Two locations on either side of the Thames for this one.
The blurb
Queensbridge House is a 'tired' 1970s office building being replaced by a 224 bedroom luxury waterfront hotel and nine apartments. The bonus is that plebs get the use of a new riverside walkway. This one got through planning permission despite the umbrage of the neighbouring Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers. Demolition is in fairly full swing.
The Tate Modern extension is an eleven story, 65 metre, pyramidal addition to the existing building. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the architects responsible for the original conversion of Bankside Power Station into the gallery. It's due to open next summer. The building will be clad in brick latticework, matching the original structure - the scaffolding for this is seriously impressive.
The exploring bit
Met up with a few guys for a mooch around the South Bank. We'd eyed-up the Tate on the way over, but opted to have an impromptu warm-up at Queensbridge House first. The building was pretty beaten-up by the demo crews, we made a beeline for the crane. Sat around admiring the views, cue some night cityscapes...
Back across the river, we did a few loops of the Tate. Tried not to disturb the guys sleeping rough outside the building. Accidentally woke one, he was charming enough, promised not to snitch. Made it up to the top floor balcony, which runs right round the extension. Conveniently there was a water cooler on every floor.
Took a while to realise there was access to the roof.
Didn't spend that much time inside the building, the views were too mesmerising.
The blurb
Queensbridge House is a 'tired' 1970s office building being replaced by a 224 bedroom luxury waterfront hotel and nine apartments. The bonus is that plebs get the use of a new riverside walkway. This one got through planning permission despite the umbrage of the neighbouring Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers. Demolition is in fairly full swing.
The Tate Modern extension is an eleven story, 65 metre, pyramidal addition to the existing building. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the architects responsible for the original conversion of Bankside Power Station into the gallery. It's due to open next summer. The building will be clad in brick latticework, matching the original structure - the scaffolding for this is seriously impressive.
The exploring bit
Met up with a few guys for a mooch around the South Bank. We'd eyed-up the Tate on the way over, but opted to have an impromptu warm-up at Queensbridge House first. The building was pretty beaten-up by the demo crews, we made a beeline for the crane. Sat around admiring the views, cue some night cityscapes...
Back across the river, we did a few loops of the Tate. Tried not to disturb the guys sleeping rough outside the building. Accidentally woke one, he was charming enough, promised not to snitch. Made it up to the top floor balcony, which runs right round the extension. Conveniently there was a water cooler on every floor.
Took a while to realise there was access to the roof.
Didn't spend that much time inside the building, the views were too mesmerising.
