British Tower Blocks - Page 4

The Longford · November 14th, 2006, 10:45 AM

You can picture the scene:
Basil Spence, one the countries finest ever architects, is on his death bed and reflecting on his life.
His friends are recalling all his achievements
"Coventry Cathedral - perhaps the finest post war building in Britain Basil - and Grade 1 listed - a beautiful building indeed"
"The University of Sussex also Grade 1 - a magnificent achievement Basil you must agree?"
Wearily Sir Basil has to agree that he has achieved much in his life.
But then from the back of the room a quiet voice pipes up:
"But what about Hutchesontown C Flats in the Gorbals.....?
"Oh fuck off" Basil replies and goes to meet his maker!

Where they really that bad?

Btw - all you Glasgow Tower lovers have got to go to this site and check out the fantastic utopia films from the 50s and 60s.
http://www.bestlaidschemes.com/
Brilliant!

caw123 · November 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butterfield

Excellent! You don't have any photos of the row of blocks in Rochdale do you??

not taken by me

El_Greco · November 14th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Longford

Bigger

El_Greco · November 15th, 2006, 04:36 AM

Life In The Elephant 1948-2005
Interesting site about Elephant & Castle area in London.

http://streaming.into.org.uk/LITE/access/index.html

echo · November 15th, 2006, 10:29 PM

Thank you, caw123, The Boy David and El_Greco for new pictures! When I look at them then I compare English tower blocks with former Soviet Union's ones. It looks like in England the tower blocks were not that usual. If thay exist, then thay are usually alone or in little groups. Thay are built carefully, like "perhaps people don't like that so we don't make them more". But here (Estonia, former part of Soviet Union) there are whole parts of cities full of blockbuildings ("commieblocks") 5- and 9-storey and nothing else; and towerblocks (14-, 16- and 17-storey) among them just make the whole picture better and more changing, a "blockscape", so it's not so dull-looking. I live in one of such areas and what a pleasure is that! Anyway, now I know that Glasgow is a place in your island where I have the biggest chance to find nice towerblocks, if I ever should be there.

asdfg · November 16th, 2006, 01:52 AM

David, you missed Bluevale and Whitevale...

28 floors of Glaswegian brutalism at its most brutal (and about 50 yards from where I live)...

Bluevale:

Whitevale

Both:

asdfg · November 16th, 2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echo

Thank you, caw123, The Boy David and El_Greco for new pictures! When I look at them then I compare English tower blocks with former Soviet Union's ones. It looks like in England the tower blocks were not that usual. If thay exist, then thay are usually alone or in little groups. Thay are built carefully, like "perhaps people don't like that so we don't make them more". But here (Estonia, former part of Soviet Union) there are whole parts of cities full of blockbuildings ("commieblocks") 5- and 9-storey and nothing else; and towerblocks (14-, 16- and 17-storey) among them just make the whole picture better and more changing, a "blockscape", so it's not so dull-looking. I live in one of such areas and what a pleasure is that! Anyway, now I know that Glasgow is a place in your island where I have the biggest chance to find nice towerblocks, if I ever should be there.

Glasgow is not in England.

***The Boy David*** · November 16th, 2006, 02:43 AM

Missed Bluevale and Whitevale? I think not asdfg - check my first post again

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Boy David

These two were Europes tallest residential towers for quite a long time, at 300ft each... Glasgow's own Twin Towers...

Great pics of the towers btw - those first two are absolute belters!

Butterfield · November 16th, 2006, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdfg

Glasgow is not in England.

Try explaining to echo where Glasgow is then - he probably now thinks it's in Wales...

Great pictures btw!

Smileyface · November 16th, 2006, 10:46 AM

Wow! What a fantastic thread, well done El Greco and everyone else who's contributed. I've been working away for nearly a week and I knew this thread would be in existance when I got back but I never thought it would prove so popular - time to change your sig I think Butterfield

All of the Glasgow photos are amazing and some of El Greco's photos on the first page deserve an award, they really capture the mood and atmosphere of hi rise London. I'm going to have to visit Glasgow before any plans for demolition take place - just proves how warped my mind is when I want to visit one of the most architectually beautiful cities in the UK just to admire it's tower blocks!

I've been to Park Hill in Sheffield, which were very impressive, but the one that made me

was on the way up to Hillsborough. I think it was demolished a good 10 years ago but at the time I think it was the largest residential block in the UK? It was huge, about 15+ stories high and built in a zig zag pattern for quite a while without a break - anyone know which one I'm talking about?

di Livio · November 16th, 2006, 02:02 PM

Not a tower block per se, but another utopian housing scheme: Quarry Hill flats, Leeds (built in the 1930s, demolished in the 1970s) Photos were taken during the demolition.

Erebus555 · November 16th, 2006, 05:56 PM

Wow, they really looked interesting. I dont know whether I class them as ugly or gorgeous. The little details look great...

Butterfield · November 16th, 2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smileyface

Wow! What a fantastic thread, well done El Greco and everyone else who's contributed. I've been working away for nearly a week and I knew this thread would be in existance when I got back but I never thought it would prove so popular - time to change your sig I think Butterfield

Well, believe it or not I always guessed there must be more than two of us but I think I'll keep it just to prove a point methinks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smileyface

I've been to Park Hill in Sheffield, which were very impressive, but the one that made me

was on the way up to Hillsborough. I think it was demolished a good 10 years ago but at the time I think it was the largest residential block in the UK? It was huge, about 15+ stories high and built in a zig zag pattern for quite a while without a break - anyone know which one I'm talking about?

The only other similar block(s) in Sheffield that I know of were the Kelvin flats. Not sure where they were in Sheffield but on old photos they can be seen from Park Hill and look identical. Don't know if those are the ones you are referring to.

Where are the Sheffield forumers when we need them??

A great find there di Livio - I'm guessing that you didn't take those! It's great seeing urban decay back in the 70s.

The Longford · November 16th, 2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smileyface

I've been to Park Hill in Sheffield, which were very impressive, but the one that made me

was on the way up to Hillsborough. I think it was demolished a good 10 years ago but at the time I think it was the largest residential block in the UK? It was huge, about 15+ stories high and built in a zig zag pattern for quite a while without a break - anyone know which one I'm talking about?

Its those in the middle distance.
The area is called Walkey but not sure of the name of the flats -i'll have to look it up.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

di livio - can you please tell me where them photos are from. Ive got to get hold of that book!

asdfg · November 16th, 2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Boy David

Missed Bluevale and Whitevale? I think not asdfg - check my first post again

Oops sorry!

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Boy David

Great pics of the towers btw - those first two are absolute belters!

Can't take the credit for those unfortunately.

Smileyface · November 16th, 2006, 07:41 PM

Di Livio - Those photos are awesome, thanks for those.

The Longford - Yes that's the brutal bugger! Now that is the mother of all blocks if only we could find some decent images of it....and a name too!

Smileyface · November 16th, 2006, 07:48 PM

Kelvin flats they were called

Here are few images I dug up after a quick Google around

That last photo was taken from this thread, some excellent photos on there relevant to this thread
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=314150

El_Greco · November 16th, 2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smileyface

Kelvin flats they were called

Here are few images I dug up after a quick Google around

Looks like Park Hill.

Smileyface · November 16th, 2006, 07:55 PM

They're not quite as tall as I thought but they're still bloody impressive in an extremely brutal kind of way.

Plenty more photos here

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...elvin%20flats/

El_Greco · November 16th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Wow wow wow very very impressive

November 14th, 2006, 10:45 AM	#61
The Longford Benefit Scrounger Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: M20 Posts: 8,097 Likes (Received): 4	Glasgow Blocks You can picture the scene: Basil Spence, one the countries finest ever architects, is on his death bed and reflecting on his life. His friends are recalling all his achievements "Coventry Cathedral - perhaps the finest post war building in Britain Basil - and Grade 1 listed - a beautiful building indeed" "The University of Sussex also Grade 1 - a magnificent achievement Basil you must agree?" Wearily Sir Basil has to agree that he has achieved much in his life. But then from the back of the room a quiet voice pipes up: "But what about Hutchesontown C Flats in the Gorbals.....? "Oh fuck off" Basil replies and goes to meet his maker! Where they really that bad? Btw - all you Glasgow Tower lovers have got to go to this site and check out the fantastic utopia films from the 50s and 60s. http://www.bestlaidschemes.com/ Brilliant! __________________ Visit The Trafford Spade Museum - Bring The Kids. Ample Parking and Excellent Gift Shop Right Next Door

November 15th, 2006, 04:36 AM	#64
El_Greco I Like Palm Trees Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 16,756 Likes (Received): 267	Life In The Elephant 1948-2005 Interesting site about Elephant & Castle area in London. http://streaming.into.org.uk/LITE/access/index.html __________________ My Photos : Lisbon\|Madrid\|Rome\|Naples\|London\|Rotterdam\|Fes

November 15th, 2006, 10:29 PM	#65
echo commieblock enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tallinn Posts: 351 Likes (Received): 0	Thank you, caw123, The Boy David and El_Greco for new pictures! When I look at them then I compare English tower blocks with former Soviet Union's ones. It looks like in England the tower blocks were not that usual. If thay exist, then thay are usually alone or in little groups. Thay are built carefully, like "perhaps people don't like that so we don't make them more". But here (Estonia, former part of Soviet Union) there are whole parts of cities full of blockbuildings ("commieblocks") 5- and 9-storey and nothing else; and towerblocks (14-, 16- and 17-storey) among them just make the whole picture better and more changing, a "blockscape", so it's not so dull-looking. I live in one of such areas and what a pleasure is that! Anyway, now I know that Glasgow is a place in your island where I have the biggest chance to find nice towerblocks, if I ever should be there. __________________ www.magistraal.ee My threads: Commieblocks in Estonia Tallinn: 1 2 3 Tartu: 1 2 The Wires The Facades Commieblock forum! Future abstract city Super commieblocks in Hong Kong Brutalism! Last edited by echo; November 15th, 2006 at 10:41 PM.

November 16th, 2006, 05:56 PM	#72
Erebus555 It's Sting. So What? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 31,246 Likes (Received): 4	Wow, they really looked interesting. I dont know whether I class them as ugly or gorgeous. The little details look great... __________________ The UK Housing Wiki - Attempting to document every tower block, council estate, private estate, housing association, tower block construction/ demolition method, tower block architect, tower block construction company... etc etc, in the UK. Everything to do with postwar residences! - Please join and help! EREBUS - OFFICIAL MOD CANDIDATE 2011 - BRITISH MODS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE!

November 16th, 2006, 07:57 PM	#80
El_Greco I Like Palm Trees Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 16,756 Likes (Received): 267	Wow wow wow very very impressive __________________ My Photos : Lisbon\|Madrid\|Rome\|Naples\|London\|Rotterdam\|Fes

November 16th, 2006, 01:52 AM	#66
asdfg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,038 Likes (Received): 41	David, you missed Bluevale and Whitevale... 28 floors of Glaswegian brutalism at its most brutal (and about 50 yards from where I live)... Bluevale: Whitevale Both:

November 16th, 2006, 10:46 AM	#70
Smileyface BAND AID Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: back in Walsall.... Posts: 4,505 Likes (Received): 0	Wow! What a fantastic thread, well done El Greco and everyone else who's contributed. I've been working away for nearly a week and I knew this thread would be in existance when I got back but I never thought it would prove so popular - time to change your sig I think Butterfield All of the Glasgow photos are amazing and some of El Greco's photos on the first page deserve an award, they really capture the mood and atmosphere of hi rise London. I'm going to have to visit Glasgow before any plans for demolition take place - just proves how warped my mind is when I want to visit one of the most architectually beautiful cities in the UK just to admire it's tower blocks! I've been to Park Hill in Sheffield, which were very impressive, but the one that made me was on the way up to Hillsborough. I think it was demolished a good 10 years ago but at the time I think it was the largest residential block in the UK? It was huge, about 15+ stories high and built in a zig zag pattern for quite a while without a break - anyone know which one I'm talking about?

November 16th, 2006, 02:02 PM	#71
di Livio Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Trinity Leeds Posts: 7,557 Likes (Received): 52	Not a tower block per se, but another utopian housing scheme: Quarry Hill flats, Leeds (built in the 1930s, demolished in the 1970s) Photos were taken during the demolition.

November 16th, 2006, 07:41 PM	#76
Smileyface BAND AID Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: back in Walsall.... Posts: 4,505 Likes (Received): 0	Di Livio - Those photos are awesome, thanks for those. The Longford - Yes that's the brutal bugger! Now that is the mother of all blocks if only we could find some decent images of it....and a name too!

November 16th, 2006, 07:48 PM	#77
Smileyface BAND AID Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: back in Walsall.... Posts: 4,505 Likes (Received): 0	Kelvin flats they were called Here are few images I dug up after a quick Google around That last photo was taken from this thread, some excellent photos on there relevant to this thread http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=314150

November 16th, 2006, 07:55 PM	#79
Smileyface BAND AID Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: back in Walsall.... Posts: 4,505 Likes (Received): 0	They're not quite as tall as I thought but they're still bloody impressive in an extremely brutal kind of way. Plenty more photos here http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...elvin%20flats/

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