Sheffield Skybar

[paulmat]

I was thinking, I know we all complain about how much red brick is used in developments, but I think in a way it's a good thing.

If you look at a lot of the developments in Leeds, lots are covered in plasticky cladding (I know that we have some like that) and I think it looks quitee tacky in a way. I'd much prefer red brick, which also fit's in a lot better with the surrounding buildings.

Although, obviously I'd prefer it if there were lot's more unique materials used, such as with Velocity or Sinclairs or lot's of glass.

Anyone got any views on it?

[soupçon]

The devil's in the detail(ing). There's a variety of bricks available with differing appearances. I don't like large expanses of just brick e.g. the proposed flats on Victoria Rd or the existing flats on Solly St. (see my photo in the appartments thread) or the hotel in the square. If there's a couple of other coverings though, red brick is fine - Brocco student flats / Riverside. I like a mixture of brick and render (preferably 2 colours).

If the quality of design and bricks is good enough you can get away with one covering though - e.g. Sinclairs.

[paulmat]

I agree. Like the front of metier looks alright, because it's broken up by windows/balconies/cladding, but the back is really shocking cause it's just a huge slab of brick.

[paulmat]

Not sure I really got my point across there

[paulmat]

I've just been reading the 'Is Nottingham Good or Not' thread, and someone from Nottingham was saying how Nottingham will be battling it out with Sheffield (and Leicester). Apart from a bad choice of words, as no cities will be 'battling it out', it made me wonder how we view Sheffield compared with other cities.

The people from Nottingham seem to mention Sheffield quite a bit in comparison, whereas we hardly ever mention Nottingham. We tend to look more towards 'competing' with Leeds.

In the same way, I think Leeds compare's itself with Manchester and Birmingham.

So how you you guys view Sheffield in terms of size/importance etc?

(Obviously, at the moment Sheffield is nowhere near Leeds in terms of economy, retail, size and probably a couple of other things).

[paulmat]

And I really don't know what happened there, as my reply posted before the original post.

[count_domular]

True about Sheffield being behind Leeds in so many ways, but we have got an arena, a mass transit system and better public spaces, all of which Leeds would want I'm sure.

I think it's natural for a city to up to bigger and more commercial cities for comparison. Your thinking could even be extended to London being compared to New York.

[Bladerunner]

Originally Posted by paulmat

I've just been reading the 'Is Nottingham Good or Not' thread.

Where's this thread? We should add that Nottingham has just lost exclusive rights to its airport. EMA is now officially called Nottingham-Leicester-Derby airport, or something!

[paulmat]

Lol. It's already on their. The thread's in the City Talk forum.

[Truefitt]

Originally Posted by Bladerunner

Where's this thread? We should add that Nottingham has just lost exclusive rights to its airport. EMA is now officially called Nottingham-Leicester-Derby airport, or something!

I think they had to change it due to bad relations with Derby and Leicester because the airport isnt in nottingham, more Leicester. and apparently it didnt make much difference to how people knew the airport from other countrys.

[dinp]

Could be something to do with the bad reputation Nottingham has these days

[paulmat]

Hmm. I was looking at some of the photo's of the new Sheaf Square on the BBC site, and read some of the comments that people had left. They just made me wonder what people in Sheffield really want.

There was some guy complaining that they'd built a car park. But then people always complain that there's not enough parking in town.

Quite a few people were complaining that they were planning to build a hotel, and offices. But then people complian that there's not enough highly paid jobs in Sheffield. You don't get highly paid manufacturing jobs, so offices are needed.

Then of them complained that it was all the same. Steel, Glass, Steps and Water. What materials do they want to be used. Red brick?

What do people want? Cause I just can't work it out.

[dinp]

Basically you'll never please everyone and its one of the things that makes my job as a planner so fun - hearing people's microcosmed thoughtless complaints

[Starslight]

If you've ever watched Soccer Am they have a piss take of Yorkshire. They have the 'Yorkshire News', everyone's dressed like its the seventies and at the end the presenter always says 'We don't like change' (in an over the top Yorkshire accent). Before I came to Yorkshire I also thought it was an outdated stereotype, however since living in Sheffield you realise that quite often stereotypes are based on at least a little truth.

[dinp]

Its not just yorkshire, there's NIMBYs everywhere. I don't work in Yorkshire by the way!

[larven]

Originally Posted by paulmat

Quite a few people were complaining that they were planning to build a hotel, and offices. But then people complian that there's not enough highly paid jobs in Sheffield. You don't get highly paid manufacturing jobs, so offices are needed.

Then of them complained that it was all the same. Steel, Glass, Steps and Water. What materials do they want to be used. Red brick?

What do people want? Cause I just can't work it out.

Some people will just moan for the sake of it, because they have nothing better to do, they don't like progress and if you ask them what they would like to see they don't have any creditable answers. They're pathetic. Can you post a link to the BBC site so I can see the comments please?

[liveforever]

also you will often find these people browsing the many threads on the Sheffield Forum, moaning to whoever will listen about bright buses, noisy trees and other pointless drivel.

[paulmat]

Originally Posted by larven

Some people will just moan for the sake of it, because they have nothing better to do, they don't like progress and if you ask them what they would like to see they don't have any creditable answers. They're pathetic. Can you post a link to the BBC site so I can see the comments please?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/..._gallery.shtml

It's true. I bet if you asked them what kind of development they WOULD like to see in Sheffield, they either wouldn't be able to think of anything, or they'd want it to stay exactly how it is. (Full of 60's crap).

It's like the people who complain about how they knock down nice old building's, then when you ask them for an example, they can't give one.

[AndrewC]

I just submitted the comment "Bah! Change!" to that website, under the name of 'E. Bygum'

[Starslight]

Love it!