The BT Tower, Lionel Street, Birmingham,
UK
Architect
|
M. H. Bristow of the Ministry of Public
Buildings and Works |
Date Built
|
1963 - 1967 |
Location
|
Lionel Street
near Newhall Street
|
Description
|
This 500 foot high
tower was officially opened in September of
1965 and became operational in December of
the following year. Apparently, the
Post Office requested permission to extend
it to 600 feet but permission was denied
because of concerns about its affect on
planes approaching Birmingham Airport.
Unlike the BT Tower in London this one
doesn't have a restaurant at the top nor is
it circular.
It was important that the tower remains
stable to avoid interference to the "line of
sight" for the microwave dishes. To
achieve this the tower has channels at each
corner that counteract the force of the
wind. In 2003, the tower was repainted
replacing the original brown with an
ultramarine blue It was also equipped with
lights that would illuminate it at
night. Apparently Jasper Carrot
switched on the lighting system in March of
2004. |
|
