The city of Worcester is due to replicate the great Alexandria Tower which stood at over 400ft but on a smaller scale. It will stand next to the County Cricket ground and Worcester racecourse and a several hundred meters away from the famous Worcester Cathedral and Glovers Needle.

Wow! Worcester waterfront will connect people and places

Three new bridges, a landmark public square and a lighthouse are among the key features of an ambitious £25m project unveiled today by Worcester City Council.

The plan to rejuvenate the riverside and ‘connect people and places’ is deliberately bold and imaginative as it will be competing against around 150 projects nationwide for a share of £140m available through the National Lottery’s Living Landmarks initiative. The bid is being made jointly with Worcestershire County Council and is the first major initiative since the recently signed city:council agreement which aims to ensure a high quality built and natural environment in the city.

Speaking at the launch of the bid Worcester City Council’s Chief Executive David Wareing said: “The River Severn has sometimes been viewed as something that divides, rather then unites Worcester. But we believe we can create an environment that draws people to the waterfront areas and helps them to see the river not just as something to cross but as a something to celebrate.”

“The river is already a landmark and water is the embodiment of life so we feel uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Living Landmark programme and create a long-lasting legacy for the city and riverside areas. The bidding local authorities are being encouraged to submit unusual and imaginative applications. Projects need to have a ‘Wow Factor’ if they are to have any chance of success and we certainly feel that our plans have that something special about them,” added Wareing.

http://www.cityofworcester.gov.uk/information/images/wow1.jpg

http://www.cityofworcester.gov.uk/information/images/barbourne.jpg

http://www.cityofworcester.gov.uk/information/images/wow2.jpg

The new foot / cycle bridges are pencilled in for the north at Gheluvelt Park to the south at Diglis Basin and in the central area near the Cathedral, while the new public space outside the planned new library will be designed to be used in a variety of ways all-year round for example it could double up as an amphitheatre in the summer and as an ice rink in the winter. On the western Quayside there are proposals to build a spectacular ‘light house’ which would offer a 360° views across the river and surrounding areas.

A major ‘gateway’ feature at Sidbury adjacent to the proposed Worcester Porcelain development and The Commandery will open up new views of the canal and improve pedestrian access. The detailed plans currently being drawn up also include provision for pathway improvements, enhanced signage and lighting and better mooring facilities along the river and canalside.

“These are exciting times for Worcester,” said Council Leader Stephen Inman. “A renaissance of the city is well and truly underway with the major developments proposed for a range of uses at sites such as the former Ronkswood Hospital and Lowesmoor Trading Estate and of course the expansion of the university is a great boost. The bid which we are undertaking with our partners at the county council will breathe life into the waterfront areas. It is unashamedly bold and if we could pull it off it would be a major coup for the city. To this end I hope that the public will support the bid and we welcome their views and opinions on what we are proposing.”

Over the next few weeks there will be a series of consultations with members of the public and the council will also be encouraging residents to express their views on its website.

The Living Landmarks initiative is a one-off scheme and only six applicants will be successful, each being awarded approximately £25m. The council’s bid has to be submitted in January and will discover in April if it has made it through the first wave of selections.

The Alexandria Lighthouse Tower

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed between 285 and 247 B.C. The entire structure was about 400 feet tall including the base. It was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1300’s. The light on the top could be seen for 35 miles out at sea. Fuel was taken to the top by horse drawn carriages on ramps. There was a mirror on the top of the Lighthouse that was probably made of bronze that reflected the light.

http://www.greece.org/alexandria/pharos/pharos1.jpg

The Lighthouse was built under the reign of Ptolemy Soter but was finished under his son Ptolemy the second. Out of all the 7 wonders it was the only one that was used daily and it was the only one that had a practical use. It was the tallest of the 7 wonders. It was also the tallest most magnifcent lighthouse of all time.

http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/7wonders/pharos/lighthouse3.jpeg

So impressive was ancient Egypt's building efforts over the pharaonic period that it commanded two wonders of the ancient world. One, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built near the beginning of Egyptian history, while the second, Seventh Wonder was mostly built by one of Egypt's last pharaohs, Ptolemy I Sorter, though he died prior to its completion. While the first still stands, the latter was destroyed, almost certainly by an earthquake. This was Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria, which of the vanished wonders of the ancient world, was the last built and the last to remain standing.

http://touregypt.net/featurestories/pharos2.jpg

http://touregypt.net/featurestories/pharos9.jpg

http://www.users.bigpond.com/MSN/gary_fletcher/pharos5.jpg

http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/rs/7lighthouse.gif

http://www.img.cs.titech.ac.jp/~kyota/Lighthouse.jpg

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/images/PharosDali2.jpg

Im a bit dissappointed nobody has replied to this. Just because its not in Birmingham doesnt mean you cant have a say. If you dont remember Birmingham use to be part of Worcestershire, this is a city 20 minutes away in the car and one of the most famous ones in the West Midlands.

Tourists to Worcester will more then likely bring tourists to Birmingham. Its big news trying to replicate an ancient wonder. infact they suggest you will be able to see the lighthouse over 25 miles away. Now those lucky people in the Hyatt or HCT will be able to locate Worcester alot easier then ever before.

Rumours suggest the Lighthouse is to be 70m tall.

its cool and will certainly be an improvement in that area, hopefully it goes without an hitch

its cool and will certainly be an improvement in that area, hopefully it goes without an hitch


Well thats the good bit, it got 97% backing by the public apparently.

the other 3% is probaly the standard NIMBYS

Building Design Partneship have been selected to design the new campus for University College Worcester :)

Birminghamculture, where on earth in the article you posted does it mention the Pharos lighthouse? it just says "Lighthouse". You twonk! Even if they were going to copy the Pharos (which the article quoted mentions nothing about), I think it would be a daft idea. Why not come up with something original instead of doing a Blackpool in copying the you know what. What next, a statue of Liberty, a 90m tall copy of Stone Henge?

If you do have an article that mentions the Pharos and Worcester in the same breath, could you please link it in, otherwise people will think that you are telling porkies.

Birminghamculture, where on earth in the article you posted does it mention the Pharos lighthouse? it just says "Lighthouse". You twonk! Even if they were going to copy the Pharos (which the article quoted mentions nothing about), I think it would be a daft idea.

If you do have an article that mentions the Pharos and Worcester in the same breath, could you please link it in, otherwise people will think that you are telling porkies.

Oh dear! Its been mentioned in the local papers mate. I love Worcester but it aint exactly a thriving place for developments. I dont know why you feel such an urge to be such a twat, but obviously it suits your lifestyle.

P.S The scheme last week was sent in for the lottery funding.

Why not come up with something original instead of doing a Blackpool in copying the you know what. What next, a statue of Liberty, a 90m tall copy of Stone Henge?

Is it just me or are you taking this scheme way to personally? Did you build the feckin Pharos Lighthouse or something? :doh: Alot of things are replicated, Las Vegas being an obvious suggestion. A small city 30 miles south west of Birmingham plans a lighthouse in relation of the ancient wonder that was the Pharos Tower and you become all aggrivated like a little 6 month old baby who's just shat himself.

Oh dear! Its been mentioned in the local papers mate. I love Worcester but it aint exactly a thriving place for developments. I dont know why you feel such an urge to be such a twat, but obviously it suits your lifestyle.

P.S The scheme last week was sent in for the lottery funding.



Is it just me or are you taking this scheme way to personally? Did you build the feckin Pharos Lighthouse or something? :doh: Alot of things are replicated, Las Vegas being an obvious suggestion. A small city 30 miles south west of Birmingham plans a lighthouse in relation of the ancient wonder that was the Pharos Tower and you become all aggrivated like a little 6 month old baby who's just shat himself.


WTF are you babbling on about? Wouldn't expect anything less from you however. I ask a simple question about the lack of reference to the Pharos in the article, and question the lack of originality, and you go off on this shite spouting spree to divvy land!

If it has been in the local papers, why do you quote an article that doesn't mention anthing about the Pharos, but rather a "Lighthouse"? Bit strange in a thread about Worcester building a copy of the Pharos isn't it?

And I simply do not like copying things for the sake of it. It's lazy and it's tacky! Can't people come up with original architecture nowadays? The idea of a lighthouse is fine, but to recreate the Pharos is a folly, madness. Wonder why Portsmouth didn't go for that option when building their lovely millenium observation tower?

And WTF has Las Vegas and Worcester got in comon?

You're a total moron!

BORING :sleepy:

If you dont remember Birmingham use to be part of Worcestershire, this is a city 20 minutes away in the car and one of the most famous ones in the West Midlands. Actually, the main part of Birmingham was a part of Warwickshire until 1974. Suburbs like Harborne were in Worcestershire, I believe.

Thanks for this info though on this project in Worcester birminghamculture! I hope this tower does go ahead and I'll keep a close eye on it. I'd like to think I may be able to see it from the back of my house (we can see the Malvern Hills from here) even if it is just a tiny dot. :yes:

Actually, the main part of Birmingham was a part of Warwickshire until 1974. Suburbs like Harborne were in Worcestershire, I believe.



Didn't know Harborne was once in Worcestershire, but Edgbaston was most definitly Warwickshire. Rather ironic however that's it's not now of course what with Warwickshire county cricket club being there and all.

Didn't know Harborne was once in Worcestershire, but Edgbaston was most definitly Warwickshire. Rather ironic however that's it's not now of course what with Warwickshire county cricket club being there and all.If you look at old maps of Birmingham, the dotted line of Worcs/Warks runs around and through the suburbs so Edgbaston and Harborne etc were probably in two different counties.

I do KNOW that just up the road in what is now Sandwell, Oldbury was Worcestershire and next door neighbour West Bromwich was in Staffordshire. The Birmingham area really was a meeting point of counties up until 1974 when it became just one!

BORING :sleepy:

You must be one of the most immature posters on this site, classed along with:

EarlyBird
Leeds No.1
Liverpolitan
Sloyne

Have you got absolutely no valuable points to make?

I'll ask you again, could you please post an article that actually mentions this lighthouse in Worcester as being a replication of the Pharos? Or are you just making it up?

As far as I can make out you are nothing more than Birmingham's version of EB. Albeit, slightly less forceful. What do you post except the drivel you posted in reply to my first two posts in this thread, and loads of weird renders on the best future skyline thread?

I mean, WTF are posts 2 and 3 in this thread about?

WD and BC, please stop carrying on like a couple of pork-chops.

Any news on proposed developments in Worcester is interesting because the place is so fucking boring, which is why I upped and left as soon as I was able! God knows this place desperately needs livening up by adding more attractions.

I can't recall if I've ever been to Worcester, but the River Severn flowing past the cathedral looks beautiful. :)

Worcester is a beautful city.

Has anyone questioned WHY Worcester needs a lighthouse? The sea is about 100 miles away... ;)

Perhaps barges on the Severn can't see where they're going at night. ;)

It seems strange but the funding is for a landmark and I guess along with the Cathedral they want something else to entice people to Worcester. The severn and the rest is quite a sight in itself.

WD - do you not know when to stop. Do you actually give a damn about this project? If not, bog off :)

Btw Pobbie - I hear you are studying in Sheffield.

Wonderful city :)

I'm very interested by this project - if a little bit strange - but a landmark none the less.

Let's hope it doesn't clash with Worcester's three tower blocks :yes:

I'm very interested by this project - if a little bit strange - but a landmark none the less.

Let's hope it doesn't clash with Worcester's three tower blocks :yes:

There the only down part of the city. Think they have plans for them though. Worcester are apparently building a new church within the city aswell. Be interesting to see how that turns out.

Do you actually give a damn about this project? If not, bog off :)

Yes I do give a damn, but I would like to know exactly what is being proposed here. Three bridges and a 70m replica of the Pharos for 25 million quid doesn't make sense.

As far as I can see it's a lighthouse and three bridges, I would like to see an article that reflects the title of the thread.

Its early plans WD - They will also build a new civic square which will be constructed newxt to the new University of Worcester library.

Just been to Worcester for the first time and while it's a nice little city they do need to make better use of the waterfront and make an alternate destination that would attract tourists/locals. A scheme that used the waterfront to link to a lesiure(mixed use) destination would be great for the locals/economy as well as giving tourists a logical place to walk to.

Currently once you've seen the shops and the cathedral you kinda feel like you have seen worcester. Unless you wanna go to one of the museums then you are kinda short of somewhere to go.

I think the idea of more pedestrian links across the Seven is a must, i'm sure the views of Worcsester r great from that side of the river but i never worked my way across to the otherside.. there seems to be just one road/pedestrian bridge in the city.

Ive heard that the bid has failed although they are continuing with different financial backers :)