Must say it was never a dull moment living on this estate and some truly great if not bizarre memories..

Used to feel like you were really living somewhere special when returning at night and looking up at all the lights, I'd sometimes take the lift to the top floor and look out over the surrounding city scape which seemed to come alive at night, shame the other blocks were destroyed and not tidied up.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/241011439_0e27884105_b.jpg

It's amazing how rural that part of West Bromwich must have been. Of course, the estate has the word 'farm' in it, which is a bit of a giveaway and I think a farm of sorts with horses still exists nearby - under the shadow of the remaining tower blocks and the M5/M6 interchange flyovers!

Progress on the two towers in Newtown

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7040/imag1664.jpg

Renovation update at Wicket and Century Tower's. Also got Boundary House this time.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5964038448_78faeb6454_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964038448/)
Century Tower and Wickets Tower, Priory Road - renovation (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964038448/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5964039284_c808ed4d95_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964039284/)
Wickets Tower - Priory Road / Pershore Road - renovation (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964039284/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5963482093_8ced0886db_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5963482093/)
Century Tower - Priory Road / Bristol Road - renovation (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5963482093/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5964040916_8956927d5d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964040916/)
Boundary House - from Sir Harrys Road, Edgbaston - renovation (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5964040916/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Went past Kenrick park estate and the mega block is taking ages to finish and its going be blue like the other three towers, I will get some pictures when they start unwrapping the first couple of floors.

(nice pics of the edgebaston towers ellbrown. They will look ace along with the newly finished cricket ground)

Thanks MichaelWolves.

Shame they aren't ready for the Third Test.

Hope they hide / cover up the concrete.

Thanks MichaelWolves.

Shame they aren't ready for the Third Test.

Hope they hide / cover up the concrete.

I no.

Im going to some warickshire county games soon so ill have a look and see whats going down.

I think residents are still living inside while they are doing them up.

Yes, they will be.

When i was living in cleveland tower with my parents in 2001 i remember the refurb, it was carnage because they ripped out the kitchen and put new units in and i always remember my mother handing out cups of tea when they were fitting the windows in. :cheers2:

has anyone been past kenrick park recently ?? they have unrapped the roof of the mega block.

Getting there
http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/9845/imag1764.jpg

Ready for the 'fin' now
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/6818/imag1765.jpg

Russell House, the last remaining tower block in Wednesbury, should have had its refurbishment completed by now but things are not looking too good .In line with other refurbishments in West Brom's Kenrick Park area, Sandwell Council had this block in its sights .Last autumn everything was set up with structures on its facade .However, this has since been taken down without any work visibly done .The tower still has boarding around its grounds so not all is lost .This is a very popular tower and it's a pity that the project has stalled .

The following report in last December's Express&Star made me fear the worst .
http://www.expressandstar.com/money/property/2010/12/13/fears-on-axe-for-sandwell-housing-scheme/

Demolition of Erdington tower begins after falcons fly their nest

by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail
Sep 3 2011


A FAMILY of peregrine falcons have flown the nest – finally paving the way for the demolition of a derelict tower block.

Work to bulldoze the 16-storey Harlech Tower in Erdington was put on hold because of the unlikely squatters.

But now the nesting pair and their three chicks have moved on and the tower is expected to be reduced to rubble by the end of November.

Council housing chief Coun John Lines, the falcons’ landlord, said: “This tower may have been an eyesore for the last few months, but it served a wonderful ornithological purpose.

“It was home to this family and we were happy for them to stay until they were ready to move on.”

Council officers ringed the birds’ legs to keep track of them and have placed nesting boxes on nearby towers.

Harlech is the last of three 1960s-built towers on the Lyndhurst estate in Erdington to be demolished as part of a £100 million regeneration project.

Three hundred homes, the Lyndhurst Pub and Star Members’ Club have also been pulled down over the last two years.

Four remaining tower blocks on the estate are being renovated.

The regeneration scheme, backed by a £100 million private finance initiative funding, will see 316 new houses, new public open space, a youth centre and health centre built over the next few years.

The new homes will include a mix of properties for rent and sale.

Coun Bob Beauchamp (Con, Erdington) said: “This is the most important development as far as this side of the city is concerned.

“The Lyndhurst, when it was built more than 40 years ago, was held up as a shining example of urban development and attracted visitors from all over Europe.

“But it was poorly designed and deteriorated.

“This redesign will address those faults.”

What are your memories of life on the Lyndhurst estate? Email letters@birminghammail.net


Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/09/03/demolition-of-erdington-tower-begins-after-falcons-fly-their-nest-97319-29354872/#ixzz1WuGWZJgk

Update on Wickets and Century Tower's from the back of the old houses at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6109674505_44833c5512_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6109674505/)
Edgbaston Cricket Ground - old houses and Wickets Tower and Century Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6109674505/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6109675743_36f9dbfec8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6109675743/)
Edgbaston Cricket Ground - old houses and Wickets Tower and Century Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6109675743/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Night views from Kenrick House West Bromwich .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uu3xGfs7ck&feature=related

I think those are the most southernmost of Brum's blocks. :yes:

However, my A-Z only seems to list 3 out of the 5. They are:

* Hillside House

* Quarry House

* Rushmore House

They are on Cockhill Lane. But as for the other two blocks... :dunno:

Dowerie House and Redworth House are the other two! ;)

These images were taken around 10 years from various parts of the city.

City Centre from Cambridge Tower by Broad Street

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/198/hamcity2.jpg

The following 4 images were taken on the Bristol Road in Longbridge, opposite the King George Pub (now the Chinese Buffett)

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/761/bristolroadlongbridge4.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5034/bristolroadlongbridge3.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4869/bristolroadlongbridge2.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/269/bristolroadlongbridge.jpg

Not sure what estate these were, they were taken as I travelling along the M6. Possibly Chelmsley Wood?

