55 DEGREES NORTH

This building is 55 Degrees North, formerly Swan House (named after famous North East scientist and inventor of the light bulb Joseph Swan).  Swan House was built 1963-1969 and housed the offices of BT.   Entering the city over the Tyne Bridge it is the first thing you see dominating nearby buildings, old and new. 

Sitting on stilts and on top of a roundabout, with the central motorway running virtually underneath, Swan House was described by some as a concrete monstrosity - a monument to 1960s ‘brutalist’ architecture   It was voted one of Tyneside’s biggest eyesores in the 1998 Carbuncle awards .

In 2002, Swan House was converted into fashionable apartments, and renamed 55 degrees North, after the earth’s circle of latitude that runs through the city.    Metro Radio a local radio station is based here as well as a bar and restaurant.

This is my entry for todays Wide Wednesday challenge hosted by steveng - the theme is Geometric/Architectural

So as you can tell I went to Newcastle today.  I had a lovely wander around and took loads of photos. I have added a collage to my Extras. ( Tyne Bridge, High Level Bridge and some buildings on the Quayside ). I did some shopping - mostly food but also a few Christmas gifts.  The weather was dry but dull.  Would have been nice if we could have had a bit of sunshine.

Steps today - 8,285