The History
For many years kings point was a familiar sight in reading due to the recognisable face that was painted over the north face of the building. At some point the building appears to have been used as a car park equipped with security and hand washing services and previously the building had been a 1960's office block called alpha house that won a civic trust award in the 1970's for outstanding contribution to the reading area with the civic trust assessor describing the building as a building of distinction and that "It demonstrates that it is possible to combine commercial viability with quality of design".
picture source http://www.altreading.com/man-wants-save-kings-point/ by Niall Norbury
Eventually the building was vacated likely due to a lack of interest due to its age and not being a useful building to operate in anymore. The building fell into decline with the homeless moving in and smothering the place in needles and leaving a trail of destruction which squatters often do, not to forget vandals. however in 2006 kings point was earmarked for demolition. some took the news of the impending fate of the building with open arms with many people considering the building to be distasteful and ugly even the reading post described the building as "Readings worst eyesore" . However very few people wanted to see kings point remain with local resident Nick Cooksey starting a campaign to try and save the building due to it being one of the last buildings of its era remaining in the area.
picture source https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/r...ngs-point-eyesore-reading-demolished-12081935
Eventually in 2015 the seven story office block was demolished leaving little but rubble. Regardless plans were already in full swing for a complete sight redevelopment with cnm estates , who were granted permission to demolish the sight , planning to construct a 17 story apartment block on the sight with roof gardens and a restaurant. The project was reported to cost a total of £20,000,000
picture source cmn estates
3 years later
currently the structure is at full height towering over reading currently the second tallest building in reading. The building is still smothered in scaffolding and only recently are windows being fitted into the building. At the dead of night on a cold February night while out exploring reading we decided it was time to scale the building dressed as builders to avoid any real suspicion being aroused from readings thriving nightlife not that many would care anyway. little security and a great view from both the building and the adjacent crane made it well worth the huge stair climb with a heavy ruck sack so much so 2 visits were warranted.
Dressed to look the part : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
looking out over reading towards London : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
our second visit mainly revolved around scaling the crane which was slightly higher than the main building : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
go pro footage taken by me at the top
go pro footage taken by me on the scaffolding
The roof provides a great view over reading landmarks such as the prison and the old Huntley and palmers building and a near equal height to the well known blade which is slightly higher than the new build at kings point. However soon all this is to change with the development of a new skyscraper some time this year known as the arch ( I think its called that anyway ) which will take the number one spot in terms of height. furthermore several high rise apartment blocks are due to be constructed on the sight of the derelict toysrus on kenavon drive. The future of high places to visit in reading looks bright.
sources
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/r...ngs-point-eyesore-reading-demolished-12081935
http://www.altreading.com/reading-council-approves-demolition-of-kings-point/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-33002420
For many years kings point was a familiar sight in reading due to the recognisable face that was painted over the north face of the building. At some point the building appears to have been used as a car park equipped with security and hand washing services and previously the building had been a 1960's office block called alpha house that won a civic trust award in the 1970's for outstanding contribution to the reading area with the civic trust assessor describing the building as a building of distinction and that "It demonstrates that it is possible to combine commercial viability with quality of design".
picture source http://www.altreading.com/man-wants-save-kings-point/ by Niall Norbury
Eventually the building was vacated likely due to a lack of interest due to its age and not being a useful building to operate in anymore. The building fell into decline with the homeless moving in and smothering the place in needles and leaving a trail of destruction which squatters often do, not to forget vandals. however in 2006 kings point was earmarked for demolition. some took the news of the impending fate of the building with open arms with many people considering the building to be distasteful and ugly even the reading post described the building as "Readings worst eyesore" . However very few people wanted to see kings point remain with local resident Nick Cooksey starting a campaign to try and save the building due to it being one of the last buildings of its era remaining in the area.
picture source https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/r...ngs-point-eyesore-reading-demolished-12081935
Eventually in 2015 the seven story office block was demolished leaving little but rubble. Regardless plans were already in full swing for a complete sight redevelopment with cnm estates , who were granted permission to demolish the sight , planning to construct a 17 story apartment block on the sight with roof gardens and a restaurant. The project was reported to cost a total of £20,000,000
picture source cmn estates
3 years later
currently the structure is at full height towering over reading currently the second tallest building in reading. The building is still smothered in scaffolding and only recently are windows being fitted into the building. At the dead of night on a cold February night while out exploring reading we decided it was time to scale the building dressed as builders to avoid any real suspicion being aroused from readings thriving nightlife not that many would care anyway. little security and a great view from both the building and the adjacent crane made it well worth the huge stair climb with a heavy ruck sack so much so 2 visits were warranted.
Dressed to look the part : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
looking out over reading towards London : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
our second visit mainly revolved around scaling the crane which was slightly higher than the main building : credit to @Callum Cromwell01
The roof provides a great view over reading landmarks such as the prison and the old Huntley and palmers building and a near equal height to the well known blade which is slightly higher than the new build at kings point. However soon all this is to change with the development of a new skyscraper some time this year known as the arch ( I think its called that anyway ) which will take the number one spot in terms of height. furthermore several high rise apartment blocks are due to be constructed on the sight of the derelict toysrus on kenavon drive. The future of high places to visit in reading looks bright.
sources
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/r...ngs-point-eyesore-reading-demolished-12081935
http://www.altreading.com/reading-council-approves-demolition-of-kings-point/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-33002420
