Seeing as this thread got deleted as well I'll start a new one. I took some pics today from the area but it would make sense to post up some of my older construction pics so that they appear in order. Here's the rendering on the hoardings while I sort out some photo's :uh:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouserendering.jpg

Photos from June 7th 2005
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseJune7th2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseJune72005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseJun7th2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouse7thJune2005.jpg

August 7th 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAug7th2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAug7th05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouse7thAug2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAugust7th2005.jpg

3 floors left?

good work smiley - and that first rendering looks really great.

It definitely looks better in blue

I like the shopmobility vehicle in the third pic on your second post. That upstages the rest of the pics! ;)

3 floors left?

about 6 + the top 2 are a bit bigger :cheers1: some great shots there Smiley, my favourite scheme at the moment.

theoretically if you doub;e the height of wats built already than you get the size of the tower....this is the 1st and the shortest tower....shows how huge this will be!

Just imagine Martineau towers and City Park Gate built, this area would be dense ... :runaway:

theoretically if you doub;e the height of wats built already than you get the size of the tower....this is the 1st and the shortest tower....shows how huge this will be!

Yep, and the main Office tower is gonna be 4 times the size of this and so will the lower, larger office tower :runaway:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAug7th05.jpg

Just imagine Martineau towers and City Park Gate built, this area would be dense ... :runaway:

Very exciting times ahead :yes:

And the upside of the sad demise of the Rogers library (I can't see Labour regaining power anytime this side of a Brown government, and by then it will be too late) means that that pocket on the far side of city park will be availible for another project. At least the western half of eatside will be very dense.

hmmm, im not sure. one of the the cons-lib problems with the library was that it took up too much of the park.....maybe the land will just b added to the parkk?

they start on the second plot, january next year dont they?

hmmm, im not sure. one of the the cons-lib problems with the library was that it took up too much of the park.....maybe the land will just b added to the parkk?

It was one of the con-libs talking about alternative uses for the site as far as I can remember. Oh well, we know how much talk is worth, but the site demands to be used - the park would be a little too big if the library space was included in it, and it would be bordered on one side by nothing more than a set of train tracks.

Are all 3 buildings going up in this plot now, or only the two?

the martinea galleries development includes all this area right???

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/pirlo_21/.jpg

correct, sooner the better

Goodbye Toys R us and that soul destroying carpark
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Birmingham%204/ToysRUsAug7th2005.jpg

I wonder what Toys R Us will do. I used to love that store when i were a nipper!!

Although i went in resently and its a shit hole inside - i dont think its been refirbed since the mid 80's

(quality pic that smiles, love the empty view of the rotunda)

Yep, and the main Office tower is gonna be 4 times the size of this and so will the lower, larger office tower :runaway:


not as impressive as it sounds given that this thing is only 5 storeys, its like saying "wow this midrise is gonna be ten times taller (than my garden shed)"

hopefully they will be knocking it down this time next year

I love the masshouses, especially now they are going with the cream & blue and not red.

I really think that we are underestimating the impact of these - they will be amongst the most interesting new buildings in Brum - I think they are really good design with nice, smooth curved ends.

:)

yep had by doubts but there turning out to be really good

not as impressive as it sounds given that this thing is only 5 storeys, its like saying "wow this midrise is gonna be ten times taller (than my garden shed)"

actually its 8 :)

This has to double in size, first and this is the smallest block out of the 7 going up here.
I think that gives a sense of how big this project is, not to mention the surrounding developments planned - its gonna be quite an impressive district :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAug7th2005.jpg

This has to double in size, first and this is the smallest block out of the 7 going up here.
I think that gives a sense of how big this project is, not to mention the surrounding developments planned - its gonna be quite an impressive district :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/MasshouseAug7th2005.jpg

This is the apartment block nearest McLaren in the picture below (top right) and by my reckoning has another 10 floors to go to its highest point. Then the tallest office blocks will loom over them just beyond. It really shows how much bigger office blocks are than apartment blocks.

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

Nope this is the lowest apartment block Bio :) The road cuts through the scheme as you can tell :cheers:

So it is! I stand corrected...

Only 7 floors left then!

Yep - so double the height of what is there at the moment :)

tut tut tut bio

the aprtment rooms are gonna be bloody small, and the view not great, Toys are us are park !!

the tower r us car park which will be demolished in a number of months lol

Martineu Galleris shall rise ;)

I am confused. The u/c building is the second from left tower in the rendering ? if so 4 floors to go ?

From the render the tower is verticaly aligned to the MBC but acording ot the construction pic it looks parallel to it

Its 14 storeys tall and so far construction has it at 8 and 6 floors respectively :)

tut tut tut bio

I know, I'm stupid!

:)

this might be sacrilege, especially on this website, but my favourite is the little fella on the far left - I like the wing stretching out to the left.

you mean the student building? Its a nice enough building.

woody is there a date for the demolition of toy r us??

what student building are you talking about RB?????

no student buildings will be rising at Martineau Galls!

