I know the road of which you speak. I think. I live - what? - five minutes walk away from those two.

I intend to head up to town Saturday with the camera, weather permitting, so I'll be able to grab some of them on the way.

Sounds good! Having just looked on my A-Z I think it may be Southbank Road where you look down on the two blocks. From there you may even get a similar view of Dudley town centre that you get when coming down past Haden Hill Park.

Thabkjs for them Grafik! That's my favourite tower block estate in all of Brum (maybe West Midlands though Brierley Hill is quite interesting). Did you happen to get any pictures of Yenton Court which is just up the Chester Road (I think) next to Macdonalds? It's only about 4 storeys tall but it's an interesting thing and it is currently having some maintenance.

I like how Harlech Tower is perched on that hill. Gives it that extra dominance over the other bunch. It should also look quite exciting when it is blown up (if it is blown up). Has it been fenced off already as I know many other parts have?

mk - get down to your blocks and get snapping! At the rate tower blocks are disappearing, those might be gone by next week! :eek:

^^ i didn't unfortunatly but when i get a Big Mac i will;)

:D Thanks!

Fuck me, can someone slice my post count by 1,000 please?

I might take a trip up to Brierley Hill as well, time permitting. Gonna be a busy saturday.

I like how Harlech Tower is perched on that hill. Gives it that extra dominance over the other bunch. It should also look quite exciting when it is blown up (if it is blown up). Has it been fenced off already as I know many other parts have?


hope not ... people still live in it :lol: :lol:

Well considering the type of people that live on the estate, that maybe a good thing :|

Does anyone know if there was a tower block next to Ottawa House, on what is now Opal One? My mom seems to remember a tower blocks being there in the past.

There was :)

Do you know the name by any chance? The Benmore article on the Tower block wiki is looking a little sorry for itself with just Ottawa House on there :|

I can maybe look at an old AtoZ and try to find out the name :)

Well considering the type of people that live on the estate, that maybe a good thing :|

Now now, just because you live up the road in Sutton-upon-Coldfield. :nono:

Ahem, Mr "I live in the leafy part of Sedgley" :mad:.

Now now, just because you live up the road in Sutton-upon-Coldfield. :nono:

im that guy, believe me it is a good thing :P alot of drugs went on there

it is a very big estate, never wandered into it though, i just know;).

I like how Harlech Tower is perched on that hill. Gives it that extra dominance over the other bunch. It should also look quite exciting when it is blown up (if it is blown up). Has it been fenced off already as I know many other parts have?


Its just the maisonettes that are fenced off and boarded up still

it is a very big estate, never wandered into it though.


I did...post 561 onwards

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=242771&page=23

Aah but you're from Walsall. If you can make it Walsall, you can make it any where ;).

I did...post 561 onwards

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=242771&page=23

oh yeh great photos!

whats it like?

In the Forward today, three tower blocks in Perry Barr are being transformed into cutting edge, city living style apartments as part of plans to create a stunning new gateway to the city centre by Urban Splash. Sounds exciting.

I really like the tower blocks already, could get a good picture of them next week. Should be good for the area.

Yep, they were mentioned a little while ago. Smiley's got some pics of them somewhere (and he says he's only scratched the surface when it comes to photographing all of Brum's blocks). :|

oh rite k, annoys me when they repeat stuff in newspapers

I ought to be shot, I can't believe I've never been on this thread, sorry all you guys.:no: I've just had a quick look around and I have to say I'm very pleased by what I see:okay:. The pics are great, sorry if I don't know the names of places or Tower Blocks. Anyway I'll try to keep up to date and try and help you in any way. :cheers:

Don't worry Mr. B, you've got your own thread to keep going! Nice of you to stop by though. :okay:

hey hey peoples

great weather for photography on saturday - sadly i was staring at it out of an office window - got my sorry ass called in for the day, so nada pictures of anything. My employers gave me wednesday off to make up for it, so hopefully we get some sunshine on a par with saturday.

Not 100% sure but the two blocks being demolished on this YouTube video belong to Charlemont (West Brom).We see the M6/M5 interchange I think and the Charlemont towers are very close to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yi1bRaFZgg&mode=related&search=

Thanks for that Nacho! I can't believe those have been gone that long. Could've done with a few more before shots including all the other blocks that still remain, but never mind.

Here is 2 out of the 3 Birchfield Road blocks that are to be tarted up...

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t129/gradymclean/ip2.jpg

thats the lyndhurst estate tower blocks right? no it isn't

No Grafik, those are the ones that are being refurbished by Urban Splash on the Walsall Road in Perry Barrshire.

oh right k :D the tower blocks look so simular

perry barrshire lol

They are actually, and from that distance especially. :yes:

No Grafik, those are the ones that are being refurbished by Urban Splash on the Walsall Road in Perry Barrshire.

Ah incorrect my friend, its not the Walsall Road yet, its still the Birchfield Road at this point. It splits farther north near One Stop into Walsall and College Roads.

(:D I can't believe I've out Tower Blocked Butterfield)

:bash: :bash: :bash:

Although...

Last edited by Telfordboy : Today at 10:50 PM. Reason: Put 'fiend' instead of 'friend'

:lol:

You know you really shouldn't laugh at my stupidity. :lol:

...And there was me thinking you were "The Best One" :|

I am baby. But even the best of us makes mistakes ;)

:sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:

Whatever... baby.

I need food.

oh yeh great photos!

whats it like?

Lyndehurst Estate: I've been to quite a few of Birmingham's hi-rise areas with my camera and this estate was (along with probably Bromford) the one where I was more careful and constantly on guard. After a while I did feel more comfortable though it was quite early in the morning when I ventured there - I don't think I'd repeat my explorations later on in the day or during the evening. Harlech tower - the one I got inside and took photos from - did seem quite rundown inside and it didn't feel too welcoming either (not that that'd ever stop me).

A couple of recent night shots from my balcony:

Austin House
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Night%20shots/sat14th20075.jpg

Croft House
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Night%20shots/sat14th20073.jpg

Yep, they were mentioned a little while ago. Smiley's got some pics of them somewhere (and he says he's only scratched the surface when it comes to photographing all of Brum's blocks). :|

Here you go Erebus, the three blocks in all their present glory - post 923 onwards
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=242771&page=37


:banana:

just to let you know Mr B, im lurking here to :lurker: but sssshhh! dont tell anyone :lol:

I notice the thread that was made in the forum issues, concerning our dilemma has been deleted inti the wilderness of the European forums while the sports and military forums slumber on that have no relevance to urban or hi-rise affairs are still here.

I'm pissed....and I don't mean on alcohol either

I suggest you edit that post.

I suggest you edit that post.

What part do you suggest? I'm more than "content" with what I've wrote or even applied!

Don't worry, we'll be okay again soon and the H*tler jokes will stop. I respect mods but we're supposed to work together surely, not against each other. :dunno:

Communication is good for a start. :yes:

Sorry Butterfield - I'm a really nice bloke I just hate bullies and all the consequences that follow. I like standing up and voicing my opinion and I'm as stubborn as hell so I get my point across in some way whether I'm right or wrong.....I'm quite often wrong lol, but at least I'll admit to it.

It's okay Smiley, I was actually referring to Foxy Will's comments when I said "we're supposed to work together surely, not against each other". We should have been informed about our thread being moved in the first place without any consultation rather than it being moves because of one person's own thoughts.

But anyway, I'm glad everyone was able to have their say in the end. Now I'm just getting confused over which thread to post in! We need to get back on topic ASAP :nuts:

http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3090223&c=0

Thanks for the link EK.

In this morning's Biirmingham Post there's a large photo of the tightrope walker going between two of the Red Road towers in Glasgow.

