Inside estate so ugly the architect ‘deserves to go to prison’ – it’s a breeding ground for crime but people love it
FORMER residents of a “prison-like” housing estate have told how they loved living there – despite the fact it was a “breeding ground for crime”.
West Granton in Edinburgh, Scotland, known as “The Ramps” was known for its “ugly” and brutalist architecture before it was torn down.
The estate, built in the early 1970’s, was meant to regenerate the area – but instead became a mini war zone.
Old photos show its prison-like appearance, complete with eerie courtyards covered in graffiti.
And despite the fact the architect won an award for his work – former locals believe he “should have got the jail.”
One person wrote on Facebook said: “Looks like a prison complex like the auld Whitfield Estate in Dundee did.
“The architect won awards for that too. God knows what they were thinking in the early 70s, some of the eyesores they put up were horrific, and breeding grounds for crime.”
Another agreed: “Jeezo, I remember those blocks in West Granton! They would’ve done East Germany proud!”
However, others say they loved living there in the 70s.
One person said: “I lived in West Granton Gardens from 66 to 78 and I have so many good memories of great neighbours, community and friends who I’m still friends with today.
“Yeah the place went to ruin in the 80s which was such a shame.”
Another added: “Loved staying there with great memories, roller skating along the balconies and down the ramps, to having swings in the tunnels and gala days etc West Granton terrace.”
The site is now home to Edinburgh College.
It comes after the last few residents living on a brutalist housing estate so ugly half of it has been torn down say they used to love their homes.
Robin Hood Gardens estate in Poplar, east London, opened in 1972 as social housing with a unique “streets in the sky” walkways connecting neighbours.
Its western block was demolished in 2018 after years of decay and anti-social behaviour left it uninhabitable.