Sorry, bio said somthing about a small building with a wing? thought he ment the building next to MBC.


Edit. now i see he means the smallest masshouse tower. Doh!!

Anyway moving swiftly on.......

Is there a date set for the demise of toys r us?? u mentioned a few months

i wander if they will complete the public areas when they complete the first apartment block, like they did at brindleyplace ? thats would be cool

well i think the developers for the site are hoping to unveil soon and then press for planning within a few months.... depending on how long that willtake will depend ont he demolition work....say 12-18 months?

nice one

well i think the developers for the site are hoping to unveil soon and then press for planning within a few months.... depending on how long that willtake will depend ont he demolition work....say 12-18 months?

Anymore info on the towers woodhousen?

not really......... but looks about 25 floors and other smaller one(s) about 15 floors!

Office or Residential? 25 floors has to be about 80m?

residential..though not expecting it to be much taller (if at al) than mclaren

Doesnt need to be, this area will be densely packed with towers - you probably wont be able to see McClaren from St.andrews in 5 years time. what with city park gate as well.

Is this project sponsored by O2?
Everytime I see the renders I think of that advert O2 ran a while back, with the progressively larger buildings representing a signal from a mast. Does anyone remember what I'm waffling on about?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouserendering.jpg

ha ha - yeah i remember

yep i remember too x

i wander which buolding is the courts complex, as this must start soon ? as its a done deal...i hope its the greeney looking building with the blue glass

This picture will look phenominal when the 10 odd towers are completed

http://richardfearn.co.uk/gallery/birmingham/aston2.jpg

the toyrs are us site is a bad as the old bull ring, i rekon this time next year it will have bitten the dust

well here is a go at a block iagram of what the area will be like.... i think

blue = Masshouse
red = Martineau Galleries
green = City Park Gate

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

ok, its no manhatten but look at the density

Wow - not to mention alot greener with Boulevards aswell as lots of glass - cracking woody thanks. Only the 2 towers at Martineau? Ohwell 2 is better then nothing :cheers1:

Oh and also the 4th decending tower in Masshouse is bigger then the 2nd and 3rd one so it should like even better.

"(almost the same height as City Park Gate)"

(Woodhousens Work) - Do you think this are is where Bio's secret towers are, he mentioned something about it being "quite a cluster", and this most certainly will be "quite a cluster" :cheers:

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

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/5300/masshouse9dz.png

mmmm, where could they be though, all the land there is earmarked, isn'nt it ?

...

mmmm, where could they be though, all the land there is earmarked, isn'nt it ?

Im not to sure, they could be part of the Eastside masterplan :dunno:

http://www.gifford.uk.com/news/2003_09_08/01-masshouse-B.jpg

I wander if its the BIG Top site whre bhs etc is on new street, this is up for redevelopment and is massive, could easily accomodate two large towers !!! and is near enough to other towers to create a cluster....its amost next to Martineau Galleries ?

I thinks its gonna be in the holloway circus area

:laugh:

The towers (if they happen) are not at the Martineau-Masshouse site...

That area is going to look amazing when it is done - regardless of what happens in the rest of Eastside, when they reconfigure the road layout around Priory/Oasis and Toys R Us to accommodate MG, and then lay down the footprints of the buildings we will be able sit back and watch these babies rise from the ground.

This single area will have more regeneration that most towns!

totally unrecognisable.......

Biosonic are these towers even in Birmingham? ;)

I thinks its gonna be in the holloway circus area

He didnt say no to that did he, umm Interesting, maybe he has been sleeping with the head of Cala and his told them how impatient we all are on SSC and they've decided to help us out.

Good going Bio :applause:

Biosonic are these towers even in Birmingham? ;)

...they're in Kidderminster and 250m tall :laugh:

And I wouldn't sleep with the head of Cala Homes - I would go for a more classy company, lol

:)

...they're in Kidderminster and 250m tall :laugh:

And I wouldn't sleep with the head of Cala Homes - I would go for a more classy company, lol

:)

Lol - you're telling me there are classy construction companies in Birmingham? :hahaha:

Oh and about Kidderminster - they could do with a few more highrises, hopefully they are built on the aggborough pitch, save the locals from any more rubbish ;)

again no denial about holloway circus,

ssshhhhh!! BC we dont wanna jinx it though, lol

The colour scheme of Masshouse is poor i think, it just makes Mclaren (hopefully it will have some form of external work done) look even worse, But as we've seen with Soutside lets see what the first resi tower looks like in the flesh.

The massing of the buildings is great and along with the other schemes around it will give it some impressive scale when you come into New Street Station.

Weren't the City Park Gate scheme masterplan meant to have submitted by now????

new hoardings went up this week with some renderings on them.

http://tinypic.com/awthqx.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awthyo.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awti55.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awtero.jpg

The first block is steadily rising and steels for the second block on the end are going up too but I forgot to take pics of them :bash:

http://tinypic.com/awtk6s.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awtkc7.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awtjih.jpg

http://tinypic.com/awu7fq.jpg

great pictures....