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1434/chelmsleywood3.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5575/chelmsleywood2.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/756/chelmsleywood.jpg

Bangham Pit, Near Bartley Green

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6903/topofleyhill4.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7353/topofleyhill3.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9561/topofleyhill2.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9180/topofleyhill.jpg

Separately, Lee Bank possibly taken in the 80s? I remember these when I used to pass on 63 bus as a kid.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5060/leebankold3.jpg

Thanks for those! And welcome. :wave:


Not sure what estate these were, they were taken as I travelling along the M6. Possibly Chelmsley Wood?

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1434/chelmsleywood3.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5575/chelmsleywood2.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/756/chelmsleywood.jpg

The top picture is actually the Charlemont Farm estate in West Bromwich. The latter two are in Oldbury/Rowley Regis/White Heath, a couple of junctions down the M5 from the first pic.



Bangham Pit, Near Bartley Green

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6903/topofleyhill4.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7353/topofleyhill3.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9561/topofleyhill2.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9180/topofleyhill.jpg


I'm rather excited by these photos as those blocks no longer exist and I don't think they've been featured on here before! I visited them when they were in that state, just before demolition in I'm guessing around 2003. They were the first blocks you came across as you headed down the windy country road from Bartley Reservior - quite a sight!

Great selection there EnglishStan !

Congratulations on being an uncle Butterfield .:)

Oh, thanks! :D

Here's those three blocks by Bartley reservoir - not to be confused with the 4 or 5 which were demolished at Bartley Green a couple of years ago.


http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/40533020.jpg

I came across a huge complex of flats in the Highgate part of the city centre a couple of months ago and I've been doing a bit of research on them. They were built at the end of the 1930s (Rather than after World War 2) and were demolished in 1981, so before most of our times.

I wrote an article on them at the Housing Wiki (I've revived my interest in it after some editors fucked it up): http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/St_Martin%27s_Flats

They weren't successful at all so there wasn't an awful lot of photos taken of them but there are a few links in the article to some old shots from the 50s. :)

That was a very interesting read Erebus.I'd seen those photos before but I had no idea where the flats were located .

Yeah I assumed they were just another bunch of flats in Nechells or something but I came across them on some 1950s map and they stood out massively from all the slums around them. I thought it was a hospital at first.

It's amazing how much the area has changed. Most of the slums have become parkland and factories, with the exception of these flats which have become some small suburban estate in the city centre.

And here's the location for anyone wondering what funk I'm on about: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=16.711786,53.569336&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&ll=52.468217,-1.889305&spn=0.002098,0.008583&t=h&z=18

Following your link Erebus ,I came across this view .I've seen these small blocks sometimes when I've seen skyline views from the south of the city .There are ,I think , two or more tower blocks in the same vecinity .


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=16.711786,53.569336&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&t=h&ll=52.468505,-1.885488&spn=0.000001,0.000383&z=21&layer=c&cbll=52.468505,-1.885488&panoid=ZR5Mh4mnPACtcIfWoyE0Ig&cbp=12,340.63,,0,-11.98

Staying in the same area ,an area which is unfamiliar to me , I came upon a number of four storey buildings .Does anyone know if they are new builds or have recently had a refurb?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=16.711786,53.569336&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&t=h&layer=c&cbll=52.466002,-1.885213&panoid=zQ9KeqCWpbFfwcI2N8I3Ow&cbp=12,74.41,,0,0&ll=52.466002,-1.885213&spn=0.000001,0.000383&z=21

Those four storey blocks were refurbished a few years ago along with the big towers along the road.

And with those short tower blocks, I think there's about four in the area altogether. Also, that's a cracking view down Darwin Street - I had no idea!

The impressive Pleck cluster as posted by Smileyface several times was,as we know, demolished some time ago .This smaller build ,which I quite like, has gone up in its place .

http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=old+pleck+road+walsall&aq=&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=7.695952,12.524414&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Old+Pleck+Rd,+Walsall,+West+Midlands+WS2+9HF,+Reino+Unido&ll=52.57515,-2.000842&spn=0.000052,0.024462&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.57524,-2.000888&panoid=bDAKlHcnuRdM5jzLAK5BLg&cbp=12,35.08,,0,0.71

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/martynahood/Birmingham/9ec79e6f.jpg

The impressive Pleck cluster as posted by Smileyface several times was,as we know, demolished some time ago .This smaller build ,which I quite like, has gone up in its place .

http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=old+pleck+road+walsall&aq=&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=7.695952,12.524414&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Old+Pleck+Rd,+Walsall,+West+Midlands+WS2+9HF,+Reino+Unido&ll=52.57515,-2.000842&spn=0.000052,0.024462&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.57524,-2.000888&panoid=bDAKlHcnuRdM5jzLAK5BLg&cbp=12,35.08,,0,0.71

It does look okay. But I wonder how long it will take to become a no-go area again like the old blocks.


http://www.expressandstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Pleck.jpg

Got this for the BCU site in Eastside yesterday. Forgot to post it here - tower blocks on the right. Possibly Humber and Dovey Tower's (?)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6169864115_8bc6ebd7f9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6169864115/)
Birmingham City University - construction site - Curzon Street - Willmott Dixon - Gate 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6169864115/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

^^

Do you work for a sign company?

No.

What make's you think that?

I just like taking pics of them that's all (loads of signs groups on Flickr).

