I don't get Beetham Tower

By Stuart Pemble on Mar 3, 08 10:32 PM in Commercial Property

Here's a poser for you all: what is great architecture? I must admit that I have no idea what the proper answer is and I'm afraid that I wasn't prepared to read the 19,800,000 entries which came up when I stuck the question into Google.

But I do know that I like some buildings and dislike others. My favourite building is the Flatiron in New York, which manages to catch your eye despite being slap bang in the middle of a city that's not short of striking buildings.

So, what about Brum? Take the Beetham Tower, the newest and (currently) tallest building on our skyline. It is the cause of much discussion round mine. My infinitely-better-half thinks it's great. I think it's dreadful. There's no subtlety to the debate. Her indoors (imagine a younger version of Hilda Rumpole, only less tolerant of my bad habits) once described it as "fun" and, I'm ashamed to type this, "funky". My main complaint is that it is...well...big and green and covered in glass. It is, quite literally, a big, green glass thing and I just don't get it.

Mrs P also enjoys the fact that the floor-to-ceiling glass is two-way and unsuspecting (usually male) hotel guests can often be seen letting it all hang out as she zips into work along the Bristol Road. But that may be too much information...

Anyway, to settle the debate, I asked an architect mate for a professional opinion. Her view was that, on the whole, it was good: from the architectural perspective, it has a simplicity, consistency and elegance to its design and it undoubtedly compares favourably to some of the more prominent eyesores in our cityscape. Interestingly, she likes the green side far better than the back of the building which gets an architectural thumbs down.

And I have to admit that whenever I am heading home, it is the landmark I look for to know that I have nearly made it. Perhaps every city needs a big tower made of green glass.

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4 Comments

Jon Bounds said:

Not a fan, from a distance it has that 'simplicity' – but close up? Tacky tiger print or mould is what springs to mind.

March 4, 2008 3:04 PM

mohammed hasan said:

Looks like someone hung a shower curtain over it it is the ugliest bit of glass design I ahve ever seen.

However, it is a good building in a difficult location.

It is best as a beacon so people know what direction to head towards.

Why on earth the glass is two way I will never know.

March 4, 2008 4:31 PM

Jean-Luc Fournier said:

I like the front. It's a decent tower. The back is mystifying. It looks unfinished - and apparently it's supposed to look like that. Why? Exactly who thought that was a good idea? Please note: it's not. Let's hope someone sees sense and finishes the damn thing properly at the back.

Mind you, it's not the first time Birmingham City Council's Planning department have fallen asleep at the wheel. The Orion building is a ghastly architectural excrescence. Hopefully the fact that they have to look at it every day from Alpha Tower wil serve as useful reminder not to make the same mistake again.

March 5, 2008 9:58 PM

Steve X said:

From the Balsall Heath viewing hilltop, the Beetham tower looks like a big brother versionn of the Rotunda.

I think it looks ok from a distance.

March 14, 2008 4:35 PM