....i know this might sound silly but even though its not that tall, i absolutley love this scheme and think it will have a much bigger impact on you city experiences than a single tower like HCT could ever........ also when people come and visit this area, they will know they are in a worl class city...


.....this is almst the perfect go between with schemes like the postbox and the HCT!!!!

....also ive noticed its starting to loko quite dominant on the surounding area.....

...also good to see that the water featre is still in the designs!

Wow really startin to take shape, looking good.

http://tinypic.com/awthyo.jpg


where does this walkway lead to ? towards the pic that is. A dead end ? McLaren ?

its looking away from mcclaren, at the bottom will turn left and you will be at millenium point.

the only problem i have is the whiteness of the building. i can see that getting dirty really quick. also while the design of the offices is nice the apartments building just looks poor

I love this scheme, my favourite out of everything going on in Birmingham at the moment - this area is gonna look amazing. It really is starting to rise isnt it? :yes:

Oh and the lowest residential tower has 15 floors not 14 so thats another plus to it, only another 6 to go but already looks massive.

Do you know why I love this scheme so much, its because its so continental. It has so many balconies you can already get a feel for the place, and when City Park Gate, Martineau Galleries and Eastside are all complete this part of the city is gonna be my favourite part by a long way;)

Just look at thid picture. McClaren wont be visable when the LOWEST residential tower is at full height from this angle, thats how huge this scheme is - P.S Pirlo, Id rather have white materials that are easy to clean then, brown concrete ;) :cheers1:

http://tinypic.com/awu7fq.jpg

it is a tryuly brilliant scheme, one of the best in the country if i say so myself!

Some pictures taken from Mclaren of Masshouse and Eastside

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/construction/02CH0805_274.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/construction/02CH0805_247.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/construction/02CH0805_256.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/construction/02CH0805_241.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/construction/02CH0805_267.jpg

"P.S Pirlo, Id rather have white materials that are easy to clean then, brown concrete"

too true, i just hope they maintain the buildng well which i trust they will

wow, those are stunning pic's from I-O-B.
You can see he walkway between the buildings appearing

wow, they must be building the court complex at the same time.....it must be the bottom building in the rendering, I wander when the flats are released, if they sell quickly they will start the second, larger apartment block sooner rather than later

i was thinking that too looking at the picture but as far as i am aware when they applied for pp, they only aplied for one of the towers!

wow, they must be building the court complex at the same time.....it must be the bottom building in the rendering, I wander when the flats are released, if they sell quickly they will start the second, larger apartment block sooner rather than later

What's happening to the old Magistrates court? And are they replacing that rather non-descript 80 Crown Court?

....well all i know is that its be8ing turned into some very VERY expensive flats!!!!

hi, the old magistrates court is being kept open, so i was told and also the eightys complex this is an addition....and comes from a reorganisation of courts across the west midlands, not just brum

its the methodist hall thats being conversted to flats, i would have thought it impossible to convert the Ingress and Bell magistrates courts as they are Grade 1 listed and built specifically as a court, with cells and courts and soem offices ?

i'll eat my hat if they turn it into flats x

lol...would make a wicked museum though dont you think?!?!?

Hi folks! I'm new here.

Just curious, the grassed areas between Masshouse and Curzon St Station....

Have they just done that to smarten them up before something else is built? Or is this the first part of the new Park?

^^Nice username... :laugh:

yep great museum, it would be great as anything, but i understand the building design is so specific that it would be very difficult to convert to anything else.....and its grade 1 * which adds to the difficulty

Hi folks! I'm new here.

Just curious, the grassed areas between Masshouse and Curzon St Station....

Have they just done that to smarten them up before something else is built? Or is this the first part of the new Park?


Alright mate, yeah were pretty sure its a temporary thing. it was the site marked for the new library, but thats looking unlikly at the moment.

yep great museum, it would be great as anything, but i understand the building design is so specific that it would be very difficult to convert to anything else.....and its grade 1 * which adds to the difficulty

What about a Museum about Courts/Criminal Justice?

Totally agree would make a great museum or art gallery, let the public enjoy the building rather than just those who can afford expensive apartments, which can be built anywhere.

A few construction pics from today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/MasshouseAug27th2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/MasshouseAug272005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Masshouse27thAug2005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Masshouse27Aug2005.jpg

goign well, it would seem that instead of doing each floor at once, they build two floors and then they extend the length of the building!

looks quite large in this pic..... another 5 floors..nice!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction/Masshouse27Aug2005.jpg

really flying up, aint it. it should be visable from st.andrews now

no doubt it!

A couple from today..getting quite interesting around here..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/midgeblackandwhite/Picturefile624.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/midgeblackandwhite/Picturefile623.jpg

whta iformation can they give u in a text?!?!?!?!?

