^^

*checks A-Z* Those giant red blocks feature in some of Smiley's last photos from a scaled block. They really do add to the skyline.

These ones:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Hockley_Flats_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT014016072006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT016216072006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT013016072006.jpg

^^Yep! Phwoar! Arent they gorgeous!

A very old skyline photo here. You can see them just in front of the BT Tower

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%202/Brum18thoct04.jpg

I should make my way there sometime. They really do make some impact on the skyline if you bother to look out for 'em.

And here's a long distance shot of them. I've no idea of there names though I'm sure that information is somewhere on this thread.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%202/Birmingham22ndOctober200613.jpg

The ones on the far right look interesting. I'll have a loook on the Birds Eye tool.

So how many more photos to go Smiley? :)

Upindaclowads Court, Wednesbury
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0018.jpg

Needalikapaynt blocks, Gornal
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0017.jpg

^^That first one: FUCKING HELL! They can't be British! I'm gunna stop posting here for the time being, I'm clogging the thread up a little but bleeding nora... Ultimate suicide spot.

The ones on the far right look interesting. I'll have a loook on the Birds Eye tool.

So how many more photos to go Smiley? :)

These are all old photos Erebus. I've spent the day with my feet up watching the footie. Those Wednesbury blocks are fine though aren't they?:)

These are all old photos Erebus. I've spent the day with my feet up watching the footie. Those Wednesbury blocks are fine though aren't they?:)

Darn, I thought you were out and about today! I still cant find those "interesting" blocks I was talking about but I have a funny feeling it maybe them Aston University residences. Thye just look a bit wider on that picture.

I think I am fully won over by them Wednesbury ones. Do you know the height or them because they are something I'd expect to see in Ukraine not in sunny old Wednesbury...? :)

Those interesting ones are these in Smethwick, not too far from the old Cape Hill Brewery.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/SmethwickBlocks.jpg

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

And those "Wednesbury" ones are a little over 200m according to ssp

Wow, I normally don't post on here but those wednesbury blocks looks like something you'd see in Hong Kong, they are huge. They look quite nice too

Wow, I normally don't post on here but those wednesbury blocks looks like something you'd see in Hong Kong, they are huge. They look quite nice too

They are, I'm surprised they've been overlooked for so long:) You'd be a bit pissed off if you ended up with a ground floor flat there though wouldn't you:lol:

Not if the lift broke.

Does anyone have any pics of the Chapel Street Flats in Brierley Hill? I used to live there and would like to see them as they are now. If not, any chance of someone heading over there with a digital camera? Please photo Plant Court & Bodmin Court.

Thanks!

try putting the post code into http://local.live.com/ and then going to the Birds eye view, enjoy!

I think I am fully won over by them Wednesbury ones. Do you know the height or them because they are something I'd expect to see in Ukraine not in sunny old Wednesbury...? :)

Wow, I normally don't post on here but those wednesbury blocks looks like something you'd see in Hong Kong, they are huge. They look quite nice too

Oh aren't those Wednesbury blocks just so beautiful - I cannot believe that I've not mentioned them before.

Erebus I'm surprised you can't see them from where you live. :dunno:

Apparently they are due for demolition in the next couple of years! :cry:

No one seems to be liking the blocks in Gornal:(

^^

I love 'em! When I drove past them a few days ago I thought they needed painting though. Pink would be nice. :yes:

Does anyone have any pics of the Chapel Street Flats in Brierley Hill? I used to live there and would like to see them as they are now. If not, any chance of someone heading over there with a digital camera? Please photo Plant Court & Bodmin Court.

Thanks!



from Plant and Bodmin Crt to Miami, Florida .... boy you really lucked out :lol:



next time i'm in the area, i'll see what i can come up with, just always too dark this time of year :ohno:

from Plant and Bodmin Crt to Miami, Florida .... boy you really lucked out :lol:



next time i'm in the area, i'll see what i can come up with, just always too dark this time of year :ohno:

I don't know...Miami has its Bodmin/Plant Court equivalents, trust me! It'd be great to see those blocks again....they weren't as bad as people make them out to be and given a little investment, they could be really nice places to live, given their closeproximity to Merry Hill. All they need to do is chuck out the chavs!

Erebus I'm surprised you can't see them from where you live. :dunno:

Its difficult to see up the road let alone all the way to Wednesbury :). It's a new estate so every house is pretty much the same height.

Sorry if these have already been mentioned and photographed before but there's several interesting ones on Meadway. I'm not too familiar on the area but its north of Yardley. Meadway is near Garretts Green or Lea Hall possibly.

hhmmm ... interesting !



that's not a term i would use for them :ohno:


http://www.hotproperty.co.uk/sales/property_search/details/1049920/2854731.htm?searchString=stechford




no offence intended to anyone who has to live in them ;)

Thats one of 'em! Dont they look gorgeous ;) There's three that shape and two which are set back behind them of a different shape.

The Wednesbury blocks mentioned, holy moly, are they seriously over 200metres tall. When were these built, how come we haven't heard of these before. Wow, that's taller than any building in Central Birmingham, so these aren't listed on the UK Top 30

Myster E I think you may want to read through the later posts... ;)

Visited the Bromford on my way home from work today. A few of these blocks have limited life spans so I thought it was about time I got a few photos of these beauties and the surroundings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0611.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0612.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0613.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0614.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0623.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0624.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0625.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0626.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0627.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0630.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0631.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0634.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0635.jpg

It's like an old Castle Vale in Bromford! I wish Christmas would hurry up so I can get my camera! I'll be posting like demented prat on here when I get the time to go out with it and snap away.

a few skyline photos from the above tower blocks:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec066.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec067.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec069.jpg

Oh my absolutely goodness!!! I almost feel sick with excitement at coming home to discover these new photos!! A great return to this thread, thanks Smiley. :yes:

I have some almost identical photos that I took myself a few years ago on a trip over there on standard non-digital photographs.

I love driving past this estate high up on the M6 - you are right by a couple of the blocks - and of course back in the day we had Castle Vale over the other side of the motorway. :cry: One of the blocks (identical to the twins in the first photo) was demolished a couple of years ago.

Were these blocks built for the workers at Fort Dunlop does anyone know, seeing as they're oposite?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0624.jpg



I'm sure this is what Butterfield heaven must look like... :drool: ;)

When I first glanced at these new photos I thought they were the blocks at Druid's Heath in the far south of Birmingham - they are 100% identical despite being at opposite ends of the city.

Statistic fans (well, me) will love the fact that there also used to be two in Tipton that were exactly the same bluey grey colour until a few years ago when they were demolished. :rant:

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/TameValley1968.jpg

I think this photo from 1968 that Smiley posted at the beginning of this thread is of the same place - according to my calculations looking west towards Fort Dunlop. Note that the bluey grey blocks don't seem to have been built yet and I think the lower rise blocks in the foreground are no longer standing according to local.live microsoft birds eye thang (but they're on the older satellite image). I think it's those anyways.

^^

Yep those are the same blocks Butterfield, you can see Fort Dunlop in the background

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bromford2ndDec0628.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bromford2ndDec0632.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bromford2ndDec0633.jpg

A couple of views over Castle Vale

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0618.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0619.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0620.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0638.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0639.jpg

Looking the other way up the M6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0610.jpg

Towards castle Bromwich/Chemsley Wood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0616.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0615.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0617.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0621.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0636.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0637.jpg

Erdington Blocks on the Horizon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec065.jpg

Inside one of the Bromford Blocks....hmmm, lovely!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0622.jpg

Woah! I bet the view of Castle Vale was amazing from the Bromford blocks back in the day. What a boring (but maybe safer) place it is today.

I LOVE the Chelmsley Wood blocks peeping over the top of the hill in the 3rd pic - looks a bit Glasgowish despite being Solihull...

Smiley was it one of the bluey grey blocks you went in or one of the bigger beasts??

Fantastic work smileyface!

How in gods name did someone manage to write graffiti on the outside of a tower block?

Great photos Smiley. Really outdone yourself again!

How in gods name did someone manage to write graffiti on the outside of a tower block?

They mastered Mirror writing??

And there is a little of the Manchester CJC in fort Dunlops redesign.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%203/Bromford2ndDec0628.jpg

waits 4 seconds for Erebus to kick off....


