British Tower Blocks

[Stefan88]

I think there the same blocks. It's these ones that look unusually wide.



This is the rubble

[Butterfield]

Yes, that's how I remember them, the one time I ever saw them when I was in the back of my parents' car. The second time I drove through Sheffield I think they had gone.

[Stefan88]

There are still some left. The blocks that I posted earlier that had been refurbished in the turquoise, blue and cream cladding still have some down the road from them that look identical

[Butterfield]

Mmmm and I do like those, but the ones high up on the hill were just so imposing, like nowhere else. That row of brown blocks you posted that go down the hill have always fascinated me though.

EDIT: Even though they're a bit plasticky and, erm, BROWN!

[Stefan88]

Yeh the brown blocks will only appeal to people with a certain taste, like the people who use this thread regularly I guess.
Imagine if half of the blocks that have been demolished were saved and refurbished we wouldn't have nearlly as much of a housing problem that we currently do and our cities skylines would look so much more interesting. Silly government

[Butterfield]

Yeps. Everything seems to be done in a rush just to get rid of the skanky old blocks. ANYTHING to get rid of them.

Are we going to get told off for 'spamming' in this thread I wonder? Spamming as I know it is nonsense posted over and over again, which is pretty much all my posts.

[Stefan88]

I hope we don't get told off. They'll move us again, but we'll only come back and create another thread

[supermoving]

Originally Posted by Mr. B

Evenin' All, just back from Fort William, I've missed so much in the last couple of days. Darn!!! I'll try and keep up with all these pics and so forth. I'll post a couple on here:http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...7#post14444577

Oh how I envy you! My family hails from the Fort William area (and some from Skye, some from Glasgow) and I don't get up there nearly enough. We stayed at Morar last year though, absolutely fantastic, the West Highlands is my favourite place in the world, bar none!

Despite the midges and weather!

In the village some of my ancestors come from they have a saying -

"If you can't see the Isle of Skye, it's raining, if you can see the Isle of Skye, it's about to rain"

Don't want to be accused of spamming or bumping the list , so here's a couple of Watford pics -


The YMCA building (Charter House) people live there so I guess it counts as a tower block, lol (sorry for poor pic, was cameraphone whilst driving round the ringroad shot, I will get a better one soon!) right in the middle of town, 150 feet tall, 12 floors, some people say it sticks out like a sore thumb but I like it



And here's a pic of the Watford 'skyline' from my house, mostly office blocks and the shopping centre, but it gives an idea of how Charter House stands out above the rest!

[aladdin_sane]

[Delirium]

Don't know if these have been seen before but found these on flickr of some in Plymouth (it's just the same three, but they look quite good ) very photogenic.)

[de flatneuroot]

Why they turn often those towerblocks into ugly postmodern cheap looking buildings?

[Stefan88]

They are council owned remember and the local authority don't usually have an never ending pot of money.
There is a limit to how much they'll be willing to spend and knowing the council it would be the least amount possible.

[Butterfield]

I quite like them, especially the fact that they're in Plymouth. I would probably prefer them if they were a bit more natural though.

[Mr. B]

Those ones in Plymouth look surprising like the Kincardine ones, which I just so happened to see today.

Also has anyone seen Glasgow's YMCA?

[Butterfield]

You actually saw the Kincardine blocks??

I make them sound really famous like the Statue of Liberty or something.

[Mr. B]

OMG I guess I did,

Anyhoo, heres a couple of old pics.

Before the threesome were built

During Construction

And As they are now.


Also I found out some very sad news just the now.

In February 2006, Fife Council commissioned consultants to carry out a study on the long-term future of the three multi-storey blocks at Kincardine. Many of the properties in the blocks have been vacant for a considerable length of time and the blocks have become increasingly unpopular over recent years. After detailed analysis of four possible options the consultants have recommended that all three of the blocks be demolished and replaced with mixed tenure new build housing.

[Butterfield]

I've read that before Mr. B but I'm sure they then went on to conclude that they were liked and had a nice community feel so they wouldn't be demolished.

[Mr. B]

That's just made me do a little jig in happiness, a little like my little friend here

[Butterfield]

Well I did a bit of research when we first found out about them. I hope I'm right now!

[schemie]

Kincardine blocks are great refurbs. although even in that photo you can see the empty flats with the curtianless windows. Kincardine, Ramsay and Sandeman Courts in case you're wondering.... erm just in case

TThose Plymouth refurbs arent terrible altho there is an air of cheapness about them

Hyde Park and Kelvin Flats i love long blocks like that. Theres not many of them left though. Only big one that comes to mind up here is Cables Wynd in Leith, Edinburgh.

and in case you've wondered where iv been im half way through a 48 hour bender for my mates 18th. altho we ran outof booze 6 hours ago so im taking this moment of sobriety while everyones asleep to vent my comments and opinions on British Tower blocks back on the bevvy from 7am tomorrow when the shops open