Some end up on blogs / online articles (e.g ones saying "No Entry" and "Corporation Street" and RBS)

lol i was just searching the net on the blocks where i live as i was bored, i live in brierley hill flats (plant court) lived here a few years now, i also lived here b4 with my sister back in 2003, and i can say that the flats are better now to what they were then, not brilliant but i would say better anyway...they have just recently put new carpets on all the floors, and the out side of the blocks are under going a re-paint

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the info. :okay:

What views do you have from your flat? Can you see Clent? I often wonder how many people live in the Brierley Hill tower blocks as there are so many, like a little mini city.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the info. :okay:

What views do you have from your flat? Can you see Clent? I often wonder how many people live in the Brierley Hill tower blocks as there are so many, like a little mini city.
i live on the higher levels so i can see quiet far, when i look out my living room window im facing towards wordsley way,i shall get some photos of my view from off the balcony and living room window, i shall upload them tonight:)

not the best of photos as they was taken off my phone

view from living room window
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j218/richyboy111/SP_A1984.jpg

view from balcony
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j218/richyboy111/SP_A1980.jpg

Those are very nice views .

Eight tower blocks to be demolished in Birmingham .Erebus ,if you know,how many does that leave us with and how many have been felled in the last twenty years or so ?I wonder which ones are going to disappear .

Here is the news :

http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2011/09/birmingham-tenants-back-regeneration-proposals/

Apparently 400 blocks over 5 storeys were built after World War II in Birmingham, but so far I've only identified just over 300. Nevertheless, there's at least 178 still standing and at least 134 have been demolished. :)

Thanks for the information .I have to say I'm surprised how many have gone and I'm equally surprised how many are still left .

I've got to agree! They're pretty well hidden! But if you bear in mind that something like a quarter of the demolished blocks were on Castle Vale alone, it sort of puts it into perspective! :)

anyone else used to live in brierley hill flats, i want to hear some storys of the flats lol :lol:

anyone else used to live in brierley hill flats, i want to hear some storys of the flats lol :lol:

There's a guy who occasionally contributes to this thread who used to live in the flats but lives in Florida of all places now.

Didn't Tony Blair have a cup of tea with a woman in the flats a few years back? I'm sure I remember it being on Midlands Today or in the Express & Star.

Your photos make Brierley Hill look rather leafy. :happy:

There's a guy who occasionally contributes to this thread who used to live in the flats but lives in Florida of all places now.

Didn't Tony Blair have a cup of tea with a woman in the flats a few years back? I'm sure I remember it being on Midlands Today or in the Express & Star.

Your photos make Brierley Hill look rather leafy. :happy:
haha i thought that as i was taking the photos, and brierley hill to florida? now thats a change of scenery lol..i will have to see if i can find anything on the internet about tony blair...i remember there was a fire in the block just as my sister moved out years ago,i can still see in my head how the lobby looked after the fire and the smell,like a strong burnt plastic smell.....and her front door had a hole in the middle of it as they were unable to kick the door in because she had so many locks on the door

Here are the blocks that are going to be demolished :

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/09/27/eight-more-birmingham-tower-blocks-to-be-demolished-65233-29492392/

^^Wow, that's going to really bring down the skyline north of Birmingham city centre. They have selected the biggest tower blocks to demolish - especially Barry Jackson and Sapphire. Also, Wellesbourne Tower is in Highgate, not Nechells as stated, which has always been in limbo. I guess the council can now no longer afford the cost of refurbishment.

I think Cornwall and Norfolk Towers were almost a certain to be demolished after Dorset Tower was demolished for the Tesco last year. The Bromford is going to look a lot less dominating without Holbrook and Warstone. :(

That's a real bummer about the tower blocks coming down, at least they said this is the end of it. Hopefully, they might be able to sell some of them to Housing Associations, i remember reading that the council tried to sell the 2 recently demolished blocks on the Bromford but nobody was interested due to the cost of bringing them up to modern standards, hopefully these other blocks are not as far gone as those derelict 2 were.

Here's those three blocks by Bartley reservoir - not to be confused with the 4 or 5 which were demolished at Bartley Green a couple of years ago.


http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/40533020.jpg

Great to see those 3 blocks on here, i remember seeing them once when i was going for a drive around Brum. It's a shame they where demolished as they looked in good condition, and had double glazing, and where probably of a managable size, a complete waste really, would have been great if managed as retirement village or something like that, especially in that location.

That's a real bummer about the tower blocks coming down, at least they said this is the end of it. Hopefully, they might be able to sell some of them to Housing Associations, i remember reading that the council tried to sell the 2 recently demolished blocks on the Bromford but nobody was interested due to the cost of bringing them up to modern standards, hopefully these other blocks are not as far gone as those derelict 2 were.

To be fair, they had ripped out the guts of those Bromford blocks. They were just concrete shells, plus there was considerable protest from former residents who were kicked out on the premise that the blocks were to be demolished.

Wellesbourne was going to be retained as part of the St Luke's regeneration but it has been emptied already and probably gutted a fair bit as well. It is probably the most attractive of the blocks selected for demolition as well, and quite unique by design. I imagine that it'll be the first to tumble.

But you are right, the fact that these are the last blocks to go is a positive. Inkerman House shall stand forever more! :pepper:

Yep, looks like the great cluster on Druids Heath will survive too, which is good, and those other ones on the Bromford, of the same Druids Heath type design.

I wonder when some action will be taken on Normansell Tower, that's being derelict for years, and i don't think they're even gutted it.

I agree with you about Wellesbourne Tower too, just looked it up to refresh my memory.

It's a nice building that, quiet unique and as it's a brick build it looks pretty solid, it's a shame it couldn't be saved, i used to pass that on the bus every day on the way down Pershore Road.

