Milton Court - "The Heron" | City of London | 112m | 36 fl | T/O - Page 40

11001001 · March 12th, 2012, 10:30 PM

^

It was once Britannic Tower, BP's old HQ

http://www.citypoint.org.uk/history

Core Rising · March 12th, 2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B890bT

has city point had a reclad in its history, i dont necessarily mean in the past few years, but it looks great for something built in 1967/68

It was back in 2000. It is only after the reclad (and 5 meter height increase) that it became known as CityPoint. Before then it was known as Britannic Tower.

Back before the reclad:

What it could have been:

Check the skyscrapercity thread for some more.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1188495

Gherkin · March 12th, 2012, 10:43 PM

That proposal was always a bit much. What we've got now is much sleeker

Core Rising · March 12th, 2012, 11:02 PM

Well we got most of what was proposed, only the spire was removed. I do like the crown we ended up with. You have to admit that the transformation from the old Britannic Tower is pretty dramatic.

delores · March 12th, 2012, 11:10 PM

As i recall the Calatrava design which would of been stunning was ditched because EH thought it's shape would have a detrimental effect on St Pauls mainly due to the incredibly adventurous cantilevered restaurant, pathetic.

hugh · March 12th, 2012, 11:52 PM

City Point is ok, but I actually prefer the international modernist look of Britannic House.

***ill tonkso*** · March 13th, 2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugh

City Point is ok, but I actually prefer the international modernist look of Britannic House.

Looks bigger too.

chest · March 14th, 2012, 10:54 PM

This is an absolutely stunning building, it's almost impossible to see it as a whole or from afar as its almost completely surrounded, but it is up close that it works so well - differing cladding providing varying textures and of the very highest quality, beautifully proportioned and beautifully designed.

the construction chest

Skydoggy · March 15th, 2012, 12:43 AM

Fabulous pictures as usual Chest! I agree with your comments 100%. I walk past this site regularly and it has become my favourite construction site of the moment. It is truly top class imo.

potto · March 15th, 2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gherkin

That proposal was always a bit much. What we've got now is much sleeker

what we ended up with is a plane of blocky structures of equal height creating an awkwardly forced backdrop to St Pauls. The original design would have added a pleasing book end with its slight skyline signature.

usual lack of a grasp of simple aesthetics from EH.

Ion Cannon · March 15th, 2012, 06:02 PM

Agreed, what we've gotten is nicely done and the cladding looks good, but it doesn't stack up to this previous design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by london lad

Gherkin · April 20th, 2012, 05:27 PM

Sorry, a bit blurry. Taken through a window

cnapan · April 21st, 2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chest

This is an absolutely stunning building, it's almost impossible to see it as a whole or from afar as its almost completely surrounded, but it is up close that it works so well - differing cladding providing varying textures and of the very highest quality, beautifully proportioned and beautifully designed.

To me, it looks utterly bland and soulless and therefore benefits from being partially hidden. Seriously... with a couple of hours of training on a 3d package, anyone could knock this thing up. The thing it most closely resembles to me is the 'Peninsula Heights Tower' at Vauxhall

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/6180372745/

At least that has the excuse of being a reclad of a previous ugly build rather than a from-scratch new design.

What a shame the Calatrava design didn't make it on the building next door. At least that seemed to have gone through a process of asking 'will it be beautiful'. (Which all his structures try to be, making him quite rare among today's architects!). I'm not sure I prefer what's there now to what was there before, especially when I got shouted at by a security guard for attempting to take photos of it a couple of years ago :-)

hifive605 · April 21st, 2012, 02:55 PM

This area of the city is an architectural train-wreck, Citypoint which acts as its "centre" is basically an ugly building - and since it acts as the center of gravity for whole area everything else is gonna look shite as well..

jonnyboy · April 21st, 2012, 03:21 PM

well, i love citypoint and think this area is starting to look rather good! funny how we can all have such opposing views! makes life more fun.

MatthewGen · April 21st, 2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifive605

This area of the city is an architectural train-wreck, Citypoint which acts as its "centre" is basically an ugly building - and since it acts as the center of gravity for whole area everything else is gonna look shite as well..

Well, that's like.. Your opinion dude.

Goat Rope · May 8th, 2012, 07:30 AM

Seriously, why does this one get so little love? Is it really that crap?

Jaeger · May 8th, 2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Rope

Seriously, why does this one get so little love? Is it really that crap?

Probably because it's not as tall as some of the other towers being constructed in London, is hemmed in by other developments and is beside the Barbican (which is not to everyones taste).

It's a very good development and not crap in the least, indeed it will form part of a new culture partnership linking the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Barbican Arts Centre and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO St Lukes), as well as the nearby refurbished London Museum.

The new educational facilities, new concert hall and new theatre will be an important addition to the area and help London to compete with cities such as New York.

This is therefore a very important development, and much more than just another tower.

Mr Bricks · May 8th, 2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaeger

Once it closes as a YMCA I am sure access will be restricted to residents. Hopefully the YMCA can find somewhere else near to the city.

As for the Barbican area, it is going to look a lot better with plans for new paving around the surrounding streets, new landscaping of the area (new trees and shrubs), new lighting (including the Beech Street Tunnel), new cinemas and of course Milton Court and other city developments.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rd...00R05Part7.pdf

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rd...00R05Part6.pdf

http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/new-cinemas

http://onbotanicalphotography.blogsp...ture-with.html

Has anything happened yet?

Jaeger · May 8th, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Bricks

Has anything happened yet?

In terms of the area around the Barbican area, they are waiting for the current Milton Court development to finish and the contractors to leave the area before they embark on the next stage of the envisaged cultural quarter.

The New Cinemas to be opened later this year are also part of this wider plan.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/seasonrev...ltural-quarter

In terms of the paving and landscaping Towshends have already completed a number of schemes in the City of London.

http://www.townshendla.com/projects/london/

May 8th, 2012, 07:30 AM	#797
Goat Rope The Expat Capra Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Muscat- Oman, Ipswich- UK Posts: 235 Likes (Received): 0	Seriously, why does this one get so little love? Is it really that crap? __________________ شفيت نفسي ولكن جدعت أنفي سلطنة عُمان‎

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

March 12th, 2012, 10:30 PM	#781
11001001 Mushy Peas Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: London Posts: 536 Likes (Received): 59	^ It was once Britannic Tower, BP's old HQ http://www.citypoint.org.uk/history

March 12th, 2012, 10:43 PM	#783
Gherkin actual gherkin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,713 Likes (Received): 147	That proposal was always a bit much. What we've got now is much sleeker

March 12th, 2012, 11:02 PM	#784
Core Rising Ampersands & What Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London/ Nottingham Posts: 4,830	Well we got most of what was proposed, only the spire was removed. I do like the crown we ended up with. You have to admit that the transformation from the old Britannic Tower is pretty dramatic.

March 12th, 2012, 11:10 PM	#785
delores Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,562 Likes (Received): 24	As i recall the Calatrava design which would of been stunning was ditched because EH thought it's shape would have a detrimental effect on St Pauls mainly due to the incredibly adventurous cantilevered restaurant, pathetic.

March 12th, 2012, 11:52 PM	#786
hugh Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Don't call it Frisco Posts: 1,092 Likes (Received): 67	City Point is ok, but I actually prefer the international modernist look of Britannic House.

March 14th, 2012, 10:54 PM	#788
chest Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Canary Wharf Posts: 2,261 Likes (Received): 515	This is an absolutely stunning building, it's almost impossible to see it as a whole or from afar as its almost completely surrounded, but it is up close that it works so well - differing cladding providing varying textures and of the very highest quality, beautifully proportioned and beautifully designed. the construction chest

March 15th, 2012, 12:43 AM	#789
Skydoggy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Rochester and London Posts: 328 Likes (Received): 1	Fabulous pictures as usual Chest! I agree with your comments 100%. I walk past this site regularly and it has become my favourite construction site of the moment. It is truly top class imo.

April 20th, 2012, 05:27 PM	#792
Gherkin actual gherkin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leeds Posts: 13,713 Likes (Received): 147	Sorry, a bit blurry. Taken through a window

April 21st, 2012, 02:55 PM	#794
hifive605 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 367 Likes (Received): 15	This area of the city is an architectural train-wreck, Citypoint which acts as its "centre" is basically an ugly building - and since it acts as the center of gravity for whole area everything else is gonna look shite as well..

April 21st, 2012, 03:21 PM	#795
jonnyboy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 944 Likes (Received): 45	well, i love citypoint and think this area is starting to look rather good! funny how we can all have such opposing views! makes life more fun.