But FD so much better, shame it's so far out from the city centre, in some ways.

Hnowiehnrwoeinhioewnhiwrh!!!! :rant: There is no connection at all between CJC and FD!! How can you think the Urban Splash could sink so low to copy another building, let alone a building which has the architectural merit of a Welsh slate mine! Fort Dunlop gives off a sense of modern grandeur and solidity whilst CJC gives off a sense off yet another slab addition to the skyline!!! :rant:

Rant over.

waits 4 seconds for Erebus to kick off....


Only just noticed this. Am I becoming this predictable? :ohno:

Fort Dunlop looks beautiful. Gush....!

It's like an old Castle Vale in Bromford! I wish Christmas would hurry up so I can get my camera! I'll be posting like demented prat on here when I get the time to go out with it and snap away.


I meant to reply to this but forgot! Well, I hope you keep your word and I look forward to it. :happy:

You obviously spend some time in Sutton Coldfield which would be great to see piccies of said town (and not just tower blocks!) seeing as I've only driven through the town centre once (been to Sutton Park a number of times tho).

Also, if you fancy going slightly further afield, try taking a wander onto the rather exclyusive (the posh way of saying "exclusive") Four Oaks estate which makes me go :shocked:!

I had an "appointment" in Kidderminster today and took some photographs along the way!

These first ones are taken in Stourbridge off the multi storey car park. First we have the Baylie Court and Kennedy Court twins off Stourbridge ring road.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0531.jpg

Here they are again with Firmstone Court in the background on the right the right hand side.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0524.jpg

Firmstone Court.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0527.jpg

The rather large estate of tower blocks in Brierley Hill in the distance.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0528.jpg

More to follow shortly!

Here we have some Worcestershire tower blocks in Kidderminster! From left to right - Derwent House, Windermere House and Coniston House. Seems to be a Lake District theme going on...
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0532.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0535.jpg

Please ignore the reflection of my green nodding cat in the windscreen! Plus it was raining.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0541.jpg

A close up of the right hand block - Coniston House.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0538.jpg

More to follow!

I thought Derwent was Peak District :dunno:?

Anyways, some cracking towers there (not literally)! Thanks for the pictures and looking forward to the rest :tongue2:!

These are Avon House and Thames House off the Worcester Road in Kidderminster, the south side of the town from the last lot.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0545.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0546.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0547.jpg

I thought Derwent was Peak District :dunno:?


Yes there's a Derwent reservoir in the Peak District, you're right. But there's a Derwentwater in the Lake District!

Sorry this is veering slightly off the residential-tower topic, but I wanted to catch some of you Brummies while you were in.

I've been reading other Birmingham threads and was wondering - has the old Calthorpe House at fiveways (next to the redeveloping Edgbaston Shopping Centre) been demolished yet?

Shame what's happening to Birmingham's modernist architecture, including the residential council towers I spose. I posted a rant about it on the Commerce Point thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10765312#post10765312

nope, Calthorpe's still there !

Cool. Must go and snap it before it goes.

Be quick Monters - I believe the owners are in talks with demolition contractors!

Smiley was it one of the bluey grey blocks you went in or one of the bigger beasts??

It was the bigger beasts I managed to get inside Butterfield. It's good to see some Kiddiminster blocks making it onto the thread and I need to pop over to Brierley Hill again sometime soon to photograph that estate!

Hey all

does anyone know when its due for demolition, its at the bottom of Cape Hill and at 32 storeys is very visible on the skyline, there were two of them side by side. I used to live there so def want to see the fucker get wasted

I think Coleman are the contractors ?

any clues

??

^^

I'd like to know the date too! Last time I drove past there was high fencing all round it.

I never realised Hamilton House was one of a pair of twins! :shocked:

Yep, there were two of the buggers. Imagine that!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Hamiltonhouse1.jpg

I'd love to be there when it comes down and I plan to get some newer shots of it soon. The dates of these demoltions are usually given out way in advance so maybe we can organize a tower block meet up to coincide or is that just a bit too weird?:nuts:

^^

Too weird I think. :yes: ;)

Now I know there were two I want to see old photos. I always remember years ago seeing demolitions on the likes of Midlands Today but not taking any interest where they were. I bet Hamilton House's brother was was one of them. :bash:

I've got some new photos to put on here Butterfield, I'm just uploading them now. I did my usual saturday drive home from work today - stopped en route for a bit of Tower block spotting.

Ooh! I look forward to these. I'm going out in a bit so will comment on them later!

I managed to take some photos on the Lyndhurst Estate in Erdington today. I'm not too familiar with the area but the estate did seem very run down and the name "Lyndhurst" has always been associated with being a bit of a dodgy area as far as I'm aware.

A few photos from around the estate!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec2006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20061.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200633.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200634.jpg

These next ones are taken from the tallest block "Harlech Tower" which, for some bizarre reason, I never took a photo of.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20067.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20069.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200615.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200617.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200619.jpg

Here are some of those mysterious Sutton Coldfield blocks we've been on about with the Boldmere one in the foreground.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200616.jpg

Castle Vale with Coleshill in the backgound
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200614.jpg

Castle Vale again with some of the Chemsley Wood blocks in the distance. I think there's a possibilty that we might even be able to see a Coventry Hi-rise on the horizon?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200611.jpg

A few Castle Bromwich Blocks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200612.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200613.jpg

This is looking in the general direction of Great Barr and these blocks in the foreground are just off Jarvis road. I never knew they existed till today:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200621.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200622.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200627.jpg

Looking in a more West Brom/Dudley (ish) direction
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200628.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200629.jpg

And of course a few looking out over the city centre. As usual there was a mixture of dirty windows and direct sunlight but I quite like these moody, oppressive and sometimes gothic looking images of central Birmingham!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200620.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200624.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200625.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200626.jpg

Love this one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200630.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200631.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200632.jpg

Arr! I was gunna go up them Erdington ones straight after Christmas with my new camera for you lot as well! Ah well, it'll have to be them "mysterious" Sutton Coldfield blocks then... I'll take some pictures of them ones by the Reddicap too. The Sutton Coldfield ones are bound to offer some great views of Sutton town centre.

Great pictures - I love the Birmingham skyline shots!

This is looking in the general direction of Great Barr and these blocks in the foreground are just off Jarvis road. I never knew they existed till today:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec200616.jpg



Thats not Boldmere. Thats Wylde Green

Its located here
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=srpm9cgvdxfd&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7440648

Cheers for the pictures Smileyface. I had a quick look on Google Earth and I think you might be right about that building on the horizon being in Coventry. Here's a very quick skyline vision using one of your pictures. Couldn't be arsed with the smaller buildings such as Peat House and those at Masshouse etc...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Birmingham-7.gif

Wow! Totally original and never before seen photographs Smiley! What else can I say?? :happy:

I think that "skyscraper" in Coventry may be (correct me if I'm wrong) the Massey Ferguson factory offices or something, built right on the edge of west Coventry.

I only found out about those Jarvis Road blocks 2 or 3 years ago when I was in that area for the first time. I remember it was on the radio that Kelvin Fletcher from Emmerdale had been arrested for punching someone or something! There's almost nothing I love more than a row of tower blocks all facing the same way, looking exactly the same. :drool: ;)

And the now infamous Suttoncoldfieldshire tower blocks! Or at least some of them. I would never have believed any existed until we started this conversation a few weeks ago.

Erebus - feel free to take any repeated photos when you have your new camera. Different times of the year mean different photos. How many times have we seen views of the city centre yet I'm sure we never tire of them! Maybe we will leave the Sutton blocks for you to demonstrate your photography skills, and then if after 6 months you haven't declared any juicy pics I will have to trapse over there myself. :yes:

just marvelous Smiley... I have located some areas of blocks to snap on Google earth, I will try and snag the locations and set a challenge.

I love the Hockley/Newtown one too, it never really registers because its in a dip but if that area was on a ridge or hill it would be quite impressive, I always used to love travelling along the Aston express way and looking over towards Hockley/Ladywood.. massive area but of course quite a few of the blocks have since gone.

