The stump
Towers are back in mode. For a short while the realities of putting families – almost anyone apart from Howard Hughes types – hundreds of feet up, fell out, so to speak, of favour. Huge social problems and prodigious amounts of tranquillisers* called for a re-think. Now land prices have shot up as quickly as the new 'apartment blocks' that are placed on tiny sites.
The image above is of a monumental scheme in London, aimed at investors no doubt. Note the utter cynicism of placing a quintessential English summer scene – a village cricket match! – in such a Bladerunner setting. Are there any people working in Public Relations who have a soul to lose?
A link here to an excellent overview of the current situation across the country.
Newcastle has mostly escaped the effects of bleak high rise; few really big schemes and one of the biggest, Cruddas Park, hideous as it was in so many ways, has been successfully re-generated with demolition and a full face lift. Judging by the placid aspect of the area today, I must assume the cladding is fully safe.
Au Revoir T. Dan Smith. Cruddas demolition in progress
More on this subject soon.
* 'Valium Towers' became a nick name for one scheme I was shown in Scotland last century.
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