LIVERPOOL’S tallest apartment block was officially completed today in a topping-out ceremony at Beetham’s West Tower. more
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LIVERPOOL’S tallest apartment block was officially completed today in a topping-out ceremony at Beetham’s West Tower. more
But it isn't complete... there's still lots to be done. Or does 'completed' mean the service core and floors are all in?
Topping-out ceremonies are always done before the building is completed.Quote:
Originally Posted by snappel
It might have had some religious significance in the past (but don't quote me on that!).
There is certainly some superstitious aspect to it, but nowadays it's mainly done for publicity.
I agree the words "officially completed" are confusing (and sound wrong to me), but it's probably a bit like the Queen's "official" birthday, which isn't the day she was born.
It is a great looking building and I prefer it much more to the Manchester tower - which just looks like to boxes one on top of the other.
Congratulations to Beetham on this one though. I looks ace and does wonders for the immediate skyline.
Are we right to be expecting more towers like this? Isn't there still one plot left at Princes Dock?
The topping out happens at its finished height. There'll no doubt still be all the internals to do. I too believe the topping out is to do with some sort of 'blessing of the building'.
Boxes on top of one another, a good description.Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenface
LIVERPOOL’S most luxurious apartment is to be made available to the city for the Capital of Culture year, it was revealed last night.
It will enable civic dignitaries to host receptions on the “roof” of Liverpool, or VIP visitors can stay there in style with panoramic views across to Wirral and the Welsh mountains.
The inviting prospect emerged as Beetham West Tower, in Brook Street, was topped out to mark completion of the highest point of the 40-storey skyscraper.
The £1m apartment sits at the top of the prestigious building, 450ft above the streets.
Local developer Beetham aims to hang on to the apartment but chairman Hugh Frost plans to put it at the disposal of Liverpool as the company’s showcase contribution to the 2008 celebrations.
Mr Frost revealed the plan ahead of a spectacular fireworks display from the roof of the tower which was the crowning glory to a party at the Royal Liver Building to mark the event.
A third of the 127 apartments and apartments, average cost £250,000, have already been sold, with Beetham holding back on marketing the remainder.
The 34th floor will now become a restaurant, making it the highest eaterie anywhere in the UK.
The first five floors will be office space, to be occupied by the Beetham Organisation as its head office.
The remaining floors – except for the 34th restaurant level – will be apartments.
Mr Frost said: “Tall buildings add a vibrancy to a city and I am sure our West Tower will be most popular.
“I am expecting half to be bought as investments and the rest by people wanting to reside here.
“People are looking for pied-a-terres in the city and we will attract buyers from that sector as well. The location and the height of the building are good attractions for our building. The fact that it will be our own office also means it will be very well managed.”
Originally, the building was intended to form a small garden area associated with Beetham’s first development on the site of St Paul’s Eye hospital.
A local firm of architects then decided to build their own office on the site and, when they changed their mind, Beetham stepped in and bought the plot.
Overnight, the value of the site rocketed from a few hundred thousand to millions of pounds.
Beetham is not looking at any further projects in Liverpool in the immediate future. Its sights are now set on schemes in London. source
As the final hollow block was laid at the topping out ceromony, one of the things it contains is a bottle of wine for warding off evils spirits or something. It was reported that this was even more appropriate as the first commercial premises to open in there will be the bar at the top giving stunning views over the Mersey and the Welsh mountains.
I like to call it a giant video cassette.Quote:
Originally Posted by SteH
I made another trip up the Beetham West crane, just for the view - it's unbeatable. Also went back up the tower itself, but unfortunately the access to the roof was locked off. Nevermind, I still had the penthouse balconies... For those wondering, the yellow thing you can see at the top of the tower is (I think) a window-cleaning hoist. It appears to have a telescopic rotary arm, obviously because the section of the building is irregular in shape.
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0034.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0004.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0011.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0014.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0015.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0032.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0060.jpg
http://tk41.powweb.com/photos/b8/Dsc_0057.jpg
Great stuff, rather you than me :PDT11
How long does it take you to climb that?
Crane and tower probably take about 15 minutes each. The crane is easier though as it is ladders - the stairs in the tower really take it out of you!
Can't see the crane being there for much longer, now the cladding's nearly finished too.
Yet more of your brill photo,s, well done.... :PDT11Quote:
Originally Posted by snappel
Thanks for the comments guys.
Yes, the crane will be gone soon I'm sure. I don't know how they're going to lower it with the climbing frame. The crane will have very little room to move as the building is in the way now. And of course, when the crane has gone, there will no longer be the rare opportunity to get a 'birds eye' view of the tower!!
I can't see any images.. Just white boxes with a red cross, and your site is down. Unless its just my I.P? :(
Try again now, should work.
great photos :handclap::handclap::handclap:
Mandy :)
Very nice, Kev.
I also took some snaps today.
Westy ,Saturday 2-6-07
[IMG]hthttp://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7...rrymay0ri8.jpgtp://[/IMG]
Hi KJ, welcome to the site, love the pic hence the invite to join us. Hope u can share some more :PDT_Piratz_26:
As much as I like the beetham towers, there is one thing I can't stand about both of them, the backs!! Both towers look very impressive from the mersey, but from the back (where most people see them from) they are less than impressive. They just look like lumps of concrete.
Too much focus has been given to the fronts so that the waterfront looks nice and the back has just been neglected. This is in contrast to buildings like Unity and the planned King Edward tower that are impressive from all angles.
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/DSC00151.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/DSC00159.jpg
Liver web cam reminder:
http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/camputer22.jpg
I think Beetham West is having the concrete core cladded. Obviously some bits will be difficult, as the crane is braced to the concrete, so these bits will have to be done once the crane has been removed.Quote:
Originally Posted by AK1
Thanks for the info! I didn't know that.:PDT11Quote:
Originally Posted by snappel
**** that area needs lighting up!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kev
Dear AK1,
Thank you for your enquiry. I confirm that we shall be fitting glass cladding at the rear of West Tower in keeping with the scheme’s glass design.
I trust this satisfies your query.
Kind regards.
Gail Moglione
Personal Assistant
Beetham Organization Limited
Happy days, ask 'em if they can organise a visit for us. :PDT11
I'm pretty sure they would, for a small group of genuinely interested people...
:handclap: Thanks :handclap:
West Tower is looking really good. :handclap:
Good pics Philip, cheers.
The one looking through the bridge is a great pic Phillip:handclap:
Number One son tells me that the crane at Beetham Tower is comming down tomorrow sometime.
I think he will be watching it from the top of the Town Hall or a building close by.
Phredd
Thanks, folks.
Here's one of the crane.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/...938dd057_o.jpg
marvellous pics Philip :handclap: hey, you're taking some smashing photos lately. :)