2015: Gothic Prospect Tower Restoration

[Danny]

A planning application has been submitted to restore the Gothic Prospect Tower, including work on the windows and cast iron railings.

I can't see this being declined and hopefully we'll be able to venture to the top again as the views from the top level were stunning.

 

[delta79]

Looks good. It will be nice to see what the tower was meant to look like back in the day.

 

[TheMan]

A planning application has been submitted to restore the Gothic Prospect Tower, including work on the windows and cast iron railings.

I can't see this being declined and hopefully we'll be able to venture to the top again as the views from the top level were stunning.

Great find!

I never knew you could climb that Tower, dayyummm it's high enough for me on the floor, I would have to climb it if you could though I be the views across the park are absolutely spectacular!

Had to look up what it was at first, no idea why they're renovating it, but I applaud care of the parks features in this way so credit where it is due!

 

[BarryZola]

Great find! Nice work. It's great that they're restoring another old feature. Here is a short extract from a bit of work I did a while back (Copy and pasted from my Word file - minus the actual references because I can't be bothered to list them at this time as it's a bit late). I've also added some old, very old and more recent photo's of the tower for any of those wondering what's being discussed here

The 'Gothic Temple' (or Gothic Prospect Tower) was built in the gardens c. 1824. This garden feature is sometimes referred to as the 'Chinese Temple' but its three-tier pagoda-like structure is actually Gothic in form. This temple was designed by Robert Abraham (1774-1850) and its iron-work, which would sit on stone columns, was cast at the Britannia Foundry, Derby. Its decorative features and window frames were originally picked out in gold leaf and it was obviously a particular favourite with the fifteenth Earl as he instructed one of his craftsmen to create a miniature version which would be set up in the entrance hall of the house. In 1851 William Adam described the Gothic Temple as being "of the most elegant proportions, peering majestically from amidst a forest of wood, and overlooking the fairy scene", before further explaining that "a spiral staircase leads to the top; the dome is of stained glass, the effect of which is striking and beautiful on the exterior objects". In 1896 visitors were being charged two pence for admission to the top of the temple, but a fine view could also be obtained from an iron seat provided upon a circular platform in front of the tower.

Edit - Feel free to use any of the written content or Photo's for the site for any reason if you wish.

 

[rightbackgranty]

If I was being facetious I would say that this is to get in planners good books before filling an application for a cross valley wooden rollercoaster. But then again...

Will be good to see another part of the gardens restored.

 

[James]

^ I was thinking maybe this is one of those 'we will restore this if we can build X in the valley' moments Would be nice!

Nice to see something like this restored either way though.

 

[djtruefitt]

Usually when the council grant planning permission for a new ride, its often in the terms that they must spend X amount on restoring something, such as the glass window (which apparently will be returning this year!) and the conservatry roof a few years ago. So this is probably something like that, but it does need doing. I remember last season @Squiggs mentioning to me that it had a tree growing out the top of it!

 

[Dave]

I don't recall this ever being in a planning application deal. My best guess is the thing is in a critical condition and can't wait for a bargaining round for SW8.

 

[GaryH]

Was in bad shape last time I saw it. Wonder if they will restore it back to its original gold colour......

 

[James]

Documents have been uploaded/added to the planning application if anyone wishes to have a look/read through them.

 

[smidgey]

Was in bad shape last time I saw it. Wonder if they will restore it back to its original gold colour......

The document states:

The proposed works to the ‘Gothic’ Prospect Tower comprise the conservation repair of the White Hollington sandstone masonry and cast-iron structure; the specialist removal of modern paint finishes and re-decoration (inside & out); overhauling & replacing timber doors & windows; renewing the lead work domed- roof capping/flashing; repairing the ground level paved area; and the reinstatement of the decorative cast-iron railings to the first and second floor balconies. It does not, however, include the reinstatement of the decoratively carved Gothic stone ‘cusped and crocketted’ ogee roof canopy hoods (see fig.3) as it is felt that there is insufficient archive information, or archaeology to accurately reproduce these and that the cost would be disproportionately prohibitive in the wider programme of repairs for the whole structure.

The design of the proposed/reinstated Gothic cast-iron railings has been derived from an historic 1940’s photograph (fig.3), prior to the removal of the metalwork presumably for the war effort.

Currently the tower is lacking doors to the first and second floor doorway openings. However, it is clear that these openings originally featured doors as the original iron hinge pins survive. Inspection of the existing ground floor door has revealed that the three upper infill panels were once glazed, but have since been replaced with a timber infill and that the panels were decorated with applied Gothic moulded details (figs.5 & 6). It is proposed that the ground floor door is repaired to match existing, but that the solid timber infill panels be retained for security reasons. The first and second floor doors, however, will be constructed to match the existing ground floor door, and will feature clear toughened glass glazing panels as these will be less accessible by the general public.

The redecoration of the building will see a return to a red and cream colour scheme similar to that in the 1990’s (fig.7), but with reference to the original, earliest, colour scheme using a deep ‘Pugin Red’ and stone colour, subject top specialist paint analysis and further research. Although originally it is likely that the cast-ironwork featured gold leaf ‘gilding’, there is little documentation to suggest where this may have been used, therefore these current proposals do not include the use of gilding.

 

[Alastair]

"We really don't want to have to spend on gold leaf gilding, please invent any reason why we shouldn't"

Although originally it is likely that the cast-ironwork featured gold leaf ‘gilding’, there is little documentation to suggest where this may have been used, therefore these current proposals do not include the use of gilding.

 

[electricBlll]

Cor I loved reading that, best planning application in recent years. Although I would say that studying architecture and loving Gothic. but what a cool building this must have been, you'd never know it from the mysterious white object that it is today. Shame…

I visit the tower every time I go so very pleased it's going to be restored properly, although without its Gothic 'crown'.

Strange that it was closed and coated white as late as the 90s, is that true? Does anyone remember going up it?

 

[GaryH]

Just noticed, if you look at the first 2 or 3 pictures paying attention to the top, then look at the newer photos, the top design is different. The older pictures show more "pointy" arches around the top.

 

[electricBlll]

Yes that's the "cussed and crocketted" Gothic crown that apparently won't be restored due to lack of archaeologic evidence.

Which is disappointing because it was probably the same tracery and floral pinnacle design used on most Gothic buildings since time began, and really characterised the building. But oh well

 

[DiogoJ42]

How can there be a lack of evidence for something when this very thread has photographs of it?! @BarryZola, Alton have seen your site, surely?

If they mean "we don't have high enough resolution images of the detail work to accurately recreate it", then fair enough... but no one alive will ever know if it's not perfect, so just make an educated guess.
I think it's safe to say that what they really mean is, "sod that, it'd cost too much."

 

[BarryZola]

I'd just like to say again that I'm really pleased that they're doing this work, and it'll be great to see the results of it. It's a feature that I've always found interesting and have never had the pleasure of venturing inside the structure. Like a few people have said though, it would have been even better to get what we'll call the 'crown' reproduced. Not sure if planning prevents them from doing so, but if possible and given the budget it would have been good if they would have had a crack at pulling it off. They obviously don't have the detailed plans for this part of the feature but there are a few early photo's around which could have been sufficient for an 'as accurate as possible' reproduction. I'd personally have an 80% accurate 'crown' than no 'crown' at all.

 

[AstroDan]

This is excellent news and I look forward to marvelling at it next season!

 

[badlydrawnkelBel]

Great!

 

[Danny]

Planning permission has been granted

An image posted by TowersStreet on Facebook that shows the previous look of the tower, its current incarnation and proposed design from the planning applications: