2 days ago
Dramatic moment two Glasgow tower blocks are blown down in double demolition
The pair of 226ft buildings - some of last standing tower blocks in the Gorbals - were brought down using explosives at around noon on Sunday.
Two Glasgow tower blocks were blown down in a dramatic double demolition today.
The pair of 226ft buildings - some of the last standing tower blocks in the Gorbals - were brought down using explosives at around 1pm on Sunday.
Large exclusion zones were in place as crowds gathered to watch the detonation - with threw up huge clouds of dust and debris.
The tower blocks, Numbers 305 and 341 Caledonia Road, were built in 1965 amid a move to regenerate the area which was once known for its overcrowded, dilapidated Victorian tenements.
Plans to demolish the blocks were announced two years ago with the cost running to £6.5million.
Housing chiefs say the 23-storey blocks were razed to make way for 150 new homes after concerns were raised about the safety of the materials used.
New Gorbals Housing Association said: "Over the last few months, the contractor for the blow-down has been making progress preparing the buildings for demolition.
"This includes stripping the buildings, removing the concierge building and working with the association to save tonnes of material from landfill."
After World War Two, the Gorbals area became known as one of Europe's worst slums.
The towers were built in 1971 between St Francis' Primary School and the Southern Necropolis cemetery.
But in 2021, tenants were moved out due to fears over flammable building materials which were too costly to replace.
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The exclusion zone covered the graveyard and the nearby Gorbals rose gardens.
Onlookers gathered at vantage points to watch, including Richmond Park and nearby allotments.
The controlled explosion will be managed by contractors Dem-Master.
A string of Gorbals tower blocks have been demolished over the years.
Buildings in Sandiefield Road came down in 2013, followed by Norfolk Court's flats taken down in 2016.
The Stirlingfauld Place towers were blown down in 2008.
Tragedy struck when the large Queen Elizabeth Square towers came down in September 1993, killing Helen Tinney, 61, after being struck by debris.
Just one tower now remains at Waddell Court.
