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Coordinates: 54°57′7.7″N 1°38′21.99″W / 54.952139°N 1.6394417°W / 54.952139; -1.6394417
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{{Short description|Demolished apartment building in Dunston, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{coord|54|57|7.7|N|1|38|21.99|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
{{coord|54|57|7.7|N|1|38|21.99|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2009}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2009}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building | name = Derwent Tower | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = | alternate_names = Dunston Rocket | status = Demolished
| name = Derwent Tower
| image = The Rocket - geograph.org.uk - 87646.jpg | image_alt = | image_size = | caption = Derwent Tower | map_type = | map_alt = | map_caption = | altitude = | building_type = | architectural_style = | structural_system = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = | current_tenants = | landlord = | location = | address = Ellison Road, Gateshead. NE11 9DF | location_town = | location_country = | coordinates = | groundbreaking_date = | start_date = | completion_date = 1972<ref name="aj"/> | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | renovation_date = | demolition_date = 2012 | destruction_date = | height = 280ft<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2007/10/26/dunston-rocket-could-be-demolished-72703-20013967/|title=Dunston Rocket could be demolished|author=Alastair Craig|date=25 October 2007|work=nechronicle|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | architectural = | tip = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | other_dimensions = | floor_count = | floor_area = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = | elevator_count = | architect = [[Owen Luder]]<ref name="aj">{{cite web|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/luder-shocked-by-lynch-mob-attack-on-derwent-tower/209387.article|title=Luder shocked by 'lynch-mob' attack on Derwent Tower|publisher=Architectsjournal.co.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | architecture_firm = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_awards = | parking = | url = | embedded = | references = }}
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| former_names =
| alternate_names = Dunston Rocket
| status = Demolished
| image = The Rocket - geograph.org.uk - 87646.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_size =
| caption = Derwent Tower in 2005
| map_type =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| altitude =
| building_type =
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| ren_cost =
| client =
| owner =
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| location =
| address = Ellison Road, Gateshead. NE11 9DF
| location_town =
| location_country =
| coordinates =
| groundbreaking_date =
| start_date =
| completion_date = 1972<ref name="aj"/>
| opened_date =
| inauguration_date =
| renovation_date =
| demolition_date = 2012
| destruction_date =
| height = 85&nbsp;m (280&nbsp;ft)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2007/10/26/dunston-rocket-could-be-demolished-72703-20013967/|title=Dunston Rocket could be demolished|author=Alastair Craig|date=25 October 2007|work=nechronicle|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
| architectural =
| tip =
| roof =
| top_floor =
| observatory =
| other_dimensions =
| floor_count =
| floor_area =
| seating_type =
| seating_capacity =
| elevator_count =
| architect = [[Owen Luder]]<ref name="aj">{{cite web|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/luder-shocked-by-lynch-mob-attack-on-derwent-tower/209387.article|title=Luder shocked by 'lynch-mob' attack on Derwent Tower|date=30 October 2007|publisher=Architectsjournal.co.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
| architecture_firm =
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer =
| civil_engineer =
| other_designers =
| quantity_surveyor =
| main_contractor =
| awards =
| designations =
| ren_architect =
| ren_firm =
| ren_str_engineer =
| ren_serv_engineer =
| ren_civ_engineer =
| ren_oth_designers =
| ren_qty_surveyor =
| ren_awards =
| parking =
| url =
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}}


'''Derwent Tower''' (also known as the '''Dunston Rocket''') was a 29-storey residential [[apartment building]] in [[Dunston, Tyne and Wear]], [[United Kingdom]]. Due to its unusual shape it was nicknamed the "Dunston Rocket" during construction (even before its official Derwent Tower title) and the name remained with locals throughout its life. It has now been demolished.
'''Derwent Tower''' was a 29-storey residential [[apartment building]] in [[Dunston, Tyne and Wear]], [[United Kingdom]], opened in 1972. Due to its unusual shape it was nicknamed the "'''Dunston Rocket'''" during construction (even before its official Derwent Tower title) and the name remained with locals throughout its life. It was demolished in 2012.


The tower was designed by the [[Owen Luder]] Partnership on behalf of Whickham Council, which controlled the Dunston area of [[Gateshead]]. The original brief was for three high-rise blocks of at least 22 storeys, but due to adverse ground conditions on site the decision was made to build one tower, with the rest being low-rise blocks of two to five storeys. Despite the architect's advice against construction of a high-rise building on the site, the council were strongly in favour. Following many consultations and explanatory models of the foundations with specialists, construction of the foundations began in February 1968, and the tower was completed in March 1971.
The tower was designed by the [[Owen Luder]] Partnership on behalf of Whickham urban district Council, which controlled the Dunston area of [[Gateshead]].<ref name="chroniclelive.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/architects-original-version-controversial-dunston-14251442|title=Architect's original version of controversial Dunston Rock to be sold|date=6 February 2018}}</ref> The original brief was for three high-rise blocks of at least 22 storeys, but due to adverse ground conditions on site the decision was made to build one tower, with the rest being low-rise blocks of two to five storeys. Despite the architect's advice against construction of a high-rise building on the site, the council were strongly in favour. Following many consultations and explanatory models of the foundations with specialists, construction of the foundations began in February 1968, and the tower was completed in March 1971.


