BUILDING SITE Five controversial buildings - should they stay or go?
BUILDING SITE Five controversial buildings - should they stay or go?
The maxim of beauty being in the eye of the beholder is no more true than in people's estimations of modern buildings. To mark Architecture Week, the Magazine is taking some of Britain's most controversial buildings to task.
The maxim of beauty being in the eye of the beholder is no more true than in people's estimations of modern buildings. To mark Architecture Week, the Magazine is taking some of Britain's most controversial buildings to task.
It is known by different names. You will hear it referred to by those who wish to see it demolished as Gateshead multi-storey car park or the Trinity Centre car park. Those who wish to see it stay might call it the Get Carter car park.
It is known by different names. You will hear it referred to by those who wish to see it demolished as Gateshead multi-storey car park or the Trinity Centre car park. Those who wish to see it stay might call it the Get Carter car park.
To fans of brutalist architecture it is a genre-defining example made iconic both by its stark concrete and for the scene in the 1960s gangster flick when Michael Caine's character throws a corrupt businessman off the top.
To fans of brutalist architecture it is a genre-defining example made iconic both by its stark concrete and for the scene in the 1960s gangster flick when Michael Caine's character throws a corrupt businessman off the top.
But under a redevelopment plan, it is now set to be demolished and replaced by a Tesco supermarket, among other things. Here Gateshead native Father Michael Brown explains why it will not be missed by locals, and the Twentieth Century Society's Jon Wright insists it must be saved.
But under a redevelopment plan, it is now set to be demolished and replaced by a Tesco supermarket, among other things. Here Gateshead native Father Michael Brown explains why it will not be missed by locals, and the Twentieth Century Society's Jon Wright insists it must be saved.
DEMOLISH IT - FATHER MICHAEL BROWN
DEMOLISH IT - FATHER MICHAEL BROWN
It was with great joy that I heard that the long awaited demolition of the Gateshead multi-storey car park is finally going to happen, 26 years after the council first recommended its demolition.
It was with great joy that I heard that the long awaited demolition of the Gateshead multi-storey car park is finally going to happen, 26 years after the council first recommended its demolition.
I grew up in the town and worked there for a decade up to 2005. After becoming parish priest of St Joseph's Church, a few hundred yards from the car park, my contact with the town centre became more frequent.
I grew up in the town and worked there for a decade up to 2005. After becoming parish priest of St Joseph's Church, a few hundred yards from the car park, my contact with the town centre became more frequent.
It was impossible not to be aware of the multi-storey car park towering over everything. Its brutal dull concrete and dilapidated state gives an atmosphere of constant gloom to the town centre.
It was impossible not to be aware of the multi-storey car park towering over everything. Its brutal dull concrete and dilapidated state gives an atmosphere of constant gloom to the town centre.
The building is iconic for Michael Caine devotees
The building is iconic for Michael Caine devotees
It's surprising to read that it was still open. I don't think I have ever used it to park in. It is crowned by a restaurant which must have had spectacular views over the Tyne and Newcastle but which never functioned as such because it was so inaccessible.
It's surprising to read that it was still open. I don't think I have ever used it to park in. It is crowned by a restaurant which must have had spectacular views over the Tyne and Newcastle but which never functioned as such because it was so inaccessible.
The car park's biggest drawback was its domination of the Gateshead skyline. Gateshead town centre will never compete with Newcastle.
The car park's biggest drawback was its domination of the Gateshead skyline. Gateshead town centre will never compete with Newcastle.
But given the recent opening of the Baltic, the Sage music centre and the Hilton hotel, not to mention quite a number of expensive flats along the quayside which have drawn new visitors and residents to the town, it is high time that Gateshead town centre presented a more pleasing spectacle for the eye.
But given the recent opening of the Baltic, the Sage music centre and the Hilton hotel, not to mention quite a number of expensive flats along the quayside which have drawn new visitors and residents to the town, it is high time that Gateshead town centre presented a more pleasing spectacle for the eye.
It is good news that it is not just this car park but a substantial part of the town centre, which is in the same concrete brutalist mode, which is to be rebuilt.
It is good news that it is not just this car park but a substantial part of the town centre, which is in the same concrete brutalist mode, which is to be rebuilt.
