Retro multi-storey car parks...

[Hirst]

The new build housing is at least designed to have an indoor bathroom from the start though, I just think they're a bit too optimistic about what they can fit on a plot. They try to have every feature instead of making the most of what they've got, so you end up with a garage which can't hold a car, joke gardens, a spare bedroom which can barely fit a bed in.

I dunno, I like a good old mess I suppose. A lot of the old buildings clash with each other too - the few remaining Tudor buildings stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the early 1900s redbrick stuff. I guess I'm fairly alone in wanting everything to look like Blade Runner or Kowloon or something.

[Seth]

No longer a functioning car park (and pre the brutal concrete era) but at least the building has been preserved/restored to a good state without destroying its form.

[uncleterry]

Cant forget...
Chelmsfords Market car park



Still very much in action, very busy usually.
Suitably retro and usually a good few lads in retros driving round nearby on weekend nights!

[akku]

I would hate for you to think I dislike like modern, modernist or such architecture. Some of it is great. We are cursed with poor quality design round Notts. I like the big, grand scale, industrialised architecture. It needs to be set in an appropriate context though. Some of the stuff in this thread is pretty cool. Just to redress the balance a little...

[chamba]

Hirst and Alistairk - totally agree with both your comments.

I think there's an interesting art deco style car park in Soho, but had a look on Streetview and can't find it. Anyone know the one?? Or has my imagination been working overtime again.....

[chaseracer]

/\/\ Brewer Street.

[MK2VR6]

I started a thread a while back...
Here:
retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=95055&page=1

Asking about this beauty!

That's what they should all be like!

[dave364634]

that looks as if you start your car in gear, your in trouble!

[surprisingskoda]

Apr 9, 2011 12:47:54 GMT dave364634 said:

that looks as if you start your car in gear, your in trouble!

Yeah but that was in the 60s when you had manual chokes and had to set your own carbs up. Everyone knew not to start in gear!



I think I agree with Hirst and Alastair, although I can't say the same thing has happened here until very recently - sad as it is, the only reason Belfast ever got new buildings in the 60s/70s/80s is because the old ones got blown up. There are two multi-storeys I can think of, both travesties of the 80s, and even then one of them has been blown up once or twice (Castlecourt). It's all fine now, although pretty grim inside.

Oh, just thought of another one, but it's a totally fresh build.
We have no historical architecture left in the city almost, apart from the city hall and Samson & Goliath

[Dez]

the spiral underground in ipswich is pretty cool- cant find a pic of it online though.

[Deleted]

This is the cobble and concrete carbuncle formerly used by the Post Office on West Bars in Chesterfield. Last I read, it's scheduled for demolition.


In Sheffield there's some interesting architecture going on, though wether or not it could be considered retro is debatable, it has a certain dystopian sci-fi feel to it, which fits with the 80s, but that is perhaps a tenuous link.

Looks like something from Half Life or Bladerunner. As oppressive a building as it is, I quite like it.


When the sun shines, this building looks exactly like a load of paper that's been caught in the wind. That should make it awesome, but instead it's just ugly, all the time, and not in a good way.


Eyre Street, behind Atkinsons, is this retro behemoth. They've fitted it with coloured lights so it's interesting at night. Another one scheduled for demolition if rumour is to be believed. They've probably be erecting some 'executive apartments' there that nobody wants and last for about 10 years before they need to be demolished and replaced.


I shan't miss a lot of these concrete car storage facilities, I only wish they'd erect something attractive in their place rather than cheap looking towers of glass and brushed metal. Some parts of Sheffield are beginning to look like a B&Q kitchen catalogue

[dave364634]

Apr 9, 2011 13:53:59 GMT @volksangyl said:

This is the cobble and concrete carbuncle formerly used by the Post Office on West Bars in Chesterfield. Last I read, it's scheduled for demolition.

did you go to the kfc (just behind the photographer)? ;D

[Deleted]

Once...

[chamba]

Apr 9, 2011 7:16:31 GMT chaseracer said:

/\/\ Brewer Street.

Cheers Chaseracer. This is the best pic I can find -

[sheffieldcortinacentre]

but you have to admit where brilliant at pointless construction work then again we've no other industry left in sheffield.

[SparksECM]

I'd say one of the few uses for the Balmoral centre owned by NCP in Scarborough is that it brings you on a level with the propper victorian sort of archetecture that you just don't ever notice at street level.

[Seth]

Apr 9, 2011 7:16:31 GMT chaseracer said:

/\/\ Brewer Street.

Rumbled past it in a 64 Mustang at about 1.30 tonight ;D I have a photo of it somewhere but couldn't find it.

[uncle silvia]

Plymouth has had its fare share of interesting "parking structures"!

The one I remember the best was the Charles Cross car park with its big spiral with all the parking spaces going up and the tight centre spiral to go back down. I will always remember telling my Auntie to go faster in her MK1 Cav on the way down just for fun lol.
Us lads used to hang out in the gloom in there in our modded motors for ages before it got knocked down. We even had a massive cruise attended by "Maxy Pants" which we managed to fill all 2000 parking spaces, double park them and have a 1/2 mile que still to get in!!!!!

Heres some pics as it was.....................










During demolishon 2004...........


How it looks now with the new Drakes Circus Shopping centre.......


Also just to add to the interest of this area, across the road from the above carpark was Turnbulls Garage which was the first self service petrol station in the UK in 1960. It was also unusual being of round construction and fully glazed. Most of the building has since been knocked down and replaced by a Staples store, but the round forecourt has been saved and turned into a motorcycle store. Unfortunately I cant find any pics of the way it was but here is some of as it is now..............




Another Retro Carpark was at Derrys Cross at the lower end of the city centre. This was a smaller 2 story carpark with a petrol station at the front of the lower level against the roundabout. There was also another open section of carpark next to it which is now the site of the Theatre Royal.............


Heres how it looks now (the blue building is where the carpark was)


There is another concrete construction the other side of the Theatre that is still there and has recently been referbished with new paint and automated barriers etc............


And a "newer" 90s one at the bottom of town which is also potentially earmarked for redevelopment.............

[akku]

that spiral car park is awesome. We have one similar but less cool in Nottingham. I'll get photos.

[the_munkeh]

I spent a while looking for some pictures of the tricorn in use, cars people etc. Completely failed. Did get a good before/after aerial shot.

apologies for the size. but god it looked big!!

now



pre demolition. - still in use no (fencing round it) The cars parked on the right of it - see the small bridge - are actually parked on top of Argos that is the only bit that still remains



looks like someone had some fun up top