ABANDONED TOWER EXPLORE - old lifts from 1979 (five ways tower)

[@NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

When I was a teenager, we squatted a building about half that size for over a year. It still had electricity for some reason, and one of my comrades was able to turn the water on. Elevator was _very_ broken. It was probably the best times of my life in that building. We had parties and concerts, we had a recording studio, we each basically had a whole floor to ourselves. Then some jerk started throwing beer bottles off the roof and someone called the cops, and they kicked us all out.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the comment Nick. Interesting read, and yes, it only takes one person to ruin it for everyone. Read quite a few stories now when people get into derelict buildings to explore, then others come in a bit later to vandalise and throw things off the roof to purposely attract attention. It would seem that such people only do this for the 'chase' when the police arrive, and anyone else in the building are accused as being involved with it.

[@falkerhard]

In any colony, there will be scum who come along as well.

[@Muscles_McGee]

Someone should have chucked him off the roof. Said it was a drunken accident ) ,,, :

[@fireflamesization]

Should have had squatters rights.

[@bigmike6431]

I'm really curious... where? Can we see it on Maps?

[@dngunder]

I Absolutely love the way you graphically show how these lifts run in the building. Superb editing as always

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much Dennis, those animations I did whilst I was on holiday with the family in December last year. Everything in this video was 'not' a 5 minute job to do, but it makes the video much better.

[@sperzieb00n]

almost feels like a briefing before a mission in some tactical game while the level is loading

[@richardlangly4635]

@@mrmattandmrchay We all appreciate the extra effort you put in. The production value of your videos is absolutely excellent.

[@quantumleap359]

43 years is not a long time for the life of a building. This one probably had hazardous components installed from the beginning. Sick building syndrome is nothing to joke about. We have learned much in the past 40 years. Thanks for such an interesting and well edited video.

[@martinweizenacker7129]

It became derelict in 2005, so it's (useful) life was not 43 years but only 26 years!

[@JoeDunne-x5u]

This building was a social security etc processing building back in the day; when I worked on the lifts in the main building the complaint was of poor air quality as none of the windows open and relied on an air conditioning system to provide air but the quality was very poor as continuously recycled as you can imagine.

[@Simbson]

Britains tend to build useless and unsafe buildings- think of Grenfell Tower.

[@JoeDunne-x5u]

Great video brought back so many memories as used to be the lift engineer who serviced and attended break downs on these lifts in the early to late nineties. I vaguely remember being told that there was only one other site in London with these type of lifts. I can remember on the wiring diagrams the words Trinsitronic as opposed to Aconic. Initially found these lifts very daunting compared to the regular equipment I was used too. Main issues were door motor drive belts breaking, door lock faults, motor- generator brushes renewal. I remember an intermittent speed fault issue that was due to enclosed miniature relays on the larger PCB boards found by swapping boards one at a time thus transferring fault to other lift. On the first panel as you enter the lift motor I had an intermittent fault in the process of investigating I isolated the main lift supply to remove one of the covers off the larger clear plastic case relays as there was a heavily pitted contact that needed cleaning. As i was cleaning the contact there was a flash ⚡️. The 240v ac for the lift lighting ran through this relay which shorted across to another contact and blew 😢 tracks on the smaller PCB’s on the left hand control panel 😩😩🥴. I seen the other videos in this series and especially the low rise motor room video, I have a ghost storey from that floor that happened to me in that motor room wonder if Matt picked up on a bad vibe in there?

[@andreasu.3546]

In a 1970s building, with walls ripped open like here, I'd be really scared of asbestos in the air.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

The dust you can see on camera is just normal dust being disturbed by us and being illuminated by my bright video lights.

[@ttbdrummer]

Snowflake

[@davidpar2]

By 1979, most if not all construction was no longer using asbestos

[@JDLeonard74]

Ripped open by people scavenging for metal to sell most likely.

[@cjpro2517]

1 and a half years later and still one of my favourite videos of yours, your quality is unmatched!

[@OBGuy]

Really interesting to see how elevators were done! It's almost as if an 80s-style commercial should exist for this place as a comparison to today to see what we lost.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks OBGuy. The motor room is fascinating, uploading soon!

[@jackcrawford304]

I like your explanation of everything. Most people just go right in without really explaining the whole detail of the building. You are different in a very good way and I like how you go over the whole building before hand.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I have an obsession for 'attention to detail'. If I don't find my own videos interesting, then I don't upload them. Thanks for the compliment by the way.

[@RODALCO2007]

Thanks for the tour. Your video editing and audio skills are excellent. Interesting that a relative new building is abandoned and not the cause of the disease was sorted out and remedied. Music adds to the vibe of the video. Will watch part 2 tomorrow.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much for your nice comments 👍 I bet those windings went months after the building shut. Wonder how much money they made on them and whether it was worth the time effort and risk. Guessing it was!