Suck it and see.

Pfft, not a lot.

"Sales suite opening autumn, contact Knight Frank 01212002220 to register your interest."

Great. Cheers.

lol, haha, THAT COST YOU 10P

I'll take a pound of flesh from your thigh in payment if ever I bump into you down Barnes Hill weoley castle boy!

ooooooooh, shame i dont live anywhere near there lol!

Barcode bastard! I hope you fall in the tyne!

(i wuv you really woodentop :hug:)

I noticed Maclean are building something in a shop unit at the base of 10 brindleyplace on Broad Street

the building is occupied in full by RBS, who happen to be involved with Masshouse

I reckon this could be the marketing suite : high profile location next to Sainsbury's

2 more floors of metalwork were being put in place when I watched from my train this morning. Also, anybody been to the Drive-In Cinema yet? Looks fantastic especially at night with the illuminated globes - I'll put in a link next.

yeah saw that from the train coming back from london, looks funky, is it permanent ?

where is it?

somewhere in eastside

Just thought I'd add a couple more masterplanning pics from Edward Cullinan's website...

http://www.edwardcullinanarchitects.com/projects/business/img/e_masshouse_f4.jpg

http://www.edwardcullinanarchitects.com/projects/business/img/e_masshouse_f3.jpg

Bootiful!

My name is Masshouse and I kick everyones butt because my gang all with fat arses and sexy blue cladding are gonna look the bomb ... I got some buddies coming aswell in a bit, yeh MG crew,tall bastards, slick and sexy and then CPG are gonna bulk up the southern half of my chip chewy, gonna be unbreakable Ill tell you, we can take on that Beetham up north, he aint nothing compared to us 11 bastards ...

Ok... im off the drugs ;)

How odd! :)

better than anything 50 cent ever says!!!

I noticed today they ahve already starting cladding the bottom of the block, it looks like bands of white stone and black granite !!!

Do the exclamation marks mean that is a good or a bad thing? Of course i'm hoping it's a good thing.

Also, anybody been to the Drive-In Cinema yet? Looks fantastic especially at night with the illuminated globes

I've been and it is impressive. Managed to blag my way in by pretending to be a T Mobile customer on their website. Sadly, I got sussed the second time when I tried to get into the premier of the Dukes of Hazzard. Can you believe the bastards wouldn't let me in! The drive in is only temporary but if it's successful then they have the option to extend it's operation. When the sun's setting the Birmingham skyline looks amazing from here but all the pics I took came out shit. The drive in is on the big vacant Post Office site opposite millienium point. If they ever get round to building the park it will afford spectacular views of the city though I think I'd enjoy them more from a library roof top garden.

Register for drive in movie thrills & spills and slightly forced corporate entertainment on here http://www.t-mobile-campaign.co.uk/street/home.php

Blurry pic but you can see it's quite a big mad max style setup
http://tinypic.com/dlns0i.jpg

There was space for 60 cars (I think) but there was probably about 20 when I went
http://tinypic.com/dlnu3t.jpg

Blue cladding. Perfect.

i thought it looked cheap from one angle, but then as the car turned the corner the sun reflected off the granite and it looked very nice x so overall think it will look stunning when completed x

Thanks for those Fox.

I've been and it is impressive. Managed to blag my way in by pretending to be a T Mobile customer on their website. Sadly, I got sussed the second time when I tried to get into the premier of the Dukes of Hazzard.
It's shocking that it's only for T-mobile customers. This is a great idea (can't be many drive-in cinemas in the UK), a great addition to B'ham's list of attractions and a great way for T-mobile to attract new customers - charge them to get in, bombard them with ads - perfect!

Trouble at the cinema the other night.
Click here for pic and information
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_objectid=15950011%26method=full%26siteid=50002%26headline=fireworks%2dhorror%2dat%2ddrive%2din%2dcinema-name_page.html

i disagree i didnt like the cladding it looks cheap , hopefully i'm wrong and once its all completed it'l look better

Oh god no.....

Drove past Masshouse today, and they appear to be attatching nasty painted metal cladding to the outside! :eek2: Please tell me it's temporary! It looks horrid!

Please describe :(

Where are they attaching it? What colour? What does it look like?

it white andparts of it are being painted black, this does look like the main cladding , and it does i'm sorry to say look cheap and nasty

Sound dodgy. Any danger of a picture?

I wouldn't imagine this is the cladding as they're only 2/3 the way through putting up the steel work

It would be unusual to paint cladding - most cladding is self-coloured or will have another material placed over it, so I am hopeful this is just a base material for render to go over (or something).

And Foxtrot has a point - if it was cladding it would be the top layer, and that's not a good idea considering how much it would get knocked about.

If it's being painted black, I'd have thought that's a water/weather proofing sealant - so something will the go on top of that.