Construction was complex because of the very poor ground conditions. The foundations were based on a sunken concrete [[Deep foundation|caisson]] that was built above ground then sunk over a period of time. Caisson foundations are often found in harbour construction; being used in the 1960s for a local authority tower block was a first, and the caisson became an underground garage area for residents.
Construction was complex because of the very poor ground conditions. The foundations were based on a sunken concrete [[Deep foundation|caisson]] that was built above ground then sunk over a period of time. Caisson foundations are often found in harbour construction; being used in the 1960s for a local authority tower block was a first,<ref name="chroniclelive.co.uk"/> and the caisson became an underground garage area for residents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/03/gateshead-newcastle|title = Another 'old north' landmark comes crashing down| website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date = 3 February 2012}}</ref>


The tower had a very bold and striking appearance, unlike any other tower block or high rise building in the UK. It was of a [[Brutalist architecture|Brutalist]] design with lots of design similarities with Gateshead's "[[Trinity Square Gateshead|Get Carter car park]]" also a product of the Owen Luder Partnership. The tower housed two-bedroom flats up to the 10th floor, one-bedroom flats floors 11 to 29. It featured in a 1970s advert for Tudor Crips.
The tower had a very bold and striking appearance, unlike any other tower block or high rise building in the UK. It was of a [[Brutalist architecture|Brutalist]] design<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/remember-when-dunston-rocket-2009-7434301|title=Remember when: The 'Dunston Rocket' in 2009 - then and Now|date=16 July 2014}}</ref> with many design similarities with Gateshead's "[[Trinity Square Gateshead|Get Carter car park]]" also a product of the Owen Luder Partnership. The tower housed two-bedroom flats up to the 10th floor and one-bedroom flats on floors 11 to 29. It featured in a 1970s advert for Tudor Crisps.<ref name="chroniclelive.co.uk"/>


Unusual features were:
Unusual features were:


* Height (280&nbsp;feet)
* Height 85&nbsp;m (280&nbsp;ft)
* Unusual construction methods
* Unusual construction methods
* Plan form change between 10th and 11th floor to accommodate building services including two 10,000-gallon water tanks
* Plan form change between 10th and 11th floor to accommodate building services including two 10,000-gallon water tanks
* [[Flying buttress]]es from the ground to 5th floor assisting the foundations
* [[Flying buttress]]es from the ground to 5th floor assisting the foundations<ref name="chroniclelive.co.uk"/>
* Unusual foundations including an underground spiral carpark (closed to residents for many years, due to repeated flooding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/03/gateshead-newcastle|title=Another 'old north' landmark comes crashing down|author=Martin Wainwright|work=The Guardian|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>)
* Unusual foundations including an underground spiral carpark (closed to residents for many years, due to repeated flooding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/03/gateshead-newcastle|title=Another 'old north' landmark comes crashing down|author=Martin Wainwright|work=The Guardian|date=3 February 2012|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>)
* Brutalist form
* Brutalist form
* Exposed elements of structure and services, i.e. flying buttresses from floor level and exposed water tanks.
* Exposed elements of structure and services, i.e. flying buttresses from floor level and exposed water tanks.


The tower was in desperate need of refurbishment for many years, making it unpopular with residents and locals. It had been allowed to fall into a run-down state through neglect and lack of maintenance. Services breakdowns, lift failures, water supply faults were all common but were unlikely to be a result of the tower's design or construction methods. In 2007 [[Gateshead Council]] decided to relocate residents amid health and safety concerns over the already poor and deteriorating services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/GoAheadforDunstonRocketDemolition.aspx|title=Go Ahead for Dunston Rocket Demolition|publisher=Gateshead.gov.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
The tower was in desperate need of refurbishment for many years, making it unpopular with residents and locals. It had been allowed to fall into a run-down state through neglect and lack of maintenance. Services breakdowns, lift failures, water supply faults were all common but were unlikely to be a result of the tower's design or construction methods. In 2007 [[Gateshead Council]] decided to relocate residents amid health and safety concerns over the already poor and deteriorating services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/GoAheadforDunstonRocketDemolition.aspx|title=Go Ahead for Dunston Rocket Demolition|publisher=Gateshead.gov.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>


