Water living in Hanley

Touted originally as Stoke-on-Trent's flagship development, the Waterside complex in southern Hanley's 'Canal Quarter' could never have lived up to its billing - though maybe it will one day.
Before the RENEW regeneration project closed, it was seen as one of its top achievements.

To be honest, it replaced a lot of rather ugly industrial buildings, and people do seem to be buying properties there (what is it about living by water?)... so at least it's a form of progress.  And the buildings are comfortable to live in.
Odd to think though that it is the very heritage of the 200 year-old Caldon Canal that drew these modern developers to this site.

Colourful 107 development

The '107' project in Burton really seems to be coming along after a hiccup when it looked it could all fold. 
If Burton had a docklands-style area which was being redeveloped for up-market lifestyle venues (restaurants, art gallery, modern offices etc etc) - then I suppose this would be it.  It's on the site of a huge old, now disused brewery.

I also like the fact it just believes in a bit of colour - something to savour in grey mid-winter urban days.

Playtime at 107 in Burton

Walking into the big car-park that fronts the old building on '107 Station Street' in Burton is a bit like entering an architect's playground.
The old brewery building (on the right) has been revitalised by a property development company, but they also had some fun with what looks like huge lego bricks during the process.

Regeneration rubble

Yes, this is how 'regeneration' looks.
Middleport, a run down area of northern Stoke-on-Trent, has been partly reduced to rubble as homes are demolished to make way for The Future.

Oh, I'm being a grouch I suppose - but The Future looks a lot like The Past, in this photo at least.

Regeneration - inside-out

The artist who created life-size 'inside-out' houses might have enjoyed a walk through north Shelton (near Hanley) right now. The regeneration process, in which the old terraced houses are gradually being knocked down, occasionally leaves what were once interior walls now exposed as exterior walls.

I find it a bit embarassing. A private bedroom is now on public show, its insides and its wallpaper (once only rarely glimpsed) now revealed to all.
These walls look almost naked to me.

This post was featured on the My Town Shoot-Out Photo Blog