:lol: it's weird seeing all of these blocks in daylight !


at this time of year, i only get to see them in the dark :ohno:



keep the pics coming :)

I've just added a new tower block to the list of where to go when I get my camera - Bakeman House in South Yardley. It should provide some pretty decent views of Birmingham but I fear that the Equipoint offices over the road might block the views. I'll have to wait and see.

Those Lyndhurst blocks are relatively attractive in their red livery, but 'ckinell the low-rises around them look like shytholes.

Here we have two, what can only be described as appealing and beautifully condemned and decaying tower blocks in what I think is the Bentley area of Walsall - Grange Court and the ironicly named Fairview Court, which on closer inspection is starting to look a bit green it has to be said!

I remember it was in the local news a few years ago that some men who lived in these blocks had phoned up for some pizzas to be delivered, only to snatch the pizzas and beat up the delivery boy. :|

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0549.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0550.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0551.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0552.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0553.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0554.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0555.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0556.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0557.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0558.jpg

I best get my camera quick before they all start coming down :). Thanks for this pics Butterfield! Christmas is getting closer...

That's my objective - to make sure we have plenty of photos of every remaining tower block so in years to come people will be able to see what the West Midlands once looked like. I have so many regrets that I never got photos of the 50ish Sandwell blocks that have been demolished over the years. :cry:

I think we should get a website set up to document every tower block (if at all possible) in the West Mids. It could prove popular and more tower block enthusiasts might appear!

There are a few blocks in a "proper" (i.e. how they were designed) setting somewhere near Billseley/Kings Heath ish?

A long straight road, with parkland and well-spaced blocks. They didn't look intimidating and were well-populated :)

^^

Photos?? Maps?? Hello?? :dunno: :? ;)

I think we should get a website set up to document every tower block (if at all possible) in the West Mids. It could prove popular and more tower block enthusiasts might appear!

Yeah that would be good. I think people overlook the power of tower blocks. I mean, okay they are not to everyone's taste but from a distance surely anyone can appreciate their addition to a city/town skyline. :dunno:

I've made a mental note of where tower blocks are with the newcomers being the blocks in Sutton which I absolutely never knew about and one made of slabs in north West Bromwich which I discovered earlier this year.

Oops double post. Yay. :sleepy:

There are a few blocks in a "proper" (i.e. how they were designed) setting somewhere near Billseley/Kings Heath ish?

A long straight road, with parkland and well-spaced blocks. They didn't look intimidating and were well-populated :)



sounds like the druid's heath blocks to me !

^^

Ah! Could well be what Bio is talking about. They are nicely spaced and built literally right on the edge of Worcestershire.

Ok here's a challenge that I originally set myself and only got as far as Charlemeont Faam as you have already seen.. snap some of these while they still exist, some may already have gone as I calculate these were snapped by satelite around 2001/2

Acocks Green (ish)
http://static.flickr.com/126/320044933_1527a8ab6a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/140/320044931_b29e8cba8a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/141/320044926_9a97df4f54_o.jpg

My home in Wolves for about 6 months, think a couple of these have since gone... one of the dancers from 808 state was shot dead from the road while he was stood in his flat while I lived there and this is where the nutter with a machette attacked the play school in 96, we were there that night with the camera crews.
http://static.flickr.com/123/320050881_0f8985dfb0_o.jpg

Big fucking rabbits in billesley

http://static.flickr.com/138/320050878_ffc0403615_o.jpg

Billeslley

http://static.flickr.com/140/320050871_20d0a97184_o.jpg

Close up of a HollyBank tower
http://static.flickr.com/130/320050874_ee3981828d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/131/320050868_62030c202e_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/136/320050866_cf628962c8_o.jpg

the 3 in the first pic are still there ^^

Erdington(ish)

http://static.flickr.com/135/320059393_f9e87bbf83_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/136/320059392_cb690a2cd3_o.jpg

Fordhouses??? somewhere near Smiley?

http://static.flickr.com/143/320059394_82fb361235_o.jpg

kingshurst(ish)
http://static.flickr.com/130/320065678_4258f72dec_o.png

http://static.flickr.com/141/320065680_3f91385ac5_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/135/320065682_4e7a8970b0_o.jpg

Merry Hill? Wolverhampton

http://static.flickr.com/133/320069380_b819d9fa31_o.jpg

Monmore Green, Wolverhampton

http://static.flickr.com/137/320069379_10f2e9fc7e_o.jpg

Wednesfield

http://static.flickr.com/130/320069376_6b4d0ce6af_o.jpg

Whitmoreans Wolverhampton (my home for about 3 months, horrid, student muggings etc, fucking horrid)

http://static.flickr.com/142/320069375_627b259a94_o.jpg

Kitts Green(ish)

http://static.flickr.com/131/320069378_2cfaf38fa8_o.jpg

Yardley Wood

http://static.flickr.com/141/320069374_af4c2d4275_o.jpg

Ward End(ish)
http://static.flickr.com/142/320076284_7c3c493ace_o.jpg

More Ward End(ish)

http://static.flickr.com/139/320076287_5c4c9c03e4_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/141/320076288_627341d40a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/128/320076291_fe3342caf5_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/144/320076290_ed96ddd462_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/142/320076294_6dd0959e93_o.jpg

Ok here's a challenge that I originally set myself and only got as far as Charlemeont Faam as you have already seen.. snap some of these while they still exist, some may already have gone as I calculate these were snapped by satelite around 2001/2

Acocks Green (ish)
http://static.flickr.com/126/320044933_1527a8ab6a_o.jpg


These are the fellas! I knew it wasn't Druids Heath - only been there once :puke:

Chelmsley Wood(ish)
http://static.flickr.com/137/320460153_f2e83e7c61_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/139/320460156_16e42efbe9_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/141/320460157_ea48aec9ea_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/140/320460161_6266dbe942_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/142/320460162_5c1788b207_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/124/320462462_eef033d229_o.jpg

More Chelmsley
http://static.flickr.com/131/320462464_29329c3256_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/143/320462465_49e257f075_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/139/320462467_a153bd94cf_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/131/320462469_51975f3c98_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/142/320463213_9ccb93c528_o.jpg

I think Castle Vale is the the left out of shot or maybe this is it? a few of these blocks are captured above..
http://static.flickr.com/127/320460154_3e23c1004c_o.jpg

Chester Road(ish)
http://static.flickr.com/138/320471782_85e8af2411_o.jpg

close up of two towers
http://static.flickr.com/144/320471784_b262d8544c_o.jpg

The spacious, elegant Heath Town, Wolves.
http://static.flickr.com/128/320471787_6f9dccc1c6_o.jpg

These are the fellas! I knew it wasn't Druids Heath - only been there once :puke:

:lol: but :shocked: I've never seen these ones before!

Here they are on the better birds eye view. http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=sr63jcgvd87v&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7450551

Enough already!!

Olton(ish) low rise
http://static.flickr.com/134/320474387_f320e5f783_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/124/320474389_c89db61285_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/128/320474390_b77ecb11fe_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/139/320474391_bc1c153a68_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/139/320474392_a55fe02600_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/128/320474393_4ad2099ddd_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/124/320479460_8e5328d807_o.jpg

Walmley(ish)
http://static.flickr.com/124/320480220_ba58907cd4_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/123/320480221_4c33036a0b_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/124/320480222_6753a90b28_o.jpg

Charlemont Farm, my home for a couple of years..
http://static.flickr.com/130/320482651_e766b3bf79_o.jpg

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh! I hate tower blocks!!

Highters Heath/Druids Heath
http://static.flickr.com/140/320485623_7eb260c1ab_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/126/320485624_8b22a6cb18_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/138/320485625_0ab0d7c5db_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/130/320485626_5a21164646_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/141/320485627_172a18cf47_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/141/320485628_38a520084a_o.jpg

this is just to give an example of the areas not that well (or never) snapped on here, a few of the far flung estates that probably won't be around too much longer? shows that west mids has to be the capital of tower blocks low and high rise, when you think of all the other estates like Brierly Hill (massive estate), Walsall (3 or 4 large ones), New Town, Aston, Hockley, Lady Wood, Lea Bank (now almost gone), High Gate, Edgbaston, Harborne, Kings Heath, West Heath, Hawkesley, Rowley Regis, Dudley (2 or 3 small clusters), Smethwick, Langley, Oldbury, Castle Vale (now almost gone).. its quite bloody scary to think the scale of high rise living that went up in our region in the 60's & 70's.