Yep, looks like the great cluster on Druids Heath will survive too, which is good, and those other ones on the Bromford, of the same Druids Heath type design.

I wonder when some action will be taken on Normansell Tower, that's being derelict for years, and i don't think they're even gutted it.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about Normansell Tower! Blimey, I think it was empty when I joined this forum - over 5 years ago! :eek:

And I'm still yet to explore Druid's Heath, at least there's still time for me to! :)

more scaffoldings come down from the tower block undergoing the blue cladding in sandwell, looks really good and stand out from the M5 its wider than the others and makes the bunch stick out more. Wouldnt mind a few others having this kind of cladding done to them

For about 10-20 seconds from 3mins 25 in this doc, there are some cracking aerial footage shots of the old Castle Vale estate. They give you a sense of the size of the place.

The programme is quite good but focusses mainly on the Park Hill estate in Sheffield.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00jwrcn/Reel_History_of_Britain_Streets_in_the_Sky/

Actual moving footage of them! :eek: :master:

I wish the Castle Vale blocks were still there. Although I guess the residents don't. The day Castle Vale was demolished and replaced with standard housing was the day Birmingham lost second city status! :rant: :gossip: :shifty: :runaway:

Anyone know what Harlech Tower in Erdington is at now? I was told 2 weeks ago that a quarter of it had been demolished. :cry:

O my frigging gosh, I did not realise thats what the Castle Vale estate looked like, IT WAS EPIC :o

I only once knowingly saw the Castle Vale tower blocks - heading south on the M6 up ahead in the distance you just saw a sheer wall of tower blocks, as well as the Bromford blocks opposite Fort Dunlop - there must have been about 50 tower blocks in view either side of that part of the motorway. I know tower blocks have a bad reputation but you knew you'd arrived in a big city when you drove through that area, whereas now there's only a handful left the journey isn't quite so interesting.

Awwww as if, they should have kept them.

Good footage that, i remember the first time i ever came to Brum on the train, and as you came in from the north east you passed Castle Vale, i had never seen anything like it, all those tower blocks in rows.

By time i got to actually visit in the early 2000s it was well into its transformation, and most of the tower blocks had gone, and Hercules House was in the middle of getting pulled down.

I imagine it was great and facinating to look at, but not good to live in.

Artist's Post-war Impression of Birmingham, by R. Edgcombe

http://www.suburbanbirmingham.org.uk/images/housing/1998-v45-8-z500.jpg

http://www.suburbanbirmingham.org.uk/spaces/housing-essay-7.htm

Artist's Post-war Impression of Birmingham, by R. Edgcombe

http://www.suburbanbirmingham.org.uk/images/housing/1998-v45-8-z500.jpg

Looks very similar to the artist's impression of the plan for the Jewellery Quarter. I wish I could find that...

Rare photo of Castle Vale alert!! http://dealbreaker.com/_old/images/entries/drudge+siren.gif


http://www.search.connectinghistories.org.uk/content/images/96/88/Resource/1794-0.jpg


I was just doing my usual occasional online search for photos of Castle Vale and this is one I don't think I'd seen before. :happy:

:cheer:

Those are the ones on the south side of Farnborough Road, there would have been another 6 tower blocks to the right of the photographer. The road going off to the right would have served Comet House and Avro House. Just behind the nearest lampost, you can see a slight dip in the ground which is where the entrance to a subway underneath the road was.

From front to back on the left hand side, you can see Hampden House, Hawker House, Vulcan House and Pioneer House. From front to back on the right hand side, you can see Auster House, Trident House, Kestral House, and a teeny weeny bit of the top of Javelin House emerging just above the tree. All had 42 flats each. :)

Hmmm... thanks for the info. :okay:

I can't believe how few pics there are of Castle Vale around. I bet hundreds actually exist in packets of old photos in people's bottom drawers just waiting to be scanned for us. Maybe we should put an ad in a local paper asking people to look through their old photo albums. :D

During my search, I keep seeing those mock up 3D pictures of Castle Vale which I think were created by someone who has posted in this thread before, and the excellent accompanying Youtube video.


qq0gF9GU8Vk

^^Aye, I think the forumer was called Traxler...? It wouldn't surprise me if there's a huge bunch of photos locked away in Birmingham Central Library, actually...

I have finally got to kenrick park (sandwell) after ages and I've got to say the refurbished blocks are stunning. they have done a super job and I feel tempted to move from Cleveland tower.

Good Morning fellow tower block fans.

I was in Brum earlier this week, and tried to go on a mission to take some snaps of the recently announced blocks to be demolished. I got most of them, but it was getting on in the day, and time was running late and it was starting to get dark near the end.

I don't know how to post pics on here, but i have posted them all on UK Housing Wiki, if you go into recent activity you can see the pics there.

That Castle Vale mock up is great btw, love what he has done with Concorde Tower, giving it that realistic lived in look.

^^Sign up to Photobucket and you can upload your pictures there. Just copy the code which begins with and ends in and paste it here and the pictures will show.

Thanks a lot for contributing to the Housing Wiki! I'm still in the process of sorting it out (lots of articles without categories, deleted pictures, no links etc...).

Another rare Castle Vale photo, from 1987. :happy:


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6283941776_1bd498d109_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsall1955/6283941776/

That looks like Topcliffe House in the front! The one that became this unusual beast:

http://images.wikia.com/ukhousing/images/c/ca/Topcliffe_House.jpg

Yeah, I had thought it may have been one of the two remaining as there seems to be a school by it.