The cladding is definitely "the cladding" and it's not being painted because it's polycarbonate like every other skin they put on buildings today. It looks ok. The "black" is the dark blue and it's not cheap and nasty, just modern. It's on the flat face that faces inwards and it's covering about 4 floors and goes about halfway across. I saw it tonight. Also, saw MBC lit up and it looks fantastic.

I'll be there Sunday so I'll get some pics

Also, saw MBC lit up and it looks fantastic.

It must be a good lighting job then MSP.I don't think too much of the bulding.

MBC, already attracting a lot of idiots in that part of town

MBC, already attracting a lot of idiots in that part of town

Do you mean students Pirlo,or low-life in general? :)

http://tinypic.com/dz85rs.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz85ya.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz867t.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz86eu.jpg

http://tinypic.com/dz87tg.jpg

It's definately the external finish. The pics don't show it very well but it does look quite smart

yes, when i saw it i was quite impressed....its not painted concrete as i think someone said earlier but its more like a shiny marble.... i lake it, good quality cladding that ISN'T glass!

Quote:
Originally Posted by pirlo_21
MBC, already attracting a lot of idiots in that part of town


"Do you mean students Pirlo,or low-life in general?"

the low lifes who only go college for the sake of it, graffiti in that area in town has increased

Been through town today, and it looks like that they are making modifications to the silly bus mall at last!

The disused bus stops have been ripped up, and the temporary red & white blocks have gone.

Any ideas on what they are going to do with it?

A drag racing strip?

Meaning a series of drag queens get frocked up, make up done etc and sashay up the mall as fast as poss. The first one to masshouse gets a babycham and a packet of B&H

Meaning a series of drag queens get frocked up, make up done etc and sashay up the mall as fast as poss. The first one to masshouse gets a babycham and a packet of B&H

:laugh: I have an image in my head now!

Probably cause a lot less traffic disruption than the buses do!

From what I can make out, the central lane up the middle is to allow buses coming out for the centre (Dale End) to turn right and go through the tunnel under the Bullring and out the city centre in a SW direction.
I assume TWM have some sort of master plan for bus routes, which will probably all change once Martineau Galleries is under way. :doh:

On the whole, though, I like the separate carriageways created for the buses.
It means cars don't get held-up by buses waiting at bus stops and buses don't get held-up in the long queues of cars. Complete separation of different commuters, and everybody's happy. :)

Masshouse from today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouse20thOct05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/Robdann/Construction%202/Masshouse20thOct2005.jpg

:drool:

This is amazing! I love it! And so big! And to think that the Masshouse offices will rise behind this! Mmmmm - stripey...

Great pics Smiley! :)

certainly imposing!

yep noticed it last weekend - it has an impact already (and theats the baby building)

its certainly inspiring knowing that this is the smallest building on the entire scheme lol

awww the little baby building, that doesn't seem baby it looks like a blimming beast. I love this prject it's beautiful, I can't wait until the shity car park across it gets ripped up and the Office Towers shoot up. WAHEY let the good times roll

awww the little baby building, that doesn't seem baby it looks like a blimming beast. I love this prject it's beautiful, I can't wait until the shity car park across it gets ripped up and the Office Towers shoot up. WAHEY let the good times roll

Yes... I think it will look great when it is all completed and Toys r us is finally gone!! The "baby" building certainly seems a lot bigger than I envisaged it would look, which is very encouraging.

Glad they are finally sorting that "bus mall" fiasco out too...although I will hold my breath to see what it is replaced with. It astounds me that they created it in the firstplace without realising that it wouldn't work, I mean, don't they do feasibility studies for these things?? if they do, i hope whoever has doen it has been sacked!!

I never realized how huge the whole scheme is.

Ok lads dont want you to wet your pants or anything but just imagine that with another 11 taller towers around it all next to one another :runaway: Its a delightful thought ;)

Ok lads dont want you to wet your pants or anything but just imagine that with another 11 taller towers around it all next to one another :runaway: Its a delightful thought ;)

I know, you realise that when your standing next to it.....and that's gonna be the smallest one.

It didn't look that big in the pictures, till I noticed the single decker buses were in fact Double Deckers, it's huuuge!

Its a shame that in a few years thats gonna be blocked by City Park Gate though ....

Is it fuck, build um all now, block what ever you want, I want density ;)

wow, that's looking good. imposing. :)

http://tinypic.com/fcip3r.jpg

Looking Impressive....good angle Foxy, I see you caught the blue skies earlier on. If it wasn't for the Villa match I'd have probably tracked into town myself. Wish I had now :(

I would have got some more shots but I got trapped in the square peg. May get some more tomorrow after I've been to the NEC :)

Not a good day was it, couldn't have been much worse. Even Gillingham got beaten by Bursclough. who(?) :no:

I like the curve

I like the curve

There are plenty more curves to come

And that's the small one! Going up fast isn't it?

thats looking massive!
and thats only the small one


it really makes that part of town bulk out - and it when its done it will feel like your in the city centre rather than on the outskirts of the centre

Very imposing it is a very exciting project in Birmingham lets hope it may hold onto the survival of Eastside so dearly that Eastside prevails...........

