Battlefield to Baltic Part the First

The sun has deserted today, but a late run of fine days in late summer included one when I took my camera on a walk from Battlefield (a.k.a. City Stadium) to the Baltic Art Gallery overlooking the River Tyne.

The area is changing rapidly as yet more student flats are being constructed and several new blocks have opened their doors. The transformation of the Battlefield (a.k.a. City Stadium) has been a bit breath taking. Once planned to be converted a major car park (1300 spaces!) and having survived some other plans (offices. 'we' need more empty offices apparently) what has happened is the least worse option. I hope some small measure of landscaping around the present paint factory 'student village' (puke) makes the spaces of battlefield and Lower Ouseburn 'knit' together in a way that ensures both have the best of futures. Fingers crossed?

A walk from Battlefield to the Baltic one fine day thus summer: slideshow off site link. (Jalbum)

(Note: This replaces in part a post made yesterday 14th September that ran into gremlins ...)

London Wins Again

News just in that an architectural critics award known as ther 'Carbuncle Prize', named after a famous remark made by H.R.H. the Prince Charles when he saw a proposed 'addition' to Trafalgar Square designed by Sir Richard Rogers, has been announced in London.

Actually, I agree with the developers of the Lincoln Plaza (dreadful name but when your target clients are foreign investor's ...) that if it sells it must be doing something right. At least the building stirs up some reactions and responses. Much of what has been heaped upon Tyneside has been so mediocre it isn't even bizarre.

The Grade A* starred site of the old Cattle Market, just to the west of the Central Sation and next to Terry Farrell's Centre for Life, was crying out for something special; after all it's almost the first sight from the train coming into the city. What it got was a piece of 'tear a strip off and build it' space holder, now known as Jury's Inn. That must be worth ignoring with some sort of recognition surely?

Jury's Inn: Style less

Get knotted

Co-founder of madcap youth magazine Viz and former local Gosforth resident, Chris Donald has created a visualisation of the new Blue House Roundabout ...

Image copyright ©Chris Donald 2016 used without permission

Meanwhile ...

Battlefield the Beautiful's annual photographic tour is in preparation and will be posted soon. Some large transformations have taken place, many that are welcome but some doubts continue. We shall see.