My missus lives in one of the Kingshurst tower blocks. Will get some images some time this week

Taken with mobile. So not the best I am afraid. These are some blocks in Kingshurst. I know one of em is called Digby house and Catesbury house. But not sure where or what the distant ones are.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0272.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0273.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0274.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0275.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0276.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0277.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z31/Mastspotter/IMAG0271.jpg

I went past the Lyndhurst estate today. Breaks my heart to see absolute nothingness where Harlech Tower once stood but the refurbished blocks are looking good. They seem to be kept well maintained right now as well.

Also noticed that the little block Cleeve House on the Kingsbury Road, just up from the Lad in the Lane, has been boarded up. It was only refurbished a couple of years ago as a shelter for homeless people so I'm surprised that it's fate has come so quick. Another to bite the dust. :(

Russell House ,the last tower block in Wednesbury,has scaffolding around it and work looks to be progressing .This is a very popular block and its (makeover) future seemed to be in doubt for some time .I hope it has now secured the money for its refurb .

I had a good look (from the Metro) at the Kenrick Park buildings .Sandwell council have done a good job there .:)They have also done a good job (a few years ago )on the tower refurb just by Dartmouth Park .Very good indeed.:)

Best I could get today of the tower refurbs by Edgbaston Cricket Ground

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6620143003_1b91a352be_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6620143003/)
IMG_0478 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6620143003/) by sefton 66 (http://www.flickr.com/people/58990999@N03/), on Flickr

View from Addenbrooke Court in Old Hill, taken by someone on facebook.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401985_10150661088203974_507918973_11224721_1485092505_n.jpg

Russell House, the last remaining tower block in Wednesbury, should have had its refurbishment completed by now but things are not looking too good .In line with other refurbishments in West Brom's Kenrick Park area, Sandwell Council had this block in its sights .Last autumn everything was set up with structures on its facade .However, this has since been taken down without any work visibly done .The tower still has boarding around its grounds so not all is lost .This is a very popular tower and it's a pity that the project has stalled .



The following report in last December's Express&Star made me fear the worst .

http://www.expressandstar.com/money/property/2010/12/13/fears-on-axe-for-sandwell-housing-scheme/


https://openaccess.sandwellhomes.org.uk/images/property_images/RUSSELL_HOUSE_WEDNESBURY.jpg

Scaffolding has gone up around Russell House in Wednesbury.

My partner's brother's ex who is pregnant with his kid (long story, the woman is a cow) is moving on the 20th floor of Briarly House on the Charloment Farm estate!

It's £395 a month to rent....stupid in my opinion for her to be on the top floor.

^^

At least she'll have a nice view. ;)

One way is the Birmingham skyline and the other towards Walsall and Wolverhampton. I still don't think I'd choose to live there though. :D

I know I keep resurecting this thread, but I was told some information by my Dad (not sure if this is a hazy memory) about the Merryhill Court fire.

It was arson (which I researched four years ago via old newspapers in the library), but there was a motive that she was involved in a bad crowd through an ex-partner, and this was a plan which went horribly wrong. The deceased woman was not buried until 1991 as there was an investigation which went on into mid 1991.

I am not 100% kosher on this, but this is what I have been told.

Russel House in Wednesbury, taken on Sunday.

The quality of the refurb looks very promosing, contrary to what this photo suggests.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Photo0444.jpg

Russel House in Wednesbury, taken on Sunday.

The quality of the refurb looks very promosing, contrary to what this photo suggests.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Photo0444.jpg

Went past this the other weekend....coming along well.

Probably already knew this one was to come down, Not sure if its completely empty but most of it is boarded up, app to demolish now so shouldn't be too long until it comes down

Application Details
Application Number 2012/02388/PA
Application Type Demolition Determination
Site Address Normansell Tower Waterworks Street Aston Birmingham B6 7TF
Proposal Application for demolition of residential tower block.

Good to see the Wednesbury block getting its work done .After a google walk in Smethwick,I came across the following .I don't know if they are still standing :

http://maps.google.es/maps/svpw?url=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.es%2Fmaps%3Ff%3Dq%26source%3Ds_q%26hl%3Des%26geocode%3D%26q%3DRaglan%2BRoad%2BChristian%2BChurch,%2BSmethwick,%2BUnited%2BKingdom%26aq%3D0%26oq%3Draglan%2Broad%26sll%3D40.396764,-3.713379%26sspn%3D8.799585,21.643066%26sllexp%3D40.208500,-3.713000%26sspnexp%3D10.071000,10.071000%26vpsrc%3D6%26ie%3DUTF8%26hq%3DRaglan%2BRoad%2BChristian%2BChurch,%26hnear%3DSmethwick,%2BMidlands%2BOccidentales,%2BReino%2BUnido%26ll%3D52.489891,-1.957147%26spn%3D0.006295,0.017732%26t%3Dm%26layer%3Dc%26cbll%3D52.493627,-1.95324%26panoid%3D0cFj40mLM4w3HFq9ZSSoAQ%26cbp%3D12,294.54,,0,-21.56%26output%3Dembed&hl=es&gl=es

Not really a tower block, but the following may be of interest for readers of this thread ; another build in Smethwick :

http://maps.google.es/maps?q=Raglan+Avenue,+Smethwick,+United+Kingdom&hl=es&ll=52.490372,-1.957712&spn=0.006872,0.021136&sll=52.504115,-1.953185&sspn=0.006923,0.021136&oq=Raglan+Road,+smethwick&hnear=Raglan+Ave,+Reino+Unido&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.490421,-1.95786&panoid=Bp9psB0Za2n2yR93bwOvgw&cbp=12,303.45,,0,-0.73

Wndmill Lane Smethwick :

http://maps.google.es/maps?q=Raglan+Rd,+Smethwick,+UK&hl=es&ll=52.492644,-1.955462&spn=0.000003,0.002642&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=8.799585,21.643066&oq=raglan+road&hq=Raglan+Rd,&hnear=Smethwick,+Midlands+Occidentales,+Reino+Unido&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=52.492486,-1.955635&panoid=lqCorzfX4p4O-RzfZbZgyQ&cbp=12,54.83,,0,-19.74

Russel House in Wednesbury, taken on Sunday.