Fan-bloody-tastic :)

bio, your in a very talkative mood today aint u?

Me? Talkative? No!

Just beating away those Monday blues really. Haven't been on for a while (fed up of EB)

right, ok. has anyone noticed how shite the mcclaren building looks. is it gonna get a reclad or something? (large explosive device even). i really think a turd coloured lego block as the pinnacle of masshouse would kinda put a downer on things.

I've always liked Mclaren, it's just a great big slab of browness reaching upwards though it now does look like a pile of shite that desperately needs recladding....which of course it will. That tile cladding down the sides.......bleughhh!

I remember the first Masshouse renderings showed a nice, shiny McLaren. Later renderings show a dull, brown McLaren, so I guess nothing's happening in the near future :(

Hoody's favourite weren't it? :crazy:

well dont forget next month they start work next to mclaren building the first of the giant office buildings

well dont forget next month they start work next to mclaren building the first of the giant office buildings

Really? I hadn't heard that before.

If that's true then it's really good news.

i thought they were considering a spring 2006 start on the office block, along with ballymore's snowhill and smithfield in digbeth.......dont hold your breath on any of these actually starting in spring

thats from experience not negativity xx

There will be a couple of things to keep us talking soon, I am sure... ;)

....me too lol

.....and I'll restart my photographing again in the New Year. 2006 is going to be a busy one :)

i hope so, just met a visitor to the city from Belgium. He had not been to Birmingham in about 12 years and was very impressed with the city, he loved the Bullring, and judging by the amount of shopping bags he had, has boosted trade no end. He did not have a bad word to say about the city and looked forward to coming back sooner x

i thought they were considering a spring 2006 start on the office block, along with ballymore's snowhill and smithfield in digbeth.......dont hold your breath on any of these actually starting in spring

thats from experience not negativity xx

nope i was told by a reliable source ON-SITE that they would begin in january

Just a quick question, on the designs towards the bottom of the masshouse site it slopes down to steps and then to road across towards millennium point. To me the structure at bottom, when you come round bus is very high and there would need to be a lot of steps to link down to road.

Has anyone noticed this, or is this going to change.

nope i was told by a reliable source ON-SITE that they would begin in january
I remember somebody saying the developer wanted to construct the apartments first, and the construction the offices would be dependent on their success in selling the apartments.
It's possible they've had a good response from property investors and so have brought the construction of the other buildings forward. :)

Just a quick question, on the designs towards the bottom of the masshouse site it slopes down to steps and then to road across towards millennium point. To me the structure at bottom, when you come round bus is very high and there would need to be a lot of steps to link down to road.

Has anyone noticed this, or is this going to change.
From what I remember of the renders released back in the summer I think there will be a walkway, with steps, down the centre of the development. The renders showed balconies, a bit like the one overlooking St Martins in the Bullring. I assumed there would be steps (and I guess a ramp) to link the different levels.

From what I remember of the renders released back in the summer I think there will be a walkway, with steps, down the centre of the development. The renders showed balconies, a bit like the one overlooking St Martins in the Bullring. I assumed there would be steps (and I guess a ramp) to link the different levels.

Yeah - I think there is a cascade of steps and large landings/squares running through the development - it's gonna be v cool :)

I remember somebody saying the developer wanted to construct the apartments first, and the construction the offices would be dependent on their success in selling the apartments.

Some offices will be going ahead as this is the site of the new, larger law courts, and office demand is high. You are right though - they are waiting and seeing before committing to the whole development (esp with the 2nd apartment block).

i thought they were considering a spring 2006 start on the office block, along with ballymore's snowhill and smithfield in digbeth.......dont hold your breath on any of these actually starting in spring

thats from experience not negativity xx

nope i was told by a reliable source ON-SITE that they would begin in january

now thats good news x

Seeing this in the flesh for the first time, this building looks huge!!! can't believe there will be bigger buildings around it :eek2:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture004.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture002.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture003.jpg

Great photo's I always knew Masshouse was gonna be something special, its on such a huge scale. and to think its only half the size of the Curzon park masterplan and the towers themselves are also smaller - Eastside, is gonna be one major impressive area of our city.

6 towers bigger then this in the same scheme - :runaway:

And as you can see, City Park Gate should add a pinnacle to this part of the area.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=291139

Looking good.

Though i wish it had more glass, but it should look a bit less bland when they put in the balconeys.

Certainly looks a lot better than I feared. CHeers for the pics Dee :)

Looking good.

Though i wish it had more glass, but it should look a bit less bland when they put in the balconeys.


Theres enough glass in the office buildings, however when the balconies go up, I agree it will give it that extra ummph. But I love it.

