Demolition (TV series)
A public vote to demolish and replace unloved buildings.
In 2005, Channel 4 broadcast a four-part series called *Demolition*, which flipped the premise of the BBC's 2003 show *Restoration*. Instead of saving historic structures, the public voted on which buildings they wanted to see knocked down and replaced. The twelve finalists were dubbed the "Dirty Dozen." The program aired from December 18 to 21, with Kevin McCloud as presenter and narrator, Janet Street-Porter as the "Demolition Troubleshooter," and a panel of architectural and heritage experts. The December 21 episode focused almost entirely on Cumbernauld town centre. During or for the filming, two buildings that didn't make the final twelve were actually demolished. As of the source, six of the Dirty Dozen have since been torn down, while three have been renovated—one of which, Park Hill in Sheffield, is a Grade II* listed structure. The list includes Cumbernauld town centre; The Waterfront, Bournemouth (demolished 2013); Northampton Greyfriars bus station (demolished 2015); Crown House, Kidderminster (demolished 2019–20); Park Hill, Sheffield (under renovation since 2009); Rugby Cement works; Trinity Centre Multi-Storey Car Park, Gateshead (demolished 2010); The Scottish Parliament Building; The Colliers Wood Tower (renovated 2014–16); Lodge's Supermarket, Holmfirth (renovated and reopened 2008); Number One, Westminster Bridge (demolished 2006); and Westgate House, Newcastle upon Tyne (demolished 2006–07). Seven of the twelve were built in the brutalist style.
- network
- Channel 4
- air_dates
- 18–21 December 2005
- presenter
- Kevin McCloud
- demolition_troubleshooter
- Janet Street-Porter
- buildings_in_dirty_dozen
- 12
- buildings_demolished_since_airing
- 6
- buildings_renovated_since_airing
- 3
Lore & Background
The series invited the public to nominate and vote for buildings they wished to see demolished and replaced, resulting in a shortlist of 12 structures called 'The Dirty Dozen.' The show covered these 12 buildings along with others that did not make the final list; two of those non-final buildings were actually demolished either during or for filming. The broadcast on 21 December dealt almost entirely with Cumbernauld town centre. Seven of the twelve buildings in the Dirty Dozen were built with brutalist architecture.
Reader's Guide
Demolition stands as a notable experiment in public engagement with the built environment, flipping the preservationist model of its predecessor Restoration. By asking viewers to vote for demolition, the series sparked debate about architectural value, urban decay, and public taste. Since the program aired, six of the Dirty Dozen buildings have been demolished, including Northampton Greyfriars bus station (2015) and Crown House, Kidderminster (2019–20). Three have been renovated, most notably Park Hill, Sheffield, a grade II* listed building that has been under renovation since 2009. The series remains a cultural reference point for discussions about brutalist architecture and the fate of controversial structures in the UK.
Did You Know?
- The show was presented and narrated by Kevin McCloud, with Janet Street-Porter as Demolition Troubleshooter.
- Seven of the twelve Dirty Dozen buildings were built with brutalist architecture.
- Two buildings not in the final 12 were actually demolished either during or for filming.
- Park Hill, Sheffield, one of the three renovated buildings, is a grade II* listed building.
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