Dundee Derby Street tower blocks demolished

The city of Dundee has bid farewell to two landmarks today as a pair of 25-storey tower blocks, Butterburn and Bucklemaker Court, were demolished.
The Dundee skyline has been drastically altered. Picture: TwitterThe Dundee skyline has been drastically altered. Picture: Twitter
The Dundee skyline has been drastically altered. Picture: Twitter

Nearly 600 premises were evacuated as the tower blocks were brought down, with some conerns over the direction one block fell after the detonation.

While one block fell straight down, the second appeared to lurch sideways as it neared the ground.

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The blocks, which contained 374 flats, were located on Derby Street, close to the homes of the city’s two footballing rivals.

The tower blocks were close to Tannadice and Dens Park. Picture: CompThe tower blocks were close to Tannadice and Dens Park. Picture: Comp
The tower blocks were close to Tannadice and Dens Park. Picture: Comp

The buildings were built in 1971, and were separated by the Church of St Martin, the congregation of which has been moved for the day. Fears had been raised that the small church could be damaged or destryoned by the blast, but early reports indicate that it has escaped unscathed.

The city came to a standstill for the demolition, and traffic on the Tay Bridge was stopped during the demolition, so drivers were not surprised by the sudden and dramatic change to the Dundee skyline.

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