Cumbernauld town centre
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Cumbernauld town centre is the main shopping centre for the New town of Cumbernauld, Scotland.
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[edit] History
Construction commenced in 1955 to the plans of architect Geoffrey Copcutt. After the building was started, it was believed to be an example of Utopian Engineering by architects. It was widely anticipated and upon its official opening, it was visited by students to look into the design.
[edit] Modern times
However, it was very much a product of its own time and many flaws within the design have been exposed. After only a few years, visitors and owners of businesses within the shopping centre noticed that the walkways were acting as wind tunnels and subsequently shops and shoppers stayed away. Other major defaults appeared with the structure.
In the 1990s, part of the Town Centre was demolished. The land is being redeveloped with the construction of the new Antonine Centre worth £30 million and having 350,000 square feet of retail space.
The building was featured on the Channel 4 show Demolition where it was voted as the worst building in Britain.
[edit] Future
The new Antonine Centre is expected to increase spending in the town by 84% (£175 million). The Town centre is expecting a rise in sales of almost 166%.
