Here's another great explore that I can't find anywhere on the forums, but is definitely worthy of it
This is the former Brunswick Campus of Gloscat, or as it is more formally known
Gloucestershire
College of
Art and
Technology
closed in late 2007 when this particular campus relocated to the docks in a multi-million pound scheme. It has since lain empty, and when I visited around a year ago the building had only suffered minor vandalism, but the slow process of dereliction has just begun; the odd broken window, the occasional stray ceiling tile, the first intruding weeds.
The site is absolutely huge, consisting of "blocks" of buildings - the first being a large art deco building at the front facing Brunswick Road, then a hideous 9-storey 60s tower at the back, and finally the massive tech department to the left of this. I've visited twice and seen most of it, unfortunately when I had my camera I did not document the tech rooms very well and it is impossible to get across how huge they are, and how they still have clamps, drills, saws, vices and students work in place, including indoor roofs and houses.
Here's some pics
This is the lovely art deco frontage which faces onto Brunswick Road. It's lovely, with the buildings original crittal windows and some iron doors with emblems cast into them. I hope they keep this in their redevelopment plans.
Adorning the front is this nice crest. "Invicta" means "Undefeated" in Latin.
Unfortunately, the art deco block cannot be seen from around the city. Instead, this monstrosity dominates the skyline. It must be, apart from the hospital, the ugliest building in Gloucester, and that's saying something.
But let's stay in the nice bit first. This is the foyer. With its hexagonal marble columns and elegant staircase, it feels more like a palace.
Upstairs, the huge central window lets the sunlight in, and the beautiful iron banisters and the elegant chandelier add to the decoration.
At the top landing, two smaller staircases branched off to the next floor, where there was a fabulous wood panelled boardroom and function suite.
Most of the art deco block was just empty classrooms. In fact, the only properly interesting rooms were the food tech department...
...and the beauty salons, of which there were many.
Ok, so even though the view of the tower block from the city is horrendous, the view of the city from the tower block was spectacular. This is down to Greyfriars...
...and this one out to the cathedral.
But the best view was definitely the one over to the docks.
Inside, the rooms were cramped, badly decorated and in most cases completely stripped. There were a couple of labs, but mostly this was what you could expect - the "best" of the 1960s.
So, on to the tech block; like I say the photos don't even begin to do it justice so I will only put one up.
Well, two if you include this little fella!
Thanks for looking.