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| Thrusting ambition | Thrusting ambition |
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| By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine From Birmingham to Belfast, the UK's regional centres are striving to get on the map by building tall. But does this craze for mini Manhattans speak of a growing regional confidence or a 'mine's bigger than yours' sense of inadequacy? | By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine From Birmingham to Belfast, the UK's regional centres are striving to get on the map by building tall. But does this craze for mini Manhattans speak of a growing regional confidence or a 'mine's bigger than yours' sense of inadequacy? |
| Look up and take note - Britain's urban landscape is changing. Fast. | Look up and take note - Britain's urban landscape is changing. Fast. |
| Liverpool is the latest city to unveil proposals (pictured above) to build big and build high. The £5.5bn plan for its famous waterfront includes more than 50 high rise buildings, some more than 50 storeys. | Liverpool is the latest city to unveil proposals (pictured above) to build big and build high. The £5.5bn plan for its famous waterfront includes more than 50 high rise buildings, some more than 50 storeys. |
| In Leeds and Manchester, planners have rubber-stamped proposals for skyscrapers which will be just shy of 200m. Further down the line, a 280-metre observation tower has been mooted for Birmingham. | In Leeds and Manchester, planners have rubber-stamped proposals for skyscrapers which will be just shy of 200m. Further down the line, a 280-metre observation tower has been mooted for Birmingham. |
| Lumiere Towers, LeedsEnlarge Image | Lumiere Towers, LeedsEnlarge Image |
| London's appetite for skyscrapers is well known, but when, three years ago, construction workers topped off Liverpool's 90-metre Beetham Tower, they unwittingly started a trend for regional cities to build high. The tower has since been dwarfed by one in Manchester, of the same name (171m). | London's appetite for skyscrapers is well known, but when, three years ago, construction workers topped off Liverpool's 90-metre Beetham Tower, they unwittingly started a trend for regional cities to build high. The tower has since been dwarfed by one in Manchester, of the same name (171m). |
| For decades the UK has preferred to keep its tall buildings commercial, but only London can sell office space high off the ground at a profitable rate, although vacancies in Centrepoint and the Gherkin show that's not always easy. | For decades the UK has preferred to keep its tall buildings commercial, but only London can sell office space high off the ground at a profitable rate, although vacancies in Centrepoint and the Gherkin show that's not always easy. |
| But this latest trend is largely residential, despite the memories of the concrete tower blocks some of which are still being demolished. So what's stimulated this dash to build high? | But this latest trend is largely residential, despite the memories of the concrete tower blocks some of which are still being demolished. So what's stimulated this dash to build high? |
| What's planned? Click here for a map of British skyscrapers | What's planned? Click here for a map of British skyscrapers |
| Profits, says Neil Woodhouse of skyscrapersnews.com. A strong housing market in city centres has persuaded developers there is money to be made by investing heavily in new developments. | Profits, says Neil Woodhouse of skyscrapersnews.com. A strong housing market in city centres has persuaded developers there is money to be made by investing heavily in new developments. |
| Brave new world in ManchesterThere is also a rivalry between the regions to have the best buildings and the tallest, he says, and a similar competition between developers. | Brave new world in ManchesterThere is also a rivalry between the regions to have the best buildings and the tallest, he says, and a similar competition between developers. |
| Much of this work is landing in the in-tray of architect Ian Simpson, who says it is only in the last five years that sales values have been high enough to yield profits to cover the huge expense of constructing in city centres, and dense housing makes more money because the land in city centres is so costly. | Much of this work is landing in the in-tray of architect Ian Simpson, who says it is only in the last five years that sales values have been high enough to yield profits to cover the huge expense of constructing in city centres, and dense housing makes more money because the land in city centres is so costly. |
| Planning laws are more relaxed for residential developments and local councils are keen to use them as a catalyst for future development, he says, by bringing much-needed function and people to a neglected area. | Planning laws are more relaxed for residential developments and local councils are keen to use them as a catalyst for future development, he says, by bringing much-needed function and people to a neglected area. |
| 'Ghettos' | 'Ghettos' |
| "We're trying to give vibrancy to cities and a reason for being there, not just to work and enjoy but to live and be a proper piece of life," says Mr Simpson. It's trying to address the rush to the suburbs, where people who make money tend to disappear to. | "We're trying to give vibrancy to cities and a reason for being there, not just to work and enjoy but to live and be a proper piece of life," says Mr Simpson. It's trying to address the rush to the suburbs, where people who make money tend to disappear to. |
| "Cities had become ghettos. In Manchester in the 80s there were 24 people living in the city centre, all caretakers. Now there are 20,000." | "Cities had become ghettos. In Manchester in the 80s there were 24 people living in the city centre, all caretakers. Now there are 20,000." |
| He says his designs strive for elegance and beauty to avoid the ugly mistakes of the 1960s. Cities cannot freeze in time and the modern can complement the old. | He says his designs strive for elegance and beauty to avoid the ugly mistakes of the 1960s. Cities cannot freeze in time and the modern can complement the old. |
| "Tall buildings help to change the perception of the place, from being something full of old Victorian buildings and run-down and dirty to a city that aspires to be a city of the future. Changing the skyline lifts the spirits, makes people feel more ambitious and underlines a council's agenda for change." | "Tall buildings help to change the perception of the place, from being something full of old Victorian buildings and run-down and dirty to a city that aspires to be a city of the future. Changing the skyline lifts the spirits, makes people feel more ambitious and underlines a council's agenda for change." |
| They're being built as symbols and totem poles, gestures on the part of some politicians that their city is bigger than the next Simon Jenkins | They're being built as symbols and totem poles, gestures on the part of some politicians that their city is bigger than the next Simon Jenkins |
| But writer Simon Jenkins says rather than self-assurance, the trend for building tall reveals a "desperate lack of self-confidence". | But writer Simon Jenkins says rather than self-assurance, the trend for building tall reveals a "desperate lack of self-confidence". |
| "You see it in Far East cities and now you see it rather sadly in London and various provincial cities as if somehow these monstrous structures were a sign of civic virility. | "You see it in Far East cities and now you see it rather sadly in London and various provincial cities as if somehow these monstrous structures were a sign of civic virility. |
| "They are extremely inefficient buildings, hugely intrusive into the urban landscape and they have the most devastating effect on the surrounding footprint." | "They are extremely inefficient buildings, hugely intrusive into the urban landscape and they have the most devastating effect on the surrounding footprint." |
| He sees no economic benefits for anyone but the developers and believes the recent spate has been driven by the vanity of politicians. | He sees no economic benefits for anyone but the developers and believes the recent spate has been driven by the vanity of politicians. |
| Does Leeds need skyscrapers? | Does Leeds need skyscrapers? |
| "They're being built as symbols and totem poles, gestures on the part of some politicians that their city is bigger than the next city. Yet they are hugely expensive to construct and they suck vitality out of the surrounding footprint. No-one goes to these places. They go to the old parts of the city instead." | "They're being built as symbols and totem poles, gestures on the part of some politicians that their city is bigger than the next city. Yet they are hugely expensive to construct and they suck vitality out of the surrounding footprint. No-one goes to these places. They go to the old parts of the city instead." |
| Skyscrapers are always regretted and many from the past lie half-empty, he says. Architects should instead be focusing on brownfield sites and derelict buildings, and improving streets. | Skyscrapers are always regretted and many from the past lie half-empty, he says. Architects should instead be focusing on brownfield sites and derelict buildings, and improving streets. |
| The International Council on Monuments and Sites was so concerned by the trend for high-rise in Liverpool and London that it sent a delegation to each city in November and will report back to UNESCO in June. | The International Council on Monuments and Sites was so concerned by the trend for high-rise in Liverpool and London that it sent a delegation to each city in November and will report back to UNESCO in June. |
