Well according to one of the pics on here: http://www.vtpglobal.com/

I'm not 100% fam with Manc's current skyline but one of the pics does look like Manchester, the tower looks awesome??? sorry to get hopes up if it's not.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking?

Hope not.

Tacky crap, that will be seen as dated in no time whatsoever.

Take a look at the Big One in Blackpool - 10 years old? Dated and crap.

Worst idea ever - FACT.

ha - right on albert sqaure! somehow i don't think so. ;)

surely nothing.

lol, that's a matter of opinion. The one set fro Brum looks stunning IMO, it will be in a once run down part of town, it will add to the skyline and give height to a flat part of the city but most of all it will be a major attraction for adrenaline junkies and skyscraper freaks.

ha - right on albert sqaure! somehow i don't think so. ;)

surely nothing.

Yeah I thought it seemed a bit centrale, is there anywhere one of these could go in a similar site as Eastside?

Yawn, I posted this here first ages ago;) I greeted the news there may be a Glasgow one with similar joy as you Mancunians:lol:

How long before it looks seriously dated though?

I cannot see these lasting more than a decade in the provinces before they fall into dis-repair.

IMO.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/2005-02-26-darwin-ralil-white-eleph.jpg

Maybe a theme park where the Supercasino was to be built could work.

A theme park that is built along the ground and not 240m into the sky.

How long before it looks seriously dated though?

I cannot see these lasting more than a decade in the provinces before they fall into dis-repair.

I hardly doubt it, the rides are all designed to be changed every so often to keep interest going.

Primarily the things are much needed viewpoints in city centres set up extremely high.

I think many cities will be watching how the one goes up in Brum, how it looks, feels and how the people of the city receive it. There will be restaurants up there and possibly a nightclub. I think if you asked most people "would you like to take a trip 200 metres above Manchester's skyline to watch the sunset over the city's skyline, or see the lights of the city and greater Manc area unfold beneath you or maybe even dangle 130 metres above streets in your own flight simulator..." I'd certainly be first in line.

The on ein Brum had a lot of feedback over design and so far they've listened and it's improved every time.

Oh and the Birmingham one is supposed to be built by 2011 :)

Maybe out near The COMS, where the super casino would have gone, NOT in the city centre though.

Eastside is set away from Birmingham's city core of highrises so th eview will be ace, they claim you will be able to see 33 miles or so away, i.e. Malvern Hills, what could you see from Manc?

If VTP is coming to Manchester I want to see a design change. The one proposed for Birmingham looks shite and the Manchester render on that website isn't much better.

I think given their height and design they're very overwhelming, any one would immediately become the focal point of any regional UK city's skyline.

If VTP is coming to Manchester I want to see a design change. The one proposed for Birmingham looks shite and the Manchester render on that website isn't much better.

:lol: yeah

Looks pretty funky to me

http://www.vtpglobal.com/vtp_birmingham_video.htm

oh well maybe they'll read the negative comments on here and wont bother with Manc lol

oh well maybe they'll read the negative comments on here and wont bother with Manc lol

Hope so, it's shite.

Sometimes peolpe on here seem to think that so long as it's tall it is great, these are terrible.

Oh no, not one of those in here, thank you. The Manchester one looks absolutely awful!

I'm not keen on this "VTP" stuff anyway, it's too much like a novelty that would wear off. I can just see what happens - massively hyped, resulting in massive queues and people feeling less than impressed after the rides. And then inevitably becoming white elephants...rant finished.

you lot are a bunch of moaners, cheer up.

you lot are a bunch of moaners, cheer up.

God, I hope not. Who wants a Cadbury's Smash Alien dominating the skyline.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41205000/jpg/_41205548_smash.jpg

God, I hope not. Who wants a Cadbury's Smash Alien dominating the skyline.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41205000/jpg/_41205548_smash.jpg

what... are you seriously saying they are not cool and retro as fnck :lol:

looks like two woks stucj together with a couple of air horns attached

Hope not.

Tacky crap, that will be seen as dated in no time whatsoever.

Take a look at the Big One in Blackpool - 10 years old? Dated and crap.

Worst idea ever - FACT.

How can you compare an observation tower to a rollercoaster?

wouldn't mind our own spinnaker but not in a maritime style. just some sort of observation thingimibob.

http://en.structurae.de/files/photos/614/spinnaker_tower_18sep05.jpg

wouldn't mind our own spinnaker but not in a maritime style. just some sort of observation thingimibob.

http://en.structurae.de/files/photos/614/spinnaker_tower_18sep05.jpg

I've seen that with my own eyes. Its fantastic. Am not too sure on this VTP. I'd have to see the plans. I'd hope they'd change their minds through and just build a nice set of 150+ meters offices with a pub on top. TVs, Beer, Pool and views. Sorted.

The Spinnaker Tower was supposed to have a drop ride :\

Shame it didnt.

Im worried. Im concerned. Sir Longford has told me to stay in.

But is this VTP for real?

Some of those designs had they been plonked in the midst of east manchester in the early eighties would have beyond (if that is possible) iconic.

That and Grey Mare Lane market. Belle Vue and blue arsed monkeys. Orange and chocolate brown buses off to town.


But now????

Not going to happen, certainly not in that location! :nuts:

The VTP Vortex design wouldn't be so bad though. Shouldn't date as bad and the hotel would make it more viable.

Must admit I do like these things but that mock up with one right next to the Town Hall, well, we all know that would never get PP.

So we could get a Cobra and/or Velocity going off those pics :lol:

Stick one in Media City, will look better there.

Put the fucker on Winter Hill.

^^ That would be amazing, the view would be unrivalled!

:) Would blow your mind at night or just imagine the snow covered lands bathed in a beautiful orange winter sundown, the low sun hitting the city buildings.

Manchester to get a VTP? No thank you!

This chap sums up quite succintly why I dislike the idea. Taken from an article in Building Design magazine.

Joe Holyoak
Architect and Birmingham City University lecturer

I don’t have access to the development’s figures, but how can so specific a building type, apparently devoted solely to amusement, and very subject to fashion, be a sustainable development?

It lacks that key dimension of robustness which sustainable buildings have — the ability to be reconfigured into something else when the original use becomes obsolete or migrates elsewhere.

There is also the related and difficult issue of meaning — what dimension of civic life is being expressed here, both to residents and visitors? We no longer expect town halls and cathedrals to be the leading edge of civic meaning —tall, look-at-me office buildings expressing private corporate power are now the norm on the urban skyline. The vertical theme park makes a landmark of hedonism. Is this what Birmingham wants to be known for?

There are other urban design and architectural issues. The area in which the VTP is proposed was last year the subject of a very good urban design framework prepared by LDA Design for the City Council and the RDA. It carefully specified block sizes and graduated building heights. The proposed VTP blows a big hole in this.

It is also unrelated to the city’s tall buildings policy. If Birmingham is seduced by novelty, this raises a big question mark against its commitment to good urban design. And how ugly it is! The tower is an ungainly collection of unrelated shapes, standing on top of something worse.

Its like Blackpool tower, only it doesn't look as good. How's Blackpool tower doing again nowadays?

There's a handful of designs straight out of a catalogue. A bit like the big wheel in Exchange Sqaure only permanent, so everyone will have the same thing in every city.

...only they won't really because its shit. Its Naff, poxy, dumb and any other words decpicting tackiness that are as old and as dated as this will be in 10 years.

How would you like your city's most prominent buiding to be a mix between the Printworks, a generic big wheel and Chessington World of Adventure?

It'll work in Blackpool. Build it there. It won't make any money but if they're paying for it who gives a shit?

They haven't built it any anywhere. Have Birmingham really given this palnning permission? Its destined to fail and when businesses fail they fall into disrepair. It'll be nice to have a big, tacky and shit amusement park in view fall into disrepair for all to see. Not!

Build it in Spinningfields. It'll do wonders for the attracting the corporate big guns who bring money into the city. The Bank of America would have deal-clinching meetings in Jungle Jim's in Blackpool tower if they lived over here, wouldn't they? I'm sure Halliwells would have theirs in a VTP in Spinngfields, given the opportunity.

With a better design than Brum's, in a thoughful location, this could work.

These people putting any effort into helping an area develop though is unlikely from Sleepy's post.

Never, ever going to happen. Fucking claptrap.

Manchester to get a VTP? No thank you!

This chap sums up quite succintly why I dislike the idea. Taken from an article in Building Design magazine.


I think that quote is unfair, there are a few decent high quality looking buildings going up around the UK right now, however, there are far more aesthetically ugly and positively bland offices and housing estates rising up across this land that will not last 50 years FACT! and I'm sure Manchester is no exception.

The location of Birmingham's tower is in Eastside which ideally would have been spearheaded by Lord Rogers iconic library, the building going up in the area so far are IMO quite horrible, but no different compared to elsewhere.

Birmingham, like Manchester... and lots of other UK cities, lacks a decent viewing tower close to the city core, many other cities around the world have this and it is a great way to appreciate your city from up high, I'm sure Manchester's skyline is great but to be honest many of the pics I have seen look very sparse and quite dull. I know that were some of you to have access to a very high vantage point this would change... probably daily, the idea of the Birmingham venture is to serve three functions.

1. Offer the people of the city and visitors an incredible opportunity to view the city unfold from up high.

2. Offer an exciting array of fair ground rides above the city, for families and adrenaline junkies.

3. Breathe life into a run down part of the city.

The aesthetics are pretty good of the Cobra design in my opinion, it's no better or worse than many U.S. style observation towers, and like these U.S. towers, it's not central so won't interfere with the central skyline. Plus at night it will look ace with the lighting.

I don't really care whether Manc gets one or not :lol: but If I lived in the North West I'd hope it did for the reasons I've given. It's something we lack in this country and probably a reason why our big city skylines are so drab compared to many European counterparts (including Birmingham & Manchester, sorry), there is little vision and a lack of trying something new, I very much doubt these would become stale after a few years as the rides are designed to be changed upgraded, besides... even if the building itself becomes dated, your city's skyline will be forever changing and this is the place you would go to see those changes. I can't really believe so many negative comments, but that's the last I'll say. Good luck, or maybe not???

What about one near the Trafford centre/Ski Factor

What about one near the Trafford centre/Ski Factor

The congestion charge will see that off. :lol:

What about one near the Trafford centre/Ski Factor

I think Birmingham's close enough;)

Maybe it could be the new ARndale Center. Manchester pioneered the Arndale center and loads of other arndale centers have sprung up around the country, so with VTP perhaps we could all get to have one each. After all, the Daily Express may one day build their own VTP and dedicate it wholly to Princess Diana and Madeleine McBloodyCann...or at least get 100% sponsorship from both estates the stupid fucks!

I think Birmingham's close enough;)

Apparently you'll be able to see it from Winter Hill. I think the general concensus is no thank you.

Well if you constructed one in Altrincham, another in Ramsbottom, yet another in Bramhall, all centred on a core tower in Spinningfields, then hey presto, you could have a cable car service for the platinium income business men and women of the burbs.

No C Charge, no rnb music from chavbos on the tram.

That and the monorail to withington.

Halliwells in Jungle Jims. Best of the day so far.

That gyro swing looks ace! :)

Can i nominate this for 'Worst Thread Ever'?

nawh, this would be a good thread on the City talk forum, sure by any sane standards it's a bit rubbish..

Manchester says.... "NO TO VTP"

http://members.lycos.co.uk/Flemma/flumpsfamily.gif

:lol: :goodbye:

Has the Brum one actually got planning permission?

If it has I am amazed by the Brum planning committee!

Seeing as no one else has actually posted it here is the offending image, and boy is it offensive. Funnily enough it still manages in its utter shitness to be a slightly more appealing variation that the Brum one, and that is saying something.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/Architecty/Picture6.png

Manchester says.... "NO TO VTP"

http://members.lycos.co.uk/Flemma/flumpsfamily.gif

:lol: :goodbye:

"Wheres me pension!? :rant:"

They think they are going to put that thing right infront of the town hall? Are they having a giraffe.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d120/Architecty/Picture6.png

Looks like the Martians have landed!

think: "St John's Beacon".

trouble is, these towers can get built in a fit of over-ambition; they go bust in months; and then nobody has the funds to pull them down again.

About time to bring back this thread?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7350407&postcount=1

Am I the only tasteless person to say that I think it looks quite cool?!

I mean not perhaps so close to the beauty of the Town Hall spire but hey why not have it if they really want to build it somewhere in the city?

Doesn't anyone else think it might add something unusual and interesting to the overall look of the skyline?

:-)

I'd love something like this in Manchester ,, in the right place of course :)

Stick it in Oldham or Tameside if it comes to Manchester.

That would be ironic iconic almost demonic if we could have the

"Roy Oldham Tower"

plonked in the middle of Ashton.

Oh ugh just looked at that picture.


Looks like a huge laver lamp.............................

or something that Dan "The Manc" Dare would recognize.............

Stick it in Tameside.................

isn't that render of the Cobra one also Manchester?

looks like the sunken grass area between Bar 38 and Great Northern Warehouse!

^^ It is indeed

They want this in Manchester badly.