Guys, now this is finally under construction i felt we needed a new topic to air the excitement to the rest of the forum users!

Elevation views (renders) from the Ring Road...

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/772/amendedviewng6.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/910/amendedview2tu8.jpg

Pictures courtesy of Dr Pepper:

Light columns being removed on site:
25/07/07

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4388/6bjlzz6xh4.jpg

Site clearance and demolition with new Belgrade Theatre extension in background:
13/08/07

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6754/4zlvc6cre2.jpg

I believe this is mainly already pre-let, isn't it?

Radisson Hotel
Gala Casino
Pizza Express
Metro Bar and Grill
[Is there a cheaper hotel chain already booked up for it?]

What is the name of the Italian restaurant?

I believe this is mainly already pre-let, isn't it?

Radisson Hotel
Gala Casino
Pizza Express
Metro Bar and Grill
[Is there a cheaper hotel chain already booked up for it?]

What is the name of the Italian restaurant?

Bella Italia, and Premier Travel Inn.

The final unit is being heavily marketed.

Can we have some renders on this thread then?

Can we have some renders on this thread then?

See Marty's post below...

Here's a picture from their website:

http://www.belgradeplaza.co.uk/images/aboutbel2006.jpg

The planning portal had loads of renders on it, but I'm not grappling with that again.

I think it looks smart.

This is a plan. Shows all the units, offices and apartments and hotels.

http://www.belgradeplaza.co.uk/images/big_plan.jpg

At last, Coventry will have a "proper" square!

Marty i was just about to do that!!! Hehe

Marty i was just about to do that!!! Hehe


I can't wait for this to be finished... Look at that! Proper "StreetS" with buildings along them! A novelty for Cov!

Hey guys - this is not unblike Brindley Place, and IMO looks pretty darn good :)

Who's the architect? TWS?

More renders...

This shows the Radisson Edwardian Hotel block and conference centre. The Ring Road is just on the right of this image...

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9813/upperwellstreetelevatiovm8.jpg

This shows the side of the Radisson (on the right) and the office unit (in the middle) aswell as the newly refurbished MSCP (on the left) from inside the Courtyard...

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/3715/elevationtoinnercourtyakt7.jpg

Rear Elevation of Radisson Tower...

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/165/reartowerviewoz7.jpg

Ground Floor layout for Radisson, Spa and staff facilities...

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6215/groundfloorkb4.jpg

Looks like they've started knocking down the Lunn Poly building?

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=drivers-hit-by-chaos-at-roadworks%26method=full%26objectid=19634262%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

Yeh its been bedlum down there today - i wouldn't advise anyone to try and get to Lower Precinct or West Orchards carparks.

This is the closest I could get to one of the render views. I had to stand on a metal fence in Wicks car park to take it. To get any better would involve standing on the ring road itself, no doubt causing a serious case of death.

http://i11.tinypic.com/4k9kuw9.jpg




On this car park the new court yard and residential buildings will be built.

http://i16.tinypic.com/4mucyte.jpg




On this corner the main tower will be built. In the mud on the left are four clumps of thick wires forming a square. I wonder a tower crane base will go here?

http://i12.tinypic.com/6be04mr.jpg




This is Ikea from the car park roof. It's huge!

http://i9.tinypic.com/5z40g3b.jpg

Dude you're so totally cool right now! Those are awesome!!!

IKEA looks a bit of a box from behind, can you see it from Spon Street?

Dude you're so totally cool right now! Those are awesome!!!

IKEA looks a bit of a box from behind, can you see it from Spon Street?

You can't really see it from Spon Street - it's almost hidden behind the buildings.

The behind of Ikea is very bland.

I'd really recommend a trip in the car park lifts. They are glass fronted and traveling from ground floor to the ninth gives a great view of the development as you rapidly rise up.

i wondering if the area at the back of Ikea (which used to be the co-op car park ) was going to have anything built on it or is it just going to be a ground level car park. im sure that something could fit in that space.

i wondering if the area at the back of Ikea (which used to be the co-op car park ) was going to have anything built on it or is it just going to be a ground level car park. im sure that something could fit in that space.

It's going to be a square with, I believe, a taxi rank inside it. For those people who want to use a taxi to get their flatpack furniture home.

i wondering if the area at the back of Ikea (which used to be the co-op car park ) was going to have anything built on it or is it just going to be a ground level car park. im sure that something could fit in that space.

Some of that space will be a carpark, im not sure if this is IKEAs or for Spon Street, or something else! Never quite worked that one out

Some of that space will be a carpark, im not sure if this is IKEAs or for Spon Street, or something else! Never quite worked that one out

If you look at the plans on the planning portal is shows a "square" behind Ikea and backing onto Spon Street and Skydome. I think it'll have trees in it (And some car parking)

Yeh, i think it also leaves enough room between IKEA and Spon Street as to not have damaging effects on the views along the street.

Im sooo glad Belgrade is on the way now, was telling my mate in Manchester and she said 'it looks really cool!', woooo!

It's going to be a square with, I believe, a taxi rank inside it. For those people who want to use a taxi to get their flatpack furniture home.


ok. that seems a bit odd, who takes there furniture home in a taxi seems like a dumb idea to me.
i did have a look at the plans, and it seems as though theres an area left for another building independent form Ikea.

ok. that seems a bit odd, who takes there furniture home in a taxi seems like a dumb idea to me.
i did have a look at the plane though and it seems as though theres an area left for another building independent form Ikea.

I think theres some funny things going on all around Corporation Street at the moment, just been speaking to a mate whos in an office near Berkertex Brides and they are being shifted out, so we have the following...

Tenants being shifted from the AXA buildings...
Allied Carpets closing...
Offices over Allied empty...
Corporation Street between Spon Street and Belgrade being emptied...
Market Way becoming a ghost street (with the exception of Halifax which is a bit of an anomaly!!)...
Hertford Way and the old NTL offices being let short-term.

sounds like they have some thing big in mind for the area. who knows ?

sounds like they have some thing big in mind for the area. who knows ?

Do you reckon the retail core could be shifting towards that end? to link in with ikea?

Do you reckon the retail core could be shifting towards that end? to link in with ikea?


i think it would make an excellent city street, not only retail but the whole nine yards. the plans that we know of atm have 4 major developments going up on corporation street ( millennium view apartments, AXA, Belgrade and Ikea) and at one end we have the whittle arch and the transport museum we just need something big the other end to drag people around.
but who knows what they have planed !

I also heard a rumour (don't know how true it is) that the Skydome Ice-Rink might be moved to Ricoh Arena - leaving space for a well known department store

I like your Axa Building :)

http://i16.tinypic.com/4mucyte.jpg

I also heard a rumour (don't know how true it is) that the Skydome Ice-Rink might be moved to Ricoh Arena - leaving space for a well known department store

That'll never ever ever happen! The site is too dis-connected from the rest of the shopping core and the money being spent on Croft Road at the moment has got to last about 10 years so thats staying as it is long-term.

City Arcade is meant to be refurbished ass part of the IKEA works though.

Fair enough...but on the other hand you could also say that for ikea shoppers coming into town by car and who have already parked up there - it wouldn't be too difficult for them to extend their visit and take a look at whatever might end up at the SkyDome. I would have thought that any new department store considering coming to Coventry are going to be attracted more so by the footfall created from ikea rather than anything else that Coventry currently has to offer - also i wouldn't have thought any extra work would be required on Croft Rd (after what's already being done is finished) to achieve this. Anyway, as i mentioned it's just a rumour at the moment - I can also see why a newly developed Corporation St would be a good place for a new department store. Who know's - we might get two :)

Fair enough...but on the other hand you could also say that for ikea shoppers coming into town by car and who have already parked up there - it wouldn't be too difficult for them to extend their visit and take a look at whatever might end up at the SkyDome. I would have thought that any new department store considering coming to Coventry are going to be attracted more so by the footfall created from ikea rather than anything else that Coventry currently has to offer - also i wouldn't have thought any extra work would be required on Croft Rd (after what's already being done is finished) to achieve this. Anyway, as i mentioned it's just a rumour at the moment - I can also see why a newly developed Corporation St would be a good place for a new department store. Who know's - we might get two :)

Sorry i didn't mean to sound so negative in my last post!

Yeh i think its an interesting site, and id imagine it'd be a good location for a hotel on the upper floors. It is quite constrained and that loop is likely to become Coventry's version of the M25 lol, and unless its about 3 lanes i imagine it'll be chocka!

No worries Scazmattaz - from the posts i've read so far i would say that you're one of the more positive one's - i personally would prefer a more diverse city centre and would like the ice-rink to stay where it is. At least it brings people into teh city centre out of hours and it also brings 'Away' teams + fans from other cities into the city centre - i'm not being negative either - i would like to see one mother of a department store on Corporation st...maybe the likes of House Of Fraser or Lee Longlands...

The Arcade/Shelton Sq/market area would be the best place for a new dept store led development - it would act as a counterpoint to West Orchards and encourage footfall between the two. Trouble is John Lewis are in Solihull, HoF in Leamington and Selfridges in Brum. Which of these would risk the financial health of an existing store to open a new one in Cov?

No worries Scazmattaz - from the posts i've read so far i would say that you're one of the more positive one's - i personally would prefer a more diverse city centre and would like the ice-rink to stay where it is. At least it brings people into teh city centre out of hours and it also brings 'Away' teams + fans from other cities into the city centre - i'm not being negative either - i would like to see one mother of a department store on Corporation st...maybe the likes of House Of Fraser or Lee Longlands...

I think it'd be a shame if the icerink does move. Cov needs to keep as much in the centre to maintain its diversity.

I like your Axa Building :)

http://i16.tinypic.com/4mucyte.jpg

Its very 70s, but i also quite like it! Its one of the 15 'towers' (i.e. buildings over 6/7 storey's) in the city centre that really stand out. Most of Belgrade will be between 6 and 9-10 stories with the Radisson Block peaking around the 14 mark, which will make a huge impact on that side of the city centre.

The Arcade/Shelton Sq/market area would be the best place for a new dept store led development - it would act as a counterpoint to West Orchards and encourage footfall between the two. Trouble is John Lewis are in Solihull, HoF in Leamington and Selfridges in Brum. Which of these would risk the financial health of an existing store to open a new one in Cov?

Don't forget Leicester... Just as close as Brum, and easier to get into by car.

Its very 70s, but i also quite like it! Its one of the 15 'towers' (i.e. buildings over 6/7 storey's) in the city centre that really stand out. Most of Belgrade will be between 6 and 9-10 stories which will make a huge impact on that side of the city centre.

Isn't the hotel 14 storeys?

Isn't the hotel 14 storeys?

Yes!!! Sorry i have just edited my post to reflect that :nuts:

The Arcade/Shelton Sq/market area would be the best place for a new dept store led development - it would act as a counterpoint to West Orchards and encourage footfall between the two. Trouble is John Lewis are in Solihull, HoF in Leamington and Selfridges in Brum. Which of these would risk the financial health of an existing store to open a new one in Cov?

IMO i think both HoF and LeeLonglands in Leamington are both residing in rundown buildings and they also have no further room to expand. They're both marketed to the affluent and yet it's like a Woolworths once you enter (the products are darned good though) - Places like Butts Development, Belgrade Plaza, Belgrade theatre, Hebert Art Gallery, Transport Museum and to some extent Ikea will bring in the affluent - i'm sure of it - and i think it will mean stores like HoF and LeeLonglands won't lose out by leaving Leamington - (Point taken about John Lewis and Selfridges - i also realise that there is a Lee Longlands in Brum but it doesn't seem to have effected the Leamington store)

I think it'd be a shame if the icerink does move. Cov needs to keep as much in the centre to maintain its diversity.

Yep - and I would also like to see a couple more supermarkets opening up in the city centre - although i'm happy that ikea has replaced the Co-Op one - i still think all the people who are/will be living in the city centre apartments are gonna need to shop locally for food. If you walk around London at night - 50% of them are people doing their food shopping - again it's diversification. And whilst on the subject of supermarkets in the city centre - when is Sainsbury's gonna sort their building out? - it totally knackers up the FireStation, Tranport Museum, PrioryPlace and soon to be MilleniumView...last i heard they were gonna sell some real-estate in order to expand and also refurbish old stores

IMO i think both HoF and LeeLonglands in Leamington are both residing in rundown buildings and they also have no further room to expand. They're both marketed to the affluent and yet it's like a Woolworths once you enter (the products are darned good though) - Places like Butts Development, Belgrade Plaza, Belgrade theatre, Hebert Art Gallery, Transport Museum and to some extent Ikea will bring in the affluent - i'm sure of it - and i think it will mean stores like HoF and LeeLonglands won't lose out by leaving Leamington - (Point taken about John Lewis and Selfridges - i also realise that there is a Lee Longlands in Brum but it doesn't seem to have effected the Leamington store)

New jobs & decent housing are the key IMHO. (HoF may move to the new shopping development in Leam.) Friargate, Butts, Axa Offices, Belgrade Plaza, etc all have a fairly substantial office content. If Cov can attract people to the city through good jobs, get them stay due to decent housing in decent areas, then the rest will follow. Cov's got to get out of this rut where people stay for a couple of years them move elsewhere. It has to get people to live, work and play here.

Cov's always used the excuse of Brum to somehow justify its generally crap leisure and shopping (The council even used this as a post-war argument to reduce the size of the shopping area) but other towns closer to Brum thrive, as does Leicester. Cov needs to start looking at the surrounding towns and try to draw those people in, rather than get involved with some spurious city region that makes the city into a outcast in its own economic sub region!

Yep - and I would also like to see a couple more supermarkets opening up in the city centre - although i'm happy that ikea has replaced the Co-Op one - i still think all the people who are/will be living in the city centre apartments are gonna need to shop locally for food. If you walk around London at night - 50% of them are people doing their food shopping - again it's diversification. And whilst on the subject of supermarkets in the city centre - when is Sainsbury's gonna sort their building out? - it totally knackers up the FireStation, Tranport Museum, PrioryPlace and soon to be MilleniumView...last i heard they were gonna sell some real-estate in order to expand and also refurbish old stores

They should make it mandatory that all new developments in the centre have street frontages. My Mum has an apartment in Spain, in what's a new town, and it's basically all apartment blocks of 6-8 storeys arranged in grid with a high street to one side. Every single block has street level units, and it's helping to create a really good urban feeling - all the blocks have bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets underneath them. In the UK we seem to adore creating dead streets or adding bypass roads around the backyards of existing streets.

Yep - and I would also like to see a couple more supermarkets opening up in the city centre - although i'm happy that ikea has replaced the Co-Op one - i still think all the people who are/will be living in the city centre apartments are gonna need to shop locally for food. If you walk around London at night - 50% of them are people doing their food shopping - again it's diversification. And whilst on the subject of supermarkets in the city centre - when is Sainsbury's gonna sort their building out? - it totally knackers up the FireStation, Tranport Museum, PrioryPlace and soon to be MilleniumView...last i heard they were gonna sell some real-estate in order to expand and also refurbish old stores

Sainsbury's is a disgrace, and renders the whole priory place pointless. It was supposed to point up to the cathedral, but they ruined it. The gutless council should have slapped a CP on them and demolished that monstrosity - from the square you'd be able to see right up to the Cathedral Tower!

New jobs & decent housing are the key IMHO. (HoF may move to the new shopping development in Leam.) Friargate, Butts, Axa Offices, Belgrade Plaza, etc all have a fairly substantial office content. If Cov can attract people to the city through good jobs, get them stay due to decent housing in decent areas, then the rest will follow. Cov's got to get out of this rut where people stay for a couple of years them move elsewhere. It has to get people to live, work and play here.


100% agree with you MartinN - it's the old chicken and egg syndrome. Ansty, Whitley and West Coast MainLine will all help to achieve this

Sainsbury's is a disgrace, and renders the whole priory place pointless. It was supposed to point up to the cathedral, but they ruined it. The gutless council should have slapped a CP on them and demolished that monstrosity - from the square you'd be able to see right up to the Cathedral Tower!

It did get a refurb when the Phoenix Initiative was being done. On the outside it got a clean and a new entrance. I remember the crushing disapointment I felt when they took the scaffolding down. The store must be highly profitable so to shift it via a CPO would have cost a fortune. Same goes for the Britannia hotel. The scheme could go ahead with them both still standing, albeit creating a compromised scheme.

Yep - and I would also like to see a couple more supermarkets opening up in the city centre - although i'm happy that ikea has replaced the Co-Op one - i still think all the people who are/will be living in the city centre apartments are gonna need to shop locally for food. If you walk around London at night - 50% of them are people doing their food shopping - again it's diversification. And whilst on the subject of supermarkets in the city centre - when is Sainsbury's gonna sort their building out? - it totally knackers up the FireStation, Tranport Museum, PrioryPlace and soon to be MilleniumView...last i heard they were gonna sell some real-estate in order to expand and also refurbish old stores

I'd have a Waitrose where Cathedral Lanes is. A man can dream......

100% agree with you MartinN - it's the old chicken and egg syndrome. Ansty, Whitley and West Coast MainLine will all help to achieve this

And Friargate, although that's all gone quiet...

I'd have a Waitrose where Cathedral Lanes is. A man can dream......

Aye, it is just a dream... One that's come true in Kenilworth!

It did get a refurb when the Phoenix Initiative was being done. On the outside it got a clean and a new entrance. I remember the crushing disapointment I felt when they took the scaffolding down. The store must be highly profitable so to shift it via a CPO would have cost a fortune. Same goes for the Britannia hotel. The scheme could go ahead with them both still standing, albeit creating a compromised scheme.

i hope the likes of Ramada and Edwardian Radisson kick-start Britannia into sorting out their hotel - they must get a few stars for their location next to the cathedral so it wouldn't take much for them to go 4 or 5 star...A new cladding + mitchelin restaurant + some posh rooms

Yep - and I would also like to see a couple more supermarkets opening up in the city centre - although i'm happy that ikea has replaced the Co-Op one - i still think all the people who are/will be living in the city centre apartments are gonna need to shop locally for food. If you walk around London at night - 50% of them are people doing their food shopping - again it's diversification. And whilst on the subject of supermarkets in the city centre - when is Sainsbury's gonna sort their building out? - it totally knackers up the FireStation, Tranport Museum, PrioryPlace and soon to be MilleniumView...last i heard they were gonna sell some real-estate in order to expand and also refurbish old stores

Yeh i tend to drive out to Sainsburys at the Coventry Business Park nowadays, cos there isn't enough range in town. We could do with a Waitrose and Tesco Metro somewhere around Market Way / Hertford Street

i hope the likes of Ramada and Edwardian Radisson kick-start Britannia into sorting out their hotel - they must get a few stars for their location next to the cathedral so it wouldn't take much for them to go 4 or 5 star...A new cladding + mitchelin restaurant + some posh rooms

Nothing wrong with the Britannia that some high explosives couldn't solve.

Yeh i tend to drive out to Sainsburys at the Coventry Business Park nowadays, cos there isn't enough range in town. We could do with a Waitrose and Tesco Metro somewhere around Market Way / Hertford Street

IMHO...I reckon one should go under one of the Victoria buildings (along with Iceland) for residents of Victoria buildings + Beauchamp House + Osbourne House + the crappy social housing one opposite ikea. Co-Op Heart of England should get refurbished for residents of Belgrade Plaza. Sainsburys should get refurbished for Priory Place + Millenium View + Axa. Then we would need a new one around New Union Street for Meridien Point + Friars Rd + Manor House. Then FriarsGate should have it's own one too. And the market should definitely stay. It should encourage more farmers to come in with their own produce instead of the stupid stalls that get put around the town. I want to see more local cheese and sausages and pate and steak pies - the market would be great for more of that kind of stuff - and there should be more fish stalls too :)

IMHO...I reckon one should go under one of the Victoria buildings (along with Iceland) for residents of Victoria buildings + Beauchamp House + Osbourne House + the crappy social housing one opposite ikea. Co-Op Heart of England should get refurbished for residents of Belgrade Plaza. Sainsburys should get refurbished for Priory Place + Millenium View + Axa. Then we would need a new one around New Union Street for Meridien Point + Friars Rd + Manor House. Then FriarsGate should have it's own one too. And the market should definitely stay. It should encourage more farmers to come in with their own produce instead of the stupid stalls that get put around the town. I want to see more local cheese and sausages and pate and steak pies - the market would be great for more of that kind of stuff - and there should be more fish stalls too :)

We used Cov market for the first time since we moved here just before Xmas to get some fish - a truly dismal place... Not long ago, they planned to demolish it and build a more traditional market building. A round building just doesn't work IMHO, and the exits/entrances all seem to be in service areas and filled with bin of rubbish. The market used t have some decent stalls selling stuff like that you mention - but they all seemed to have gone.

Then again, opposite Nandos there's a row of wheely bins, and they STINK. I can't believe they're left there like that...

We used Cov market for the first time since we moved here just before Xmas to get some fish - a truly dismal place... Not long ago, they planned to demolish it and build a more traditional market building. A round building just doesn't work IMHO, and the exits/entrances all seem to be in service areas and filled with bin of rubbish. The market used t have some decent stalls selling stuff like that you mention - but they all seemed to have gone.

Then again, opposite Nandos there's a row of wheely bins, and they STINK. I can't believe they're left there like that...

I suppose i'm not that bothered about the building itself but it's the concept of having a bustling market with quality local produce in a central location that concerns me most - when stuff is good...people will come - People from all over Cov make a special effort to go to John Tailor Butchers and Kendalls on the Earlsdon High St cos it's good - and the market should be made to be the same. It should take advantage of it's centrality and long history - not just exist as a mediocre place to buy stuff that you can buy in a supermarket anyway.

I'm not an expert on this but shouldn't the City Centre wardens and the people from BID have more responsibility to sort out the management at Nando's. Other surrounding businesses should complain as that's what their extra BID payments are supposed to sort out.

I suppose i'm not that bothered about the building itself but it's the concept of having a bustling market with quality local produce in a central location that concerns me most - when stuff is good...people will come - People from all over Cov make a special effort to go to John Tailor Butchers and Kendalls on the Earlsdon High St cos it's good - and the market should be made to be the same. It should take advantage of it's centrality and long history - not just exist as a mediocre place to buy stuff that you can buy in a supermarket anyway.

I'm not an expert on this but shouldn't the City Centre wardens and the people from BID have more responsibility to sort out the management at Nando's. Other surrounding businesses should complain as that's what their extra BID payments are supposed to sort out.

That sounds like my sort of place - although I think the environment will have to be better. There used to be a stall there when I was a student that sold cheeses and coffees - think it's gone now.

Kendall's is great, and in walking distance for me. But the Alma Deli in the city centre is brilliant.

That sounds like my sort of place - although I think the environment will have to be better. There used to be a stall there when I was a student that sold cheeses and coffees - think it's gone now.

Kendall's is great, and in walking distance for me. But the Alma Deli in the city centre is brilliant.

Where Alma Deli?

Where Alma Deli?

Corporation Street - just opposite AXA. It's run by a family who came to Coventry from Eastern Europe after the war.

Opposite Axa, next to the pine furniture shop.

I always thought the market was a bit dingy, there is a lack of natural light and having the same old stalls gives a stale atmosphere. Fill it with local farm produce and I might actually want to go in there.

Okay thats cool. I think we are going a bit off-topic!!!...

Belgrade Belgrade Belgrade!!!

I always thought the market was a bit dingy, there is a lack of natural light and having the same old stalls gives a stale atmosphere. Fill it with local farm produce and I might actually want to go in there.

Personally i prefer markets like the ones in london, stalls laid out properly covered over with glass to allow as much natural light in as possible. They should also be a mix of food and accessories and one off bits of clothing. My god do i miss the markets in london.

Anyway like scazz said back to belgrade, has the lunn poly building gone yet or is there still tail backs on the road?

Personally i prefer markets like the ones in london, stalls laid out properly covered over with glass to allow as much natural light in as possible. They should also be a mix of food and accessories and one off bits of clothing. My god do i miss the markets in london.

Anyway like scazz said back to belgrade, has the lunn poly building gone yet or is there still tail backs on the road?

Well there were delays of 30 minutes to all the bus routes in the area yesterday!

Personally i prefer markets like the ones in london, stalls laid out properly covered over with glass to allow as much natural light in as possible. They should also be a mix of food and accessories and one off bits of clothing. My god do i miss the markets in london.

Anyway like scazz said back to belgrade, has the lunn poly building gone yet or is there still tail backs on the road?

most of it is still there, but its slowly coming down.

I hope they're gonna use quality materials on Belgrade Plaza - it's the details as well as the good design that makes a good development...CDP seem to have done a good job with Priory Place and Electric Wharf and i think you can see that they actually cared about their developments - i don't get why an architect or client would choose the plastic corrugated sheets on the Belgrade Theatre or the (what seems to be the fashion at the moment) exposed concrete blocks that are meant to look like sand stone on Beauchamp House. There's cost cutting...and then there's just plain wrong decision making.

...Belgrade Plaza Car Park looks like quality so far...

I hope they're gonna use quality materials on Belgrade Plaza - it's the details as well as the good design that makes a good development...CDP seem to have done a good job with Priory Place and Electric Wharf and i think you can see that they actually cared about their developments - i don't get why an architect or client would choose the plastic corrugated sheets on the Belgrade Theatre or the (what seems to be the fashion at the moment) exposed concrete blocks that are meant to look like sand stone on Beauchamp House. There's cost cutting...and then there's just plain wrong decision making.

...Belgrade Plaza Car Park looks like quality so far...

I'm looking forward to Belgrade Plaza hiding that awful extension to the Belgrade. I drive past it every day on the ringroad, and it just looks even more hideous and cheap by the day.

I think the trouble the Belgrade extension had was cost over runs and with a fixed budget you have to cut back somewhere. The rest of the Plaza should be up to a high standard in terms of design and materials, I believe the council planners were involved at a pretty early stage so hopefully they were steering it in the right direction.

Does anyone know what the retail offering will be?

Pizza Express
Bella Italia
Metro Bar and Grill
and another restaurant style operator...

Drove past it today - only a small chunk of Lunn Poly has gone, but they appeared to be digging up the car park as well.

Pizza Express
Bella Italia
Metro Bar and Grill
and another restaurant style operator...

Any shops?

Any shops?

I don't believe so.

I'm looking forward to Belgrade Plaza hiding that awful extension to the Belgrade. I drive past it every day on the ringroad, and it just looks even more hideous and cheap by the day.

I don't concur, I think it will look modern and cutting edge, exactly what a centre for the arts should look like. Last thing anyone needs is a concrete and glass building devoid of any passion. As long as it stays clean and sharp, then it will be a feature. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder! Besides, it's already a talking point which is a good thing, and it complements the awesome Ikea design.

Well the Lunn Poly building is half gone - couldn't see much more from the ringroad. Have they started digging foundations?

I don't concur, I think it will look modern and cutting edge, exactly what a centre for the arts should look like. Last thing anyone needs is a concrete and glass building devoid of any passion. As long as it stays clean and sharp, then it will be a feature. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder! Besides, it's already a talking point which is a good thing, and it complements the awesome Ikea design.

...i just hope that they will raise some cash in the future and replace the plastic corrugated sheets. Sorry to go on about it - but i really, really, really don't like them...Not in an 'arty' or 'designy' way but cos' it looks CHEAP + NASTY...

The Herbert Art Gallery on the other hand looks like it's gonna be good...

...i just hope that they will raise some cash in the future and replace the plastic corrugated sheets. Sorry to go on about it - but i really, really, really don't like them...Not in an 'arty' or 'designy' way but cos' it looks CHEAP + NASTY...

The Herbert Art Gallery on the other hand looks like it's gonna be good...

Yes, I agree about the plastic sheets. They look awful, and give the building a feel of a temporary structure. It all looks very flimsy and cheap.

Shouldn't we have another thread for the Herbert Art gallery?:)

I saw it this weekend - when I went to the Basil Spence exhibition - and it looks larger than I thought, and that's just with the frame for the square bit up - they haven't started the wavy bit!

I dont like the building at all, look at leicesters new theatre and this just looks a mess in comparison, it just looks like a cardboard box painted black, it wont last long in my opinion and will probably need redoing again in a few years. This is very short term thinking, they didnt even try and make it blend in with the old part of the theatre which i think would have looked better. But hey so long as it brings in some good quality plays im happy.

has the building gone yet? any machinery onsite? Iv been away from the office for the last week and wont be there this week either so dont knows whats going on.

has the building gone yet? any machinery onsite? Iv been away from the office for the last week and wont be there this week either so dont knows whats going on.

Last night I noticed half of Lunn Poly had gone, and there're machines digging up the car park.

http://i12.tinypic.com/53jo02f.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/53jo02f.jpg

Are they doing anything else on the site?

That's a fairly unflattering image of the Belgrade theatre extension.

You love it Marty!!

what are they going to do with the single storey bit in between the old and the new auditorium? Roof top restaurant? that would be really cool.

Seems we have 2 threads for Belgrade Plaza - these are from sleslie48 - thought it would be nice if they're seen together with Dr Peppers

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/1207853184_06e3c22aff.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1206990869_acd062463e.jpg?v=0

Cheers marsbar!

Thanks for posting those here, I was ignorant that this forum existed. Love it tho, just read through 5 pages of oppinions!

Wonderfull to see some demolition again in Cov, can't get enough of it. When the Britainias knocked down I'll be the happiest man in the world! Might have to do it myself tho.

I'm really excited about Belgrade Plaza now, the car park has been finished to a really good standard and I love the lifts. I like the belgrade extention, but admit it looks cheap and I would have preferd something better contextualised with the surrounding area. That said it should stand out but not look out of place with the Belgrade Plaza buildings around it.

I'm gonna raise a seemingly minor issue of the bridge planned for the ring road to replace the hill street - coundon underpass. It's planned to be completed in 2009 (taking so long cos of some realse of money to fund it not being available straight away or something). What I've seen of it so far it looks bad, it's going to do the same thing that the canal basin bridge has done - put people off going up there. If there is a really decent link between these two sides of the ring road, the coundon area could really improve. The houses up there and streets are mainly quite good but in a bad state. It has potential to be a good area but is run down at the mo. It's right next to Belgrade plaza so could be a good residence for office workers from B.P.

I'm gonna raise a seemingly minor issue of the bridge planned for the ring road to replace the hill street - coundon underpass. It's planned to be completed in 2009 (taking so long cos of some realse of money to fund it not being available straight away or something). What I've seen of it so far it looks bad, it's going to do the same thing that the canal basin bridge has done - put people off going up there. If there is a really decent link between these two sides of the ring road, the coundon area could really improve. The houses up there and streets are mainly quite good but in a bad state. It has potential to be a good area but is run down at the mo. It's right next to Belgrade plaza so could be a good residence for office workers from B.P.

Aren't those houses Victorian? It's a real shame they're so isolated.

Aren't those houses Victorian? It's a real shame they're so isolated.

Yep - i think so - the terraced 3 storey town houses on Barras Lane? I nearly bought one of those about 5 years ago as an investment...but the seller pulled out on the day of exchange when someone else put a higher offer in. I was gutted. Most of them are owned by Coventry University for students.

Yep - i think so - the terraced 3 storey town houses on Barras Lane? I nearly bought one of those about 5 years ago as an investment...but the seller pulled out on the day of exchange when someone else put a higher offer in. I was gutted. Most of them are owned by Coventry University for students.

A lot of them are bedsits. That area's ripe for "gentrification". It's got the right sort of houses!

I notice that Lunn Poly has gone now... That didn't take long!

In a telegraph I picked up earlier this week it said there were going to be photos from inside the belgrade in todays issue, anyone picked one up and can post up the images?

my dad worked on the new bit for a few months, he said look out for bare concrete walls!

finally got the pictures of inside the Belgrade from last weeks telegraph.
hope you like.

http://i15.tinypic.com/4z2hmci.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/5zmspbc.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/4ut4qjm.jpg

b2 room, facing the stage.
http://i15.tinypic.com/688euc7.jpg

belgrade sq
http://i18.tinypic.com/4lr6vde.jpg

i rather like it, but what do u think ?

Looks interesting - I like it - is one of the images the new auditorium? Looks very much in the festival of Britain style of the older theatre.

I really like the Belgrade Theatre - been there loads of times to see plays, and I'm looking forward to it reopening. Already got my eye on a play with Warren Mitchell in it!

Looks interesting - I like it - is one of the images the new auditorium? Looks very much in the festival of Britain style of the older theatre.

I really like the Belgrade Theatre - been there loads of times to see plays, and I'm looking forward to it reopening. Already got my eye on a play with Warren Mitchell in it!

yes one is of the new auditorium.

what interest me is the pictures of the sq, where at the left of the picture the old part of the theatre seems to be completely converted into the same design as the new extension, i thought it was going to be kept the same.

yes one is of the new auditorium.

what interest me is the pictures of the sq, where at the left of the picture the old part of the theatre seems to be completely converted into the same design as the new extension, i thought it was going to be kept the same.

The old theatre is staying the same - it's listed.

Awsome, thanks Jonbon. I'm impressed it looks really good, can't wait tillit opens now. The rendering of the square looks really good, can't wait till all of BP is finished now. It is a bit confusing how they've shown the theatre on the right. We'll have to wait and see how they do it. It looks on the rendering like the new extention will be behind a building, round the corner out of view to the left. There is a huge space infront of it so this might be right. Anyone know? Have they just messed up the rendering?

They're digging up the car park - I imagine they're doing the hotels/bars before the apartments.

i like the photos - it looks like a trendy kitchen - let's hope it stands the test of time well...the render of the square looks great - can't wait :banana:

i like the photos - it looks like a trendy kitchen - let's hope it stands the test of time well...the render of the square looks great - can't wait :banana:

This one can't fail! I'm hoping it kickstarts regeneration of the shopping area near there, and also corporation street down towards priory place. They need to get people heading down in that direction!!!!

This one can't fail! I'm hoping it kickstarts regeneration of the shopping area near there, and also corporation street down towards priory place. They need to get people heading down in that direction!!!!

Ill be there every weekend given the opportunity!! It sounds lame, but the image of a restaurant is very important to me and thats why i dont usually goto 'independant' restaurants ever! And its easier to say to your mates 'wanna goto Pizza Express' cos everyone knows what it is, what food they have, and what its gonna be like cos they are all over the country.

They need to demolish West Orchard House and Allied Carpets!!!

Ill be there every weekend given the opportunity!! It sounds lame, but the image of a restaurant is very important to me and thats why i dont usually goto 'independant' restaurants ever! And its easier to say to your mates 'wanna goto Pizza Express' cos everyone knows what it is, what food they have, and what its gonna be like cos they are all over the country.

They need to demolish West Orchard House and Allied Carpets!!!

I prefer to go to independent restaurants over chains - although I do like Pizza Express. I find the food is far better in somewhere like The Gallery in Earlsdon than any of the chains I've ever been in. More unusual dishes, and freshly cooked - some chains tend to use pre-made meals and don't have the chefs that independents tend to have.

Having said that, the Pancetta Pomodoro in Pizza Express is absolutely addictive!!!!! BP will be excellent for the theatre visits, and also as somewhere to take mates - friends who visit tend to have a mixed view of Cov - they think it's pretty ugly, but really like some of the bars/restaurants I take them to. They just find it an oddly mixed up sort of place with very little atmosphere... Belgrade Plaza will be somewhere to take 'em!


I thought Allied Carpets were closing down? What's West Orchard House?

Its above Allied Carpets and What Everyone Wants. Uncertain, but think the council are disposing of it.

Its above Allied Carpets and What Everyone Wants. Uncertain, but think the council are disposing of it.


Yeah... It's going to be odd - the Belgrade is (I personally thing) a smart looking building, and BP is all going to be new. That means the square will have, opposite, a horrible office/shop building! Need to make the whole area look decent.

Need something iconic.

Yeah... It's going to be odd - the Belgrade is (I personally thing) a smart looking building, and BP is all going to be new. That means the square will have, opposite, a horrible office/shop building! Need to make the whole area look decent.

Need something iconic.

House of Fraser/Lee Longlands/Habitat :)

House of Fraser/Lee Longlands/Habitat :)

Habitat would suit me! We have to goto Solihull at the moment. Although Lee Longlands and House of Fraser already exist in Leamington...:ohno:

I meant something iconic in terms of building - something unusual that can be easily identified with Cov.

Ill be there every weekend given the opportunity!! It sounds lame, but the image of a restaurant is very important to me and thats why i dont usually goto 'independant' restaurants ever! And its easier to say to your mates 'wanna goto Pizza Express' cos everyone knows what it is, what food they have, and what its gonna be like cos they are all over the country.

They need to demolish West Orchard House and Allied Carpets!!!

I prefer independant restaurants...the chef and staff tend to be more involved with the success of the business therefore food and service tends to be much better. Having said that - some chains are good and one of these would be nice for Cov...especially around the cathedral or theatre or gallery...
http://www.daviscofferlyons.co.uk/files/La%20Tasca.jpg

Habitat would suit me! We have to goto Solihull at the moment. Although Lee Longlands and House of Fraser already exist in Leamington...:ohno:

I meant something iconic in terms of building - something unusual that can be easily identified with Cov.

...what about Furniture Village? their nearest one is on the wrong side of Solihull too - they do cool designer furniture - bought my bed from the one on the Tottenham Court Rd

...i would like to see something as tall as the AXA building and to go from the Pine Furniture shop all the way to and including Allied Carpets - if that building was full of retail and offices (i.e. people) then Corporation St would truely be the main artery to all the other hot spots...

...I meant something iconic in terms of building - something unusual that can be easily identified with Cov.

I rather liked the old 'wavy' Millenium View building - it's a shame about that one not going further than the drawing board but the new design looks alright too - when CDP entered the 'wavy' design they said that they wanted Coventry to be like the English Barcelona - with 'far out' designs and architecture. Thought they were a bit crazy at the time but in hindsight i think Coventry needs a bit of that to get the excitement and buzz going - i think BP will do that too - it's great that the momentum from Priory Place hasn't sizzled out with so many other developments yet to come...a good time to be living in Coventry IMHO

Furniture Village are only on a high street in London cos theres nowhere else for them to go! I'd sincerely doubt they'd go anyone else non retail-park

Furniture Village are only on a high street in London cos theres nowhere else for them to go! I'd sincerely doubt they'd go anyone else non retail-park

...in the same way that most people would have sincerely doubted a city centre ikea a year ago ??? :ohno:

...in the same way that most people would have sincerely doubted a city centre ikea a year ago ??? :ohno:

The only reason IKEA are in Coventry City centre is because the government has a policy of not allowing any more large out of town developments - a policy they are planning (Or were planning) to relax. IKEA originally wanted to be out on outskirts, and even owned land there.

The only reason IKEA are in Coventry City centre is because the government has a policy of not allowing any more large out of town developments - a policy they are planning (Or were planning) to relax. IKEA originally wanted to be out on outskirts, and even owned land there.

