Lost London

[El_Greco]

Winchester House



East Cheap



Gort House



17 Aldermanbury Square



Mansion House Street

[Joe 2007]

I found this and many other images of Georgian and Victorian London on a site called colage. This image is from the early nineteenth Century of Lothbury Court in the City. Has anybody got a picture of what the same place looks like today?

[Joe 2007]

I meant a website called collage!

[El_Greco]

Cant find it on A-Z so I guess its dead...

[El_Greco]

London Docks





The East End Towards Bow



Hays Wharf



1926 General Strike Royal Victoria Docks

[Turboff]

Originally Posted by onceagain

I'm sure one hundred years from now people will be fascinated with those (in my opinion ugly) 60's tower blocks

I absolutely disagree. Ugly is ugly.

A huge shame on those that destroyed the history of their country during the post war years. There can be no excuse for what they did.

To those that defend modern junk, the fact that the majority lament historic losses is clear proof that we are disappointed with modern buildings. If modern architecture was high quality than we wouldn't be so upset. That doesn't mean we want a return of Victorian architecture. We want quality modern. Not glass and concrete boxes.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by Turboff

I absolutely disagree. Ugly is ugly.

A huge shame on those that destroyed the history of their country during the post war years. There can be no excuse for what they did.

To those that defend modern junk, the fact that the majority lament historic losses is clear proof that we are disappointed with modern buildings. If modern architecture was high quality than we wouldn't be so upset. That doesn't mean we want a return of Victorian architecture. We want quality modern. Not glass and concrete boxes.

What makes you think that everyone has the same opinion on what is attractive and what isn't? I love old buildings as much as the next man and get upset when a perfectly good Victorian or 1930s building is demolished to make way for something new, but tower blocks are part of Britain's history, like the big industrial chimneys that have been demolished in recent years. Many people thought they were eyesores but it is only now that people are beginning to regret the decision to erase them from the skyline. I agree that some tower blocks look awful but like any form of architecture, you get good examples and bad examples and there are many tower blocks which are interesting to look at, even if they aren't exactly beautiful. Buildings like Trellick Tower and Keeling House aren't just great tower blocks, they are great buildings full stop.

Tower blocks are much-maligned but personally I would be sad to see a tower block free Britain.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by Turboff

I absolutely disagree. Ugly is ugly.

A huge shame on those that destroyed the history of their country during the post war years. There can be no excuse for what they did.

To those that defend modern junk, the fact that the majority lament historic losses is clear proof that we are disappointed with modern buildings. If modern architecture was high quality than we wouldn't be so upset. That doesn't mean we want a return of Victorian architecture. We want quality modern. Not glass and concrete boxes.

What makes you think that everyone has the same opinion on what is attractive and what isn't? I love old buildings as much as the next man and get upset when a perfectly good Victorian or 1930s building is demolished to make way for something new, but tower blocks are part of Britain's history, like the big industrial chimneys that have been demolished in recent years. Many people thought they were eyesores but it is only now that people are beginning to regret the decision to erase them from the skyline. I agree that some tower blocks look awful but like any form of architecture, you get good examples and bad examples and there are many tower blocks which are interesting to look at, even if they aren't exactly beautiful. Buildings like Trellick Tower and Keeling House aren't just great tower blocks, they are great buildings full stop.

Tower blocks are much-maligned but personally I would be sad to see a tower block free Britain.

[Turboff]

Originally Posted by SnowyBoy1

What makes you think that everyone has the same opinion on what is attractive and what isn't?

You have to look at my comment in relation to the statement I quoted. Therefore, what I meant is that if a building is considered ugly by most now, it will also be considered ugly by most in the future (I find it hard to believe that people will look on tower blocks any better as time goes on). I didn't mean to imply that everyone has the same definition of ugly, and I'm sorry if it came out that way.

I don't think the problem with modern architecture is as great with buildings as it is with urban planning. A historic building is not so impressive by itself; the thing people love is how it looks together with others. Many of my complaints with modernity would be addressed if the urban planning was better.

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by Turboff

You have to look at my comment in relation to the statement I quoted. Therefore, what I meant is that if a building is considered ugly by most now, it will also be considered ugly by most in the future (I find it hard to believe that people will look on tower blocks any better as time goes on). I didn't mean to imply that everyone has the same definition of ugly, and I'm sorry if it came out that way.

I don't think the problem with modern architecture is as great with buildings as it is with urban planning. A historic building is not so impressive by itself; the thing people love is how it looks together with others. Many of my complaints with modernity would be addressed if the urban planning was better.

No need to apologise.

I can see what you mean about the need for good uban planning. Having said that I do love the fact that London is largely an unplanned city, with higgledy-piggledy streets and buildings from different eras all thrown together, though I can see why many people find more ordered cities, like Paris, more attractive. It's all a matter of personal taste I guess.

[Turboff]

Originally Posted by SnowyBoy1

No need to apologise.

I can see what you mean about the need for good uban planning. Having said that I do love the fact that London is largely an unplanned city, with higgledy-piggledy streets and buildings from different eras all thrown together, though I can see why many people find more ordered cities, like Paris, more attractive. It's all a matter of personal taste I guess.

Well, I really like medieval streets with no discernible organization. It's more modern, car-centric planning that I hate, along with tower block "parks" (not so much the towers themselves as how they are placed).

[Snowy]

Originally Posted by Turboff

Well, I really like medieval streets with no discernible organization. It's more modern, car-centric planning that I hate, along with tower block "parks" (not so much the towers themselves as how they are placed).

Ok, I think I must have misunderstood your last post. Well I guess we both like medieval streets then, much better than the boring grid system!

[Justme]

Cool, does this viaduct still exist?

[Blindfold]

No

[Justme]

Thanks Blindfold. Are the tracks still there on either side of the old viaduct, or were they removed as well.

[neomoderny]

Fantastyczne
Wszystkie te zdjęcia każą wskazywać na niesamowitą tradycję i wielobarwność rozniecaną szeregiem emocji jakie działy się i dzieją w tak fantastycznym miejscu jakim jest wasza stolica - londyn.
Dla mnie to cudownie jest widzieć podobne rzeczy w waszym mieście, gdyż spędziłem w nim przeszło półtora roku i przez cały ten czas usiłowałem ujrzeć historyczne tło tego miejsca. Teraz jest mi już łatwiej, dzięki!
A jeśli nic z tego co napisałem nie rozumiecie poproście o translating jakieś znajomego Polaka; wszak jest nas tam wielu!
with best regards!
neo from warsaw !!

[El_Greco]

Ahaaa.....

[JohnMB]

Crystal Palace itself was indeed a fine building, possibly one of the most influential buildings ever conceived. A great loss and in my view it should be rebuilt as a priority.

However, I like the High Level railway station which served it - closed in 1954 and demolished in the 1960s. Small in size but has a grand air to it in keeping with its location.

[El_Greco]

Originally Posted by JohnMB

and demolished in the 1960s

Ahh what a surprise!

[El_Greco]

Harlesden





Holborn



Trinity Square