The quality of the refurb looks very promosing, contrary to what this photo suggests.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Photo0444.jpg

This now looks like this...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Photo0513.jpg

Very bendy streetlight haha, loooks nice!

The tower blacks near the cricket ground are almost complete.

Also, if anyone's particularly interested, I've managed to create articles for every single tower block ever built (whether still standing or now demolished) in Birmingham. Through that, I've managed to work out that there are 236 tower blocks (blocks that are 6 storeys or more) still standing in Birmingham and 190 have been demolished.

Still standing tower blocks: http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Tower_blocks_in_Birmingham

Demolished tower blocks: http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Demolished_tower_blocks_in_Birmingham

Humphries House in Brownhills has had a makeover!

From this:


http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w62/Citywest501/HumphriesHouseBrownhillsC.jpg



To this:


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m451zsNtCd1qib2vgo1_1280.jpg


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m57z0bPnAD1qib2vgo1_1280.jpg

Does anybody know when Normansell tower in Aston is due for demolition? It has been empty for years but still hasn't been demolished - its the really awful one that interrupts the view of the city centre skyline as you come off the M6 onto the Aston Expressway?

Here's that big mutha in Newtown, don't know the name of it though, sorry!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown2.jpg

My favourite tower blocks in brum, look like they belong in Benidorm!

^^ Or Miami- I have a friend that lives in one very similar to the above!

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m57z0bPnAD1qib2vgo1_1280.jpg

This is a beautiful shot!:applause:

Does anyone have any updates on the two Wensfield blocks that are havin a refurb ?

Fantastically fine weather lately so me and the missus went up to the Long Mynd in Shropshire yesterday and I was stunned to see that I could see some of our tower blocks from up there. I was around here....

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.542976,-2.831021&spn=0.001254,0.002411&hnear=Birmingham,+West+Midlands,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=52.542976,-2.831532&panoid=mR737_HSh4zmDuJfEPhfIQ&cbp=12,52.58,,0,9.21

......when I took this photo. Anyone who can identify these blocks definitely deserves a Gold medal in the tower block geek Olympics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/LongMyndJuly201232.jpg

The tower block near Aston Station is it Normansell Tower looks very close to demolition, does anyone know when demolition is and can they post a video of it coming down?

......when I took this photo. Anyone who can identify these blocks definitely deserves a Gold medal in the tower block geek Olympics.



Fascinating photo.

The 4 dominant blocks (just left of centre) are part of the Heath Town estate with Molineux visible just to the right. The trees in front would be from West Park. The 5 small blocks to the left would be what I call the Boscobel Crescent estate.

To the left of that would be the 3 blocks in Wednesfield. Only one of these blocks is clearly visible as it has a white elevation. The other two are brown and blend in with the background. The white chimney to the far left is the one at New Cross Hospital.

The block in the very middle of the photo is Mander House. The cluster to the right would be Walsall town centre (roughly 37 miles away) and the 3 blocks to the far right would be the Merry Hill flats.

If you zoom in you can make out the Crown Street Incinerator, Student Village and Construction House. Birmingham would be off to the right, but hidden from view by Turners Hill.

I've had more time to look at the photo now VH and you're right on all counts, and deserve the Gold Medal. I'm stunned that the cluster right-of-centre are the Paddock flats in Walsall because those are the ones I live in lol.

We just went there for a bit of fresh air and I never expected to be adding photos to this thread while out in Shropshire. My camera's just an oldskool Fuji finepix with a standard 10x optical zoom - imagine a photo taken with a really decent lens. Then again you only get days as clear as we had about ten times a year!

Whenever i have been to the long mynd or the clee hills its been too cloudy to see towrds wolverhampton but that is a stunning pic. And the pic on google maps is exactly were i go walking.

I too only noticed for the first time what looked like very distant tower blocks on the horizon the last time I drove up the Bur Way - but I presumed it was the Brierley Hill blocks at the time. :doh:

Hello, :)

I am new to this forum & have been absolutely fascinated by this thread & the affection people have for some of these tower blocks in & around Brum, I'll 'fess up I have no head for heights & cannot & I suppose will not ever understands peoples desire for mountains of bricks, mortar & concrete heading in a northern direction !! :ohno:

Still - each to their own, suppose I never really got over the opening scenes of the olde TV kids programme - Stingray - when blocks of flats & masonettes disappeared underground for fear of being attacked by a big fish !!! :nuts:

Hello, :)

I am new to this forum & have been absolutely fascinated by this thread & the affection people have for some of these tower blocks in & around Brum, I'll 'fess up I have no head for heights & cannot & I suppose will not ever understands peoples desire for mountains of bricks, mortar & concrete heading in a northern direction !! :ohno:

Still - each to their own, suppose I never really got over the opening scenes of the olde TV kids programme - Stingray - when blocks of flats & masonettes disappeared underground for fear of being attacked by a big fish !!! :nuts:

Welcome to the forum.

I see Normansell in Aston now has a banner of the demolition team on top.

Is this a layer by layer job? I'd be surprised if it was a blow down given the proximity to railways and motorways.

Oh how I miss this McDonalds, wonder why it was never rebuilt, if to this day its just still rubble.