No doubt the news will be lamented by fans of the film Get Carter but can a whole town centre be held to ransom for the sake of a group of film buffs, few of whom I imagine have to live their lives in its shadow?
No doubt the news will be lamented by fans of the film Get Carter but can a whole town centre be held to ransom for the sake of a group of film buffs, few of whom I imagine have to live their lives in its shadow?
KEEP IT - JON WRIGHT, 20TH CENTURY SOCIETY
KEEP IT - JON WRIGHT, 20TH CENTURY SOCIETY
Built from designs by Owen Luder, Gateshead Car Park in Trinity Square stands as one of the last, large examples of the Brutalist style in the UK. A huge complex, including shopping and restaurant facilities, built from raw, exposed concrete - the building has become an iconic cultural and architectural landmark.
Built from designs by Owen Luder, Gateshead Car Park in Trinity Square stands as one of the last, large examples of the Brutalist style in the UK. A huge complex, including shopping and restaurant facilities, built from raw, exposed concrete - the building has become an iconic cultural and architectural landmark.
The term Brutalist originates from the French, Breton "brut" which means literally, exposed concrete.
The term Brutalist originates from the French, Breton "brut" which means literally, exposed concrete.
Spawned from the ideas of the Modernist movement and in particular those of Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the distinctive geometry and blocky appearance of Brutalism became popular in Britain between the 1950s and the 1970s, when it became allied with ideas of socially engineered architecture.
Spawned from the ideas of the Modernist movement and in particular those of Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the distinctive geometry and blocky appearance of Brutalism became popular in Britain between the 1950s and the 1970s, when it became allied with ideas of socially engineered architecture.
As a result of the failure of some of the larger projects to deliver the utopia the architects envisaged, the term "Brutalism" has become misunderstood and derided - a byword for bad architecture.
As a result of the failure of some of the larger projects to deliver the utopia the architects envisaged, the term "Brutalism" has become misunderstood and derided - a byword for bad architecture.
Designed by Owen Luder, its sister building in Portsmouth has already been flattened
Designed by Owen Luder, its sister building in Portsmouth has already been flattened
For several years now, The Twentieth Century Society has argued that this impressive and highly sculptural building could be re-appropriated and creatively incorporated into any new proposals for the site, which it is clear, needs redevelopment.
For several years now, The Twentieth Century Society has argued that this impressive and highly sculptural building could be re-appropriated and creatively incorporated into any new proposals for the site, which it is clear, needs redevelopment.
Unprotected by either the local or national list, the building is seen as standing in the way of progress, in this case a large Tesco store. But as yet, no scheme has tried to incorporate even part of the building - outright demolition has been seen as the only way forward.
Unprotected by either the local or national list, the building is seen as standing in the way of progress, in this case a large Tesco store. But as yet, no scheme has tried to incorporate even part of the building - outright demolition has been seen as the only way forward.
With new proposals for the site going to Gateshead Council later on this year, the car park is again in the headlines, and though its fate is still far from certain, it looks more likely than ever that the car park will indeed come down.
With new proposals for the site going to Gateshead Council later on this year, the car park is again in the headlines, and though its fate is still far from certain, it looks more likely than ever that the car park will indeed come down.
Our society sees this as regrettable and has already voiced its concerns again. In 2005, the society ran a design workshop with students from Nottingham University to come up with alternative ideas to demolition and produced some genuinely practical and workable architectural solutions.
Our society sees this as regrettable and has already voiced its concerns again. In 2005, the society ran a design workshop with students from Nottingham University to come up with alternative ideas to demolition and produced some genuinely practical and workable architectural solutions.
With another Brutalist giant, The Tricorn in Portsmouth already gone, Trinity Square has taken on added historical significance and the society still believes a solution could and should be found.
With another Brutalist giant, The Tricorn in Portsmouth already gone, Trinity Square has taken on added historical significance and the society still believes a solution could and should be found.
Iconic because of its celebrated appearance in the cult British gangster film Get Carter, Trinity Square is a building that has polarised the architectural establishment, the media and locals alike.
Iconic because of its celebrated appearance in the cult British gangster film Get Carter, Trinity Square is a building that has polarised the architectural establishment, the media and locals alike.
Gateshead has a chance here, by urging creativity and foresight from the developers, to see this incredible structure, not as a liability, but as an asset. Still structurally sound and with the potential to be converted for a number of uses, this distinctive building could show how ideas of sustainability and conservation can be brought together for the benefit of a city.
