Monday, 31 August 2015

Coventry - the Beauty and the Beast. (Photo heavy post)

Coventry has some beautiful buildings.  Even after the bombings during the Second World War, some fantastic Georgian, and even older, buildings remained.


But these are being dwarfed by the influx of garish student accommodation.


A timber framed building built in the 1930s to blend in with the surrounding properties with 2 garish blue and red student properties in the background.  The nearer one, a former gym and university offices, the further one the former AXA insurance building.


The Old Cathedral - St Michael's, a 14th century Gothic church later designated cathedral, that remains a ruined shell after its bombing during the Second World War.


The Council House - Built in the early 20th Century in a Tudor Style.  It is Grade II listed.


The rear of the former main post office in Hertford Street - built in the early 1900s it has since been converted to student accommodation.


The former Penny Black Pub - an essential stop off on a night out back in the day.  Now converted to student accommodation.


Broadgate, or 'the top of the town', as it used to be.  Spent many a happy lunch break sitting on the grass to eat my dinner.


Broadgate as it is now.


The Old Grammar School in the centre of the shot, currently being restored to be used by the Coventry Transport Museum, in the background is the former Post Office sorting office, soon to be replaced by student accommodation.


Another view of the former AXA building.


Previously offices, Dial Direct House (formerly St Georges House) is now also student accommodation.


The former Leofric Hotel, one of the first hotels to be built after the Second World War and a symbol of Britain's recovery - now student accommodation.


Former Belgrade Theatre accommodation for out of town actors, now student accommodation.


Ending on a positive note - two of Coventry's spires in the morning sunshine.