Here's that big mutha in Newtown, don't know the name of it though, sorry!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Newtown2.jpg

I hadn't seen the following before ; Lee Bank flats and their demolition : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pOtRqATvq0&feature=related

Never even knew these existed till I drove past them the other day. They don't look bad for housing.

http://goo.gl/maps/448Sb

http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Leasowes_Drive
Pretty nice photo on this wiki.

Just found it interesting tbh. Didn't really acknowledge the Warstones estate existed. Anyone know when they were refurbished? As the google maps view is outdated from other angles.

Never even knew these existed till I drove past them the other day. They don't look bad for housing.

http://goo.gl/maps/448Sb

http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Leasowes_Drive
Pretty nice photo on this wiki.

Just found it interesting tbh. Didn't really acknowledge the Warstones estate existed. Anyone know when they were refurbished? As the google maps view is outdated from other angles.

They're the three blocks on the far right of the photo I posted a few posts back http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=93605297&postcount=3351

Never even knew these existed till I drove past them the other day. They don't look bad for housing.

http://goo.gl/maps/448Sb

http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Leasowes_Drive
Pretty nice photo on this wiki.

Just found it interesting tbh. Didn't really acknowledge the Warstones estate existed. Anyone know when they were refurbished? As the google maps view is outdated from other angles.

I remember when i was at highfields school seeing these being refurbished in 2003-4 time. These were a real state when they were grey with the single glazing windows.

Those blocks are so close to the edge of Wolverhampton they're practically in South Staffordshire. :D You can see them on the horizon as you head away from Bridgnorth after that climbing that steep hill.

But yes, I remember them being covered in scaffolding/netting for a while in, as mentioned above, around 2003/04.

I know someone who lives in one of these in Pennwood Court and they are of a decent quality.

Just been doing a bit of a search on Google and found this - the Eve Hill flats in Dudley taken in 1997 from the opposite side from where Delacourt's photos were taken from. Note Butterfield Court in the process of a refurbishment! The green netting was up for what seemed like ages if I remember rightly.

Looking north towards the blocks and the road to Sedgley
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry/content/images/2006/02/24/slater_eve_hill_flats_1997__470x300.jpg

Hello Butterfield. glad you like my photo from 1997. Here is a Then and Now below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24112096@N02/7830131460/

Another one gone:( wish we could just refurbish them, ones at Edgbaston by the cricket ground look great now!

There is a video on the link at the bottom, cant figure out how to post it though

Normansell Tower 'eyesore' in Aston demolished

Normansell Tower had become an eyesore, Birmingham City Council has said
Homes in Birmingham have been evacuated for safety reasons in order for a derelict tower block described as an "eyesore" to be demolished.

The 18-storey Normansell Tower on Waterworks Street, Aston, was blown up using explosives at 10:00 BST.

More than 80 homes within 160m of the site were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Earlier Birmingham City Council said the building had been derelict for five years and had become an eyesore.

Dave Samrai, from the council, said: "There are no firm proposals for the 21,527 sq ft site at present, but it will become part of a wider development of the area."

Earlier, Billy Young, from DSM Demolition, the firm contracted by the council, said: "The building will fall in approximately four and a half seconds but take a further eight weeks to clear the rubble."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-19450085

How do I post pictures, the feature seems to be not working for me.

double post

Go to somewhere like ************, upload the image, copy the url it gives you, and then post it as:

http://yourimage.url

DBadger you're link doesn't show. Similar thing is happening to my post.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/barryjackson.png/

^^

Maybe it's because it's a png? The photos on here are usually jpg. Not that I know about these things. Welcome anyway! :wave:

Oh, and DBadger's "link" was just an example of how to do it, it wasn't supposed to show as a picture. ;)

The link you need is the "direct link" not the "link". (It's because imageshack are nazis and complicating things).

The link begins something like http://img600.imageshack.us

How do you post from flickr?

I've tried various ways, but it doesn't seem to work :ohno:

you need to paste the BB code :) just paste the whole link it gives you without anything else, no [IMG] needed:)

Thanks Sefton.......that was easy :-)

Thanks guy, it's working now.


Barry Jackson Tower, Aston

http://s19.postimage.org/onohlv5yb/barry_jackson2.jpg

Newtown, Birmingham



http://s19.postimage.org/qcea87u8z/newtown.jpg

Aston/Newtown View

http://s19.postimage.org/q0wtvgdsz/newtown_2.png

View from Sapphire Tower, Aston


http://s19.postimage.org/l3j9acbtv/city_centre.jpg

some great shots there. This youtube vid of Castle Vale in the ealry 90s (http://youtu.be/QrEcPQWPstw) makes you realise just how big that estate was.

^^

Epic bits showing sheer scale of estate at 4:51 and from 5:58

QrEcPQWPstw

Would it of cost the council too much to refurb all the castle vale blocks. Imagine how long it would of taken. Another thing i wish i could have gone to that estate just to see it out of my own eyes but judging by that vid i was only about 1 or 2 :(

Posted twice

Article and photos for the revamped block in Wednesbury .I've seen this from close quarters and its transformation is impressive .It also looks pretty smart when viewed from the Metro line.I had my doubts when the project stalled but I'm glad they pushed on and completed the work .I wondered what the top wires were for : http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/09/20/grass-is-greener-at-wednesbury-flats/

So impressed with Sandwell homes and the refurbs - why does Birmingham seem to want to knock everything down that's over two storeys

Spring Hill blocks : http://goo.gl/maps/movPa

Canterbury Tower Spring Hill : http://goo.gl/maps/KSqBe

One of its flats for sale if anyone is interested : http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/14429231?utm_source=nest&utm_medium=feeds

I'm doing my dissertation on Birmingham's tower blocks and that means going bonkers on the research. The story of construction of the tower blocks is far more complex than I thought - the politics of it is insane and it seems that they were considered a necessary evil from the outset.