Click below ,then click 'view demo'.It's on page 7.
http://epaper.icmidlands.co.uk/

I've been on my travels oop north and thought I'd share a couple with you as you seem to have been in need of some concrete inspiration just lately. Park Hill in Sheffield is vast. If you haven't been, go and have a gawp at it before they give it a full overhawl. I understand they're emptying everyone from it at present so it's like a ghost town.

Salford is a sea of tower blocks. I't spretty grim, but awesome at the same time. This is a 180 degree shot hence it's distorted. I reckon Castle Vale must've looked similar to this 15 years ago, only with a few more blocks!:nuts:


http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/SalfordPanoramasmall.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa227/shir04/ParkHillSheffield1407.07finshed.jpg

Nice pics.

Really nice pics :)

Nice to see you again Delacourt! Those are great panoramas - thanks for those! I haven't seen Park Hill at that length before. :eek:

If you want, you can post them in the British Tower Blocks (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=501265) thread so others from around the country (and world) will see them. :yes:

http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3090223&c=0


"Recently-honoured architect David Adjaye will draw up plans for a radical refurbishment of 270 flats on the Birchfield Estate in Perry Barr in the north west of the city."

^^ ... it'll be a shame to lose the current decor ! :lol:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/birch707b.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/birch707a.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/birch707.jpg

it's not often you get to look down on a tower block :nuts:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/metchley.jpg

Erm, wow! :eek:

^^ Harborune Blocks? Take it you were on the massive one. If I recall there are two stumpier blocks oppsite the shell station down the road, quite imposing for thier size too.

I've fallen in love with Chelmsley Wood - it's fooking huge!

Article from June.

Firefighters to test skills at flats
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Firefighters will be tackling a mock blaze in a tower block in Stourbridge tomorrow to test their skills at dealing with fires in high-rise buildings. The exercise will take place at Baylie Court in Green Street.
http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/06/29/firefighters-to-test-skills-at-flats/

That's these fellas: Click me! (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Stourbridge)

Thanks for the link Butterfield.

right guys

i dont often venture into this region as im often out of my depth, but this is about a possible controlled demolition and that most certainly isnt out of my depth.... i just need some info!!!!

first area... i have no idea wat the flats are caled but there are a ground of flats on ur right hand side travelling north up the M6 as you pass the RAC HQ, and train yard and walsall FC.... there is a cluster of flats with about 3 large and four smaller flats, mainly a cark brown colour with either light blue or light yellow tops. i hafve noticed that one of the taler blaocks has a banner across the top which is common prior to a controlled blast and also on the other block, the windows are in the process of being removed? can anyone else confirm???

and secondly almost exactly the same situation (minus the banner) on the 4 flats that are in bartley green right next to and lined up along the south and senleys part and orth of the bartly reservoir!

so, can anyone help???

I can't help you with the first one, myself, but there has been word that the Bartley Green blocks were set for demolition. Thanks for telling us though! :okay:

^^ yep, same here ...

of the 5 tall bartley green blocks, 2 have definately been given the go ahead for demo.

both bartley hse and its closest neighbour (homemeadow !?) have been emptied, with bartley being fenced off.

13 blocks - 1 phone pic :nuts:


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/druids07-08.jpg



almost looks photoshopped :lol:

Is that Druid's Heath?

yup

Noice! And thanks for the pic! :happy:

they look impressive coming from Hollywood. Could call it our own famed corridor!

right guys

i dont often venture into this region as im often out of my depth, but this is about a possible controlled demolition and that most certainly isnt out of my depth.... i just need some info!!!!

first area... i have no idea wat the flats are caled but there are a ground of flats on ur right hand side travelling north up the M6 as you pass the RAC HQ, and train yard and walsall FC.... there is a cluster of flats with about 3 large and four smaller flats, mainly a cark brown colour with either light blue or light yellow tops. i hafve noticed that one of the taler blaocks has a banner across the top which is common prior to a controlled blast and also on the other block, the windows are in the process of being removed? can anyone else confirm???


I'm surprised no one has identified these as they are the blocks in Pleck, Walsall by Junction 9 of the M6.
They have been featured heavily on here in the past with many pictures courtesy of Smileyface and others. :yes:


13 blocks - 1 phone pic :nuts:


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u276/72bluebus/druids07-08.jpg



almost looks photoshopped :lol:

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

:applause: :applause: :applause:

Is that every Druids Heath block in that picture? I've counted 13.

Hey Butterfield :wave: Good trip?

Yes thank you T-Man! :happy:

Where've you been Buttergrubs?

I'll tell you in the Brum Skybar so as not to irritate those tower blockers. :|

I've found a report concerning Dorset Tower.

Dorset Tower is a large concrete panel 18 storey block located on Camden Street adjoining a vacant cleared retail site at the junction of Springhill Hill (A457 and Ring Road (Icknield Street A4540). The block contains 36 one bedroom and 70 two bedroom flats.

In recent months substantial wet rot has been found to the timber subframes to the window louvre panels in the drying rooms on the top 3 floors and tenants have been barred from using the facilities on safety grounds.

There are concerns as to the adequacy of the fixings to the pre-fabricated concrete panels and it has recently been established that there may be deficiencies in some off the fixings for the remedial ties. The probability of a large concrete panel falling off is extremely low but can not be entirely ruled out.

Refurbish - 10 Year Life – The cost of refurbishing the block to this standard is estimated to be £2,091,645. This option results in negative Net Present Values over the indicated term.

Refurbish - 30 Year Life – The cost of refurbishing the block to a standard sufficient to give it an additional 30 years of life ii £5,104,064. This would be a liability within the HRA as, again, Net Present Value would be negative for each of the 30 years.

The estimated cost of demolition will be approximately £436,000 (including termination of the Heatlease contract) whilst home loss/disturbance/re-acquisition costs will be in the region of £448,800. The loss of these properties will result in a rent loss of £256,620 per annum partially offset by an increase in Housing Subsidy of £103,590 and a saving in leasing charges of £44,542 per year, the repairs costs incurred in 2004/05 were £59,600. The cost of terminating the heat lease contract and demolishing the block will need to be added to the clearance budget 2006/07. However, should the Urban Living submission to the ODPM in September be successful, the cost will be met from Urban Living Site Assembly Programme.

Report is here: http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_3/0103824_Dorest%20Tower.pdf

You can see why the council is opting for demolition in many cases as opposed to refurbishment. It would be so much easier to demolish a tower block for about £500,000 than to refurbish it for £5,000,000. :ohno:

Is that every Druids Heath block in that picture? I've counted 13.



nope ... didn't include the 1 i was standing on ! :lol:




plus 1 'moor hse' which was at the bottom of the hill behind me :okay:

It looks as if you actually went to onto the roof of the block! Did you? And how on earth did you if you did? (If that made sense)

And a bit of unimportant news: Victor, Medway, Thames and Severn Towers in Nechells are all to get lift refurbishments! Yet more gleaming surfaces for people to piss on!

one of the few perks of me job, is the view from the roof :)

It seems that Dorset Tower is scheduled to be demolished in autumn this year. http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_7/0221467_Dorset%20Tower.pdf

one of the few perks of me job, is the view from the roof :)

Grendel , are you Father Christmas ? .:)


Thanks for the photo.

It seems that Dorset Tower is scheduled to be demolished in autumn this year. http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_7/0221467_Dorset%20Tower.pdf

does it give a method to be used?

Nope, unfortunately. Would a controlled explosion be that safe considering it is a concrete panel construction? I mean, you don't want huge concrete slabs flying through the air!

