I never knew Wembley Stadium was like this ....

Then you should pay more attention to the BBS

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/the-old-wembley-1923.306714/

 

Watkins Tower, also known as the Metropolitan Tower, was an ambitious but ultimately failed project in London, conceived in the late 19th century. The tower was intended to rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris and become a major tourist attraction.

Key Facts About Watkins Tower:

1. Proposed by Sir Edward Watkin: The project was the brainchild of Sir Edward Watkin, a British railway entrepreneur and politician. Watkin aimed to create a landmark for London that would surpass the Eiffel Tower in both height and grandeur.
2. Location: The tower was planned for Wembley Park, which at that time was a suburban area northwest of central London. Watkin was developing Wembley Park as a recreational space, and the tower was intended to be its centerpiece.
3. Design and Specifications:
• The Watkins Tower was designed to be taller than the Eiffel Tower, with a planned height of 1,200 feet (365 meters), whereas the Eiffel Tower stands at around 1,083 feet (330 meters).
• The structure would have featured observation platforms, restaurants, and various amenities similar to the Eiffel Tower.
4. Construction:
• The foundation stone was laid in 1891, and the first phase of construction began shortly after. However, only a portion of the tower, about 150 feet (46 meters) in height, was ever built.
• The construction was plagued by financial difficulties, design issues, and problems with materials. Engineers found the structure unstable, and it became increasingly clear that the ambitious project was impractical with the technology available at the time.
5. Abandonment:
• After several years of stalled progress, the project was officially abandoned in 1894.
• The incomplete structure stood for several more years, becoming known derisively as “Watkin’s Folly.”
• Eventually, the unfinished portion was dismantled in 1907, marking the end of the project.
6. Legacy:
• Today, there are no remnants of Watkins Tower, and Wembley Stadium now occupies the site where the tower was once planned.
• The failed tower is remembered as one of the most significant examples of Victorian-era overambition in architectural and engineering projects.

While it never came to fruition, the Watkins Tower project remains an interesting chapter in London’s architectural history and a symbol of the bold vision of its era.