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Nat West Tower

The doors in my opinion are probably the only interesting feature of the building. I thought they were bronze but, no. Here's the Wikipedia description:

"...... the original aluminium-cast banking hall doors, created and made by Henry Haig (1930 – 6 December 2007, who was an English abstract artist, painter and sculptor but notable predominantly for his stained glass work) which consist of an abstract triangle design based on the NatWest logo and are painted to resemble bronze".

Demolition of the building's been a long time coming.

Viv.
 
I am pleased to see that another 'cliff face' building will be gone, but If the photos are accurate the replacement building, in my opinion, is not much better - in fact it looks quite monstrous.

However, it is unlikely I shall ever see it, so I leave it to the citizens of Birmingham to applaud or descry the new structure.
 
I could never understand why the planning office allowed the first Nat West building as it was completely out of step with it's surroundings. The proposed replacement building looks no better, it's seems that all the old rules have gone out the window and your proposed application has to be as outlandish as possible to be certain of being granted planning permission today
 
I suppose that the above comments reflect my own personal views regarding the new New Street station, and the naming.

My grand parents were born in the 1860's and only ever knew one Bull Ring, or one New Street station.

I have seen THREE Bull Rings and THREE New Street stations in my lifetime. It appears to be the current trend that buildings only last for 45/50 years, then its all change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the not so good.

is this because modern structures have a 'sell by' date, or that modern life is changing faster, almost by day?

Eddie
 
Eddie

As far as the life span of these buildings is concerned I think it's all down to how much the owners are willing to spend on upkeep and maintaining them. Lets remember that the 60's version Bull Ring only became the disgrace it was at the end because of the lack of care and investment by the owners in their drive to squeeze as much profit as possible out of the property.
 
Not particularly a fan of the Nat West building, but the new one seems to be just a pile of glass Lego bricks. I suppose the computer program that the "architect" used wasn't good enough to do any better
 
Not a fan either. Neither of the 1970s Madin structure or the new 'Etch a Sketch' design for its replacement. It's got no character, isn't sympathetic with its surroundings and it's not a building you can warm to. That is unless the builders put in low quality windows and everything inside fries!

An interesting observation about the lifespan of these buildings. Built in obsolescence - their lifespan is shorter as many products are these days. iv.
 
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it's seems that all the old rules have gone out the window


These rules never change..............£££££££££££££££$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
 
Here's the crane going up on Sunday








They had blocked off the top of Colmore Row with this mobile crane near Victoria Square


This was the view on Friday the 18th September from Colmore Square

 
Thanks Ell. Going to be a long process taking the Tower apart. Didn't realise there are other sections below the tower. The footprint must be quite big. Viv.
 
ellbrown said:
This was the view on Friday the 18th September from Colmore Square

Click to expand...
That building on the left seems to have a 'forest' growing on it. The close-up below shows a large collection of communication equipment, but I suppose they could not make that lot look tidy. I presume the new Natwest building will look better.
buildingtop.JPG
 
Alpha Tower grade 2 listed. Lovely building, Loaded every window frame on to trucks when I worked at Hill Glass when it was on Chester street Aston.
 
I must admit now I have looked round, it does look very neat apart from the roof. I hadn't realised it's floor plan was shaped. I think I agree with it being listed.

I notice that in 2014 the old Natwest building received a Certificate of Immunity from Listing ... I'm surprised it was even considered for listing.
 
Frothblower said:
Ugliest building in town, glad to see it go.
Click to expand...

Sadly there is quite a lot of competition for "ugliest building" in the city centre (though they are gradually being demolished).

I am also amazed the Nat West Tower ever got built.

Colmore Row is one of the nicest roads in Birmingham, with a "flow" all along from the Grand Hotel up to the Council House.

I think whoever gave permission for it to be built should have gone to prison !!

And sadly now the "height" has been established the next building will be just as high, and totally out of character with the rest of the street.
 
We should have a poll on Birmingham's top 3 Ugliest buildings, Mine would be No.1 New Library No. 2 Selfridges and No. 3 Nat West tower. Eric
 
norfolk brummie said:
I suppose that the above comments reflect my own personal views regarding the new New Street station, and the naming.

My grand parents were born in the 1860's and only ever knew one Bull Ring, or one New Street station.

I have seen THREE Bull Rings and THREE New Street stations in my lifetime. It appears to be the current trend that buildings only last for 45/50 years, then its all change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the not so good.

is this because modern structures have a 'sell by' date, or that modern life is changing faster, almost by day?

Eddie
Click to expand...

I accept you've seen changes but I wouldn't be so sure that your grandparents didn't.
https://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/I_Cant_Find_Brummagem.htm

The link is to an old folk/music hall song from the early 19th century lamenting on all the changes that have been made to "Brummagem" in a space of 20 years. It seems that the changes happened regularly before your grandparents were born.
 
What a lot of scrap metal ... demolition in progress. The view beyond the Tower looks promising. Viv
 

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Hi VIV
WHERE ABOUT IS THE NAT WEST TOWER SITUATED ; AS I HAVE 103 COLMORE ROW FORMER NAT WEST OFFICE BLOCK IN 1976,
80 METRES 262 FT ; WOULD this be the place of the demolishion now

ALPHA TOWER 1973; 1OO METRES 328 OVER 28 FLOORS
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN CLOCK BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSARY 1909; 1OO METRES 328 FT
CLYDESALE TOWER RESIDENTIAL BLOCK; HOLLOWAY HEAD 1972 9O METRES 295 FT .
SUTTON COLDFIELD TV TRANSMITTER 1959 ; 245 METRES 8O 4 FT ;
B T TOWER 1966 METRES 498 FT
BEST WISHES Alan;; Astonian;;
 
It's on the corner of Colmore Row and Newhall Street. A short walk away from Victoria Square and the Council House.



Here is a recent view from Newhall Street



This door (seen in 2010) is being saved, and will be included with the new building.

 
Has demolition of the Tower been completed or are they still dismantling it floor by floor? Viv.
 
Thanks Ell. Well it's looking smaller. I expect there'll be quite a lot to shift around the lower parts of the Tower. Viv.
 
Probably removing it floor by floor similar to the way Stephenson Tower came down all those years ago.
 
Views from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham on Saturday.



Compared to Colmore Gate




Earlier this afternoon from Colmore Row



And Newhall Street



 
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