Right, I've got quite a lot to post on here tonight. I went into Bham and photographed the four refurbished blocks next to the NIA. I scaled Durham tower again in Ladywood exactly a year to the day (ish) since I last took photos from there (they were my first tower block photos from actually in a tower block, so a bit of compare and contrast is in order I think). I also visited the Kenrick Estate in West Brom to take photos and scale a few blocks and to top the day off the caretaker of my block (Brookes House, Walsall) let me onto the roof of the block to take some photos.....that explains them all and the photos will follow in time:cheers:

The Birmingham refurbs, looking nice!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200747.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200748.jpg

From near Islington Gate
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200751.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200752.jpg

They look better, but they've gotta go sooner or later. They're such an impediment to northern expansion from Centenary Square/Brindley. Look at that canalside location. I imagine something like the waterfront at Merry Hill there - only a lot better.

They look better, but they've gotta go sooner or later. They're such an impediment to northern expansion from Centenary Square/Brindley. Look at that canalside location. I imagine something like the waterfront at Merry Hill there - only a lot better.

I don't think they're going to be biting the dust too soon, after such a lengthy refurb - the buggers have got life in them yet.

bit too white for me...yeah im being difficult!:P

The views from the top of Durham Tower:

A left-to-right to start with. Anyone with stitching skills is more than welcome to have a go at a panorama. I'll dig my old Durham Tower photos out soon for a compare and contrast session.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200729.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200730.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200731.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200732.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200733.jpg

A few close ups and funny angles:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200734.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200735.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200736.jpg

Tower blocks, tower blocks, tower blocks.......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200737.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200738.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200739.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200740.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200741.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200742.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200743.jpg

Anything Butterfield can do I can do better: My car from the 17th floor (Blue Peugeot).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200744.jpg

nicely parked lol

great photos

I luuuurve those 'new' white blocks! Sometimes I wish they'd kept them the old 60s style but that really is how a makeover should be done. I bet the residents are wishing they'd kept the balconies in this heat! :lol:

Fantastic pics Smiley, a great return after a quiet period on this thread, apart from Grendel's great pic a few posts back. I remember your previous photos from Durham Tower, a tower block I know quite well as I used to drive past it every time I picked my friend up from the city centre. It's very much of an old skool 90s makeover tower block isn't it? But who cares when you can get such good piccies from it. :happy: Canterbury Tower and SomethingElse Tower are it's bigger brother and sister. :yes:

Right, I've got quite a lot to post on here tonight. I went into Bham and photographed the four refurbished blocks next to the NIA. I scaled Durham tower again in Ladywood exactly a year to the day (ish) since I last took photos from there (they were my first tower block photos from actually in a tower block, so a bit of compare and contrast is in order I think). I also visited the Kenrick Estate in West Brom to take photos and scale a few blocks and to top the day off the caretaker of my block (Brookes House, Walsall) let me onto the roof of the block to take some photos.....that explains them all and the photos will follow in time:cheers:

Ooooh oooh ooh! The West Bromwich blocks are unique. Once upon a time the Kenrick-style blocks were scattered all over the town. And well done for getting onto the roof of your very own block! I seem to remember you saying you don't live that high up in the block so I bet that was exciting. :D I look forward to any more photos. :yes:


They look better, but they've gotta go sooner or later. They're such an impediment to northern expansion from Centenary Square/Brindley. Look at that canalside location. I imagine something like the waterfront at Merry Hill there - only a lot better.

:bash: :bash: :bash:

mk, the Waterfront looks so dated now. You wouldn't find these sparkling high rise white blocks in Brierley-upon-Hill now would you?? :|

The white blocks look brilliant I think. There a good example that if you put abit of time and effort (plus quite alot of money) tower blocks can still look good. It all depends on how long they stay that white though.

Wow Smiley, you certainly have been busy! Fantastic pics as usual, thanks.

Thanks for the photos Smiley.

The four towers look great after their scrub up. In fact, on pics we have seen they dazzle so much that they appear badly photoshopped .Over the forum's life span they have certainly provoked argument....personally, I'm glad they were reprieved.:)

Fanbloody mother-trucking tastic! The white blocks are looking great now. No longer a blot on the landscape and are there complimenting the canals! Whoever did the job, did a great job. But I agree with mk that they're days really are numbered. Whilst they are great and just had a refurb, their location is just too valuable. I'd really like to see an extension of Brindleyplace up there.

I notice you took some photos from New Street station, I take it that that's from the car park because it looks a lot like Stephenson Tower as well? Great shots from there as well though!

Can't wait to see the photos from the top of your block! Did you have to do a special favour for your caretaker to get on the roof? ;) Only kidding. How tall is Brooke House? Looking forward to the West Brom bunch as well!

Good work! :okay:

I'll post the rest of my photos up tomorrow. I was too blatted last night after watching the Villa match, and I've learned from the past that excess alcohol and the internet don't mix!! :cheers: :nuts:

They look better, but they've gotta go sooner or later. They're such an impediment to northern expansion from Centenary Square/Brindley. Look at that canalside location. I imagine something like the waterfront at Merry Hill there - only a lot better.

I dunno - if they can make the approach more inviting and develop the surrounding area, maybe place a new bridge between the 2 middle towers the area would be less of a block?

Look how the residential buildings are pushing towards the factory units in the foreground.Any ideas what those factories are,and if their days are numbered ?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200732.jpg

]

Isn't the larger of the buildings the Britannic Warehouse - wholesalers.

The two nearest blocks have been in for outline planning for a number uses including residential, hotel and offices. I seem to recall seeing a visual heralding it's redevelopment as residential a few months ago, don't know what happened to it.

Thanks for the update.

Here are the last of Fridays photos - that I hoped to post up this morning but ssc was down - starting with the Kenrisk Estate in West Bromwich which consists of Kenrick House (the big fat one, Lissimore House, Greenford House and Mountford House.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007129.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007130.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007131.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007141.jpg

My blue Peugeot getting into yet another photo!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007142.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007144.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007145.jpg

A couple of nearby blocks being regenerated
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007143.jpg

A couple of views:
Looking towards Walsall/Barr Beacon-ish from Lissimore House
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007132.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007133.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007136.jpg

A few Walsall blocks with Cannock Chase in the distance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007137.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007138.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007139.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007140.jpg


Looking South (ish) from Mountford House with The Clent Hills in the distance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007156.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007159.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007160.jpg

Part of Turners Hill?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007157.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham10082007158.jpg

The Kenrisk estate! :lol: Was that intentional?? Great photos!

I like these blocks a lot. I see them quite often as does everyone who travels on the M5 Junctions 1-2. Kenrick House really is a big mutha, especially when parked underneath it.

On the 4th photo, you can see what the balconies are made of - little tiles. I've often wondered what they were made of, I thought they were metal! :doh:

Thanks for those Smiley! :okay:

From the very top of Brookes House, Walsall! There are windows up there so some of the shots do suffer still, I'm afraid.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200714.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200716.jpg

Looking West, over Walsall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820073.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820075.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820077.jpg

Zooming in on Wednesfield and The Wrekin
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820076.jpg

Looking more Northerly towards Bloxwich/North Walsall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820078.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820079.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200710.jpg

North-Easterly towards Brownhills/Aldridge
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200713.jpg

St Matthews Church with (what's left of) Pleck Flats
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200715.jpg

The new Asda and the ruins of Shannons Mill
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200726.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200727.jpg

And here's a close up (as close as I could get) of Shannons Mill which burnt down a week last Friday. Look at the new apartments, middle right! Looks like they suffered badly from the intesity of the blaze!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Walsall/Bham10082007.jpg

Looking South towards central Bham
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200724.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200719.jpg

And maybe a few that can be stitched together though the quality's not that brilliant!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200720.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200721.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200722.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200723.jpg

And a couple of random ones to finish off
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200725.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200718.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200717.jpg

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I want to do naughty things to some of those photos of Walsall... :naughty:

Plus, Butterfield Court can be seen on the horizon of some of them. :happy:

Sheer tower block porn. :drool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820078.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820075.jpg

Sheer tower block porn. :drool:

I know, too much of it affects my spulling.

:eek: :eek: :naughty:

:lol: :lol:

Great photos Smiley. I am beginning to get quite interested in tower blocks these days. You can just about make out Mander House and the rest of the Wolverhampton towers in this one...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820072.jpg

Ooh! Another convert. ;)

Yeps. The three mossive Wednesfield blocks are clearly visible on the right. :yes:

Stunning pics Smiley :)

Look how the residential buildings are pushing towards the factory units in the foreground.Any ideas what those factories are,and if their days are numbered ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200732.jpg

Yeah - some of it is the Britannic Warehouse and others are light industrial units/workshops. Cheap enough.

I am sure the landowners are holding out for a good deal before they sell for resi.

If you look over to the left, on the main road almost as far up as the church, you can see a green space where a petrol station used to stand. Barteak have PP for an Aedas-designed apartment block there. Not sure why it isn't going ahead though.

You can just about make out Mander House and the rest of the Wolverhampton towers in this one...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820072.jpg


Also, I beleve the Wrekin can be seen beyond them :happy:

Excellent pictures! I notice they even keep the windows clean on the roof of your block there! I love the Kenrick estate. The pattern that the balconies form is quite cool. :happy:

And Mr Smiley, you have got to tell me what your lens is - it's forking amazing. :eek:

And Mr Smiley, you have got to tell me what your lens is - it's forking amazing. :eek:

Sorry Erebus, I've only just spotted your question on here. The lens in question is nothing too special though of course it does the job:) It's just the in-built lens on a Fuji finepix s5600 though the 10x optical is, of course, impressive. http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s5600/index.php?&flash=9

Great photos Smiley. I am beginning to get quite interested in tower blocks these days. You can just about make out Mander House and the rest of the Wolverhampton towers in this one...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham100820072.jpg

I wish I'd had more time to zoom in on certain features. I did get a close up of the Wrekin and the wednesfield blocks and in the photo above I'm sure that's one of the Clee Hills to the left, on the horizon?

Sorry Erebus, I've only just spotted your question on here. The lens in question is nothing too special though of course it does the job:) It's just the in-built lens on a Fuji finepix s5600 though the 10x optical is, of course, impressive. http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s5600/index.php?&flash=9

Not bad. If I hadn't received my D70, I would have had that as my preferred choice. But saying you have a DSLR sounds more classy :).

Ok. compare and contrast time. Durham Tower was the first tower block I scaled way back on July 16th 2006. I recently ventured up there again on 10th August 2007 and as the views from there only differ due to the thirteen month gap I thought it would be interesting to compare them.

Nothing too different here apart from the quality of the camera used:

July 2006
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT005416072006.jpg

August 2007
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200739.jpg


An obvious improvement here:

July 2006
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT005616072006.jpg

August 2007
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200740.jpg


July 2006
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT005216072006.jpg

August 2007
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200736.jpg


July 2006
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks/PICT004916072006.jpg

August 2007
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Tower%20Blocks%207/Bham1008200731.jpg

I bought a book not long ago named Birmingham by Douglas Hickman. It's a quick guide to a load of buildings in Birmingham but from a 1970s point of view. There are a couple of sections on Bromford Bridge and on a tower block named Camrose Tower (which is actually just 9 storeys tall). This picture of Camrose Tower stuck in my head for ages (well about 2 days). Anyway, I was looking through Smiley's photobucket yesterday for pictures for the wiki when I clicked on one picture of a short tower block. He hadn't named it and I think it was from one of the Highgate blocks. I looked closely and sort of chuckled to myself saying "Imagine if that was Camrose Tower". You could tell it had had a recent refurb. I looked at the name plate and whilst I couldn't be sure, it looked like Camrose Tower. It turns out, it just might be and I had found Camrose Tower just by chance! :happy:

Here is the picture:
http://images.wikia.com/ukhousing/images/b/b1/Camrose_Tower.jpg

And here is the picture in the book c. 1970.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/image0-4.jpg

Errr like yeah - well spotted!! Note the zebra crossing on both pictures! :cucumber:

http://www.pirateguru.com/images/Sarcasm_Detector.jpg

Here's a special one for Butterfield!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/DSC_0020-3.jpg

What the...?! You're coming past Dudley fire station on Burton Road from Sedgley?! That's a unique photo of my namesake Erebus. :okay:

Exactly right Butterjubs! I tried to get out to take more pictures of it but my nothing comes between me and my nan's roast dinners!

Well I appreciate you taking a photo of it. I took some photos last week but they came out really bad.

Oh, and your nan's Gornal roast dinners should always come first. :yes:

Brunswick House (left) and Albany House in shard End


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000895.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000896.jpg

Broadheath House, Chadwick House and Whitbourne House, Hodge Hill


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000899.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000898.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000897.jpg

Ward End House

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000900.jpg

Essington House Ward End.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000901.jpg

Apologies if any of these have been posted before, I did do a quick search but nothing came up.

Excellent photos UV. As far as I'm aware these are all previously unphotographed (is that a word?) tower blocks so that's a few more for Erebus to cross off the list.

Great photos UV - thank you! :okay:

The first photo, Essington House in Ward End, is the style you usually see in Solihull (Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood) and the last pics of Brunswick House and Albany House look more like blocks in Aberdeen or somewhere with their makeover colours and patterns!

It's nice to see a Volvo 480 again too. :happy:

Great shots UV. I remember the Shard End blocks before their refurbishment. They looked really bad. Nice to see that they still have some life in them though! Has Ward End House been refurbished? It looks quite modern for a tower block but quite backward for a refurbishment... Dilemma! And thanks for getting in some mini-blocks! :happy:

Not sure about Ward End House but it's the same style as Adelaide Tower just down the road in Shard End.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000161.jpg

there's a couple more over that way I'm aiming to snap over the next week hopefully.

Actually, I need to give you another thanks for naming all the Y-blocks on the Overpool estate. I had got Chadwick House and Whitbourne House but not Broadheath! Plus they're not in Ward Heath but in Hodge Hill. :yes:

Have edited it to avoid confusion ;) , didn't know it was called the Overpool Estate either :okay:

Tower blocks in Shard End - any help naming these?
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/figureimages/towerblocksfs_611990.jpg

btw, has anyone got any pics of the tower on Arthur Road junction with Carpenter road in Edgbaston. Always struck me as quite nicely disguised with all the trees around.

^^

On my A-Z at that junction, the little square (which usually represents a block of low rise or high rise flats) says 'Warwick Crest', which I've never heard of!

Here you go feltip, check out this link: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=sr9p84gv6byh&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7448595&encType=1

I've done some research into Meadway/ Poolway in the Yardley constituency which is home to the five condemned tower blocks. The Meadway area consists of five tower blocks of 222 flats and a block of 18 flats built on a site of archaeological interest. The Poolway shopping centre has 33 retail units and 70 flats. Average house prices in this locality are approximately £45,000 lower than those in the Housing Market Area.

Built in 1958, the blocks consist of 222 flats (74 x 1 bed and 148 x 2 bed). The No Fines blocks are un-modernised, apart from central heating installed in the early 1980s. The flats are in poor condition; do not meet the Decent Homes Standard and residents report high levels of anti-social behaviour.

It is considered that demolition represents the most affordable of these options and is the best course of action, financially and in terms of meeting strategic objectives.

More info!

The flats have very poor kitchen layouts, some not having room for all the basic essentials of washing machine, cooker and fridge freezer. Some of the flats on the ground floor suffer from re-occurring sewage floods. Some flats have severe damp that is not resolved following treatment. A roof leak at Bridgnorth House has proved difficult to repair and the property has been let to Thomas Vale.

The five blocks of flats are cited in the Birmingham Community Safety Assessment July 2005 as the hottest area for residential burglary.

Tower blocks in Shard End - any help naming these?
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/figureimages/towerblocksfs_611990.jpg

If they're the ones on Forth Drive (which it looks like they are) then it's Bangor house on the left and Keele House on the right.

A couple of random Highgate blocks

http://i10.tinypic.com/4u0fmft.jpg

Wicket Tower Edgbaston

http://i9.tinypic.com/4t83qxh.jpg

Old Hill blocks from afar

http://i10.tinypic.com/68aprue.jpg

Brierley Hill blocks from even further afar (3 miles).

http://i11.tinypic.com/63ae2df.jpg

Wow thanks for them! Brierley Hill is certainly a monster of an estate. It's very impressive and it should not be demolished at all - it blesses that hill side! I have never actually passed close to Brierley Hill though I've seen it from a distance as a large dark mass of concrete - bootiful!

The Old Hill block looks quite substantial in size too. How tall is that? 20 odd storeys? Also can I use your pictures on the Housing Wiki perlease?

I noticed today that if you look so very carefully when you're on the bus on Aston Expressway, you can just see Briarley on the Charlemont Farm estate on the horizon. And I've discovered a mini block - Cleeve House in Erdington. I knew existed before as I've seen so often but when I started getting into tower blocks, I couldn't find it. It is by Rookery Park at the junction. Anyway, it's well hidden behind foliage though I'll try and get a picture next time.

Thanks for those mk! I do wonder if the Highgate Blocks once looked like Wicket(s) Tower before they had a makeover, balconies and all. :dunno:

I have a feeling the Old Hill blocks haven't been seen on here before. :okay: Not long after I joined SSC I did a tower block crawl round Dudley but I didn't get as far as Old Hill.

And as for the Brierley Hill blocks - long may they reign! :cheer:

Also can I use your pictures on the Housing Wiki perlease?

use them, by all means :yes:

The Old Hill block looks quite substantial in size too. How tall is that? 20 odd storeys?

It's actually two blocks - Addenbrooke House and Wesley Court according to my A-Z. Why they named them Court and House despite being identical is a bit weird. :weird:

theres a new tower block in Aston that I never knew existed in the centre of this pic, also... spot the train.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/1268012387_2ae1f6ccd9_o.jpg

A couple of random Highgate blocks

Brierley Hill blocks from even further afar (3 miles).

http://i11.tinypic.com/63ae2df.jpg

Great shot.

theres a new tower block in Aston that I never knew existed in the centre of this pic, also... spot the train.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/1268012387_2ae1f6ccd9_o.jpg

I'm a bit confused. There's what appears to be three tower blocks in the centre of the picture, although one of them is "hub" and that is the one at the top of all three. So now there are two. The one between all three is Inkerman House in Newtown. I can't remember what the one at the bottom of the three is.

..

Butterfield - I've come across quite a few Y-blocks on the Holly Bank Road in the Moseley area (or at least I think it is Moseley). I don't if they've been mentioned before but could you get the names of them please - I think one is Southam House, not sure. Cheers! :)

Oh my goodness! There's 6 all in a line down that road!

From north to south we have:

* Woodstock House

* Claverdon House

* Southam House (named after the town we were talking about the other day!)

* Kenilworth House

* Kineton House

* Ludlow House

And that's it. :okay:

Thanks! It looks as though the names are inspired by towns surrounding the West Midlands county. Though, I've never heard of Woodstock...

Woodstock is in Oxfordshire so you may be right. :yes:

Woodstock is also the name of that legendary 1960s festyvule thing that took place in New York state.

Damn, the number 76 bus I got every day until recently passed outside those very blocks. I feel very silly for not taking pictures of them now :(

Butterfield - I need your help again.

Right, look in your A-Z for Drylea Grove in the Shard End area of Brum. There should be 5 tower blocks. I know what the names of three are (Cedar, Firs and Pine House) but I'm not sure on the other two (One might be Larch and the other begins with J).

All five blocks have been demolished.

Also, if anyone knows how many floors were in these blocks -it would be much appreciated. I think it maybe 9 although I can't be sure.

They're in a little cluster so these are in no particular order:

* Pine House

* Larch House

* Firs House

* Cedar House

* Juniper House

So well done, you got them all apart from Juniper! I think these are all named after trees somehow. :|

In that cluster there's also a white square called Crofton Gardens. Now, this could be a tower block but it could also be low rise flats or even an old people's home or something. :dunno:

Hmm, I'll look into that! I find it funny that in nearly every tower block I come across, none of them have a flat number 13! My house in Yardley was number 15 although it should have been 13.

Though my current house has more 13s than you can shake a stick at. (House number 13, my phone number has 13 in it, the plot of land was numbered 13 and my postcode is B76 - what's odd about B76? 7+6=13 :eek:) Some uselessness for you there.

Yikes! We know someone who lives at a #13. I don't think there's many tower blocks with 13 floors though.

I've taken some photos of tower blocks this evening from a good viewpoint over Birmingham which I shall post tomorrow! I haven't checked that they're okay yet so if they're poor I won't post them. :lol:

If your interested, this is the public report into the demolition of the Athol Farm estate which houses the Bartley Green blocks. :(

http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_6/0198305_Athol%20Farm%20public%20report.pdf

Map:
http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_6/0198307_Athol%20farm%20appendix%20and%20map.pdf

Also Butterfield, can you tell me what the tower block on Whitlock Grove is, please? I think it begins with 'L' but I can't make it out. Thanks! :)

There doesn't seem to be one! :dunno:

Hmm... Must be some low rise business there then. Cheers anyway!

Here's some photos I took yesterday evening from the Waseley Hills in between Bromsgrove and Halesowen. It was starting to go dark so you may need to squint a bit ;)

Looking north - the M5 and tower blocks in Quinton, I think
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Butterfieldshire/103_0887.jpg

Looking north west. The tower blocks in the foreground are in Halesowen and on the horizon on the left is Butterfield Court in Dudley! :happy: Turner's Hill masts (Rowley Regis) is on the right:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Butterfieldshire/103_0891.jpg

Looking east. The tower blocks at Druid's Heath, south Birmingham. A Bit blurred I know :|
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Butterfieldshire/103_0896.jpg

Rubery/Rednal in the foreground, Longbridge in the middle and Druid's Heath in the background
Can anyone identify what the small square is on the horizon to the left is? Could it be the Massey Furguson building in Coventry?? :dunno:
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee43/Butterfieldshire/103_0893.jpg

Ooh! Thanks for them. Those Rubery/ Rednal blocks look quite interesting! Names? Nice to see Butterfield Court making itself known as always - it should be Grade II listed :yes:.

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:

Your A-Z is an absolute bible! :happy:

:yes: :yes:

Right to left, Homemeadow House, Hollypiece House, Coppice House, Fox Hollies Road in Hall Green is just to the left of the trees.

Again did a quick search and found nothing, so as always apologies if they've been done before:)


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000905.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000903.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000904.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000902.jpg

Sorry, interupting your thread again :ohno: But I have actual tower block news today :yes:

Developers to transform tower
A derelict Shropshire tower block which has stood empty since a police raid six years ago has been bought by developers - quashing rumours it would be converted into an asylum centre.

Manor Heights in Hadley, which was closed down in the wake of a huge police raid in 2001, was plagued by social problems and claimed to be a centre for crime.

The Wrekin Housing Trust building has now been bought by developers Barteak, who will transform the 12-storey building into a multi-million pound block of 60 contemporary new homes for first-time buyers.

If developers win planning permission, building work could start early next year and is expected to take 12-months to complete.

The derelict storey is expected to be worth £6 million after the revamp.Birmingham-based architect Turner Woolford Sharp has been appointed to come up with the design concepts for Manor Heights.

Mr Woolford Sharp’s plans include an “eye catching two storey base at street level which is clad in splayed metal”.

Developers said an illuminated mesh curtain will act as a “striking pelmet at the top of the white rendered building”.

Residents had raised their fears about the future of the site and wanted the “eyesore” demolished.

The police raid, which saw the tower block closed down, brought 30 arrests and smashed the area’s biggest drugs ring.

David Back, managing director of Barteak Developments Ltd said: “The acquisition of Manor Heights is a really exciting project for Barteak.”

I'm quite pleased.

Right to left, Homemeadow House, Hollypiece House, Coppice House, Fox Hollies Road in Hall Green is just to the left of the trees.

Again did a quick search and found nothing, so as always apologies if they've been done before:)


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000905.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000903.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000904.jpg


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/iceman14141414/P1000902.jpg

So by my methods of deduction, these were the ones I snapped from two different locations a while back, I thought they were in Kings Heath but nice to get an accurate location.

http://static.flickr.com/73/209548368_a0df7d2090_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/58/211354678_265f73d91e_o.jpg

Anybody know what the church is in the foreground though?

Thanks for your photos again UV! :okay: I don't think we've seen close up pics of these ones before. :happy:


Sorry, interupting your thread again :ohno: But I have actual tower block news today :yes:



I'm quite pleased.

First of all, this thread is everyone's thread. Everyone is always [atchoo!] wel[atchoo!]come. :yes:

And that is great news about the tower block in Hadley having a makeover! You've mentioned it before having been empty for a number of years. All of Telford's blocks should be kept. :yes:

Do we have any piccies of what it's like now? We need a before/after shot when it's completed. :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leyhillimages/291767251/

And that is great news about the tower block in Hadley having a makeover! You've mentioned it before having been empty for a number of years. All of Telford's blocks should be kept. :yes:

Do we have any piccies of what it's like now? We need a before/after shot when it's completed. :D

:happy: I don't have a pic, but its on my list.

They're in a little cluster so these are in no particular order:

* Pine House

* Larch House

* Firs House

* Cedar House

* Juniper House

So well done, you got them all apart from Juniper! I think these are all named after trees somehow. :|

In that cluster there's also a white square called Crofton Gardens. Now, this could be a tower block but it could also be low rise flats or even an old people's home or something. :dunno:

Hi :)

I actually used to live near that estate when I was very young, and those flats that have been mentioned used to face a small row of shops on Shawsdale Road and three schools: The Pines special school, St Wilfrid RC School and the Firs school which is the estate this was on. From what I remember they were 9 floors in each of those blocks.

I used to live in Kingspiece House on the Bromford estate which was a 12 storey block. Does anyone know if that and the ill-fated Stoneycroft and Bailey Towers still exist?

Reading through this, and the mention of the Meadway Blocks being demolished, a work colleague of mine lives in one of them and it's inhabitied by druggies and other riff-raff. It's hell for her as she has a very young daughter is waiting for a decent move.

Westfield House in Smithswood, is only 2 mins walk from where I work!

Hello NN and welcome to the forums! :wave:

Thanks for your info. Most of the Bromford estate still stands - I have visited it myself relatively recently to take photos as have some of the forumers on here - the pictures are in this thread somewhere. :yes: Also, visit the UK Housing Wiki that Erebus set up for more info, here is the link!

http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Bromford_Bridge

Thank you Butterfield :)

In that link, I can see my old block Kingspiece (the 1st one) there! I don't see how Stoneycroft and Bailey Tower are still standing. My aunt lived in Stoneycroft and even in 1989/1990, suicides happened there. I remember, one flat was gutted due to the explosion of a Calor gas heater on the top floor. Don't know if anyone died.

I don't know whether this is true, but my Dad told me that Jordan Tower was named after one of the men who died during construction of the tower.

Yikes! :eek:

After some searching, here are some photos that forumer Smileyface took of Bromford. I think it's the bigger ones that are coming down and I'm sure they'll have to shut the M6 on the demolition day. Enjoy!


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

Thank you for those images Butterfield :) :okay:

About time those two were demolished. When where these taken?

It's not really a desirable place to live in, in fact it's probably got the highest crime rate out of all the areas of Birmingham. My Dad did a removal there 3 years ago, and they needed 5 men to be there. 2 to guard the van, 1 to watch outside the house and 2 to get the items. I lived there from 1986-1993 (from the age of 2 to 8), and basically we left at the right time when it started to get worse.

I noticed in one of your view pics, where the flats are in the distance, the worst ever primary school Tame Valley is in the shot (you can see a nursery playground with a playhouse).

At the back of what used to be Chillinghome Tower, there used to be three nine-storey blokes whose names escape me. I assume they've been pulled down because in 1998/99, residents were complaning of damp in each of the flats and a lack of maintanence. Any idea what they were called?

Thanks for repeating that nice set of photos Butterfield.

Welcome to the forum NN2007 :)

Thank you Nacho :)

Are there any Coventry tower blocks in this thread or on the West Midlands forum?

Butterfield, are they just demolishing the two tower blocks with the last two remaining or do they plan to knock all of them down (tall ones) in the near future?

I would have thought the Bison type blocks were coming down. Either way, driving to the Fort/Dunlop will be less of an eyesore.

Thank you for those images Butterfield :) :okay:

About time those two were demolished. When where these taken?

It's not really a desirable place to live in, in fact it's probably got the highest crime rate out of all the areas of Birmingham. My Dad did a removal there 3 years ago, and they needed 5 men to be there. 2 to guard the van, 1 to watch outside the house and 2 to get the items. I lived there from 1986-1993 (from the age of 2 to 8), and basically we left at the right time when it started to get worse.

I noticed in one of your view pics, where the flats are in the distance, the worst ever primary school Tame Valley is in the shot (you can see a nursery playground with a playhouse).

At the back of what used to be Chillinghome Tower, there used to be three nine-storey blokes whose names escape me. I assume they've been pulled down because in 1998/99, residents were complaning of damp in each of the flats and a lack of maintanence. Any idea what they were called?

According to the post I got those photos from, Smileyface took them on December 2nd last year. And I think those flats you mention have been demolished. I never got to see them but you can see them to the east of Bromford on websites like Google Earth and Live.Local as some of the aerial pictures are quite old.

We know that a lot of tower blocks are undesirable places to live but for me and a few others that's part of the interest! :crazy: They make for great photos as you've seen and one day will be a thing of the past, just like ye olde slums are. But there are some smarter well maintained blocks around in our area if you look carefully. :yes:



Are there any Coventry tower blocks in this thread or on the West Midlands forum?

Oh we cover all the West Midlands towns and cities, although I don't think we've had that many of Coventry.


Butterfield, are they just demolishing the two tower blocks with the last two remaining or do they plan to knock all of them down (tall ones) in the near future?

I would have thought the Bison type blocks were coming down. Either way, driving to the Fort/Dunlop will be less of an eyesore.

I think the biggest ones are completely empty and will be demolished shortly (an identical one was demolished some years ago). I will miss seeing them off the M6. :(

I think the biggest ones are completely empty and will be demolished shortly (an identical one was demolished some years ago). I will miss seeing them off the M6. :(

So will I.I'm always in favour of sprucing up our dwindling stock of high rise towers.Some of the rescued West Brom blocks look fantastic (there are pics floating around ) .These towers done up with a nice lighting system at the very top would provide a quite a sight from the M6.

On another thread someone posted some pics (Fletip maybe) from Five Ways at night .I noticed that some of the blocks (residential I believe) had lighting strips and the looked very good indeed.:)

Yeps. Nacho, Sandwell are doing a good job at the moment of doing up some blocks and putting lighting round them. I think though that Birmingham's Bromford estate is in a bit of a no man's land, stuck in a cul-de-dac miles away from any proper town! Nowhere is walkable so the residents probably feel a bit stuck. I think most tower blocks that are successful seem to be a bit more town-orientated.

Any clues what the first tower in Birmingham to be demolished was?

When I was very young, say 4/5 (this was 89/90) there was a tower block in Nechells we used to pass on the bus home that was derelict, then reduced to rubble. Now where it was, is houses but any clues what this tower block was called?

Sorry, I personally don't know the answer to either of your questions but it's great you can remember that far back. :yes: I have a few childhood tower block memories too, as well as many other things of course. :happy:

Thank you Butterfield :)

In that link, I can see my old block Kingspiece (the 1st one) there! I don't see how Stoneycroft and Bailey Tower are still standing. My aunt lived in Stoneycroft and even in 1989/1990, suicides happened there. I remember, one flat was gutted due to the explosion of a Calor gas heater on the top floor. Don't know if anyone died.

I don't know whether this is true, but my Dad told me that Jordan Tower was named after one of the men who died during construction of the tower.

Stoneycroft and Bayley are condemned to be demolished. They are being emptied and prepared for what I presume will be a controlled explosion form of demolition. I've heard about suicides on the tower blocks. My mom attended a domestic at one of the blocks between two lesbians and when she sorted it out she left. The next day, she finds out that one of the women was found lying dead in the street after jumping from the block. That's the problem with tower blocks - it was so easy to just jump to your death.

As far as I am aware, the first demolished tower blocks were actually in Ladywood. They were a mere 6 storeys.

There was a ruck of them down by the canal in Ladywood which all disappeared in the(eighties/nineties (I think to make way for all the new developments)).They hugged the waterfront and I came across some photos of them a few years ago but I haven't seen them since.Anyone have any photos or information about those towers ?

Butterfield, do you know the names of the 5 blocks seen in the image below? They're part of the Heath Town estate and I may go and take some photos of them tomorrow or should I say today, seeing as it's past midnight. Anyway, if you don't know their names it'll mean I'll have to get closer to them then I'd like, but if you do know their names I can stay well away.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/aaa-4.gif

Yeps VH I have some names for you! I didn't actually realise there were that many of the smaller blocks as the tall ones very much overshadow them.

Just bear with me for a second whilst I type out the names. :)

Right, seeing as the local.live picture is looking north, from left to right we have:

* Lincoln House

* Tremont House

* Pub that was featured on a documentary years ago about the 'goings on' there. :| Then after Inkerman Street we have:

* Redoak House

* Chervil Rise, which according to my A-Z is the name of the roadlet that the 'L' shape block is on, not sure what the actual block is called but it could also be called Chervil Rise. :dunno:

And below that we have the two blocks of:

* Ling House

* Hawthorne House

And that's it! I have the names of the tall blocks too if you need those at all. :yes:

Cheers Butterfield. Tell me more about what happened at this pub then as I am curious as well as intrigued. And as for the taller blocks, I think I'm ok with those although I may need some information about a few of the other lower ones on the estate but that can wait. Hopefully I'll get some photos tomorrow.

My A-Z doesn't mention lower rise blocks but it's got the tall beasts listed.

As for that programme, I really can't remember anything about it as it was on years ago (mid to late 90s) but it was this one off documentary about life in Heath Town and that pub. It was quite disturbing if I remember rightly as you can well imagine! :eek:

As promised I went out and took some photos of the Heath Town blocks and to my surprise I also found myself taking photos of the Bentley Bridge ones too. I did take my camera but I just couldn't bring myself to whip it out every time I wanted a photo. Hence why all but one of the pictures are off my phone. At least with a phone you can pretend to be texting someone and then take a sly photo when nobody is looking.


Heath Town RDA

Before hand I was quite worried about walking the streets of Heath Town but I found it to be quite pleasant. It was fairly quiet too so taking photos was easy. Alder House is a monster and is certainly my favourite of all the Heath Town blocks.

Alder House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Alder-House.jpg


Longfield House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Longfield-House.jpg


Campion House

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

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


Brockfield House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Brockfield-House.jpg


Tremont House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Tremont-House.jpg


Lincoln House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Lincoln-House.jpg


Redoak House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Redoak-House.jpg


Ling House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Ling-House.jpg


Hawthorne House

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Hawthorne-House.jpg


Hickman Street RDA

The Hickman Street area near Bentley Bridge was just as quiet as Heath Town. Bover Court looks in good nick and so do the other two.

Wodensfield Tower

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

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


William Bentley Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/William-Bentley-Court-1.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/William-Bentley-Court-2.jpg


Bover Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Bover-Court.jpg

:eek: :eek:

Thanks for those VH and for actually exploring one of Wolverhampton's most notorious areas on foot! Puts me to shame with only taking photos from the safety of my car. :| And you're right that it would look pretty much like you were texting rather than taking photos. :lol:

Look at the massive chimney thing going up the side of Alder House!! My favourites are the open-balconied ones like Campion House - they look more aggressive and in-ya-face or something. :shifty:

And the ones at Bentley Bridge are sheer balcony heaven. :drool: There's often flats in those ones for sale on Rightmove, not that I'd want to live there myself exactly, but occasionally they show a picture of the views from an upper floor! :pepper:

Once again, thanks for those VH. :okay:

Alder House has a chimney! :eek: That is incredible. I don't think I've seen such a tower block of that height complete with a chimney at all! Thanks a lot for those pics! They'll be useful on the wiki!

William Bentley Court and Bover Court look impressive with their balconies at their height. I can imagine that they have seen a few suicides in days gone by!

Thanks alot! :happy:

Thanks for those VH.I've never seen that chimney before.I don't remember seeing the Bentley blocks either.

Bova Court must be a bit rough.:)

You can hardly miss them Nacho when you're in the area!

I wonder if it's said "Bo-ver Court" or "Bovva Court". :|

Thanks for the replies.

Butterfield, I've found 3 more blocks that I am going to try and photograph in the near future. They look about 10 floors high. Do you know what they are called?

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

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/1-5.jpg

Yepsks. I actually only discovered those blocks relatively recently. Well, about 2002 which is quite late for me to find out about local blocks. They are the most awkward tower blocks to reach as they are on a dead end road at the far end of an estate of lots of right and left hand turns. :mad2:

Anyway, they are actually just inside the Bilston posttown - WV14 - and their names are (uniquely named after former Prime Ministers, I think), from west to east:

* Hugh Gaitskell Court

* Winston Churchill Court

* Clement Attlee Court

Hope that helps! :okay:

Thanks Butterfield. Hugh Gaitskkell Court is a bit of a mouthful.

Went out again today with the intention of taking photos of the Parkview Road tower blocks. As I was there I noticed in the distance another tower block which I had never seen before. It's called Arthur Greenwood Court and it's near Bilston. I also took photos of Phoenix Rise, the only tower block left in the Cobden Lane estate. I hadn't realised the smaller ones had been demolished.

Parkview Road blocks


The 3 blocks

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

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


Hugh Gaitskell Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Hugh-Gaitskell-Court-2.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Hugh-Gaitskell-Court-1.jpg


Winston Churchill Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Winston-Churchill-Court.jpg


Clement Attlee Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Clement-Attlee-Court.jpg


Cobden Lane RDA


Phoenix Rise

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

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


Ground Zero

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

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

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


Bilston


Arthur Greenwood Court

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Arthur-Greenwood-Court-2.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Arthur-Greenwood-Court-1.jpg

Excellent work there van heckler! :applause: I didn't realise all the smaller blocks by Phoenix Rise had gone neither, although the last time I visited they were all boarded up and everything.

That block on its own in Bilston - Arthur Greenwood Court - is closer to Bilston town centre isn't it? I've never managed to take a photo of this one myself as once again it's quite awkward to get to. I don't think Bilston has any other blocks and they are all almost identical!

Great stuff van! I'm not too keen on those blocks. Phoenix Rise looks plain and boring - even for a tower block!

Thanks for the photos Van.Is that the area in Bilston that will have a whole new development and Metro stop ?

Phoenix Rise looks plain and boring - even for a tower block!

Hoi! That's my other local tower block other than Butterfield Court. I could as easily have been called 'Phoenix' on here. :shifty:

Hoi! That's my other local tower block other than Butterfield Court. I could as easily have been called 'Phoenix' on here. :shifty:

Well thank God you're called Butterfield. If you were called Phoenix, I'd imagine you to be a heavy built, sparsely tattooed boxer from Tipton!

Or one of the X-Men!

Well thank God you're called Butterfield. If you were called Phoenix, I'd imagine you to be a heavy built, sparsely tattooed boxer from Tipton!

:lol: :lol:

Well that sure ain't me. I've been known to be heavy built at times over the years but a tattooed boxer from Tipton.... :runaway:

Never thought Id see heathtown and wednesfield flats on here!

Oh, we cover them all here. :yes:

taken from just outside Hamstead train station:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000803.jpg

...Of the true West Bromwichshire stylee. :happy:

Bit of a strange area that. Never quite sure if Hamstead is Sandwell or Birmingham. :dunno: There's some brick blocklets around that area too.

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

Hello. Authentic ye olde council estate hexagonal paving slabs. With real weeds! Grim :)

These was a sign behind me saying welcome to Birmingham, no yam-yams by order, so it's over the border into the dark side...

From BCC:

Two defective 13 storey tower blocks in Bartley Green will be demolished next week to pave the way for new homes and an improved environment for local people.

On Monday Cllr John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing and local councillor takes the controls of a JCB to help with the demolition which is being carried out by City Demolition Contractors (Birmingham) Limited.

In 2005 Birmingham City Council, with support from local residents, took the decision to rehouse residents and demolish Broadmeadow and Bartley House in the Athol Farm estate Bartley Green to regenerate the area.

Redevelopment of the site will provide an opportunity for up to 80 new mixed tenure homes to be provided including outright sale, low cost sale, shared ownership and rent to support a balanced and sustainable community.


Looks like they won't be blown!

:bash: :cry:

I have just read in todays Sunday Mercury that two tower blocks are to be demolished tommorow. Broadmeadow house and bartly house on the athol farm estate will be replaced with 80 homes for sale or to rent. Mostly being 3 bedrooms houses.

We know, it says a couple of posts above :). They were approved for demolition a little while ago. Bartley Reservoir is going to look very lonely now :(

From today's Mail.

Eyesore tower blocks are bulldozedSep 18 2007
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨

By Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail


GOING going gone! Work has begun on demolishing five tower blocks on an eyesore Birmingham estate.

The bulldozers have moved on to Athol Farm, in Bartley Green, which has been a blot on the landscape for the last 40 years.

First to be "munched" into pieces by the high rise demolition excavator was the 12-storey Bartley House.

Later this week the excavator will move on to neighbouring Broadmeadow House.


Both blocks are now empty after all the tenants have been rehoused, but residents still remain in the three other towers - Near Oak, Lappath and Souters.


They too will be demolished once all the tenants have moved out.


Watching the demolition were former Bartley House tenants Dennis and Betty Osborne.


Dennis, aged 78, and Betty, 76, lived in an 11th floor flat for 39 years until they moved out last year to a bungalow on the new Ley Hill estate.




Betty said: "I felt very emotional watching the tower block come down because we had some very happy times there.


"It's a shame it had to go, but things change and we love where we live now."


Bartley Green councillors John Lines and Vivienne Barton took the controls of a JCB to help with the demolition.


Coun Lines, who is also cabinet member for housing, said: "This is wonderful news.


"These blocks have been sadly neglected for 20 years so there was no alternative but to get rid of them."


Coun Barton said: "This will change Bartley Green's skyline forever - finally the sun will shine on the Athol estate."


Each high-rise block contains about 40 flats and they have been a Bartley Green landmark since the 1960s.


They will be replaced by a new multi-million pound development of around 80 homes.


Residents claimed the blocks were plagued by drug addicts, vandals and arsonists.
________________________________________________


There's a little pic of the tower too.
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_headline=eyesore-tower-blocks-are-bulldozed%26method=full%26objectid=19806995%26siteid=50002-name_page.html

Thanks Nacho! I so wish these ones could have been done up as the views from them would have been fantastic over the reservoir and the countryside for those who would have appreciated them.

Various blocks from Lozells

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000808.jpg

There were some nice views of the city centre from there, but for some reason, I forgot to get my expensive camera out to take some more pictures.

Didn't happen to see a riot there, did you? ;)

Thanks for the picture - looks quite colourful there!

No, but I did see a asi Take this poor quailty photo of a rather nice church though:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Birmingham/P1000807.jpg

Aah that be Christ Church by James Cranston. Very distinctive spire. Built 1864-5.

That looks nice.

Lovely church - never seen that before. Thanks Stephen :)

From Aston to Edgbaston, Highgate to Northfield and Longbridge on a gloomy day.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1157/1427421739_a02197af4e_b.jpg

Great stuff EK! :happy:

Got a couple of dodgy phone pics of the Birchfield Road ladies...

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t129/gradymclean/077.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t129/gradymclean/078.jpg

:pepper:

These are the ones that are having a major makeover. :happy:

Have you been there today T-Man?

Yeah, I started my Ma in Spatial Planning at UCE today :gaah:

Oh!

Flying over Birmingham...which tower blocks can you make out ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YR_3AjPeHc

I presume the first blocks you see are Chelmsley Wood/Castle Bromwich but towards the end you see two long lines of blocks which I should think are the ones in Erdington/towards Sutton Coldfield.

After about 50 secs there are a couple at the very bottom, these are the Meadway blocks scheduled for demolition, shortly after there is a block of 3 which are the blocks behind Stechford pool, next to them there's another 3 blocks which are the ones on the border of Stechford by the lake, and then I think the 2 lines of blocks at the end are in Erdington.

The ones at 1:08 look like the Stechford blocks and then ones a few seconds later (a group of three again) look like the Ward End/ Alum Rock/ Shard End/ I don't know blocks which I have a photo of somewhere. At 1:45 you can see Erdington. The closest row of blocks at that shot is the Lyndhurst estate and there appears to be a lone block further up the road which would be Heron Court in Wylde Green. :)

Oh yeah, that little group of 3 in Stechford in a triangle - one being Crabtree House or something like that.

I've already posted this on the general thread but it maybe of interest for this thread too since the opening minute includes some tower blocks.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ToVgV4-Mg1Y&mode=related&search=

Here are some tower blocks from wolverhampton, taken 4th october 2007

The reclad towers near the market.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1319/wolverhamptonflatsnearmzp0.jpg

Wulfruna court behind the tower blocks pictured above.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4732/wolverhamptonsomeretrofjz8.jpg

Wulfruna court behind the tower blocks pictured above.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4732/wolverhamptonsomeretrofjz8.jpg

What kind of area is that sited in? I know it's already been said but with an imaginative reclad and internal refurbishment you could have something similar to the HUB in Birmingham there.

Indeed - very pleasing to the eye as it already stands.

The area is close to the city center, just behind the ring road, the area itself is made up of the blocks in the first photo, wulfruna and a similar tower, then flats of about 3 or 4 stories high, im not fimilar with the area to be honest, there is a lot of empty old factory buildings, and a large piece of wasteland.

Thanks for the pics Charlie. I quite like Wulfruna Court - it's an unusual block.


I'm gunna try and get a photo of a 9 storey block I've discovered in Erdington. I wish I could get on the roof because you can see Yardley from there. It's on a high point. :|