'The Kremlin' - Quarry Hill

MidgeholeDave · Post by **MidgeholeDave** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 11:45 am

I am fascinated with this building. I have lots of photographs of the outside (although none of when it actually opened for business) - but I know just about nothing of the inside. Can anyone help? Any photographs? Any anecdotal comments?Thanks

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 1:20 pm

I have only been there briefly but from what I saw it is just "normal offices". I'm told that there's a swimming pool in there and several "courtyards" which are outside spaces surrounded by the high buildings. One thing that did strike me though was the great view of Eastgate and The Headrow -- I'd be happy with that view from my office.Some colleagues have spent a little longer there so I'll try to ask them for their impressions of the place.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 1:50 pm

Yeah on-site pool. No expense spared

jdbythesea · Post by **jdbythesea** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 2:48 pm

I never worked there but about 20 years ago I used to visit the on-site dentist (on the 3rd or 4th floor I think). Security was fairly rigid and signing in, passes and so on prevailed. I never saw a great deal of the "innards" but there was certainly a nice enclosed courtyard with small trees/shrubs and seating to be seen on the way up. I understand that some of the rooms (the dentists was an example) were interior and as such obviously had no windows but only artificial light - not ideal working areas.I recall there being a shop/cafe, gym facilities and a fair sized (but not Olympic) swimming pool too.

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 4:25 pm

The security is still tight with glass gates at the entrance and a sign-in sign-out procedure.The guy I was there to see told me he'd been there a few months and still occasionally had to stop to work out where he was if he ventured into the building away from his office. Apparently people are always getting off on the wrong floor from the lifts too as the floors look similar and the lifts travel at unpredictable speeds.I'd love an excuse to go back there and have a real look around.

Post by **mhoulden** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 8:14 pm

The leisure centre there has a website: http://www.leisurecentre.com/Centre-Hom ... is/65.aspx, but it's difficult to tell if it's open to the public.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 26 Aug, 2013 10:28 pm

mhoulden wrote: The leisure centre there has a website: http://www.leisurecentre.com/Centre-Hom ... is/65.aspx, but it's difficult to tell if it's open to the public. Yes it isn't clear, but it does give the impression that the public can join (paying the fees). I wonder if the Quarry House staff get a good discount rate?

urban rambler · Post by **urban rambler** » Tue 27 Aug, 2013 12:31 am

Visited this building on one of the early heritage days, and on the guided tour we were shown one of the courtyards which had 'mood' fountains depending on the time of the day - more vigorous when they wanted staff to work harder, calm when staff wanted to relax etc. They did show us the specially designed carpet (which had upset the Killingbeck heart surgeon Duncan Walker who had filmed inside for a TV program due to the cost etc.) Heritage days coming up 12th-15th September so if this is available its well worth the visit.

MidgeholeDave · Post by **MidgeholeDave** » Tue 27 Aug, 2013 9:54 am

Just checked the Heritage Open Days web-site - nothing listed Thanks to all contributors so far - all interesting stuff

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Tue 27 Aug, 2013 2:35 pm

I haven't been in for a couple of years but it had a good gym and pool plus a bar as well.i have seen the famous carpetnot very impressive.I used to attend meetings there but the group no longer meets.Not a very safe place in the car parks after dark according to people who work there.