It looks like an aerial photo at first and then you realise it's an architects model.
This miniature dates from the early 1960's when the idea of multi dwelling was forward thinking and ultra modern.
At the time, these new plans for the foot of Hilltown were to have 376 houses and a day nursery on site.
I have this photo as these were my favourite blocks.Best laid out multis of the lot.14 storeys high yet the lifts only go to 13 (which caused great bafflement to removal men!) because the then town planners did not want the Lift Motor room to obstruct the skyline profile of Dundee...- apparently!!
ReplyDeleteAs an architect I'm afraid I can believe that only too readily - no other reason not to have full-height lift provision.
ReplyDeleteJust don't put the OAPs on the top floor.....
If that wasn't the lift housing, I asume the little building on top, knowing architects and town planners a bit, is the car park!
ReplyDeleteIf they had turned the Hilltown multi rooftops into heliports, I'm sure the locals would have helped out painting the big H's!
ReplyDeleteUsed to have my dinner sitting on the metal roof of Tulloch Ct in the summer!!! Heath & Safety would not allow that now!These blocks had only a tiny wall on their roofs so you never went "near the edge"!!!Maxwelltown was less stressful as the roof wall went up to chest height!! Great views to be had!
ReplyDeleteI see the tenants group has launched a website.Good luck to them and i hope they succeed in restoring the pride and sense of community that was in all 4 of these courts from 1966 til around 1994(things started to go wrong after that)
ReplyDeleteI did a door to door survey in the multis in 1985 while preparing a uni project, and was struck by how well maintained the buildings were then and how many fine people lived there.
ReplyDeleteOne memory has just returned, of an elderly couple who had me in for a cup of tea and proudly showed me photographs of their 18 year old grandson, an accordionist who was just about to start studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen.
That young man's name was James Crabb, and he is now one of the foremost classical accordionists in the world.
Yes, the tenants there had immense pride in their flats and some of the landings were like wee houses themselves.The 4 blocks were looked after by 2 Caretakers living on site.If memory serves me correct there were 4 entrances into each block(3 at ground level and 1 at the cellars) and in those days there was no need for cameras,"security caretakers" and "controlled entry"Saw a picture recently of one of the blocks today and the entrance foyer is no where near as smart and welcoming as in the 80's when they were just considered high flats!
ReplyDeleteMy nan has lived in bonnethill court since 1975, that has to be one of the longest staying residence in all 4 blocks for sure
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