Gateshead has a chance here, by urging creativity and foresight from the developers, to see this incredible structure, not as a liability, but as an asset. Still structurally sound and with the potential to be converted for a number of uses, this distinctive building could show how ideas of sustainability and conservation can be brought together for the benefit of a city.
Send us your comments using the form below.
Send us your comments using the form below.
I have a solution.
Take it apart, block by gruesomely ugly exposed concrete block and re-erect it in the garden of wherever the 20th Century Society has its headquarters. Then they can stare at it, whilst those of us who have to live with it can enjoy what will replace it (an enormous Tesco, no doubt). Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea....Barry Unwin, South Tyneside
The trouble is, it's hard to imagine a multi-storey carpark which is exciting, cheery and cuddly.John, Edinburgh, UK
Gavin LP is right, Gateshead town centre is totally minging, and the car park doesn't help. At least it is distinctive though, which is more than can be said for yet another branch of Tescos. Never mind Get Carter, the carpark is like something out of a dystopian sci-fi first person shooter (think Unreal Tournament) so perhaps it could be used to host the worlds first cyber-olympics in 2112.Richard Graham, Newcastle/Gateshead
Anything that isn't attractive on the eye or modern seems to be doomed these days.Can't we celebrate architecture from years passed? Or do we have to suffer the Gherkin and it's off-shoots from now on? Keep the car park!Ricky, London
I think it should stay, but it won't. So is Gavin from Newcastle or Gateshead? They are (and will hopefully remain) two separate urban areas. I detest the Newcastle/Gateshead marketing campaign, it's awful. Get rid of that and let the car park stay.C S, Newcastle
I have to look at the ugly thing every day from my office window and believe me it doesn't get any prettier the more you look at it. The whole horizon of Gateshead will be much better when the blot on the landscape is finally removed. Everyone I know hates it so whats the problem? They could even put another angel there!Stuart Coulthard, Newcastle upon Tyne
Its a shame to see it go, I used to live in Nixon Street in Gateshead with my uncle and all that has been demolished. I remember as a kid playing up and down that car park and as a teenager meeting many a lass in the cafe in the market under the car park. I live in Derby now but remember great times. The car park should stay.Ian Dryden, Derby
As an incomer as they say up here (although I've been here 15 years now) I'll be glad to see the back of it. Gateshead City Centre is one of the dullest most oppressing places ever - and it's mainly due to the car park. It may be iconic as far as Get Carter is concerned butyou can always watch the film if you need to see the structure! Roll on the day it comes down!Gavin LP, Newcastle/Gateshead, UK
As an incomer as they say up here (although I've been here 15 years now) I'll be glad to see the back of it. Gateshead City Centre is one of the dullest most oppressing places ever - and it's mainly due to the car park. It may be iconic as far as Get Carter is concerned butyou can always watch the film if you need to see the structure! Roll on the day it comes down!Gavin LP, Newcastle/Gateshead, UK
I totally agree with Gavin LP's comments. The building is a dilapidated, vacant eyesore and in desperate need of demolition. Gateshead is striving for successful regeneration of itself - any new work carried out to the town centre is simply undone when you cast your eye over this appalling 'iconic' piece of work.Dave Goodwin, Newcastle upon Tyne
By the looks of that picture it doesn't look too good! But if we are going by those standards then half of London (if not more) needs to be ripped down, especially the NT - National Theatre near Waterloo station.Now that is concrete at it's worst.Michael, London, England
The Tricorn in Portsmouth has to have been to worst one and thankfully that's gone. Some things are worth preserving but lets excercise some sensible judgement and just keep the well planned, functional, good examples that add value and contribute to peoples quality of life - not keep every old piece of useless, depressive tat that's every existed for no future benefit. Abi, Nottingham, UK
It was unfortunate that my local council in Portsmouth demolished our own Brutalist Tricorn Centre, when all it needed was finishing. I can only hope that Gateshead will recognise the style inherant in this car park. Or do we want our history to consist solely of 'Chocolate Box' buildings? Bary P, Havant England
Keep it and invest in it. Make some floors shopping, others nightclubs, restaurants, leisure uses and some car parking. This would be more sustainable than out-of-town developments!Anton Lang, Newcastle