On a similar tack (well not really), I read that the works on Ladywood Middleway to replace subways with Pelican crossings brings the number of infilled subways in the city to 88 out of something like 165.

That's good progress :yes:

^ i was thinking the other day, what would Birmingham look like if all the tower bloacks that had ever been built in the city had been built in the centre

the city centre skyline would have looked like an urban jungle !!!!!

:lol: but :shocked: I've never seen these ones before!



just off the fox hollies road, i think


pitmeadow, homemeadow and the other one :nuts: :lol:

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh! I hate tower blocks!!

:lol: imagine yourself living in one .... and then painting your lounge dark grey and with hundreds of shelfs on the wall :nuts:


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom3.jpg


:)

Enough already!!

why the fuck did you click on the link then??? fucks sake :ohno:

Grendel which block is that taken in??? Look at the kitchen units! Look at... just look at it!!! :shocked: :shocked:

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh! I hate tower blocks!!


have you ever lived in one? or put it like this, has it ever been all you could afford either rent or to buy...

Look at the kitchen units!

:lol: nice ay !?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom4.jpg

bathroom's nice too :lol:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom5.jpg

which block is that taken in???


there's a clue in the window ;)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/brom7.jpg

Don't hate tower blocks.....

I lived in the Chapel Street Estate in Brierley Hill for a couple of years. At first, it was bad. They housed me in Plant Court, which was basically full of drug dealing chavs. They would bang on my door at night and they'd vandalise the lobby area and leave litter all over the place. Then I asked to be moved and Dudley Council very kindly moved me into Bodmin Court....a very different block. Living in Bodmin Court for a year was actually GOOD, believe it or not. Other than the occasional vomit in the lift, it was a peaceful place to live and I rarely ever saw or heard my neighbours. The only sounds I'd hear from my neighbours would be the times when the old guy upstairs would play country music rather loud, but that was really it. My flat was nice and I put time and effort into decorating it. I used to love just sitting out on the balcony watching the world go by, even when it was cold and raining outside. I never liked Brierley Hill much, but I liked the location of my flat. I had the Merry Hill Centre on my doorstep (walking distance) and I was just 10 minutes from work, which meant that I could go home for lunch. The rent was dirt cheap and I always felt that the council were actually being too kind by letting me rent the flat as it always seemed too good to be true! Even now, I still miss my old flat there. I never had any trouble...I was never robbed and my car was never touched.

When I was living there (a few years ago now), someone told me that they planned to expand Merry Hill and knock down the Chapel Street flats. I hope that isn't the case....they should renovate them instead as those could be EXTREMELY nice places to live for those who like high rise living, like I do. Their close proximity to Merry Hill could be a good selling point for them.

Would anyone be kind enough to head down there at some point and take a few pics for me (to post on to this forum)? I would like to see how those buildings look now for nostalgic purposes.

Grendel I'm incredibly appauled at those incredibly fantastic photos!! :shocked: but :happy:!!

I hadn't noticed that you could see Fort Dunlop on your first batch of photos - so I guess it's a Bromford tower block. Are they your photos and if so what were you doing in there (may I ask)?

What an eye opener :shocked: those photos excite me in a strange kinda way... :runaway:

Don't hate tower blocks.....

I lived in the Chapel Street Estate in Brierley Hill for a couple of years. At first, it was bad. They housed me in Plant Court, which was basically full of drug dealing chavs. They would bang on my door at night and they'd vandalise the lobby area and leave litter all over the place. Then I asked to be moved and Dudley Council very kindly moved me into Bodmin Court....a very different block. Living in Bodmin Court for a year was actually GOOD, believe it or not. Other than the occasional vomit in the lift, it was a peaceful place to live and I rarely ever saw or heard my neighbours. The only sounds I'd hear from my neighbours would be the times when the old guy upstairs would play country music rather loud, but that was really it. My flat was nice and I put time and effort into decorating it. I used to love just sitting out on the balcony watching the world go by, even when it was cold and raining outside. I never liked Brierley Hill much, but I liked the location of my flat. I had the Merry Hill Centre on my doorstep (walking distance) and I was just 10 minutes from work, which meant that I could go home for lunch. The rent was dirt cheap and I always felt that the council were actually being too kind by letting me rent the flat as it always seemed too good to be true! Even now, I still miss my old flat there. I never had any trouble...I was never robbed and my car was never touched.

When I was living there (a few years ago now), someone told me that they planned to expand Merry Hill and knock down the Chapel Street flats. I hope that isn't the case....they should renovate them instead as those could be EXTREMELY nice places to live for those who like high rise living, like I do. Their close proximity to Merry Hill could be a good selling point for them.

Would anyone be kind enough to head down there at some point and take a few pics for me (to post on to this forum)? I would like to see how those buildings look now for nostalgic purposes.

I will upload some photos shortly nothingman that I've put on here before!

nothingman, thanks for your insight into the Brierley Hill blocks! Here are some photos of the estate that I took earlier this year, apart from the 1st and 3rd pic which aren't mine.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/brierleyhill2ep6.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/101_0528.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/Butterfeach/brierleyhillmv5.jpg

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/9776/brierleyhill12ju.jpg

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/467/brierleyhill42me.jpg

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/7201/brierleyhill34fa.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/6033/brierleyhill59yk.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/8301/brierleyhill66pd.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/5823/brierleyhill79mu.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/8517/brierleyhill87iz.jpg

Those are the blocks....wow...tbey look the same....feeling homesick now. It's funny...people would always look at me with almost disgust when I told them where I lived, but I never had any problems (in Bodmin Court anyway). That estate has a bad rep, probably because it was bad in the past. I hope they don't knock those buildings down....it'd be a great shame if they did, just to make room for yuppies. If I was still there, I would have been very tempted to look into buying one of those flats.

You're the first person I've ever heard say that they could be demolished, I've never heard that but I wouldn't be overly surprised seeing as they're, well, tower blocks! Although I think there are uglier blocks to look at than those in Brierley Hill - they're not too bad looking.

Hey I've just remembered!! Tony Blair visited them a couple of years ago and had a cup of tea with an oldish woman on an upper floor!!!! :lol: I can't remember why though. :bash:

You must have had great views from your balcony. I'd love to visit each block to see the views of Clent (where the first pic is taken I think) and the Black Country. There's some lucky(ish) people living in there!

most of them don't appreciate or care though :ohno:



as for the pics, yep there mine, i work nights for a council contractor ... so the opportunities arise now and then ! :)



goodnight folks :nuts:

^^

Well do feel free to post any photos you may take along the way - there will always be one beady eye waiting for any juicy pics of tower block interiors! :yes: ;)

Wow a lot to get through on here and as per usual on saturday a lot of photos for me to post too.

EK! I've looked through your "challenges" and quite a few have been photographed by my goodself already. You are right though that there's still plenty out there that we need to get photographs of. All will be well after Christmas though because Erebus will have his new shiny camera and he's just itching to join in this Tower Block lark :banana:

Ward End (I prefer to know them as Bromford) are on pg 27 of this thread.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bromford2ndDec0614.jpg

Erdington Blocks are on Page 29
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/Lyndehurst9thDec20068.jpg

Castle Bromwich on page 20
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%203/Bham4th1120063.jpg

There are also plenty of Wolvo photo's by the number 1 tower block nutter, Butterfield, on page 23. Those blocks in Merry Hill (Wolvo) look tasty and hopefully they will be captured soon.

Grendel - Excellent photos too. That's the kind of stuff we want on here:)

Ok, here are some of todays photos. These need no introduction........
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200630.jpg

There are four 20 storey blocks on the estate; Campion House, Brockfield House, Hampton View and this one, Longfield House, which I managed to get a few shots from the top.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200616.jpg

The rest of the estate
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200617.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200619.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200620.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200621.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200622.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200623.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200624.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200625.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200626.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200627.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200628.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200629.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200631.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200632.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200633.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200634.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200635.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200636.jpg

Some of the views from the top of Longfield House.