I really like this project. Think it was really smart to start with the smallest building in the scheme but also it's the furthest into Eastside so when you have a walk down by Millenium point you get a great effect.. really makes you feel that Eastside has really started. Though i think we'll have to wait a few more years to judge.. say by when the park has finished i think we will be in a position to see if it really opens up the east of city as the plan says it should.. whatever happend to the eastside web site anyway?

its been shut down

good pics dee, looks quite American

i have to admit i am so impressed by the design and scale of this scheme...... it will be a very impressive and welcome high-rise gateway!

It's looking good now - lets see what a couple or three years of grime do to it. Hopefully nothing much - its looking rather impressive.

It looks to be mad of similar materials to Centenary Plaza and that is weathering quite well (even if they are having problems internally....)

It is a grand peice of "art"... It is imposing... Beauitful.. Modern... Big... The cladding (which some of you was worring about) is great... I saw it Wednesday.. It is amazingly imposing and the one I saw as the baby one....!!!! Imagine the when it is all done... It will be Breath-Taking...

The size of the tower certainly took me by surprise they look much bigger in reality than the movies and renders suggested, in the old renders the top few floors were going to have all glass facades which would have been great along with multicoloured balconies but sadly on the new Masshouse website the latest designs have both these features omitted. The top sections of the residential tower will be the same as CP which i'm not fond of. Hopefully this isn't the case but we shall see i guess.

I took this pic today whilst i was out. Personally i like the building, it's a stark contrast to what surrounds it. As has already been said, when the balconies are on and its finished form can be seen it will look much better.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/Masshouse-1.jpg

I LOVE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE IN THE BACKGROUND ON THE LEFT

I LOVE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE IN THE BACKGROUND ON THE LEFT

I like it also, and it was about time MBTC abandoned that great lump on Sherlock Street that they were in and built their new college. What a damned awfully depressing place to try to educate people in.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/MBTC-Masshouse.jpg

I thought that was the little one of the main building, the one where the courts were going to be, not the one that's set at 90 degrees, which looking at the renders is even smaller than the one I thought it was going to be.

Which just goes to show how big this project is going to be..

Put it this way, when the next residential block go's up, you want be able to see the top of it in that last picture :runaway:

Nice pics.Looking good.

Does anybody have any clear idea of the timetable for the rest of this development?

Specifically which building is due to start next?

The 2nd residential - Offices to start late 2006 early 2007

Why the huge delay? that's a year away.

A woman in the marketing suite told me the larger, second residential block (around 370 dwellings) will only start when the first have been sold

The 2nd residential - Offices to start late 2006 early 2007

Ok that's interesting cause it suggests to me that the pedestrian areas through the middle of the site might be opening too once the second residential is complete.. (2007?) as it would make sense to open the route through to eastside before the whole development was complete...

It also suggests that the existing residential block must be attracting a lot of interest.. maybe people see it as a good investment opportunity... Get in on phase one and see capital appretiation on your investment from the whole area being redeveloped arround you.

well just to let you know, as a result of the residential climate and the high demand for office space in the city, im sure mclean decided to convfert the 2nd residential phase into offices!

^^I thought they were just switching an office block to 2nd phase? If they convert a resi block to offices there will be a massive redesign due to incorrect floor heights, and they would have to re-apply for planning wouldn't they?

It woudl make more sense to move the resi block down the schedule of building and make a start on one of the office blocks.

All indications are it is an office block next though, and Macleans are recruiting for the Masshouse development too :)

In other words.. We don't realllllly knoooow!

The only building i thought that could become anything was that block at the bottom corner of this pic,

http://tinypic.com/ildb94.jpg

It might be a hotel but the developers were open minded dependant on marketing conditions and how well the scheme went. I am suprised if the second resi tower does become a office block, the scheme will look out of balance in a way, the towers themsevles are ok but what makes it work for me is the grouping of them together.

wel as far as i am aware when they designed the towers they were did this to allow them to change the land use.......

this building does exceeds expectations. It looks so grand standig alone ! However I think the grandiosity of this block would go once the adjuscent buildings pop up. Then this place might perhaps look more like the Brindleyplace..

Well, we know the courts are going there aswell, so my bet is that either the stand-alone blue/green office block is next, or if they have sufficient demand the 3 linked office blocks on the right will go up. Or Dee could be right with the one one the end (but that would surely be dependent on having a single tenant?)

They'll all go ahead because I would guess that planning was given for the whole development. :)

well you'll have outline plannning permission for the entire site....which was approved late 2002 early 2003 i believe and then each individual building will have to do in for detailled planning permission....and assuming that the individual buildings are similar to the ones in the outline documanet, then this shuld not take very long....few months at most.

Well, we know the courts are going there aswell, so my bet is that either the stand-alone blue/green office block is next, or if they have sufficient demand the 3 linked office blocks on the right will go up. Or Dee could be right with the one one the end (but that would surely be dependent on having a single tenant?)