One particularly interesting thing I found out was the council planned to build a 10,000 home estate down around Wythall but this was rejected in 1961 by central government. This meant that the council ended up looking at Chelmsley Wood as the main way to alleviate the housing crisis.

Also, I found some of the early plans for Castle Vale... they practically planned a new city there...

I look forward to more information Erebus .

Here are two nice ones in West Brom : http://goo.gl/maps/N0SGt

Another view with the Kenrick Park towers in the background (now they have their blue cladding) : http://goo.gl/maps/fF5Q6

Here is a link to Wolverhampton' s Scotlands estate in 1973, shows some old photos of people living there. The end ones show more of the desperate poverty that typified this estate. Indeed the first 4 rows of photos don't look bad at all..........

www.gravitaslondon.com/the-scotlands-wolverhampton-1973

I am hoping to shortly link some old slightly blurred photos of a very run down Low Hill in the late 1990's. Also Heath Town and Blakenhall/All Saints prior to redevelopment. Not Wolverhampton at its best, and to be fair mis-representative of the areas today.

To see a slightly different & better quality set of these old Scotlands photos you can go to;

www.retronaut.co/2012/02/the-scotlands-wolverhampton-1973-74/

This second link does not always work, but if it says link is broken go the top and select "1970's", & the Scotlands snaps are listed and shown on page 2. Well worth looking.

Here are the Heath Town photos Reanswolf referred to a couple of posts back. I've hosted them for him on my Photobucket account along with the Low Hill ones which can be found on this thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1499305


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4631.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4628.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4626.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4622.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4621.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%2010/SAM_4618.jpg

Many thanks Smileyface.

Heath Town is much much better these days! As is most of Wolverhampton.

Shows how much improved things are these days!

.......

Excellent news as 15 Sandwell tower blocks are going to get refurbs :): http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/01/28/sandwell-tower-blocks-to-get-43m-revamp/

I imagine they will be of the same good standard as other towers recently refurbished in the area.

apps have also gone in recently for a few tower blocks to be reclad in Newtown

apps have also gone in recently for a few tower blocks to be reclad in Newtown
^^
Shame Brum can't replicate Sandwell when it comes to tower block refurbs. That said I do like the lighting on the ones on Lyndhurst in Erdington

^^
Shame Brum can't replicate Sandwell when it comes to tower block refurbs. That said I do like the lighting on the ones on Lyndhurst in Erdington

I like the blue and green ones in Sandwell, they look great from the M5 especially when they're lit up but I think they look good reclad in white with the metal "fins" and LED lighting. Look more tidy and professional. The edgbaston cricket towers look good in my opinion

The refurbished ones Newtown look good too.

Looks like the Birmingham area's tower block-demolishing years are now behind them. Around 10 years ago Sandwell seemed to be determined to demolish every last block.

^^ don't see the point, you'll never get that amount of replacement housing on the site so it's sustainable to just refurbish them and deal with the trouble makers.


The re rendered blocks look really smart in my opinion and the council seem to be maintaining them good

The following people seem quite happy in their tower blocks:http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/03/02/walsall-tower-blocks-high-in-satisfaction/

The 4 towers on Beaconview Road in west brom (opposite the 2 blue/grey ones that have already been done) should go out to tender next month

The following people seem quite happy in their tower blocks:http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/03/02/walsall-tower-blocks-high-in-satisfaction/

Those tower blocks in Bloxwich are some of the nicest in the area. They look decent and are in a very leafy area. Seems like the residents are happy too!

Towards the end of the following article it mentions the reburbisment of Sandwell tower blocks : http://www.expressandstar.com/news/property-news/2013/03/11/fifty-new-sandwell-bungalows-to-be-built-for-elderly/

"They are Beaconview, Broome, Stanton and Sheapcoate House in Beaconview Road"

those are the ones i was on about, they are doing the pre qual now

A gritty, Smethwick scene and an area that will see more development in the near future:http:http://goo.gl/maps/Pq9mW

Well, it's been awhile since I last popped by very happy to see the tower block thread is still going strong! Since I was last here, the company I work for finished the 6 blocks in Turves Green, Manton & Reynolds and of course Russell House. It would be a real home coming for me to work on the blocks at Charlement Farm as i was actually born on Beaconview Road and also lived in Marshall House (demolished)

If Fletchie's going to make a comeback on here so am I. Austin House in Walsall has had a complete reclad and I will hopefully get a photo or two of it soon. To be honest (IMO) it does look a bit too plastic for my liking though I've only seen it from a distance. I'll get some photos on here soon so you can judge for yourselves......Walsall's main tower blocks have always had that unique "bricky" feel to them so that's maybe why I'm a bit reserved about this new look?

If Fletchie's going to make a comeback on here so am I. Austin House in Walsall has had a complete reclad and I will hopefully get a photo or two of it soon. To be honest (IMO) it does look a bit too plastic for my liking though I've only seen it from a distance. I'll get some photos on here soon so you can judge for yourselves......Walsall's main tower blocks have always had that unique "bricky" feel to them so that's maybe why I'm a bit reserved about this new look?

I know what you mean about some of the new/improved looks of tower blocks. My dad lives in the refurbed blocks in Great Bridge and because they don't enjoy a prominent position (e.g, they can be seen from the motorway) they had a downgraded retrofit. Inside looks just as tatty and filthy and only half a job done on the outside.

I'm not personally keen on plastic looking finishes or Upvc but we have to appreciate there isn't an infinite amount of money out there.

Thanks for the welcome back too!! :)