Starley Gardens, Coventry University - What Happened To The James Starley Building?

Starley Gardens is a new open space on the site of the former James Starley building of Coventry University (the old Lanchester Poly) which was taken down in 2019.
This video starts at the top, facing the Ellen Terry building with the gardens behind us before swinging round. As we go through the gardens, you will notice major renovations to the Graham Sutherland building on the right. These renovations include putting a new entrance to the building facing the gardens. In fact, from the new entrance you will be able to see through the garden all the way to the cathedral. Also, on the left, you will see The Hub, the Student Union building. The gardens stretch all the way down to the Elephant building. The video ends on Cope Street at the back of the Charles Ward building.
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[@paulbroderick8438]

Coventry sold its soul to the ring road and student accommodations. Used to be a thriving manufacturing hub. Now it's all PhD's working in service industries. Greetings from an 'old school' Coventry engineering apprentice residing in the USA.

[@johnneville403]

The building there before was a total eyesore. Good to get rid of it and create an open space.

[@FlaneurC21]

Yes, it looks much nicer.

[@paulwaite2219]

Very interesting how things change with time. I was a student at the building that was on this site in the 1960s. It was the new Lanchester College of Technology building where I studied engineering.

[@FlaneurC21]

Yes, and the Art and Design building (Graham Sutherland) across the road will soon look very different.

[@johnneville403]

@@FlaneurC21 I know this view runs counter to what many might think, but I believe the city council has done some good work in the past few years in trying to tidy up the city centre, particularly demolishing some of the eyesores from the 1960s. They had their work cut out after the Luftwaffe and city planners got their hands on Coventry.

[@FlaneurC21]

I agree. I have lived here for about 15 years and in that time, the city centre has improved quite a lot.

[@johnneville403]

@@FlaneurC21 I wish they'd demolish Cathedral Lanes, though. It adds nothing and hides the view of the cathedral and Holy Trinity. It was always a mistake and has never worked as a business venue.

[@paulwaite2219]

Have you seen this video which explains what the redevelopment of Coventry centre is to be like?
th-cam.com/video/eF70E9osqrc/w-d-xo.html
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