| There are also fears for Bath and Edinburgh, says Susan Denyer, secretary of the ICMOS UK. Ministers responded to her concerns by giving world heritage sites national protection in a white paper on Thursday. | There are also fears for Bath and Edinburgh, says Susan Denyer, secretary of the ICMOS UK. Ministers responded to her concerns by giving world heritage sites national protection in a white paper on Thursday. |
| Shadows and wind | Shadows and wind |
| The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which advises ministers on urban design, reissued its 2001 guidance to local authorities in January, because of the spread of high-rises across British cities. | The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which advises ministers on urban design, reissued its 2001 guidance to local authorities in January, because of the spread of high-rises across British cities. |
| Its director of architecture and design review, Selina Mason, says that when done well, tall buildings can invigorate and regenerate a city centre, like the Beetham Tower in Manchester. | Its director of architecture and design review, Selina Mason, says that when done well, tall buildings can invigorate and regenerate a city centre, like the Beetham Tower in Manchester. |
| The design of the base of the building, at street level, is crucial. Shadowing and winds need to be designed out and the ground floor should have shops or bars. | The design of the base of the building, at street level, is crucial. Shadowing and winds need to be designed out and the ground floor should have shops or bars. |
| "It's really important that we have great thriving streets and people feel safe and comfortable in them so there should be bars and homes that overlook the streets. I think it's possible to find tall buildings that fulfil those requirements." | "It's really important that we have great thriving streets and people feel safe and comfortable in them so there should be bars and homes that overlook the streets. I think it's possible to find tall buildings that fulfil those requirements." |
| Delivering these qualities is up to local authorities, she says, but acknowledges there is a danger planning authorities only see short-term gains. | Delivering these qualities is up to local authorities, she says, but acknowledges there is a danger planning authorities only see short-term gains. |
| "Our cities are changing remarkably quickly. Get it right and we set ourselves up for the future. Get it wrong and there will be problems ahead." | "Our cities are changing remarkably quickly. Get it right and we set ourselves up for the future. Get it wrong and there will be problems ahead." |
| TALL TOWERS ON THE WAY 1 London London Bridge Tower 306m 2 Manchester Eastgate Tower 188m 3 Leeds Lumiere Tower 171m 4 Liverpool Brunswick Quay 166m5 Birmingham Arena Square Tower 141m6 Glasgow Elphinstone Place 134m 7 Brighton New England Square 122m 8 Leicester Westbridge Hotel Tower 117m 9 Belfast Aurora 109m10 Cardiff Glass Needle Scheme 99m | TALL TOWERS ON THE WAY 1 London London Bridge Tower 306m 2 Manchester Eastgate Tower 188m 3 Leeds Lumiere Tower 171m 4 Liverpool Brunswick Quay 166m5 Birmingham Arena Square Tower 141m6 Glasgow Elphinstone Place 134m 7 Brighton New England Square 122m 8 Leicester Westbridge Hotel Tower 117m 9 Belfast Aurora 109m10 Cardiff Glass Needle Scheme 99m |
| Return to link Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Return to link Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| I agree with Simon Jenkins: "They are extremely inefficient buildings, hugely intrusive into the urban landscape and they have the most devastating effect on the surrounding footprint." Then again, I am from Milton Keynes originally, which was designed to be flat. Now the city is getting so full, the only way is up. It's such a shame to see parks getting built on and beautiful landscapes disappearing., | |
| Although not in the same league as some of the buildings mentioned in this article... Have a look at the developments at Dalston, London. Despite fierce local opposition a 20 storey residential block is planned to sit on a new slab which will cover the existing railway cutting. The height of the building just keeps increasing as the cost of the slab rises. Significant shadowing issues will make this a new urban wilderness. Oh dear!Mark James, London | |
| We cannot as a nation be seen as an a people afraid of innovation, of change and of looking to the future of architectural advancement and urban design; instead we must break away from old is best, yes many buildings are stunning and a testament to our great past and quite rightly they should be protected, but that's all they are the past, whoever built them sought to innovate and modernise and so should we, we are not in the past we are in the present and all too soon the world will eclipse us as a world of the future while we languish clinging to the security that is familiarity.Tom senior, Barnsley | |
