A look at how the demolition is going at the old royal, they have removed a stairway the labs chapel, front entrance and part of casualty. they seem to be making a large sterile area for main demolition to begin.
Feels so strange, kinda heartbreaking in a way. Many an hour spent looking out those viewing windows above the main entrance anxiously awaiting news of loved ones. Bittersweet memories. Glad to see someone is documenting the demolition of this building.
Great video Paul, pulling down landmarks is just as important as putting new ones up. It’s brilliant that you’re covering this. Like me, there must be thousands or tens of thousands of people that have had personal connections to the Royal over the years. What you’re covering is a historical archive of change. Thanks so much for your expertise, top bloke.
Beautiful camera work Paul ,just to add the main lab block within the Duncan building still stands. It's the part on the right hand side of your latest video at around 1 min 56! Keep up the good work mate
Don’t be surprised if they have to add some departmental buildings to the site within the next few years. Hospitals by their very nature outgrow themselves and expand. Unfortunately, in the past, a lot of them had to make do with temporary structures. I called down for a look at progress today, and the replacement long reach machine has recommenced on the Duncan Building.
yeah i was down there waiting for an hour for it to carry on but they brought it down for some reason. not sure if they started up again in the afternoon.
It’s good to know that the demolition will be documented for posterity. I remember this being built from the early 1960’s until completion and handover in the very late 1970’s. This was probably one of the last major building projects of those two decades, within Liverpool. Other notable projects of the same era were-The Liverpool Post and Echo,The Royal insurance Building, and Liverpool Crown Courts (Completed in the early 80s). Despite issues, such as the main contractor being changed during the construction phase, the workmanship carried out (on the ward block particularly), would have been to the highest specifications, and standards. That is how it was in those days, and craftsmanship was taken seriously. As an example, I attended Liverpool College of Building, from 1971 onwards, and it was full of apprentices of all trades, many of whom, were working for major specialist contractors, on the aforementioned projects, and many others. Had funds permitted, maintained correctly, and refurbished consistently, it would have lasted into the distant future. It saddens me greatly to see this relatively modern set of buildings, being reduced to crushed concrete.
Thanks for the video, the work you put into them, recording, and uploading. They must have asbestos in the hospital as can see vans there. Any idea if they are to keep the old Boilerhouse?
All this building needed was a few minor repairs to the concrete of the main wards block The Linda McCartney building has had this work done and is still in daily use The new hospital building is privately owned We have all been conned this is more creeping privatisation of our nhs.
