I love Beetham Tower

May 16, 2020October 26, 2020 / mikeosbornphoto / 9 Comments

This is a Manchester landmark known by every Mancunian.

I’m especially fond of Beetham Tower, as it’s part of my neighbourhood of Castlefield and framed perfectly in my own living room window.

This slim, tall chisel of blue glass and steel changes colour with the weather and light.

I’ve photographed the building often since moving to Manchester in late 2016, and it continues to enthrall in spite of competition from new skyscrapers. Here are some of Beetham’s best bits.

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Manchester’s tall boy

December 4, 2016December 3, 2016 / mikeosbornphoto / 5 Comments

This slender chisel of a skyscraper dominates the Manchester skyline. It’s the city’s tallest building, a relative newcomer to the scene. The Beetham Tower is a constant reference point in my new home, perfectly framed in the living room window, steely during the day and twinkling with lights after dark. The temptation to photograph this architectural creation from a hundred angles is hard to resist…

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The Cheesegrater

November 1, 2014November 6, 2014 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

The City of London’s new wedge-shaped super skyscraper is officially known by its address of 122 Leadenhall Street. But Londoners much prefer to refer to it by its nickname.

I recently got up close to the building, craned my neck upwards and enjoyed its smooth angles and impressive height. One of its elevations has a robust criss-cross surface which looks almost perfect for grating that giant slab of cheddar…

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Skyscraper study

August 5, 2012 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

London’s highest building is a thing of wonder as part of the city’s skyline. But it enters a whole new dimension when you get close to it. It soars into the sky and is dizzying to look up to. The photographer is offered an array of angles and captures from this almost intimate perspective. Here are just a few of them.

Click on the first image to launch the full-size gallery

See also:

The Shard in perspective

The highest heights

Capturing The Shard

The Shard in perspective

July 25, 2012 / mikeosbornphoto / 11 Comments

It was a beautiful summer’s evening, and with a day off to look forward to, it was time to indulge in some photography in central London.

One of my first ports of call was skyscraper The Shard, officially Europe’s tallest building. While not the first time it’s caught my eye, I stood right at its feet and took in the impressive views. Close up, this is some structure.

While on the pavement poised to take a picture, a helicopter buzzed overhead and around the The Shard. The camera was stuck in film grain mode so just had to take my moment, while I think the outcome is more dramatic. The helicopter looks like an insect next to this glass edifice. Quite astounding.