...all i'm saying is that whatever policies any retailer might have had previously - you can't deny that Ikea in Cov city centre is now a fly in the ointment irrespective of how it got there. Some retailers may have to reassess their policies as there's no denying that ikea will bring a large footfall into that area. You can't rule out anyone else coming into the city centre who previously you may have thought would never have done so.

I rather liked the old 'wavy' Millenium View building - it's a shame about that one not going further than the drawing board but the new design looks alright too - when CDP entered the 'wavy' design they said that they wanted Coventry to be like the English Barcelona - with 'far out' designs and architecture. Thought they were a bit crazy at the time but in hindsight i think Coventry needs a bit of that to get the excitement and buzz going - i think BP will do that too - it's great that the momentum from Priory Place hasn't sizzled out with so many other developments yet to come...a good time to be living in Coventry IMHO

Millennium View - that's gone very quiet as well!!!

...all i'm saying is that whatever policies any retailer might have had previously - you can't deny that Ikea in Cov city centre is now a fly in the ointment irrespective of how it got there. Some retailers may have to reassess their policies as there's no denying that ikea will bring a large footfall into that area. You can't rule out anyone else coming into the city centre who previously you may have thought would never have done so.

Perhaps.

I think IKEA is a very different case to other retailers. I don't think they are a "city centre" sort of retailer, and I think the increase in footfall will be disappointing due to the way IKEA is isolated from everywhere else, and is located in what is a very dead and run down part of the city centre. If anything increases, I personally think it'll be road traffic. The shop is located and designed to be driven into and driven out of without even leaving it. I'm quite cautious about its effects, and the fact that there is nowhere near there for any retailers to benefit from the number of visitors it'll attract. It's basically an out of town store with its own car parking in a in-town location.

If it had been built on the site of Barracks Car park and made into a anchor store of the precinct area, then it might be different.

I rather liked the old 'wavy' Millenium View building - it's a shame about that one not going further than the drawing board but the new design looks alright too - when CDP entered the 'wavy' design they said that they wanted Coventry to be like the English Barcelona - with 'far out' designs and architecture. Thought they were a bit crazy at the time but in hindsight i think Coventry needs a bit of that to get the excitement and buzz going - i think BP will do that too - it's great that the momentum from Priory Place hasn't sizzled out with so many other developments yet to come...a good time to be living in Coventry IMHO

The new design for Millenium View is proper sexy!!! I wouldn't live there (without Pool Meadow gone and being redeveloped for flats its kinda stuck by itself) but it should look hot!

The new design for Millenium View is proper sexy!!! I wouldn't live there (without Pool Meadow gone and being redeveloped for flats its kinda stuck by itself) but it should look hot!

i really do love the millennium view project, its one of the many projects that i really hope gets going soon. when its finished it should complete that area nicely and should bring a lot more life to both the sq and trinity street, im hoping it helps to fill some of them empty shops down there.

The new design for Millenium View is proper sexy!!! I wouldn't live there (without Pool Meadow gone and being redeveloped for flats its kinda stuck by itself) but it should look hot!

Pool Meadow is such a travesty!
I remember the original one, though, just a big open space of tarmac.

Do you have any idea if this is actually going ahead? It's been a while now since it was announced, I don't even think any planning applications gone in.

http://i14.tinypic.com/4xlgkzd.jpg

Splendid isolation.

http://i15.tinypic.com/5z6awrp.jpg

Ah it looks good. Nice one DrP. I love the back of the belgrade extention, the blocks are good, I don't understand why they didn't do the same on the front, it would have been more eye catching and would have seemed less of an imposing block. Looks like it's about to get going properly on site

Splendid isolation.

http://i15.tinypic.com/5z6awrp.jpg

I have to say - it's growing on me, especially now that Lunn Poly building has gone. It looks OK in isolation...! Although the link between New and Old looks a bit nasty...

I have to say - it's growing on me, especially now that Lunn Poly building has gone. It looks OK in isolation...! Although the link between New and Old looks a bit nasty...

I dont like the perspex on the top, it looks cheap and nasty but i have to admit i like the coloured bit with the glass agled bit on the side, the theatre does look different with the lunn poly building gone though, the whole area looks different, but its going to get built on when BP starts anyway isnt it? doesnt it wrap around the theatre?

They should have made the frontages on the old and new the same heights though i think.

Splendid isolation.

http://i15.tinypic.com/5z6awrp.jpg

I like it!!!

I dont like the perspex on the top, it looks cheap and nasty but i have to admit i like the coloured bit with the glass agled bit on the side, the theatre does look different with the lunn poly building gone though, the whole area looks different, but its going to get built on when BP starts anyway isnt it? doesnt it wrap around the theatre?

They should have made the frontages on the old and new the same heights though i think.

Maybe they wanted the difference in heights so the new and old were kept separate?

I don't think the new BP is going to "Wrap" the theatre - where LP was is going to be part of the square.

Guys, now this is finally under construction i felt we needed a new topic to air the excitement to the rest of the forum users!

Elevation views (renders) from the Ring Road...

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/772/amendedviewng6.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/910/amendedview2tu8.jpg



I've not really paid much attention to all the Coventry threads on here so felt it was time i took a proper look at this scheme.

It's fair to say that the name "Coventry" doesn't create the same buzz in the minds of the public or particularly in the minds of young urbanites that cities need to attract and retain.

This scheme however is exactly the sort of scheme that will enhance the impression of Coventry to young people and attract investment and a virtuous circle of redevelopment.

I do think this scheme looks really good in the renders but i hope that it turns out in the flesh to look as good. It is really important that this as the first big and noticeable (outside of Coventry) scheme is a success both economically and aesthetically.

Well, I must say, this along with the Butts have got me excited!!! I just wish the Swanswell initiative was just as advanced as the Belgrade. Are there any photos of the new carpark?

I've not really paid much attention to all the Coventry threads on here so felt it was time i took a proper look at this scheme.

It's fair to say that the name "Coventry" doesn't create the same buzz in the minds of the public or particularly in the minds of young urbanites that cities need to attract and retain.

This scheme however is exactly the sort of scheme that will enhance the impression of Coventry to young people and attract investment and a virtuous circle of redevelopment.

I do think this scheme looks really good in the renders but i hope that it turns out in the flesh to look as good. It is really important that this as the first big and noticeable (outside of Coventry) scheme is a success both economically and aesthetically.

Quite. There's a lot of work to be done to make the name not strike fear into the hearts of people. Although in recent years there have been some more upbeat articles about the city in national newspapers.

Those urbanites are coming whether they like it or not - starting with 550+ staff who'll be relocating from London to work at the QCA in the Butts. So I guess developments like this will make the place all the more attractive to these poor souls.

There's a chance that we may see a Cathedral --> Station ribbon stuff. There's already Priory Place, Axa Offices [Cov seems to be going for office space over apartments now.], Belgrade Plaza, Ikea and then Friargate...

If it all comes together it should create that buzz.

Well, I must say, this along with the Butts have got me excited!!! I just wish the Swanswell initiative was just as advanced as the Belgrade. Are there any photos of the new carpark?

I've not see any... Swanswell... Not sure what's going on there. There's a LOT of land there to redevelop, so it has potential to be huge.

The Swanswell Initiative is a 10 year + project and is really just an umbrella name for lots of individual projects; City College, Cov+Warwickshire hospital, homes, offices etc. There won't be a big bang redevelopment of the area with lots of cranes. Which is a shame as I rather like tower cranes and Coventry could do with a few more.

Looks good coventry! Not bin down to your fair city for a while, used to visit all the time when my dad worked there for a bit, the whole family grew quite attached to the place, must have a visit soon to see how its all changing! :)

I like it!!!

http://i15.tinypic.com/5z6awrp.jpg

I like it too!

First time I have seen a photo of the whole building :)

Jags - don't think that would be perspex - it looks like Reglit (glass channels) to me :)

This is a good example of how smaller buildings can usually be mroe adventurous than larger ones. This would look hideous huge.

The Swanswell Initiative is a 10 year + project and is really just an umbrella name for lots of individual projects; City College, Cov+Warwickshire hospital, homes, offices etc. There won't be a big bang redevelopment of the area with lots of cranes. Which is a shame as I rather like tower cranes and Coventry could do with a few more.

Sadly, it looks like the proposed development in Godiva place is not going ahead - student halls of residence instead. I suspect the fact the ringroad is staying will mean a lot of developers won't be interested.

Sadly, it looks like the proposed development in Godiva place is not going ahead - student halls of residence instead. I suspect the fact the ringroad is staying will mean a lot of developers won't be interested.

that's a real shame. sky blue way i would suggest is the busiest route into the city centre - very much a gateway - and this would have been the ideal location for a real landmark building.

i'm not at all suprised and i guess student accomodation was always the most likely route once they decided to leave the ring-road as it is.

we can only hope that any such development is of high quality and TALL.

having said that, the locals around there aren´t exactly happy with the number of students in the area as it is, so i guess it could get a bit messy.

that's a real shame. sky blue way i would suggest is the busiest route into the city centre - very much a gateway - and this would have been the ideal location for a real landmark building.

i'm not at all suprised and i guess student accomodation was always the most likely route once they decided to leave the ring-road as it is.

we can only hope that any such development is of high quality and TALL.

having said that, the locals around there aren´t exactly happy with the number of students in the area as it is, so i guess it could get a bit messy.

I was a student once (For about seven years!), but didn't cause any problems to neighbours - the ones we had living next door to us six years ago were the most ignorant bunch of cretins I've ever met... They just didn't care about making noise at any time of the night. I was finishing up a doctorate as well as working, and the other half was finishing up her Msc as well as working. It's pretty hard to do this when you're getting woken up at 2-3 in the morning by thumping dance music!

I know they bring a lot of cash into the city, but creating student ghettoes doesn't really benefit the city much IMHO. When I lived in Sheffield the Broomhill area was a nightmare - the noise went on all night. It got so bad the University sent a letter to all houses in the area telling residents to report students to them if they were causing a nuisance!

I doubt anyone is really going to want to build apartments or anything overlooking the ringroad - look at those they've built? The noise and the view must be awful!!!!

There was a plan for a huge 20 storey block down there a few years back, but the council threw it out.

I was a student once (For about seven years!), but didn't cause any problems to neighbours - the ones we had living next door to us six years ago were the most ignorant bunch of cretins I've ever met... They just didn't care about making noise at any time of the night. I was finishing up a doctorate as well as working, and the other half was finishing up her Msc as well as working. It's pretty hard to do this when you're getting woken up at 2-3 in the morning by thumping dance music!

I know they bring a lot of cash into the city, but creating student ghettoes doesn't really benefit the city much IMHO. When I lived in Sheffield the Broomhill area was a nightmare - the noise went on all night. It got so bad the University sent a letter to all houses in the area telling residents to report students to them if they were causing a nuisance!

I doubt anyone is really going to want to build apartments or anything overlooking the ringroad - look at those they've built? The noise and the view must be awful!!!!

There was a plan for a huge 20 storey block down there a few years back, but the council threw it out.

there is a deal with the developers and ultraseal with regards to the value of the land aswell, the higher and more dense the development the more ultraseal are paid and the less dense the less they are paid, so i would guess that they will try and put in an application for a high density building to get more accomodation onto the site.

has anyone seen the new enterance that they have made to the old theatre? its on the corner of corporation street and the square. It looks nice actually seems like they have gone for the same style as the new part to try and merge the buildings together better.

Splendid isolation.

http://i15.tinypic.com/5z6awrp.jpg

i have mixed feelings - i like the design but think it could have been so much more. There's 2 or 3 elements that brings the whole building down (..and it's nothing like Cindy Crawford's beauty spot)

went past the belgrade site this morning, looking very busy with various machinery on the site :banana:

Woody - does this thread need to be a standardised title too?

And what do you Cov guys think about a sticky Official Coventry thread? :)

Woody - does this thread need to be a standardised title too?

And what do you Cov guys think about a sticky Official Coventry thread? :)

wwooww a sticky would be great as there is alot going on in coventry at the mo :banana:

Woody - does this thread need to be a standardised title too?

And what do you Cov guys think about a sticky Official Coventry thread? :)

yes please :)

Well, Cov Wolves and Walsall seem to be picking up a fair bit now, and Belgrade Plaza is one of the most significant developments in the West Mids :yes:

Woody - does this thread need to be a standardised title too?

And what do you Cov guys think about a sticky Official Coventry thread? :)

I like it sticky :)

Ooh matron :devil:

STICKY! WOODY!!!!

Mmmm, nothing much happening on BP yet - noticed this evening that all the diggers had gone, leaving it a nice bare and empty car park again!

Mmmm, nothing much happening on BP yet - noticed this evening that all the diggers had gone, leaving it a nice bare and empty car park again!

the belgrade plaza has had more false starts than a 100 metres race for people with a nervous twitch.

really can't understand the delays. how long since the car park extension was finished? 10 months?

the belgrade plaza has had more false starts than a 100 metres race for people with a nervous twitch.

really can't understand the delays. how long since the car park extension was finished? 10 months?

They demolished the Lunn Poly building, which has made the setting of the Belgrade Theatre much nicer, and appear to have piled up the debris on the car park which has now been removed!

There's a 2 page article in today's Guardian pullout about the Belgrade Theatre - roughly looking at how the new season of plays is pretty varied and also experimental...

I took this in town earlier. The Belgrade's new entrance looks very smart. Now Lunn Poly is gone you can see the Plaza car park in the background.

http://i9.tinypic.com/67nts95.jpg

I took this in town earlier. The Belgrade's new entrance looks very smart. Now Lunn Poly is gone you can see the Plaza car park in the background.

http://i9.tinypic.com/67nts95.jpg

Have they changed the front?

Any activity on the building site?

There's the foreman - the one with the walking stick!!

:lol:

the websit says that lunn poly has been demolished and construction will begin in september.

A week and a half to go then!

here is a list of all the subcontractors that will be working on site. Dont know why im putting this up but thought someone may have some interest.lol

http://www.glenigan.com/news/asp/projectdetailpage.asp?pid=DR0920050408006

There was single, lonely digger on the BP site this evening... Looked a bit forlorn. Maybe it took a wrong turn?

About bloody time they updated the damned website! They never reply to me when i message them now lol, must be something i said!

Cor, that lonely digger has started digging. It's gonna take it a long time...

yea i saw that this morning, could it be for the base of the crane?

An interesting collection of trenches covered in wire fencing.

http://i22.tinypic.com/29nxbw9.jpg




Here is the old Lunn Polly building just waiting to be crushed up and used as building material.

http://i22.tinypic.com/108g56q.jpg

Ah, so there is some movement!

Is that an archaeological dig?

Is that an archaeological dig?

I thought that.

I don't think so - they spent a year doing one of those already, and unearthed part of the old city wall... but that was further across on the site.

This part of Coventry is where the city wall ran, and is probably a site of major archaelogical interest - so perhaps it's a few test pits to make sure there's nothing there before they start construction.

There's a lot of archaeology in Cov, especially in what was the medieval centre around where the city wall was located. Around the Herbert Gallery excavations they found some Roman artefacts.

Oh right, is there anyway someone can check this out? Dont the holes relate to the building footprints?

Oh right, is there anyway someone can check this out? Dont the holes relate to the building footprints?

I don't think it's a dig - the pits look to be outside the line of the city wall, which would have run across where Lunn Poly was and joined up with Town Wall tavern. So I reckon you're prob. right and they relate to footprints.

It's gonna be a small building then - you don't do strip footings for large buildings!

It's gonna be a small building then - you don't do strip footings for large buildings!

Where the stripes are is the smaller part of the building... 5 storeys I think... with the bars/restaurants in them and the casino/hotel. The piece of land with the big rubble pile on it is where the 14 storey block is going.

EDIT: I lied - it looks like the building where the stripes are is more like 8 storeys.

Where the stripes are is the smaller part of the building... 5 storeys I think... with the bars/restaurants in them and the casino/hotel. The piece of land with the big rubble pile on it is where the 14 storey block is going.

EDIT: I lied - it looks like the building where the stripes are is more like 8 storeys.

martin, from what i understand it is the 14 storey building that will be taken up entirely by the radisson hotel, not the smaller building as you suggest?

the residential element is in phase 3 from what i can gather.

martin, from what i understand it is the 14 storey building that will be taken up entirely by the radisson hotel, not the smaller building as you suggest?

the residential element is in phase 3 from what i can gather.

Yes, the Radisson is in the 14 storey block, but the smaller block is the Casino and a smaller hotel (Travelodge or something like that - budget sort of thing.) This is the hotel I was referring to.

Yup, residential phase 3 - speaks volumes about confidence of the city centre apartment markets.

Let's not forget there's a reasonable chunk of office space in this as well.

I seriously doubt the trenches are for foundations. Their layout looks too cramped and dosen't cover enough of the area the new buildings should take up. They have also also been dug far too soon - most of the surface car park is still there! My guess is they are either archaelogical or utility test trenches.

I seriously doubt the trenches are for foundations. Their layout looks too cramped and dosen't cover enough of the area the new buildings should take up. They have also also been dug far too soon - most of the surface car park is still there! My guess is they are either archaelogical or utility test trenches.

They're too big for achaelogical trenches - they'd do smaller pits over areas they'd already identified as being of interest.

What's happening here? It's dark when I leave the office now, so I can't actually see it from the ringroad - doesn't look to be much going on, though.

im not sure really i think they are removing all of the tarmac from the carpark and pilng it on the land next to the ring road, they also have a massive pile of earth next to the hoarding by the plaza. its odd really because i would have thought that they would have to dig up the whole site rather deep and not just small trenches like on residential extensions. I also thought that the first thing they would have done would have been to clear the site of the tower, but they have done the complete opposite and piled earth onto it.

Its very odd indeed.

This seems to be well underway now - there's a huge pit where the car park once stood. Although some would say it was a pit beforehand.

This seems to be well underway now - there's a huge pit where the car park once stood. Although some would say it was a pit beforehand.

Marty babes (:lol:) can you get a picture of this?

Marty babes (:lol:) can you get a picture of this?

It's a bit difficult when you're hurtling past at 40mph - and I don't go into the city centre much (Well, "at all", to be honest.)...

Hey, you live in the centre.:)

It's a bit difficult when you're hurtling past at 40mph - and I don't go into the city centre much (Well, "at all", to be honest.)...

Hey, you live in the centre.:)

:lol: ill try and get a pic on the forums by tomorrow, but not making any promises;)

I belive the fences on the trenches may just be to stop animals getting in.

I belive the fences on the trenches may just be to stop animals getting in.

Won't work. The Chavs'll climb over it.:)

http://i20.tinypic.com/34sfolz.jpg

http://i20.tinypic.com/2hzk9au.jpg

http://i21.tinypic.com/262l7wm.jpg

Good to see things have started. This scheme is very important for the wider image of Cov, show things are going on there too.

looking at that first pic, you can imagine the impact the highrise will have on Coventry's skyline...:)

I wonder if the apartment development is coming last due to the recent downturn in that market - people in some cities are losing out big time.

Piling has started :)

That means concrete is going in, which means construction has OFFICIALLY STARTED! :banana:

Maybe we can formalise the title of this thread now?

Piling has started :)

That means concrete is going in, which means construction has OFFICIALLY STARTED! :banana:

Maybe we can formalise the title of this thread now?

Wohoo, now i wanna see it built in 2 months

Wohoo, now i wanna see it built in 2 months

Two years, more like!!!!

I wonder if they have managed to let out the office space yet?

No course not!!! I doubt it'll go very quickly, maybe once most of the development is finished and its a bit more of an attractive location... then we might see some interest

im hoping this development will bring some prestige to the city and give it that busy feeling. Did anyone see the belgrade theatre on the night of the godiva awards? I have to admit it looked amazing, they had these huge strobe lights pointed at the sky. Ok my mind is changing about the theatre, its really growing on me. I cant wait for that area to be finished now.

This car park is where the residential area will be. They don't seem to be in any rush to start.

http://i5.tinypic.com/5zoo8jn.jpg

i was walking past it yesterday and they were laying down a black mesh on the ground, but the ground had been super levelled, could this be for the crane?

im hoping this development will bring some prestige to the city and give it that busy feeling. Did anyone see the belgrade theatre on the night of the godiva awards? I have to admit it looked amazing, they had these huge strobe lights pointed at the sky. Ok my mind is changing about the theatre, its really growing on me. I cant wait for that area to be finished now.

It looks better at night when it's lit up. During the day it looks rather drab.

The city is looking very bad at the moment - a lot of cleared sites with no sign of any work starting. Not good.

It looks better at night when it's lit up. During the day it looks rather drab.

The city is looking very bad at the moment - a lot of cleared sites with no sign of any work starting. Not good.

Yea I agree, theres a lot of land in the centre with lots of great ideas, but nothing starting. Its a concern but i think alot of the plans are changing to coincide with all the developments in the pipeline, this is probably a good thing because it means the developers arent just developing anything they are looking at the needs in the area and building to spec. But one thing i have noticed is that the stuff that is being built in the centre is stuff that wasnt really on the radar. For example severn trent are moving to a site that stoford are developing by the courts, why didnt they choose the site at the end of the burges, which stoford are also developing and have permission for?

Yea I agree, theres a lot of land in the centre with lots of great ideas, but nothing starting. Its a concern but i think alot of the plans are changing to coincide with all the developments in the pipeline, this is probably a good thing because it means the developers arent just developing anything they are looking at the needs in the area and building to spec. But one thing i have noticed is that the stuff that is being built in the centre is stuff that wasnt really on the radar. For example severn trent are moving to a site that stoford are developing by the courts, why didnt they choose the site at the end of the burges, which stoford are also developing and have permission for?

The offices near AXA are nowhere near big enough for 1700 people - I think the building for Severn Trent is going to be pretty huge - 7 stories, but quite wide. It's a large patch of land.

The offices near AXA are nowhere near big enough for 1700 people - I think the building for Severn Trent is going to be pretty huge - 7 stories, but quite wide. It's a large patch of land.

is there going to be a hotel on the site? If theres retail, parking, offices etc.. then surely there will be a hotel on the site.

is there going to be a hotel on the site? If theres retail, parking, offices etc.. then surely there will be a hotel on the site.

I don't think so - I guess we'll have to wait and see.

It'd be interesting to see what happens to the old Toy museum in the medieval gatehouse.

Typical

http://www.wagamama.com/locations_all.php

One everywhere, but not in Cov.

Maybe the final BP unit will be suitable for Wagamama!

I've emailed Wagamamas before about opening in Cov, i think you'll find that the Noodle Bar has a huge market share!

I've emailed Wagamamas before about opening in Cov, i think you'll find that the Noodle Bar has a huge market share!

What did they say?

What did they say?

Im not a big fan of wagamamas, theyre food isnt great. I love the concept but the food isnt real traditional food its very english (watered down jap/chinese food). What i want to see is a haagen dazs cafe there. I honestly think they need a cafe or two there to give it some diversity and a few upmarket bars and not chav stuff.

They are also starting to pour concrete on to the site now aswell, anyone know what that is for?

Im not a big fan of wagamamas, theyre food isnt great. I love the concept but the food isnt real traditional food its very english (watered down jap/chinese food). What i want to see is a haagen dazs cafe there. I honestly think they need a cafe or two there to give it some diversity and a few upmarket bars and not chav stuff.

They are also starting to pour concrete on to the site now aswell, anyone know what that is for?

I've had real Japanese food - most Brits won't eat it!

I've had real Japanese food - most Brits won't eat it!

I have been to a few proper japanese sushi bars and restaurants etc.

To be honest i find it to be an aquired taste, but there are a few items on the menu that taste like somebody else has just spat it out...yuk:bash:

I love the japanese bars where they cook the food in front of you and "flip" the food on to your plate, they are acrobatic chefs!

:banana:

I have been to a few proper japanese sushi bars and restaurants etc.

To be honest i find it to be an aquired taste, but there are a few items on the menu that taste like somebody else has just spat it out...yuk:bash:

I love the japanese bars where they cook the food in front of you and "flip" the food on to your plate, they are acrobatic chefs!

:banana:


A bag of crabs!

Ewwww, i've had crabs before but it weren't very nice :crazy2:

Ewwww, i've had crabs before but it weren't very nice :crazy2:

TMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:ohno:

Hey, have you heard any news on SPrint?
You said there was gonna be an announcement about it later this year...

TMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:ohno:

Hey, have you heard any news on SPrint?
You said there was gonna be an announcement about it later this year...

Yeh later this year... :rant:

Yeh later this year... :rant:

A bad announcement?

"We're canning it and buying six more bendibuses instead!"

A bad announcement?

"We're canning it and buying six more bendibuses instead!"

Bendibuses are great!!!! Since the ones went in on the Willenhall route i've been told patronage increased by at least 50% within a year! And they're old ones so shows you what a bus can do

Well, I've looked at the Draper's Hall stuff and I'm going to support it - I think it'll be excellent to have that chunk of land filled in (Just how it was pre-war) and create a far better, city-like atmosphere round there. And of course, having that great old building - one of the only Victorian era buildings on note in Coventry - back in use for public functions is excellent.

No doubt the local groups will be up in arms about the building - I think it looks OK.

What drapers hall stuff, what's planned up there?

sorry just found the article, heres the link if anyone else missed it like me:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=drapers-hall-set-to-be-restored%26method=full%26objectid=20085175%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

Sounds like a good idea, it's in a prime location there and is a good building, has to be utilised. Slightly worried about the extention, be great if it's done ok but has to be good there, opposite the new herbert and next to browns and the older surrounding buildings, something cheap looking will degrade the whole area. A good idea in principle tho, have to wait and see what they come up with I guess.

What drapers hall stuff, what's planned up there?

Take a look at the general Coventry thread...

What's going on at the BP site? It's dark when I drive past in the evenings now and can't see a thing!

theres loads going on at the minute, there are a number of diggers on site and a boaring machine (what thats for i dont know), there a load of contractors on site aswell. They have taken some of the boarding away next to the enterance to the carpark and have extended it out towards the lifts for some reason. There are about 6 huge mounds of earth on the site aswell, last week they were crushing the large chunks of earth into fine sediment.

Can anyone get some pics next time they are up that side of town?

I took some today, I'll try and upload them when I can.

Woooo!

According to the Coventry Telegraph, all the apartments in the first phase have already been sold, as have most of the restaurant units & of course, the two hotels & casino...

Bring it ON!!!!!!

There's no stopping it now :)

Hopefully when this starts going up, we'll see:

Victoria buildings
Butts Apartments
Friars Road

etc

Start doing up!

Well, these things tend to snowball. It is as if everyone wakes up and starts building...

http://www.csn.ul.ie/~carol/doozers.gif

It's quite worrying to see how many sites in Cov have been cleared and remained dead for a while...

In the meantime, they're not happy in Brum over Severn Trent's relocation:

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=3098664

Interestingly, the office buildng was actually planned - it has been pre-let to Severn Trent.

http://m.uk.2mdn.net/viewad/817-grey.gif (http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/360b/0/0/%2a/e;44306;0-0;0;20557072;2321-160/600;0/0/0;;~sscs=%3f)

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (http://www.propertyweek.com/linkMatches.asp?linkcode=773) has launched a staunch defence of the city of Birmingham over claims that it has subsidised the relocation of Severn Trent Water from Birmingham to Coventry.
Last month, Severn Trent announced that it had signed a 170,000 sq ft prelet to take Stoford Development’s entire £60m office scheme next to the city ring road on St John’s Street, Coventry.
In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Severn Trent said: ‘The office element will be supported by a £6.5m grant from Advantage West Midlands.’
It created an uproar among local media and Birmingham City Council (http://www.propertyweek.com/linkMatches.asp?linkcode=1181) and even provoked a question in the House of Commons asking whether ‘subsidising by a regional development agency of a company’s move within the region is in accordance with the department’s [for business, enterprise and regulatory reform] policy on the appropriate use of RDAs funds’. ‘It is always a concern when any company moves out of Birmingham, particularly an established company,’ said Clive Dutton, director for planning and regeneration at the council. ‘It is especially concerning if a public body, and partner to the city, aids such a relocation and takes jobs to another place.’
http://m.uk.2mdn.net/viewad/817-grey.gif (http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/360b/0/0/%2a/h;44306;0-0;0;20557072;1-468/60;0/0/0;;~sscs=%3f)

However, AWM said it did not negotiate with Severn Trent. ‘Our deal was to provide gap funding for Stoford to enable the development of needed office space in Coventry,’ said an AWM spokesman, ‘irrespective of whether the space was to be taken by Severn Trent, Severn Valley or the seven dwarfs.’
In response to the question posed in parliament, Stephen Timms, minister for competitiveness in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, confirmed AWM had not provided any subsidy to Severn Trent for its move to Coventry.
Severn Trent plans to consolidate 1,700 staff to the new office in early 2010, as well as relocate its head office from Sheldon in south-east Birmingham to Coventry.
‘This is just sour grapes from Birmingham because Severn Trent couldn’t find a site in Birmingham,’ added the AWM spokesman. Dutton said, if Severn Trent’s relocation to Coventry had stopped it moving out of the West Midlands region, then he ‘reluctantly supported what they [AWM] had done with a heavy heart’.

irrespective of whether the space was to be taken by Severn Trent, Severn Valley or the seven dwarfs.

:rofl:

I love it when there's a slight lapse in professionalism and some character shines through :)

Naturally Brum will be a bit peeved at losing Severn Trent (not so much a go at Cov as ST or poss AWM). All sounds fair to me - a grant for a speculative office development to help Cov - and see what's in the pipeline now!

It seems ST moved because they want new offices, a central location and a decent price.

:rofl:

I love it when there's a slight lapse in professionalism and some character shines through :)

Naturally Brum will be a bit peeved at losing Severn Trent (not so much a go at Cov as ST or poss AWM). All sounds fair to me - a grant for a speculative office development to help Cov - and see what's in the pipeline now!

It seems ST moved because they want new offices, a central location and a decent price.

And hundreds of Chav to work for them.:lol:

Yeah, the dwarf comment amused me as well...!

There's a lot of scope for more offices in Cov...

Was just on the belgrade plaza website. The text intro has been changed to:

Welcome to our website - Phase I of the scheme, Belgrade Plaza Car Park, is now complete and operational. Work has started on Phase II which saw the demolition of the Lunn Poly building and will see the building of the Gala Casino, The Premier Travel Inn, Metro Bar and Grill, Bella Italia and Pizza Express. We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused to you when using the Belgrade Plaza Car Park but we promise that we will make access to the Theatre and the City Centre as pleasant as we can during the works. This website has been created to encourage potential occupiers and tenants to look at the scheme and to keep the residents, businesses and potential visitors to Coventry informed of the exciting plans we have for the development.

No mention on the Ramada Hotel there. Are we to assume that this now comes as part of phase 3?

Was just on the belgrade plaza website. The text intro has been changed to:

Welcome to our website - Phase I of the scheme, Belgrade Plaza Car Park, is now complete and operational. Work has started on Phase II which saw the demolition of the Lunn Poly building and will see the building of the Gala Casino, The Premier Travel Inn, Metro Bar and Grill, Bella Italia and Pizza Express. We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused to you when using the Belgrade Plaza Car Park but we promise that we will make access to the Theatre and the City Centre as pleasant as we can during the works. This website has been created to encourage potential occupiers and tenants to look at the scheme and to keep the residents, businesses and potential visitors to Coventry informed of the exciting plans we have for the development.

No mention on the Ramada Hotel there. Are we to assume that this now comes as part of phase 3?


It's a Radisson Edwardian hotel.
I though phase 2 was the 14 storey building, the smaller stuff behind the Belgrade... Phase 3 was the apartment blocks further along bond street.

It's a Radisson Edwardian hotel.
I though phase 2 was the 14 storey building, the smaller stuff behind the Belgrade... Phase 3 was the apartment blocks further along bond street.

sorry martin, i knew that. don't know where that came from.

i thought so too. maybe phase 2 will be the smaller 6/7 storey building by the theatre and the radisson will come later; or maybe phase 2 will be as we thought and they've just not listed it (strange though - you'd have thought that would be the first thing they mentioned).

sorry martin, i knew that. don't know where that came from.

i thought so too. maybe phase 2 will be the smaller 6/7 storey building by the theatre and the radisson will come later; or maybe phase 2 will be as we thought and they've just not listed it (strange though - you'd have thought that would be the first thing they mentioned).


I thought Phase 1 also included the office element as well - I don't know how much office space there is, but there is definitely some.

More men, more machinery. Lots of earth.

http://i1.tinypic.com/87ly0at.jpg

http://i4.tinypic.com/7y6r0co.jpg




A typical site in the British construction industry. A group of men standing round a hole.

http://i1.tinypic.com/7wf807l.jpg

Well it's definitely started, then!
No going back now.

BUILD BUILD BUILD!!! GOD DAMN IT I WANT IT ALL NOW!

BUILD BUILD BUILD!!! GOD DAMN IT I WANT IT ALL NOW!

all in good tome scaz...jeez people are just soo impatient these days;):nuts:


GOD DAMN IT CANT THEY HURRY THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!

BUILD BUILD BUILD!!! GOD DAMN IT I WANT IT ALL NOW!

It's only a bunch of apartment, hotels and chain bars. No Wagamamamamamamamama:lol:

Calm down!

did anybody read the coventry observer this weekend. There was an article in there about the plaza development. It said the next £40mil phase had started and that 64 apartments had already been sold, how many apartments will be built on the site altogether? All the articles that I have read recently about the plaza now have no mention of the Raddison Edwardian, does this mean that they no longer will be opening here?

did anybody read the coventry observer this weekend. There was an article in there about the plaza development. It said the next £40mil phase had started and that 64 apartments had already been sold, how many apartments will be built on the site altogether? All the articles that I have read recently about the plaza now have no mention of the Raddison Edwardian, does this mean that they no longer will be opening here?

May 2009 according to a press release.

http://www.radissonmedia.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=224

http://www.radissonedwardian.com/feature.do?feature=coventry

Maybe they are doing the low-rise building first, then the Radisson/office block next then the rest of the apartments.

That 64 is _ALL_ the apartments as well. So it looks like there's still a market for them in Cov.

I read last night that this should be completed by Christmas 2008 with opening early 2009. :)

I read last night that this should be completed by Christmas 2008 with opening early 2009. :)

i think its most likely to open in mid to late 2009 rather than the beginning. I think its behind schedule at the minute by a number of months due to the lunn poly residents.
Are there only 64 apartments on the site?

i think its most likely to open in mid to late 2009 rather than the beginning. I think its behind schedule at the minute by a number of months due to the lunn poly residents.
Are there only 64 apartments on the site?

From the website:

Phase I saw the extension and complete refurbishment of the existing multi storey car park (Leigh Mills) to provide 1,091 car spaces. The car park is open 24 hours, seven-days- a-week. It has 24 hour staffed security and offers 3 - 21 person passenger lifts, toilet facilities and reception all housed in a glazed service tower. It offers disabled car parking spaces on Level 1.
Phase 2a, is on site now and will see the building of the Gala Casino, The Premier Travel Inn, Metro Bar and Grill, Bella Italia and Pizza Express due for completion in 2009.
Phase 2b, will see the building of the Raddison Edwardian Hotel and offices along with an additional bar.
Phase III will provide a residential courtyard scheme with bars.

I think the early phases have a small number of apartments; the majority are in Phase III.

Would actually prefer a late-2009 completion date, which would hopefully mean it's not going to be a rushed bodge job. I'd rather wait another six to nine months and see a development of genuine quality rise from the ground rather than a rush-job. There's too much evidence of this kind of thing in Coventry already.

Mind you, a longer build schedule does not necessarily mean a better quality development, as it can mean project overspend and shoddy 'finishing-off' when the money's run out (just look at the Scottish Parliament).

i'm reasonably optimistic about this development. i like the way that it has been phased, that it hasn't been rushed, that all units appear to have been let/sold, and from the renders it's looks to be the kind of high quality development we've been crying out for. i also like the fact that it will face the ring-road as opposed to many recent developments that face inwards and expose their ugly backsides to the world.

the fact that it will house a radisson edwardian hotel is pretty significant, as i believe it is their first hotel in england outside london. quite a coup really.

it's easy to be cynical and negative as a coventrian; but there appears to be an appetite for developers to throw some pretty significant amounts of money at the city. coventry has long been touted as a city worth investing in, and that appears to at long last be happening. coventry is being given yet another chance it seems, and we can only hope that we don't throw it away. again.

i'm reasonably optimistic about this development. i like the way that it has been phased, that it hasn't been rushed, that all units appear to have been let/sold, and from the renders it's looks to be the kind of high quality development we've been crying out for. i also like the fact that it will face the ring-road as opposed to many recent developments that face inwards and expose their ugly backsides to the world.

the fact that it will house a radisson edwardian hotel is pretty significant, as i believe it is their first hotel in england outside london. quite a coup really.

it's easy to be cynical and negative as a coventrian; but there appears to be an appetite for developers to throw some pretty significant amounts of money at the city. coventry has long been touted as a city worth investing in, and that appears to at long last be happening. coventry is being given yet another chance it seems, and we can only hope that we don't throw it away. again.

Cynicism seems to be inbred in Coventrians, and soon spreads to people who move here (Like myself.):) There have been a few false dawns over the years - Lower precinct, Priory place, for example, but it looks like an overall plan is coming together and there's some plans to link things together better. I think with QCA, Severn Trent and other relocations, the chances of this happening are now very much improved.


Belgrade Plaza's success is, I reckon, going to be very important for other developments. There's a lot of scope and land for redevelopment in Coventry, and a relatively wealthy/large catchment area.

i'm reasonably optimistic about this development. i like the way that it has been phased, that it hasn't been rushed, that all units appear to have been let/sold, and from the renders it's looks to be the kind of high quality development we've been crying out for. i also like the fact that it will face the ring-road as opposed to many recent developments that face inwards and expose their ugly backsides to the world.

the fact that it will house a radisson edwardian hotel is pretty significant, as i believe it is their first hotel in england outside london. quite a coup really.

it's easy to be cynical and negative as a coventrian; but there appears to be an appetite for developers to throw some pretty significant amounts of money at the city. coventry has long been touted as a city worth investing in, and that appears to at long last be happening. coventry is being given yet another chance it seems, and we can only hope that we don't throw it away. again.


There's a Radisson in Manchester. I really like the building it's housed in actually. It will be interesting to see the quality of the one in Cov. If it's anything up to that standard then excellent.

WOODY? Can we make this a proper thread title now it is u/c please?

Ta :)

theres a huge foundation hole in the ground now and alot more heavy machinery aswell.

Lots going on.

http://i14.tinypic.com/6kfros4.jpg




Close up.

http://i12.tinypic.com/86r5wle.jpg

Thanks for the pics. Did you spy a tower crane base?

Didn't spot one I'm afraid.

what really excites me about this project is that the highrise will really add depth to the city centre, i like the way this building seems to 'push away' the ring road in the render.

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/772/amendedviewng6.jpg

How has this thread slipped to the second page!! Cum on guys!

I think they have started puring concrete into this now, im probably wrong but it does seem like it.