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Thread: Observatory plans go on Display

  1. #1

    Default Observatory plans go on Display

    Observatory plans go on display

    The observatory will offer panoramic views of the river estuary
    Designs for the proposed Mersey Observatory have gone on display.
    The landmark structure will replace the existing radar tower at the mouth of the river near Crosby Beach, home to Anthony Gormley's Another Place.

    Five shortlisted entries were chosen from 92 submitted by architects around the world and local people are now being asked for their views.

    They will go on display at the Renew Rooms in Wood Street in Liverpool city centre and the Seacombe Ferry Terminal.

    They can also be seen in Crosby Library until the end of the month.

    The project is being led by the Mersey Basin Campaign and it is thought it will cost in the region of £11.5m.

    Organisers say each of the designs offers "a very different but imaginative approach to making the most of the Crosby site's fabulous location and views".


    We will have to live with it for much of our lives

    Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association



    They range from a V-shaped structure with a suspended viewing pod out over the River Mersey, to a wedge-shaped building extending out over the river that is inspired by a pier.

    The other designs include a tower shaped like a table lamp, a weathered steel tower topped by a transparent viewing platform inspired by a lighthouse, and a structure with high piers over the river.

    Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association, said: "We have five very interesting and very different designs. Whichever is chosen will dominate the entrance to the Mersey from Liverpool Bay for many decades.

    "It will be a prominent feature from Formby to Ellesmere Port and will have an enormous visual impact."

    "We will have to live with it for much of our lives. We don't want people moaning that no one gave them a say in what this important structure should look like.

    "This is the opportunity for everyone to let the jury know what they think face-to-face and make their voices heard in the debate."

  2. #2
    Senior Member shoney's Avatar
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    will this observatory be able to see thru clouds ( radio or whatever ) or is it just visual,

  3. #3

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    umm, don't want to be picky.. oh go on then I will... but being proudly born and bred in Seaforth, I notice that Crosby and Waterloo are trying to muscle in on this one. I think you'll find, dear readers, that the Seaforth Radar station is, as the name suggests, in Seaforth. And that said observatory will also be in Seaforth.

    And there endeth Double Geography for today!

    Sean of Seaforth
    (can't decide whether that makes me sound like a Knight of the Round Table or a hairdresser...)

  4. #4
    Creator & Administrator Kev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sean SE16 View Post

    Sean of Seaforth
    (can't decide whether that makes me sound like a Knight of the Round Table or a hairdresser...)
    , a warm welcome, I'm thinking hairdresser

    Kev
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  5. #5

    Default Proposals

    First post I will say Hi in the right place I promise but I have found pics of these proposals

    Pics are on the bbc liverpool site

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/conte...allery.shtml?1


    what do you all think.

    Personally I think number 5 is the nicest and wouldn't itself block any views unlike some of the others.

    And yes sean I have to agree its in Seaforth although the marina is in waterloo yet they call it crosby marina.

  6. #6

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    Not sure which I'd choose really.

    No.1 - its OK but doesn't do much for me.
    No.2 - I'm strangly drawn to this, its got that industrial, crane like, vibe to it.
    No.3 - looks like half of a bridge (wonder if they could build another one at New Brighton and have a beam of light between the two...).
    No.4 - I don't like this one, looks like a specimen bottle.
    No.5 - Yes, graceful looking, would look good.

    A concern with 3 and 5 is they look very open and exposed - would people walk all the way along them on a cold rainy day.
    1 and 2 (and 4 for that matter) look as if they would have some kind of enclosed area (cafe?), would this be better from a revenue earning point of view.

    I haven't been in (up?) the Portsmouth Tower but sailing past it looks stunning at night and always seems to have plenty of visitors - although it is next to a shopping/leisure complex. The Seaforth one would be isolated to say the least. Perhaps it needs something else to draw people in - an offshoot of the Maritime Museum, somekind of sea-life centre, educational centre etc.

  7. #7
    Senior Member SteH's Avatar
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    The Duggan Morris design (No4 - the specimen bottle) has won

    http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...4375-20633103/

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    Senior Member phredd's Avatar
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    I would go for number 4.
    Will have some nice views over the bay and the city.
    Phredd
    In the days when we had nothing we had fun.
    If tomorrow starts without me, remember I was here.

  9. #9

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    Here is a different view of the winning entry.

    http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...rycode=3108808

  10. #10

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    Any start date for this?


  11. #11
    Junior Member Harry's Avatar
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    I like this one the best and was glad it won.
    I used to live in Seaforth myself at one time Sean, Poplar Grove off Elm Road.
    Great days back in the 1980's.

  12. #12

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    I didn't like it at first but I'm changing my mind the more I look at it. I'm just concerned that it will be a white elephant because of its location. It could be a huge attraction but it needs to marketed and used properly. How about getting a TV studio built into the design?, imagine something like BBC breakfast news coming live from that every morning! The view out to sea would be a dramatic backdrop to the nation's cornflakes.
    Sean
    ex of Henley Street, then Vine House, Seaforth.
    Now in Rotherhithe London - been here for 18 years but still not convinced - must go home at some point!

  13. #13
    Member No-ones_Princess's Avatar
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    I think your right something needs to attract people other than views has a lovely Liverpool back drop not been done before and then moved to London??? So whilst I agree with your post I don't think a TV studio is really that interesting for the producers or indeed the public.

    I would say a family spot may be an idea something for all the family I don't mean a theme park something that gets everyone involved from Great Granny to baby meggie. Or a sports venue for everyone to use?`What does the area lack?
    I'm not starting a Nark,
    Do you worship at ANFIELD or Goodiston park?

  14. #14

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    I agree a TV studio wouldn't be an attraction for the public, but what I was trying to suggest was something that would be a core revenue earner to keep it maintained.

    Sports venue is a good idea, problem is what sport?, its a very exposed part of the coast for anything sea related, but the location does suggest something marine related which is why I suggested earlier about an offshoot of the Maritime Museum - perhaps looking at modern cargo handling (you'll have an excellent view over Seaforth dock; or navigation (again, a view over the approach channels).
    Sean
    ex of Henley Street, then Vine House, Seaforth.
    Now in Rotherhithe London - been here for 18 years but still not convinced - must go home at some point!

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sean SE16 View Post
    I agree a TV studio wouldn't be an attraction for the public, but what I was trying to suggest was something that would be a core revenue earner to keep it maintained. ... .
    They could easily build an indoor helter-skelter affair into the structure. Then eight year-olds would nag their parents to make a day trip there. Add an observation balcony designed with the convenience of photographers in mind. Coffee bar and toilets at the top. Add a toy museum and a pond for model ships at ground level. Bob's your uncle. No need to be over grand.

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