They'll all go ahead because I would guess that planning was given for the whole development. :)

Are the law courts a replacement for the big brown courts adjacent to the masshouse site?

If so, thank god we'll finally get rid of that vile building.

If not, then.... shit!

no, those arent the courts being reloacted...the courts that will b moved to masshouse areones curently of steel house lane...... and that magnificent building will be turning into apartments

^^ It's the Que Club that's turning into apartments - I didn't think the law courts had been decided yet?

It wouldn't surprise me if we see a museum or hotel or something here - anything but apartments (it is Grade 1 listed isn't it? No significant internal changes?

Ok, thanks for the info, shame the main courts aren't going, someting much more worth while could go on that site.

i think a museum would be a wicked idea....we need more in birmingham!!!

a mueseum of what though???

A museum? damn this area's suppose to be fun. I propose a giant play area.

a giant bouncy castle

a mueseum of what though???

god, you peole have no appreciation of history.

that building is hundreds of years od and has been a court for its entire life....imagine all the cases it has heard..... horrid murders, fraud, terrorism .....now im sorry, i think the history of the building itself would be something to marvel at.......

why does every think its has to be another art gallery lol..... a museum can be for anythin....trust me, the penis museum in reykjavik was truly amazing......

MUSEUM MUSEUM MUSUEM.......!!!

I'm sure I read somewhere that the old building is being retained for use as court space of some sort but I can't remember the details (or where I read it).

a mueseum of what though???

what about Birminghams Pen History, once the greatest manufacturer of pens in the world from gold plated osmiroids to swan factory, many patents including a machine that revolutionized steel knib manufacture bringing affordable pens to the poor of the world and encouraging literacy... there is already a pen museum but it is small, then again... what about a mobile phone shop.

wouldn't a pen museum be better situated in the JQ

Like this one ?

http://www.penroom.co.uk :)

CH

I'm sure I read somewhere that the old building is being retained for use as court space of some sort but I can't remember the details (or where I read it).I recall in the Post something about how they would keep it as a court and just build some more at Masshouse

^^Well that would be the best option, seeing it was designed as a court :)

Failing that, they need something that would pull in the crowds so they can appreciate what a fine building it is too. Industrial Heritage Museum? Museum of Birmingham (with everything from Cadbury's to British Leyland, the Spitfire and Birds Custard?) Modern Art gallery? MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE???

^^Well that would be the best option, seeing it was designed as a court :)

Failing that, they need something that would pull in the crowds so they can appreciate what a fine building it is too. Industrial Heritage Museum? Museum of Birmingham (with everything from Cadbury's to British Leyland, the Spitfire and Birds Custard?) Modern Art gallery? MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE???

the BMAG doe the birmingham history thing....personally i think its time the two seperate

Just a lil something to hopefully clear a few things up (although might have changed since published) :cheers1:


By early 2006, work may begin on the first office element of the Masshouse/Eastside scheme in Birmingham. Site seven of the giant development could provide up to 46,451 sq m (500,000 sq ft) of office space and a detailed planning application is currently being submitted. The office element could begin in six months time. At present the only things happening at Masshouse is a base car park and the residential scheme on site three, along with the legal complex for West Midlands Magistrates Court Committee.

thats old news

Pirlo, we know but there was a bit of confusion earlier on in this thread about which phase was to start next.

sorry

I took this shot as i passed by this morning, the more i see this building the more i like it. They have started to put the glass in now on the Maclaren end showing the finished lines of the structure, very nice me thinks.

CH

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/cargohold/masshousesun.jpg

Beautiful - it's almost like a cruise liner :)

look at that sunset

sunrise mr ?

Its hard to explain what the density of this area is gonna be like. It seems City Park Gate is currently gonna be the pinnacle but this scheme is my favourite in Birmingham since the Bullring. Its fantastic and a great picture.

yep. think ive metioned it before....but its already making an impact from st.andy's!!

just frustrating that the other towers aren't rising yet.

Its hard to explain what the density of this area is gonna be like. It seems City Park Gate is currently gonna be the pinnacle but this scheme is my favourite in Birmingham since the Bullring. Its fantastic and a great picture.

Maybe it's time for a development map BC. :cheers:

Maybe it's time for a development map BC. :cheers:

If someone can find me a good size map or aerial to do it on I'll be more then happy :cheers1:

I recall in the Post something about how they would keep it as a court and just build some more at Masshouse

Sounds plausible. From what I gather, the Crown Court is short of space, and about half of the VLC is much better set out inside for being a Crown Court than being the Magistrates' Court, so it would make sense their taking some of it back. Then there's always the idea of moving the County Court out of Lewis's.

The building which will be of very little use is the current WMMCC Secretariat building (the former County Court) on the other side of Newton St. With the bureaucrats being taken inside the LCD in London, there'll be a very fine building with the Youth Court in one end, and tons of empty space.

Latest pics of the resi tower


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Derekksharmen/Picture111.jpg