student Village.

tried google streetview?

They have been shifting the rubble of the late Dalton and Lawrence Tower's. Can still see the remains of them though.

Bit odd that Stafford Tower is still standing, especially as they have started the foundations of the Aston Student Village.

I think Stafford Tower is going with the final phase of the development.

Will it go like Stephenson Tower, as I can't see them blowing it up like the other two.

Looking at the fire station plans, the high building of this project is on the render with Stafford tower.. so is it even in the way?

I think it could possibly be too close to the phase 2 to be blown up so I reckon they'll demolish it in a more controlled manner. Here's the plan of the student village to show phase 3 where Stafford Tower will be demolished for.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/astonunicmp.jpg

the tower blocks by the cricket ground look like work is well under way, what are they doing? is it the insulation and re render and paint?

If so i hope they give them a lighting scheme like the ones they did in turves green

I see two tower blocks in Newtown, on the corner of Newbury Road and Newtown Row

are being renovated.

There's loads going on in that area at the moment, about time really.

Birmingham Post article on Stephenson Tower


Birmingham tower block once home to the cast of Crossroads comes down

A LANDMARK Birmingham city centre tower which was once home to the cast of Crossroads has started to come toppling down.

Stephenson Tower was hailed as the blueprint for city living when it was opened to great fanfare in 1966.

But it became a 20-storey eyesore which loomed over the equally grey and tired New Street station.

Contractors have now begun to take the building apart brick by brick to make way for a huge new John Lewis department store.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/jul2011/7/9/coun-mike-whitby-152506987.jpg

The shop will form part of the redeveloped station, which has been undergoing a £600 million transformation since last year.

City council leader Mike Whitby said: “We finally got the money to start this project last year and a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes.

“This is the first time that passengers will be able to see how we are transforming the city’s skyline and creating a world class station for Birmingham.”

Work is also about to start on creating an atrium which will bring light flooding in to the station concourse for the first time in 40 years.

Later this year, the first sections of polished steel cladding will be manoeuvred in to place on the outside of the building.

Network Rail’s project sponsor Richard Kirkman said that passengers would start to see the benefit when the western part of the concourse – a car park until last summer – opens at the end of 2012.

“Most of what we have done so far has been in the bowels of the old building but we are in a position where we can make a start on changing the appearance of New Street and creating something iconic,” he said.

The tower has been stripped of fittings and asbestos and will be taken down over six months.

It was not suitable for demolition using explosives because of its position in the heart of the city centre, said Mr Kirkman.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/07/01/tower-block-once-home-to-the-cast-of-crossroads-comes-down-97319-28974151/#ixzz1QsmULR7f

Looks like this will be seeing a refurb,

Application Details
Application Number 2011/04251/PA
Application Type Full Planning
Site Address Flat 3 KENDAL TOWER Malins Road Birmingham B17 0JY
Proposal Change of use from residential flat (use class C3) to office (use class B1)

^^There's no mention of a refurb in the planning app but the management of the estate has been taken over which may result in a refurbishment at some point in the distant future.

It's only the one flat though isn't it, not the whole tower block?

Nope, this planning app is a change of one of the rooms to an office - Site office,

Look in the planning documents on typical floor plan and you will see a layout drawing of a typical floor with new PVC windows, doors and newly applied external finish in white an new balustrades for balconies

EDIT link here for said drawing

http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/documentstream/documentstream.aspx?name=public:0901487a80e01aae.pdf+0901487a80e01aae&unique=542963&type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP

Stephenson Tower demolished as part of New Street station redevelopment, Birmingham

A major step towards the regeneration of the south side of Birmingham is underway, as work starts to demolish the city’s Stephenson Tower.

The site is the chosen home for the 250,000sq ft John Lewis department store, scheduled to open in 2014, prior to the redeveloped New Street station in 2015.

On hand to officially commence the start of works, Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council


http://www.rail.co/2011/06/30/stephenson-tower-demolished-as-part-of-new-street-station-redevelopment-birmingham/

I went past Harlech Tower earlier and couldn't see the mobile mast on top anymore. It might have been a dodgy angle to see but if it has been removed then I can only imagine that demolition is not far off now... :(

Such an awesome pic from the old Charlemont Estate... two complete contrasting styles of housing.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1gAO9VN4RMg/SMqeFBMTLfI/AAAAAAAACqg/ykPWUFTAWeg/s1600/NR%2BWIGMORE%2BFARM%2B1968.jpg

Almost looks photoshioped