Derwent Tower, Brutalist high-rise building in Dunston, England
Derwent Tower is a concrete residential tower with a rectangular form designed by architect Owen Luder, rising 90 meters (295 feet) above the landscape. The building contains two-bedroom apartments on the lower floors and one-bedroom units on the upper floors, serving as housing for hundreds of residents.
Built in 1972, the tower emerged from a revised design plan that originally called for three towers with 22 stories each. The project was scaled back to a single structure due to changing economic and urban planning priorities.
Local residents gave the tower the nickname 'Dunston Rocket' because of its distinctive shape and towering presence. This name stuck in the community and shows how the building became part of local identity.
Access to the tower varies depending on the purpose of the visit, and visitors should check ahead about which areas are open to explore. The concrete exterior weathers noticeably over time, so visiting during good weather helps to see the building's form and character more clearly.
The tower appeared in a Tudor Crisps television advertisement during the 1970s, giving it unexpected moments in popular culture. This commercial appearance helped the building gain recognition beyond the local area.
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