Central Birmingham. It is difficult to figure out what's what due to a combination of the sheer distance, the limitations of my camera and dirty windows (again).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220063.jpg

Looking towards Willenhall and yes that is a Steam train approaching!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220064.jpg

:banana:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200614.jpg

Looking over Wednesfield with the Sandbank blocks in Bloxwich, North Walsall on the horizon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220066.jpg

Two blocks in Bloxwich, North Walsall, which are due for demolition. One's called Ball house but unsure of the other.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220067.jpg

Looking over North Walsall with the transmitter in Tamworth (though it's known as the Lichfield one for some bizarre reason) on the Horizon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220068.jpg

Again, looking over North Walsall with the Sutton Coldfield transmitter visible this time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200610.jpg

A bit closer to home, the blocks in Wednesfield.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200611.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200612.jpg

Zooming in with a mega steady hand - the thriving metropolis that is downtown Walsall:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200613.jpg

The blocks in Wednesfield looks like they could be about to go through a refurb! There are three of them, 19 storeys each; Wodensfield Tower, William Bentley Court and this one which is now named St Cecilia's?!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200640.jpg

The other two are still in their "brown" state so I presume this is the start of a makeover for the 3 of them!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200641.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200638.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200637.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200639.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200642.jpg

Ooh err! Someone's been busy! I've never heard of the Heath Town Estate but it looks and sounds pretty substantial. I can see ASDA store at Minworth on the picture of the Sutton transmitter. It's difficult to make other stuff out though.

You must be pretty lucky to see a steam train there, last steam train I saw was at Moor Street station... What line was that on?

Some great pictures there though! And yes, I am desperate to join the crazy tower block enthusiasts clan.

All tower block haters out there who want all of these beauties flattened must surely take their hat off to this reclad in Willenhall. I've got vague memories of how this block looked before and I don't think it was particulary eyecatching. It's known now, simply, as The Pinnacle! I really hope the blocks at Cambrian Wharf end up looking something like this because they will definitely be an asset to the city centre and indeed the skyline and quieten all the folk who wanted them demolished!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th122006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220061.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220062.jpg

Ooh err! Someone's been busy! I've never heard of the Heath Town Estate but it looks and sounds pretty substantial. I can see ASDA store at Minworth on the picture of the Sutton transmitter. It's difficult to make other stuff out though.

You must be pretty lucky to see a steam train there, last steam train I saw was at Moor Street station... What line was that on?

Some great pictures there though! And yes, I am desperate to join the crazy tower block enthusiasts clan.

I think you're mistaking Asda for a Factory in Aldridge Erebus:banana: . Heath Town is in NE Wolverhampton which would make Minworth about 15-20 miles away.....and yes we're all looking forward to your photographic contributions on here:)

I was surprised to see the Steam Train too. From looking on Local-Live it seems to be the Walsall/Wolvo line though there is a spur approaging Heath Town that goes onwards to Stafford. Very surreal watching a Steam train traversing a concrete jungle!

The notorious Heath Town in Wolverhampton - a "great" example of inner city living! D'ya know this will have been the first view of the world I saw as I was driven home from hospital after my birth! :shocked:

Great photos Smiley, I took some old photos of Heath Town a few years back but have never got round to taking any digital ones.

We used to drive through Heath Town and Wednesfield on the way to Bloxwich to see my cousins and even as an 8ish year old I used to love the blocks, bridges and all, of which there are plenty to look at.

Longfield house really does look drab with its "internal" balconies - but you gotta love it. :yes: Smiley, you reckon that the three Wednesfield blocks are being refurbished, however they have been like that for years I think - one smarter one and 2 uglier bown ones!

Ahhh! That's the first time I'd been in that area for quite a while so I just presumed that they were tarting up the estate in Wednesfield starting with the one they've renamed St Cecilia's:lol:

The Pinnacle in Willenhall is a great example of how tower blocks can be made good. As you say Smiley, it really was nasty to look at before (I have a pic of it somewhere from one of my old expeditions). I do however think it's in the wrong place. It's now designed for city commuters as appartments rather than flats but surely city workers either want to live in the city centre or rural areas, not a backwater like Willenhall!!

Anyway, check out the penthouse of said "appartment block"!!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7617292.rsp?pa_n=2&tr_t=buy

Zooming in with a mega steady hand - the thriving metropolis that is downtown Walsall:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200613.jpg

Smiley do you know if/when he two tower blocks in the foreground (the twins that I posted on here earlier this week) are due to be demolished? They've been standing empty for 3+ years I'm sure.

I think you're mistaking Asda for a Factory in Aldridge Erebus:banana: . Heath Town is in NE Wolverhampton which would make Minworth about 15-20 miles away.....and yes we're all looking forward to your photographic contributions on here:)

Aaah! Thanks for clearing that up. My local knowledge is still one to be expanded it seems. The surroundings just seemed all too familiar to the Minworth site. :)

Sandbank flats in Bloxwhich, North Walsall.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200643.jpg

Very similar to all other blocks in Walsall. Here they are from a previous post, viewed from Heath Town in Wolverhampton
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th1220066.jpg

There are three 11 storey blocks on the estate; Clarke House, Cartwright House, Davies house and one 17 Storey block - Wilkins House.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200662.jpg

View from the top of Wilkins House:banana:

A very gothic looking Wolverhampton with some equally dark and satanic Shropshire hills looming beyond:eek:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200646.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200644.jpg

A few views of North Walsall's suburbs. While up on the 17th floor it struck me at how densley populated North Walsall and Wolverhampton are. The green belt is obvious in some of the shots but otherwise it's 100% urban and this is the most northerly bastion of Greater Birmingham. Looking North west over the Mossley estate
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200645.jpg

Looking North east towards the two blocks in Little Bloxwich. The power station on the horizon could be Rugely?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200651.jpg

Looking in a similar direction to the sole hi rise still standing in Brownhills
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200652.jpg

looking East over North Walsall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200653.jpg

Looking South East towards the Barr Beacon
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200658.jpg

looking down on the neighbours
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200650.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200649.jpg

Looking South towards Walsall town centre
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200654.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200647.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200657.jpg

Pleck flats and, I think, Charlemont too??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200659.jpg

A few with the city centre in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200648.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200655.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200656.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200660.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/WolvoWalsallblocks16th12200661.jpg

:omg: :drool: I feel totally overcome with Walsallshire blocks. :dizzy:

My absolute favourite design! :happy: :happy: :happy:

Truely stunning Smiley! I like the fact that Birmingham has a 'true' skyline - many shots (especially those from the south and from Digbeth) show Birmingham standing out and rising from the Rea valley with all the buildings climbing up the ridge.

One or two of your shots show it stretching on forever!

Smiley do you know if/when he two tower blocks in the foreground (the twins that I posted on here earlier this week) are due to be demolished? They've been standing empty for 3+ years I'm sure.

Not too sure Butterfield....in fact i haven't got a clue:banana:

I just wish I had a better camera to do some of those shots justice. Mine's ok but it has it's limitations on full zoom

What were the interiors like of Longfield House in Heath Town and Wilkins House in Bloxwich? The Bloxwich blocks always look nice from the outside. :yes:

Longfield House was a shithole and Wilkins House was majestic by comparision. I'm always wary, of course, when I'm lingering around these towers and I'm sure you can sense an atmosphere in certain blocks (or I've drank too many cans tonight?) but the Bloxwich ones certainly felt a lot safer than the Heath Town ones.

That really doesn't surprise me about the Heath Town blocks. :ohno:

In an earlier post you called me the "number 1 tower block nutter" but I never even set foot out of my car when I'm taking photos let alone climb to the 20th floor of a tower block! At least you know how they work having lived in one, I've only been in two blocks so I suppose I'm just a tower block spotter really. Does that make me sound weird? I think so. :yes:

brilliant stuff smiley, hadn't seen the ward end (bromford ones) I will try and get some more of the city centre soon.

Does anyone now the "Birchfield" tower blocks?

yeah, currently being emptied !




heard a rumour about them being refurbed and sold off as posh apartments :nuts:

Any updates on the Yardley blocks? I would love to pay a visit to them sometime. Also, I want to see if there are any blocks in Sheldon/ Washwood Heath area. They can give some cracking shots of the skyline. Bakeman House at the Swan is the closest one I can think of.

Anything will do just to get the tower blocks thread back on its feet. :yes:


been quiet over christmas :)


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/847076/Derwent.jpg

Yeah, tower blocks don't exactly do much during Christmas do they?? ;)

Nice photo Grendel - which ones are they?

Upon my return from Holland... the city limits near the airport, the landing was extremely bumpy as you can tell from the air stream?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/345278025_bdb8d5a3c7_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/345278026_788647c5af_b.jpg

brace yourself..
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/345281053_60d76a656b_b.jpg

Blimey!

Here's a bit of news for the tower block buffs:

S/07768/06/DEM

Planning application for the demolition of Bartley House and Broadmeadow House in Bartley Green.

Thanks for your pics EK - hope you had a nice trip! I take it those are the Chelmsley Wood/Castle Bromwich blocks? Even the lower rise blocks in the first pic look great. :yes:

Bio - that is news I've not been looking forward to. I really don't want those blocks to go, they are right on the edge of Brum and must have lovely views over Bartley reservoir and the north Worcestershire countryside. Plus I love the contrast of the reservoir and the pink blocks in the background! :happy:

But I s'pose they gotta go. :(

Um, you might have to wait a little longer for any pictures of the Reddicap blocks, I dislocated my shoulder yesterday and I have a whole heap of physio sessions to go to now :ohno:. You might get some quick mobile pictures though...

^^What did you do to dislocate your shoulder??

@ Butterfield - those block used to be OK (I have been up one and the views are great), but they became rundown and are a bit of a blight. The adjacent maisonettes are in the process of being demolished now and I suspect the council will sell some land for private development and fund new social housing with the proceeds.

^^What did you do to dislocate your shoulder??


I was replacing the lightbulb in the garage and fell of the ladder. My own fault - ladder wasnt properly secured. :doh:

OH EREBUS!! :nono: Hope you're okay, get better soon!

Bio - you'd think those tower blocks would be well looked after by the almost semi-rural tennants. They had a giant park one side and a reservoir and miles of countryside the other. What could make for a more peaceful and happy life?? Just goes to show you can take the people out of the city but you can't take the city out of the people... or something like that. :bash:

lol those blocks are some of the worst i've been to ...


as of 2 weeks ago i think there were just 3 flats occupied in Bartley, but Broadmeadow is still pretty full, so i doubt it'll be going just yet .

^^

Maybe then because they are "out in the sicks" they are forgotten about by the council rather than those closer to the city centre. :dunno:

Grendel, looking at the picture on the Birmingham Skyline thread, which of the 5 blocks is Broadmeadow?

Bartley is the furthest right of the 5 , with Broadmeadow next to it ...


followed by Lappath, Near Oak and Seuters on the left.

Thanks for that! :okay:

I never knew those were their names.

One day, when I've got a camera I will take some pictures of tower blocks in Telford, all erm 3 of do they have to be the tall matchbox types or do you like any old block of flats?

Telfordboy I know about the three redish blocks in Wellington and a white one somewhere around Oakengates. I'm also sure I once saw a tower block from the highway in the north east area of Telford, like Donnington or somewhere. :dunno:

I know they're not that tall in Telford, they're just mini tower blocks but any photos will do!! :happy:

I quite like those redish ones in Shawbirch (NW of Wellington). The others are Reynolds House in Ketley near Oakengates and Manor Heights in Hadley.

Ooh thanks for that. I managed to be just slightly wide of the mark on all of them! :lol:

I've got "traditional" photos somewhere of those blocks (not the one in Hadley tho) from 5ish years ago when I did a tower block trawl of less likely tower block towns - Telford, Stafford, Lichfield, Kidderminster and Worcester, as opposed to the tower block ridden West Midlands conurbation. :nuts:

About time this thread was brought back to life! :banana:

Erebus - Where are all these fine photos, you've been promising us, with your new Xmas camera? I know you bust your shoulder or something but that's no excuse if you're a die-hard tower block hunter.

Butterfield - I always turn into an ssc recluse in January and give the place a rest for a few weeks - if you'd been on here as long as me you'd understand. I'm back now and in a very photographic mood, tower blockwise, and look forward to getting the rest of the West Midlands' residential hi-rises in photo form.

On my way home tonight I popped back to an old haunt - the tower blocks in Highgate and took some photo's from this one.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200731.jpg

I'm shockingly bad at taking night photos as you can see at this attempt at zooming in on The Sentinals:lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200710.jpg

A few came out OKish though including one of the near neighbours.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200727.jpg

A few of the city centre
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200718.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200726.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200718.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120075.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120076.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120077.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120078.jpg

Zooming in on a very dark and evil looking HCT!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200729.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200728.jpg

A couple of arty farty shots. I quite like this one taken through the glass with the reflection of the tower block's interior showing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200725.jpg

Purple Birmingham
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200720.jpg

The only time we can say Birmingham is negative. Quite cool looking actually:banana:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200719.jpg

Monochrome Birmingham
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200716.jpg

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Amazing photo's once again Smileyface. :applause:

The Rotunda's looking very special while Colmore Plaza and Selfridges are looking very bright :drool:

Good point about Erebus too!

They're the best night photos of Brum ive seen, well done :)

why not post these in the rate photos section or even on the banner to promote Birmingham. These are postcard quality shots.

why not post these in the rate photos section or even on the banner to promote Birmingham. These are postcard quality shots.

I don't know? Call me twisted lol but I like sticking these photos on this thread. The vast majority of the Birmingham forumers avoid this thread like the plague little knowing I've posted all these skyline shots on here for the last 20 pages or so. SimLim posted one of mine (which he'd pinched from flickr) on the skyline thread brutally questioning why no-one had posted it before....it was posted on this thread 3 months ago. I can't be arsed to post my photos on several threads: I love taking photos of tower blocks and the views you get from them so, to me, this is the proper thread to post them in....anyone who ignores this thread - their loss!

Concerning "rating" these photos in the appropriate threads....again I take these photos coz I enjoy it. Admittely I love folks reactions to them but if I post them on this thread the right people will react to them....cue Butterfield :banana: :)

I forgot this one....although similar to others already posted this one almost (that's "almost" in the broadest sense possible!) makes Bham look a little (again "little" in the broadest sense possible blah, blah, blah) like Hong Kong!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline19120079-1.jpg

:banana:

Lovely, what's with HCT though? Plenty of lights on in the bottom but very few at the top. I know there's a change in usage half way up, but one would expect more balanced lighting.

Also, do us keen renderers have permission to make one of those into a future skyline shot?

VH, my photo's are public domain. Do what you will with them :)

I quite like HCT's "evil" night look.

Zooming in on a very dark and evil looking HCT!!!


your night shots come out a lot better than ! :ohno:

cue Butterfield :banana: :)

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Is this amazing skyline REALLY the last thing the people of the Highgate blocks see before they go to bed???! :shocked:

Truely, truely, truely amazing photos Smiley, and welcome back after your time away!

I'm sorry, but if I had taken these photos, there's no way I'd keep them in this thread only - they need to be broadcast to all those people who think Birmingham is bland. In the past I've snapped at various forumers for saying bad stuff about Manchester and the like, but these photos need to be pushed right into the skanky little faces of those who criticize Brum and all it has to offer! :yes: :happy: :happy: :yes:

...You could sell some of these pics in a frame and make loaaads of money! :pepper:

It's replies like that Butterfield which make this thread, and my photo efforts, worthwhile. This is my favoutite thread on the whole of ssc coz it's not full of knowledgable notwots spouting facts - it's full of genuine (slightly sad:banana: ) folk with a slightly strange obsession who have the best kept secret on the Bham forums lol.....ok, I am warped! I'm not one for showing off my photos to the masses, I get genuine pleasure from the responses on here and, I admit, it makes me laugh knowing that so many folk overlook this thread:cheers:

Anyone (as I've already told VH) is welcome to do what they want with my photos whether it's posting them on another thread, using them for fantastic future renderings (real talent) or just printing them off and hanging them over their fireplace - I don't mind!

