Rusty Leeds tower is 'best tall building in Europe' *and now the world

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Fri 22 Oct, 2010 11:36 pm

you are right on two points, but marmite is right.It's a prize for the best 'new' tall building. The cladding is supposed to weather over time but rust is rust and doens't need maintaining. Genius!My mate never gave me the tour he promised. I shall hunt him down...

exiled in essex · Post by **exiled in essex** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 9:41 am

I like the rusty tower - I think it looks great. I saw it for the first time when we moved back here in July and it is definitely striking!I have also always liked 'the Kremlin' which I know a lot of people do not.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 10:17 am

Afraid I must join the ranks of those who do not like the rusty tower, although I must admit that I have found it interesting to view while it was being built and now thats its complete. I also view with awe the new 30 + storey student accommodation a little nearer Town - the one where the top few storeys protrude over a 30 storey unsupported space. I live very happily on the upper floors of a really nice multi-storey block, but only happily because there is "something holding my place up." I was also born in 1936 in what was Vernon Road, just across (then) Woodhouse Lane from the rusty tower. I can't imagine what my parents would have thought if they could have foreseen the area in times to come. Mind you, to be fair, they probably couldn't have seen that far for the industrial acidic grime and pollution !!

exploringleeds · Post by **exploringleeds** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 11:55 am

I think it's an interesting building and my only objection to it is the location. It doesn't fit, nothing about it contributes to the surrounding area's 'story'. If it had been built down by the train station, Holbeck or Hunslet I think it would be contributing to a skyline and story we all understand about industry and mechanisation. Being in that bit of LS2 just makes it clash with the civic pride of the buildings around it and seem like a stunt, which it is. An award winning stunt though, obviously.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 12:29 pm

It was, the met wanted a tower to match the 'landmark' status of the parkinson building at the Uni, which in its time stamped all over the previous history of the residential neighbourhood, but is now taken as a fixture. Given it's neighbours include Woodhouse Lane car park and the mishmash of the merrion centre and the poly I think it's an enhancement. to the area.

electricaldave · Post by **electricaldave** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 2:02 pm

I've seen other eyesores win architects awards, and almost all of them are horrible so I am suspicious of such an obvious eyesore getting such an award.Anyone remember the non-lamented car park in Gateshead? or the even more awful Tricorn centre in Portsmouth? Both of these terrible structures had advocates that campaigned to them to be given protection under listed status, despite the wishes of the locals who had to endure them. One outstanding example of this is the Sheffield parkside estate which did get listed status, no doubt the architects will never have to live there.Do a web search for the UK's worst buildings and weep,

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 2:06 pm

Cardiarms wrote: It was, the met wanted a tower to match the 'landmark' status of the parkinson building at the Uni, which in its time stamped all over the previous history of the residential neighbourhood, but is now taken as a fixture. Given it's neighbours include Woodhouse Lane car park and the mishmash of the merrion centre and the poly I think it's an enhancement. to the area. Much of the mis-mash that was the Poly will soon be gone. I understand the brownfield site of the ex A block that had previously been purchased by a company that went into administration has been sold by the administrator to a company also interested in purchasing the moth-balled F,G and H blocks. B, C and D for the moment will remain part of Leeds Met and for those wondering about E it was demolished 10+ years ago to accommodate the extension to B-Block known as Leslie Silver.Blakey although it may be addressed Willow terrace now the building here http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ls1+3he ... 6&t=h&z=20 was designated Vernon Road when inhabited by Leeds Poly Law School

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 3:37 pm

OK, it divides opinion but isn't that what the iconic stuff usually does?I think it's a triumph for the city and we should be shouting about it from the rooftops (of the best tall building IN THE WORLD!)

anthonydna · Post by **anthonydna** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 4:22 pm

I like it, its good to think that in 200 years people will be looking at it and realised that not everyone in 2010 was always trying to look to the past.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 23 Oct, 2010 7:10 pm

anthonydna wrote: I like it, its good to think that in 200 years people will be looking at it and realised that not everyone in 2010 was always trying to look to the past. Apologies if I am misinterpreting that but it has an implication that everyone who does not like the building must be looking to the past. I have already posted that I don't like it, but that is because of its (to me) ugly rusty appearance. I like the design, which is interesting (it also looks like the blocks should revolve!). The design of new buildings must change and adapt to the periods they are built in. One worrying thing to me though is that in winning an award that there will now be more new buildings with the same rusty look!