| Bizarre that we continue to 'Skyscrapers' as the actual need for office space decreases with more technology, an increase in working from home and an increase in overseas outsourcing!Barry, London | |
| It all comes down to ego. Men feeling that they have something to prove to their peers. Get over it and realise that we are not America and start putting the money back into areas that could do with financial boosts.Wayne Miskimmin, Belfast | |
| One only has to see the great US cities, Hong Kong and Singapore to appreciate the inhuman scale of densely packed skyscrapers. The increased wind velocities, bleak concrete-clad open spaces and lack of natural light add to the discomfort and impersonal atmosphere of these places. The UK's largest cities still have some human scale outside an overcrowded centre. However elegant and interesting a new skyscraper may appear in an artist's drawing or computer simulation, this is no reflection of reality. How many skyscrapers are surrounded by green parks? Who bears the cost of the additional impact on the infrastructure (roads, public transport, sewerage, schools and hospitals) of these monoliths? Who will pay for the maintenance of these buildings 10-20 years on, particularly if they are residential?Ruth, Manchester | |
| Are any of these buildings to be hospitals or prisons as this is what we need not offices or cinemas.JASON MCGUFFIE, bolton uk | |
| I think these buildings are great as long as they aren't concrete blocks and use a variety of building materials. It's just a shame that the only people that really benefit are the wealthy that can afford to live on the top floors and have the amazing views of whatever city they live in!!!Alan, manchester | |
| British cities (maybe with the exception of London) are not celebrated like new world cities such as Vancouver, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington and Sydney. This is largely down to neglect and poor post-war investment and planning. It's about time our cities were given some proper care, love and attention as well as the financial investment. Bring it on.Phil Beasley, Hull | |
| Funny, Glasgow and Liverpool did this tit-for-tat tall building race in the 1960s, and we ended up with the disaster of the Red Road flats. I wonder if the same problems will happen to these residential behemoths once they start to fray at the edges?Peter Matthews, Edinburgh | |
| Can we have the heights in feet please? Basic courtesy.Phil, | |
| What a great idea! These buildings will simply add to the character of British cities, as many cities have buildings from from different centuries/decades reflecting the style of the time, even a few of the ugly 60's high rise should be kept if only to act as a reminder on how not to deisgn buildings!Alan Crute, Milton Keynes | |
| These towers are massively inappropriate and will simply stick out like sore thumbs, dwarfing the surrounding building - this is not Manhattan, it's Europe and our architecture should reflect this. The Elphinstone tower in Glasgow is a (unpopular) part of a massive building boom of identical glass monstrosities in the city and across the UK. We should have sustainable growth of city centres and not repeat the boom and bust of the 1960s.Matt, Glasgow | |
| Wouldn't mind if they looked good. The Manchester Eastgate Tower is ugly, lacking in any creativity and a waste of money. Where are the people with vision? Rhonna, Manchester | |
| It is attitudes like those of establishment people such as Simon Jenkins that hold this country back. This is a global phenomena Simon. Our cities must change with the times if they are to attract global investment. This is not a repeat of the 1960's, these buildings are being constructed by private enterprise, not the government, and are of a far higher quality.John, UK/USA | |
| The link in your article to Niel Woodhouse's website should be skyscrapernews.com - not skyscrapersnews.com :)Luke, Birmingham | |
| In such a small and crowded Island such as ours, up is the only way to prevent the compleate urbanisation of the country. Many of the proposed skyscrapers and more fuel efficent than their low-rise counterparts and it is far easier to add enviromentaly friendly fuel sources such as wind turbines to high-rise buildings. In addition many proposed skyscrapers, The Shard London Bridges are wonderful buildings astheticly and the extra office space that can be created will be neccessery should the UK wish to remain competative on the world stage.Jack Tindale, Barnsley, UK | |
| The city I live in is shadow of New York and much the worse for it. High rise brings untold parking problems, street congestion and for many buildings, an eyesore that can be seen for miles. John Turnbull, Abu Dhabi, UAE | |