Oh you'll always get a daft and demented response from me, even if it is the same one every time due to a lack of words in the English language. ;)

This is a unique thread in that it's one of the only threads that doesn't take itself seriously. We regularly get forumers dropping in to say how much they hate this thread and how they will never understand what makes us "lust" after tower blocks. :lol:

Like Martin G - till we reminded him of his lust for lamp posts:lol:

smileyface those pictures are amazing - i always think that highgate is the best place to get skyline shots from as you can see five ways and the main city centre

Upindaclowads Court, Wednesbury
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Hong%20Kong/PICT0018.jpg

Just seen these on this thread all I can say is whoa, Looks like Singapore or something. I'm gonna have to explore this thread properly.

^^:hilarious

Yeh, I said before Christmas that I could be tied up a little for the first month or two of the New Year. I promise you will get shots! But I got priorities first sadly. Oh and I am no die-hard tower block fan... yet.

Finally, excellent photos there! It's the explorers like you that keep this forum ticking :). Top notch!

Those Wednesbury blocks are just not going to go away are they?!:lol:

Erebus, I look forward to your photos when you're good and ready. I'll leave Sutton Coldfield well and truly alone now, that's your territory and good practice too for when you're up to facing bigger challenges like Wednesbury and Taipei!

Just seen these on this thread all I can say is whoa, Looks like Singapore or something. I'm gonna have to explore this thread properly.


Telfordboy, you'll know that you're very much from a low-rise town when you visit the Skyscraper city of Wednesbury. :yes: :lol:

You can see the two lickle red lights on HCT (as featured on Smiley's pics) as you drive from where I live in Sedgley down the hill towards Tipton, about 11ish miles away.

Great pics Smiley - you spoil us all!

Does anyone else think that HCT could be a giant camping gas stove and the penthouse is a pan of soup being heated through?

The blue lights look like gas flames.

Maybe it is a myth that we could propagate... ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%204/BhamNightSkyline191200728.jpg

:lol: I can see what you mean. First the Asda toilet, then the shower curtain and now the gas stove... We can't steer away from the house appliances when we nickname this tower.

I've been living in Wales for the past two and a half years for uni so my Birmingham geography's probably a bit off, I might have put things in the wrong place. Nevermind, it let me procrastinate away from revision for an hour. I assumed that the Pinnacle would be out of shot so I left it.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9872/brumfuture2jk.jpg

I've been living in Wales for the past two and a half years for uni so my Birmingham geography's probably a bit off, I might have put things in the wrong place. Nevermind, it let me procrastinate away from revision for an hour. I assumed that the Pinnacle would be out of shot so I left it.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9872/brumfuture2jk.jpg

Good job Spatula. The complete Rotunda looks great. You ought to post this in City Talk.

What program do you use?

Whoa!!! Fantastic mock up Spatula, that looks amazing!:eek: :eek: :banana:

Thanks!

I use an old program called "GraphicCorp Photo Editor" that I got on a CD with my old computer, since I was too impatient to learn to use photoshop properly.

I've been living in Wales for the past two and a half years for uni so my Birmingham geography's probably a bit off, I might have put things in the wrong place. Nevermind, it let me procrastinate away from revision for an hour. I assumed that the Pinnacle would be out of shot so I left it.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9872/brumfuture2jk.jpg

That looks great Spatular. I really like it but what is really great is AC is probably a little bit too short given it's higher ground height and likely higher built height in relation to HCT. Even without it i really like this impression of what the Skyline will look like in oohh 5-7 years maybe (reckon New st towers will take longest)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT003916072006.jpg

These blocks have been put in for demolition. There are three 9 storey blocks they look alright but are supposed to have a problem with prostistution and drugs.

It was originally talked about in 2002 and more recently in December one of the towers was given planning for demolition.

They're in Ladywood aren't they?

Good.

Yep, it is good because I have read articles in the press about the area and how it is divided into the `have and have nots' with some flats at Sherborn Whalf going for £500k and these flats above with high unemployment etc only a few hundred metres apart.

I think what ever replaces them should similar to Jupitar.

I think what ever replaces them should similar to Jupitar.

I bet whatever replaces this block will be similar to the low-rise block that is next to it. :(

And the same people will probably be housed in it causing the same problems.

Thanks for the info though city living! :okay:

poor old Lincoln Twr .... :ohno:


any ideas on the other 2 :?

Lincoln Tower? I didn't even know that!

I can't even think whereabouts they are in Ladywood. :bash:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/Edgbastonblocks3.jpg

Apoligies for the misinformation it is these three towers that are going not Lincoln tower. I went for walk into Ladywood today and the nearest of the three towers has has its windows replaced with metal sheeting on the lower floors. The other two are still occupied.

I can't remember the name but one developer has already moved in and is developing a site where I assume a tower once stood down the road.

There appeared to be about 10 blocks all 8/9 storys high which I can only see going in the future. Their proximity to EG will make them desireable to developers.

ah ^^ beale, balfour and clayton :)

makes more sense, clayton's already empty !




Lincoln is at the back of tesco's @ 5 ways :okay:






oh, and that's my mate's camper in the pic too ! :lol:

Are you from around that way Grendel? is the development that is borded up Hemisphere? Doesn't look that big at the moment but the render in the development list shows a huge development.

The development I was talking about, it is called The Beeches. It is a £44m development. 4 separate buildings with 64 special care facility flats for the elderly in each.

I am glad those blocks are going.

There is a tower block next to the Tesco site at Spring Hill that it pretty empty and windows hanging off - is that going to allow for the supermarket?

Sorry, but have these been done up?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000234.jpg

I honestly couldn't tell, maybe they've not finished or something

Massive improvment!!

last one (right) sort of shows how bad they were

Yeah, they've had a makeover, losing their 'internal' balconies making each flat bigger.

That's the first time I've seen these blocks quite like this cos I'm always in Birmingham in the dark so thanks for the photo!

I decided to get out and about today with the camera. I picked the worst day to do so though...

I was in a bit of a rush so I managed to get some quick shots really.

This is a few in Duddeston(I caused one heck of a traffic jam on the main road taking these):
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0080.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0082.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0085.jpg

And here is one from the Reddicap. There is an identical block behind. (That is water on the lens - I didn't see it at first sorry)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0092.jpg


Not quite the post you expected but the weather really held me back. Now I need a new lens :(.

Oh Erebus! :bow:

Y'know, dull days are actually perfect days for taking photos of tower blocks - it kinda adds to the feel. :yes:

On the 3rd pic, who gets to live in that single top floor flat? It must be rather lonely up there on your own methinks. :shocked:

Sorry that your camera is ill as a result of taking these photos but it's always much appreciated! :happy:

On the 3rd pic, who gets to live in that single top floor flat? It must be rather lonely up there on your own methinks. :shocked:


If this was in the city centre, I would say it's the penthouse... I wanted to go to Sorrel House (tower block on the way to Lidl from Pype Hayes Park) but the lens couldn't take it. I think it's well and truly buggered!

the blocks in the first 2 pics also have " penthouses :lol: " too ... 1 at each end of the roof !



although i'd imagine the duddeston ones sufffer, seeing how the lift motor rooms are so close ! :nuts:

My lens works :). I had knocked it onto Manual setting and autofocus goes haywire then. Shame, I don't know when I'm next free to take some more pictures :(.

the blocks in the first 2 pics also have " penthouses :lol: " too ... 1 at each end of the roof !



although i'd imagine the duddeston ones sufffer, seeing how the lift motor rooms are so close ! :nuts:

Grendel returns with his insight into tower blocks! :happy:

My lens works :). I had knocked it onto Manual setting and autofocus goes haywire then. Shame, I don't know when I'm next free to take some more pictures :(.

We're used to waiting. :yes:

^^I've used that in my sig :).

I managed to get a snap of Sorrel House in the Pype Hayes area today:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0001.jpg

Ironic that Sorrel House was kept, whilst the rest of the area was demolished for new modern housing, for elderley residents and then we get a big 'Elderley people' sign slapped next to the tower. Not much of a tower block - a bit stubby really.

Can I have a road name for Sorrel House? I don't recognise it and the only reason I've heard of Pype Hayes is because I have an A-Z!

It's on the Tyburn Road (A38) between the junction with Chester Road and the junction with Kingsbury Road.

That's the one! It's pretty much old people galore. Communal area on ground floor and then an ex-servicemens club right next to it. It's had a recent refurb from the looks of it. I'm guessing along with the estate they rebuilt.

Oh so I have been there on my trips over to Castle Vale to inspect. I remember a lone lickle tower block on the right hand side on the A38. :yes:

Pressie for Butterfield!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000261.jpg
edited to say I think it's Redwood House

Woah thank you! :shocked:

Well, I sure don't recognise this beast, so is it from up your way Stephen?? :?

No. West Midlands, Birmingham, well maybe from the other side of the Solihull/Chelmsley Wood border, Kingshurst in fact, nice keep left effect no?

Me tired, go to bed now.

Oh I see! Well I don't know that side of Brum at all so you've just added another West Midlands tower block to my list that I've never seen, along with all of Sutton Coldfield's. Not many left to see but there are still a few!

What about this one?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000262.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000264.jpg

And friend
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000266.jpg

Make that friends
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000272.jpg

Also, Chelmsley Would, err Wood I think

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000267.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000270.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000271-1.jpg

I used to know someone who lived in Wadham House. They lived one floor from the top. Views weren't bad. I was only a little lad back then. They live in a £600,000 house near Ironbridge now (15 years can make all the difference!).

Thanks for the pics Stephen!

Wow! Now, I do know this area better (the the first blocks you see as you head up the M6) but I haven't seen any of them up close - in real life or on here. You just know that those brown blocks had the typical Birmingham "internal balconies" like the ones at Cambrian Wharf, until they got filled in to create extra living space. The first pic in Stephen's last post is kinda like what Castle Vale was like, only x36 and white! Thanks for those! :happy:

Erebus - a nice little story of rags to riches. :yes:

EDIT: The fact that these blocks aren't actually in Birmingham but Solihull also excites me. :pepper:

Erebus - a nice little story of rags to riches. :yes:

It's all down to who your other half is. From Irish drunkard to Syrian brain surgeon :yes:

until they got filled in to create extra living space.


still can't quite get my head round that idea .....


because they haven't taken the old walls out, they've basically just created a lot of cupboards with a view ! :nuts:

Ohhh I like this one :D. Can see the Tv Mast :D:D

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000270.jpg

still can't quite get my head round that idea .....


because they haven't taken the old walls out, they've basically just created a lot of cupboards with a view ! :nuts:

Oh really? So the "extra living space" is still partitioned off? :?

Ohhh I like this one :D. Can see the Tv Mast :D:D


D'ya know I had viewed that photo as looking south but now you've pointed out the mast I can see it's looking more north.

Wow, never realised so many of you had an interest in tower blocks, I'd like to share some of my pictures of the Walsall area, oh hello btw :)

First off the Paddock flats by night
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/DSC02412_800.jpg

A view of the Paddock area towards Walsall (pleck flats in distance)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/DSC02405_800.jpg

Some of the derelict blocks around, I think most of these are due to be demolished soon :(

Two blocks near Leamore/Bloxwich
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/dsc02484_800.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/dsc02488_800.jpg
You can see the state they are in through neglect...
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/dsc02493_800.jpg

These two are in the Butts by the Arboretum
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/dsc02498_800.jpg

Lastly the Pleck flats by Morrissons
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/j00lz_2007/dsc02504_800.jpg

Cheers

First of all, hey radioguy :hi:.

And secondly, thanks for the pictures. I am guessing you are a Walsall local! I really like the last photo, they appear to form a little cluster.

That reminds me, when you drive up the Eachelhurst Road in Sutton Coldfield, just as you reach the river/ Pype Hayes park barrier, you can just see a few tower blocks between the trees. They are at varying distances to eachother but they form a little cluster in the gap. One block might be the block above Wylde Green Shopping Centre.

Hi Erebus

Yes, I am from Walsall as you can guess, thanks for the comments :)

Does anyone know what construction methods were used on the blocks around the midlands, are they mainly large panel system construction, or some other method? I am unsure but would be interested to find out.

Thanks

Hello radioguy and welcome aboard! :wave:

Thanks for the pics of the Walsall blocks! I've made it clear on here before that the typical design of Walsall's tower blocks is my absolute favourite - the colours, the materials, the balconies, the locations, the formations - they seem to be made of bricks rather than concrete slabs and unlike every other metropolitan borough (especially Sandwell), I'm sure none of these blocks have been demolished as yet which just goes to show that they have been more popular than most. That is, until now. We all know the blocks in Pleck are due to come down at some point, the two you pictured in Leamore too, plus I'm surprised and sad to see on your pics the two by the Arboretum all boarded up! So I count TEN altogether that are due to be demolished!! :shocked: :cry: I really must get back over to Walsall and take some of my own photos of these.

I think Smileyface (the forumer who created this thread who hasn't been around on here for a while) lives in one of the Paddock flats. Somewhere on this thread he posted some close-up photos of these and they looked in great condition with nice patterns in the brickwork. :happy:

As for your question about the construction methods, well I have no idea. I might be totally obsessed with tower blocks but I don't really know that many details about how they were built. Maybe someone else can answer that for you, although most forumers seem to ignore this thread! :bash:

Any more photos are always welcome, even if we've seen similar ones before. :yes:

Hi Butterfield

Thanks for the comments, yes it is the brickwork on the Walsall blocks that made me wonder about the design and construction as they do appear different to a lot of high-rise blocks in the country I've never seen.

I'll put some closer pictures of all the paddock flats on here soon as these are the nearest to me, they were cleaned and re-painted outside late last year and I think the bathrooms are due to be replaced soon, so hopefully these will be around for many years to come. It is a good community spirit there according to my mate who lives in one of the blocks.

Cheers

Radioguy, if you look at page 27 of the British Tower Blocks thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=408485&page=27) the Ellesmere Port blocks and the ones that are "just off Great Ormond Street between Holborn and Russel Square" look to be of a similar construction, so I would guess they are built using the same method. I might be wrong however. What that method is, I've no idea. I've got some literature on order that might reveal all. If so I'll let you know.

I did make it down to my mate's in Brum for the weekend a couple of weeks ago, although he had a full itinery sorted which didn't include time for me to go out and take snaps. I did go past some blocks on the way home though, but I was in a rush so I didn't have enough time to stop and snap. They were on the road between his gaff in Selly Oak and the city centre, on the right hand side, and they were grey. That's about as much as I can remember :)

Hi Butterfield

Thanks for the comments, yes it is the brickwork on the Walsall blocks that made me wonder about the design and construction as they do appear different to a lot of high-rise blocks in the country I've never seen.

I'll put some closer pictures of all the paddock flats on here soon as these are the nearest to me, they were cleaned and re-painted outside late last year and I think the bathrooms are due to be replaced soon, so hopefully these will be around for many years to come. It is a good community spirit there according to my mate who lives in one of the blocks.

Cheers

Excellent! Thanks for the inside info! And I look forward to any more of your photos. :yes:

In the meantime, here is the aforementioned photo taken by Smileyface that shows the pleasant brickwork that makes these blocks look relatively attractive.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT0006.jpg

Hi there radioguy :)

As far as I am aware, the vast majority of West Mids tower blocks are system-built precast panel structures. Some have (expensive and inefficient) underfloor heating and some, as Butterfield's pics show, been reclad in bricks.

There were a set of tower blocks, in Northfield in Brum I think, that were built by the same people who did a car park in Wolves. A few years back part of the car park collapsed overnight due to corroding fixings (I think), and the Northfield blocks were evacuated and demolished soon after.

Overall I think the system-built flats were well-designed but workmanship was poor. I have heard of the concrete panels being 'spaced' by sitting them on bags of cement and chucking water on!!!

:eek:

There were a set of tower blocks, in Northfield in Brum I think, that were built by the same people who did a car park in Wolves. A few years back part of the car park collapsed overnight due to corroding fixings (I think), and the Northfield blocks were evacuated and demolished soon after.

Wow I didn't know that about the Northfield tower blocks! I remember the car park collapsing - there was a little row of shops under it and my dad used to go to a music shop that was there.


Overall I think the system-built flats were well-designed but workmanship was poor. I have heard of the concrete panels being 'spaced' by sitting them on bags of cement and chucking water on!!!

:eek:

:lol:

EDIT: My 200th post in this thread! :pepper: