Time Please!

Time has been called at the New Penny Inn for the last time. Actually it was called for the last time about three years ago but it has only just been demolished. The pub was originally named the New Inn and renamed in 1970 to coincide with decimalisation in the UK. The pub was renowned for being a bit rough and had some problems with drugs and,unfortunately, this didn't change under several different owners and landlords. It won't surprise you to know that apartments are planned for the site. Very original!

I like the fact that it looks like the demolition team just gave up when they got to the doorway, it has been like this for weeks! For more info about the New Penny Inn, and photos before demolition, go here.

Living The High Life

Who fancies living in a penthouse apartment? I know I do. No noisy neighbours above you, room to swing a cat, outdoor space, great views. What more could you want?!

Cheltenham, like many towns and cities across the UK, has seen lots of apartment buildings like this one being built over the last few years. Of course, with the current financial situation, sales are slowing down and prices are falling. Perhaps I'll be able to afford a penthouse sooner than I thought!

Off Your Trolley

I normally show you the nicer side of Cheltenham but, like all towns and cities, we have the usual problems - crime, vandalism, littering, anti-social behaviour. Following Knoxville Girl's lead the other day, I headed into a part of town I never walk through. It's not a particularly unpleasant part of town, in fact redevelopment of the area has just finished. The area used to be St James' train station and then a car park, it is now luxury apartments and a Waitrose supermarket. It's also where the River Chelt flows through. The riverside area (well, the stream side area!) was revamped with a walkway, seating, artwork and a waterfall. And here it is in all its glory, along with a shopping trolley for an added urban feel!

Rusty Post

This rusty old metal gate post looked like it was about to collapse. It is all that's left of what must have once been an ornate wrought iron gate. The building at the end of the drive is a typical Cheltenham Regency one that is being renovated, probably into apartments. Although it won't fit in with the new look I hope they keep this post from the past.

There was no outright winner of Saturdays guessing game. The stuffed bird was in the window of a Barbers Shop. I've no idea why! So I'll give a link to Babooshka for her answer - a car dealership! It was as strange as the real answer!

Into The New Century

This is the controversial Century Court. It was built at the start of 2000 and was completed in 2001. It replaced some old office buildings and was hailed as an impressive brownfield redevelopment, but it wasn't without its critics due to the design. At the time it was quite a departure from the usual style of buildings being put up and the Borough Council actively sort out a contemporary design. Century Court was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley architects and cost around £12 million. The complex has 87 apartments, 9 townhouses, inner courtyard gardens created by a Chelsea award winning designer, a gym and underground car parking. And just to stop any unwanted visitors it has gated access.

This view is from Bath Road but the view from the courtyard is much more interesting. At each end are two drum shaped buildings with apartments within, but I couldn't show them to you due to the gates! The main feature of the homes in the photo is the view from the balconies. They overlook one of Cheltenham's most famous institutions, and this makes these homes some of the towns most expensive (£500,000 for 2 bedrooms!)

Come back tomorrow to see what they see...

More Like It

This is more like it! This is the kind of building that Cheltenham is known for, unlike the apartments in yesterdays post. This Regency terrace is on the upmarket Suffolk Square, just on the edge of the town centre. When they were first built in the 1800's this terrace would have been individual grand houses, but now the majority are divided into flats. I wouldn't mind one with a wrought iron balcony.

Have a good weekend one and all!

Millennium Plaza

These rather funky, urban looking apartments have just been built on the corner of Portland Street and Albion Street, right on the Inner Ring Road. To my mind its not the best place to live in Cheltenham but I bet there are good views from the balconies and more so the Penthouse. One of the apartments in this development is rented out as an hotel room, which is very odd in a residential building. Well it is round here. This new build sits on the sit of a former restaurant that was doomed from the start. The Millennium Restaurant was a space-age themed diner, and the building stood out like a sore thumb. It was built at the end of the 90's and it had a huge roof that was pitched like a birds wings in mid flight. I wish I had a picture to show you! The place only lasted a couple of years and sat empty for much of the start of the new millennium before being demolished last year. I don't think Regency Cheltenham was quite ready for the New Millennium!

Through The Garden Gate

Opposite Thai Emerald, the restaurant I showed the other week (the one with the elephants on the roof), is this residential building, Chelsea Court. The red brick building dates from 1869 and was built as St Mary's Hall, the Female Training College; part of St Paul's College. It then became known as the Shaftesbury Hall and was a venue for arts events, exhibitions and theatre. I went there once to visit an exhibition on Science and Rocks. I was still at school then and the exhibition must have been something to do with part of the curriculum. It's not something I would be interested in seeing now! The building is now surrounded by new apartments and forms part of Chelsea Square. The redevelopment of the Hall took place in the early 1990's and the apartments within are some of the most expensive in the heart of town. I wouldn't mind a pad there, as long as it didn't involve science or rocks!