User:The C of E/TT
| Twin Towers | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Twin Towers at Euro 1996 | |
| Former names | Twin Towers at Wembley |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Type | Football stadium |
| Classification | grade II |
| Location | Wembley |
| Town or city | London |
| Country | England |
| Groundbreaking | 1922 |
| Completed | 1923 |
| Closed | 2000 |
| Demolished | 2003 |
| Owner | The Football Association |
| Height | 124 ft |
| Technical details | |
| Material | ferro-concrete |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Sir Robert McAlpine |
| Known for | Wembley Stadium |
The Twin Towers were grade II listed buildings and part of Wembley Stadium in London, England. They were constructed in 1923 on the site of Watkin's Tower and came to be recognised as one of the iconic symbols of Wembley. Despite this and their listed status, they were demolished in 2003 to make way for the new Wembley Stadium.
Construction
[edit]The towers were designed by Sir Robert McAlpine for the construction of Empire Stadium (later known as Wembley Stadium) in time for the British Empire Exhibition on the site of the demolished Watkin's Tower. They were 126 feet high and built out of ferro-concrete with concrete flagpoles topped with concrete crowns constructed above them.[1] Initially the plan was to demolish them after the exhibition as they were only intended to be temporary construction however Sir James Stephenson requested that they be preserved.[2] The towers continued to remain a part of Wembley Stadium and had become a distinctive symbol of Wembley. The Twin Towers were granted Grade II listed status in 1976.[3] Owing to the towers being "treated to resemble masonry" and the original temporary intent, several alterations were made to preserve the Twin Towers.[3] This was because they were viewed by football supporters as one of the famous and iconic symbols of Wembley Stadium.[4]
Demolition
[edit]In 1994, there were rumours that Wembley Stadium would be redeveloped to build a new English national stadium. English Heritage responded critically to the reports, writing to Brent London Borough Council stating that they expected the Twin Towers to be preserved but would not object to the rest of the stadium being demolished.[5] In 1998, The Football Association considered plans on how to update Wembley and replacement was considered the best option, despite an offer from Arsenal F.C. to buy the stadium and restore it.[6] when the new designs were unveiled, it was announced that the Twin Towers would be demolished to make way for the new 90,000 capacity stadium. The reason given to English Heritage were that they would be in the middle of the pitch of the new stadium plans and served no practical purpose with Minister for Sport, Tony Banks calling them "concrete blocks.[7] It was also cited that it would be impractical to move them wholly as the ferro-concrete would crumble easily and unevenly making it impossible for them to be reassembled somewhere else in any solid form.[1] English Heritage opposed the demolition and Brent London Borough Council sated that they would not approve any new stadium that did not include the "iconic" Twin Towers.[8] Brent Council Granted planning permission on the understanding that the Twin Towers would be preserved, however the final designs for the new stadium reverted to the originals without the Twin Towers in place.[9] English Heritage also withdrew their objections, thus paving the way for the Twin Towers to be demolished.[10]
The Twin Towers were the last structure of Wembley to be demolished. Preliminary demolition work started in December 2002 with the concrete crowns being removed from the top of the flagpoles.[11] The towers were demolished on 2003, by a German excavator specifically made for the task referred to as "Goliath".[12][13] During the demolition, the original foundations of Watkin's Tower were rediscovered.[14] The top of one of the towers was moved to be installed as a memorial at St Raphael's Estate.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b https://www.brent.gov.uk/media/387573/Wembley%20Stadium,%20Old%20and%20New.pdf
- ^ http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/scotsman-who-saved-wembley-from-being-demolished-1-3148806
- ^ a b https://orbi.ulg.ac.be/bitstream/2268/181859/1/IJHS-open.pdf
- ^ "Final whistle for Wembley's towers". 7 February 2003.
- ^ https://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/about/LACpaper1999_2.pdf
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-infuriated-by-arsenals-bid-for-wembley-1150008.html
- ^ "BBC News | Football | Twin towers facing demolition".
- ^ "BBC News | Football | Reprieve for Wembley's towers".
- ^ "BBC News | Football | Twin towers 'have to go'".
- ^ "Goodbye, twin towers". The Guardian. 30 July 1999.
- ^ "Wembley twin towers' crowns removed". 6 December 2002.
- ^ "Last day for Wembley twin towers". Daily Mail.
- ^ "Wembley twin towers felled by German digger". Daily Mail.
- ^ Lisle, Tim de (14 March 2006). "The height of ambition". The Guardian.
- ^ "Architectural Salvage, Reclamation Yards, UK, USA and more | SalvoWEB".