On 17 August 2009 the tower failed in gaining listed status on the grounds of it being a non-listable building. In January 2012 demolition began,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-16790591|title=BBC News - Demolition begins on Tyneside's 'Dunston Rocket' flats|work=BBC News|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> completed in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/dunston-rocket-finally-demolished--1370596|title=Dunston Rocket is finally demolished + GALLERY|author=Sarah Scott|date=4 September 2012|work=Nechronicle|publisher=Chroniclelive.co.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
On 17 August 2009 the tower failed in gaining listed status on the grounds of it being a non-listable building. In January 2012 demolition began,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-16790591|title=BBC News - Demolition begins on Tyneside's 'Dunston Rocket' flats|work=BBC News|date=31 January 2012|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> completed in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/dunston-rocket-finally-demolished--1370596|title=Dunston Rocket is finally demolished + GALLERY|author=Sarah Scott|date=4 September 2012|work=Nechronicle|publisher=Chroniclelive.co.uk|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Gateshead]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Gateshead]]
[[Category:Brutalist architecture in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Brutalist architecture in England]]
[[Category:Residential skyscrapers in England]]
[[Category:Residential skyscrapers in England]]
[[Category:Residential buildings in England]]
[[Category:Residential buildings in England]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in England]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1972]]
[[Category:Residential buildings completed in 1972]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2012]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2012]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2012 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Former skyscrapers]]

Latest revision as of 21:04, 20 November 2024

54°57′7.7″N 1°38′21.99″W / 54.952139°N 1.6394417°W / 54.952139; -1.6394417

Derwent Tower
Derwent Tower in 2005
Map
Alternative namesDunston Rocket
General information
StatusDemolished
AddressEllison Road, Gateshead. NE11 9DF
Completed1972[1]
Demolished2012
Height85 m (280 ft)[2]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Owen Luder[1]

Derwent Tower was a 29-storey residential apartment building in Dunston, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, opened in 1972. Due to its unusual shape it was nicknamed the "Dunston Rocket" during construction (even before its official Derwent Tower title) and the name remained with locals throughout its life. It was demolished in 2012.

The tower was designed by the Owen Luder Partnership on behalf of Whickham urban district Council, which controlled the Dunston area of Gateshead.[3] The original brief was for three high-rise blocks of at least 22 storeys, but due to adverse ground conditions on site the decision was made to build one tower, with the rest being low-rise blocks of two to five storeys. Despite the architect's advice against construction of a high-rise building on the site, the council were strongly in favour. Following many consultations and explanatory models of the foundations with specialists, construction of the foundations began in February 1968, and the tower was completed in March 1971.

Construction was complex because of the very poor ground conditions. The foundations were based on a sunken concrete caisson that was built above ground then sunk over a period of time. Caisson foundations are often found in harbour construction; being used in the 1960s for a local authority tower block was a first,[3] and the caisson became an underground garage area for residents.[4]

The tower had a very bold and striking appearance, unlike any other tower block or high rise building in the UK. It was of a Brutalist design[5] with many design similarities with Gateshead's "Get Carter car park" also a product of the Owen Luder Partnership. The tower housed two-bedroom flats up to the 10th floor and one-bedroom flats on floors 11 to 29. It featured in a 1970s advert for Tudor Crisps.[3]

Unusual features were:

  • Height 85 m (280 ft)
  • Unusual construction methods
  • Plan form change between 10th and 11th floor to accommodate building services including two 10,000-gallon water tanks
  • Flying buttresses from the ground to 5th floor assisting the foundations[3]
  • Unusual foundations including an underground spiral carpark (closed to residents for many years, due to repeated flooding.[6])
  • Brutalist form
  • Exposed elements of structure and services, i.e. flying buttresses from floor level and exposed water tanks.

The tower was in desperate need of refurbishment for many years, making it unpopular with residents and locals. It had been allowed to fall into a run-down state through neglect and lack of maintenance. Services breakdowns, lift failures, water supply faults were all common but were unlikely to be a result of the tower's design or construction methods. In 2007 Gateshead Council decided to relocate residents amid health and safety concerns over the already poor and deteriorating services.[7]

On 17 August 2009 the tower failed in gaining listed status on the grounds of it being a non-listable building. In January 2012 demolition began,[8] completed in September 2012.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Luder shocked by 'lynch-mob' attack on Derwent Tower". Architectsjournal.co.uk. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  2. ^ Alastair Craig (25 October 2007). "Dunston Rocket could be demolished". nechronicle. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Architect's original version of controversial Dunston Rock to be sold". 6 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Another 'old north' landmark comes crashing down". TheGuardian.com. 3 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Remember when: The 'Dunston Rocket' in 2009 - then and Now". 16 July 2014.
  6. ^ Martin Wainwright (3 February 2012). "Another 'old north' landmark comes crashing down". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Go Ahead for Dunston Rocket Demolition". Gateshead.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  8. ^ "BBC News - Demolition begins on Tyneside's 'Dunston Rocket' flats". BBC News. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  9. ^ Sarah Scott (4 September 2012). "Dunston Rocket is finally demolished + GALLERY". Nechronicle. Chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
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