#car fortress

Charles Street multi-storey car fortress, Manchester, 2026

A multi-storey concrete car park features a central dark brick stairwell with bright blue metal stairs. A black hatchback is parked at the base, and graffiti marks the wall near a closed metal shutter. The sky above is bright with wispy clouds.

A vertical brick stairwell tower stands between levels of an open-air concrete car park. Bright blue railings follow the zig-zagging stairs, which are marked by layers of graffiti. A thin mesh fence partially covers the ground level, and a cloudy blue sky sits above.

Heard this week that demolition of this one has begun, or rather, “there’s chunks missing out of it,” in my boyfriend’s parlance. The MEN reports it’s set to be replaced by student housing “inspired by nearby listed modernist icon, the Renold Building” — which means it’s going to be clad in white, in short.

This one holds a special place in my heart, having featured in the first post on here.

ASDA car park & concrete ramp, Stockport, 2026

A small red convertible drives on a city street under a concrete flyover. Tall brick buildings cast shadows. Trees and bushes border the area. The sky is blue with scattered clouds. The scene is brightly lit by sunlight.

A concrete walkway with thick pillars and overhead structure casts shadows on the paved path below. Brick buildings and greenery line the left side, whilst sunlight streams in, highlighting the geometric architectural shapes.

Close-up view from below of a large concrete overhang supported by a pillar. There are visible cracks, stains, and spalling on the underside and edges, suggesting structural wear and damage. The sky and part of a building are seen in the background.

Concrete walkway with angular pillars underneath, casting shadows on paved ground. Brick walls on both sides; a round planter with a tree on the left. In the background, a church tower is partially visible above the wall. The scene appears empty and quiet.

Concrete steps with green railings lead up to a landing outside a red brick building. A grey door with a warning sign and light is on the right. The area is empty, with some moss and fallen leaves on the ground. Shadows fall under the overhang.

I started tagging these posts as #car fortress as a joke about the reverence for the automobile in our culture, but this one is particularly fortress-shaped.

Manchester Arndale car fortress, 2025

View looking up at intersecting concrete and metal structures of a car park against a cloudy sky. The architecture features curved and angled lines, creating a geometric pattern. Vertical and horizontal elements add depth and modern, industrial character.

A beige multi-storey car park with horizontal metal railings on each level, dark and light window panels, and glass shopfronts on the ground floor. The sky is overcast, and the building appears vacant and functional.

A circular concrete car park is shown from a low angle, looking up towards the open sky. Multiple levels feature metal railings and fluorescent lights, creating a pattern of repeating geometric shapes and lines.

View looking upward from the centre of a circular, multi-level concrete car park. Spiral ramps and metal railings encircle an open skylight, revealing a cloudy sky above. Vertical support columns and geometric lines dominate the architectural structure.

Most (normal) people would have their betrothed as their iPhone wallpaper, or perhaps a beloved pet, but no, not me – I have the Manchester Arndale ramp on my lock screen 🥰