[@YourLocalGP]

Might be your best video yet! Being born in '85, I have early memories of the kind of colours and decor you see in that building. The curved brick facades, yellow lift doors and dark wook everywhere. Really nostalgic. Can't wait for part 2.

[@rolandayers6726]

If you're referring to the corners, they seem curved the when camera sweeps past them, yet are actually straight and at 45 degrees to the walls. This can be seen clearly at 21:14. It's characteristic of a certain style of late 1970s dark brick architecture.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much YLGP. Part 2 coming soon (maybe next week)

[@YourLocalGP]

@@mrmattandmrchay I've done all the housework and everything. Please upload soon!

[@justanotherghost4589]

I love videos like this, and especially the building and lift featured too, I've always had a lot of interest in large facilities and how they work inside and out, like hospitals or labs and offices, and other buildings like this one, plus the history behind them is even cooler, exploring an abandoned place like this seems absolutely haunting, yet almost otherworldly, and fun in a way.

[@redsquirrelftw]

That's really cool. I always found the concept of abandoned buildings this size so interesting. It would have cost millions to build it originally and would have been state of the art and bustling with activity, and now it's just run down and abandoned. It's cool to get to see parts that you'd never get to see otherwise, like the elevator shafts and other technical infrastructure.

[@idl3k_elev]

Of the abandoned buildings you've explored I think this is by far the most interesting one due to its unusual floor layout! Reminds me of our infamous Menara Saidah in Jakarta, Indonesia which is a 25 storey office tower abandoned since around the late 2000s due to ownership disputes and high rental fees. Sad to see the state of the lifts but hey at least they're still original unlike that modernized shiny lift in the staircase (weird how that lift got modernized shortly before the tower was closed).

[@vrryan6]

The music you use is incredible and really helps set the stage on what it would feel like if you where really there. Its amazing.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much VRRyan6! As I mentioned in another comment, it can take me days to get the right music for a scene. When there isn't anything worth listening to in the footage audio, the background music sets the theme and I think it's important to pick the right music. I have so much cool moody music that I'd like to use, but cannot due to copyright, so everything comes from youtube audio library. I regularly download loads of stuff and listen to it in the car to pick music for future videos.

[@MitkoKostadinov123]

@@mrmattandmrchay that last one was amazing, can you share with us the name of it?

[@nabanitus]

Perfect music, graphic and history. Amazing video!

[@ToyotaGuy88]

Glad I found your channel as I am an elevator mechanic and I find a lot of this very interesting. The older equipment has much more character than the newer stuff. Most of the older has been modernized at this point. We still have a couple of Dover composites and GAL controllers which are pretty cool to watch.

[@Lift.Tracker]

Wow, what a whopper of a video that was! Excellent quality from start to finish, and extremely atmospheric. Looking forward to part 2!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks LT! Nearly finished editing it, but it might be the Maths block video next - I'm not sure!

[@symboly1042]

I've always enjoyed your abandoned videos, and you do an excellent job of selecting appropriate music for them.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much SymbolY! It can take me days to get the right music for a scene. When there isn't anything worth listening to in the footage audio, the background music sets the theme and I think it's important to pick the right music. I have so much cool moody music that I'd like to use, but cannot due to copyright, so everything comes from youtube audio library. I regularly download loads of stuff and listen to it in the car to pick music for future videos.

[@ZZ9ProductionsOFFICIAL]

amazing video as always! Sad to see the lifts in that state, I do find it strange that one random little lift got fully modded while the rest look much more original. Definitely looks very lucky getting that previously created form of access to that main stairwell lol. Looking forward to the next part!

[@randomshots]

I was also very disappointed in seeing the condition of the lifts, like why would those(unknown) people even vandalize them? I suspect it's because of the diseases people used to get, and they probably vandalized the building in revenge🤔

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Yes, there is plenty of vandalism and some explorers go into these building purposely to destroy anything that's left. However, the building was gutted when it shut many years ago. All the floors are just bare concrete - no partitioning, no nothing - it's all been removed purposely. I'm really glad they didn't remove the lifts though!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks ZZ9! I'm really surprised too that the main lifts didn't get modded. I mean, in 2005 they would have been 26 years old. But I suppose, it may have been apparant a lot earlier than that, that there was a problem with the building (i.e. Sick Building Syndrome) and it could be they realised this in the 90s? Then, if they knew the future then why would they spend money modernising the lifts - probably would have cost them millions!

[@ZZ9ProductionsOFFICIAL]

@@mrmattandmrchay that could be true yeah, but that does bring about a question in itself - if they did know about the problem that early, why was the one random lift modded?? Unless it had a critical fault that was deemed more expensive to repair it in original form than it would be to mod the full thing, but that seems unlikely unlessit needed multiple parts that were no longer mass produced

[@LiftFan]

@@mrmattandmrchay I suppose it's no different to finding an Otis 2000 or 1st gen Ecodisc these days! Scary when you think about it...

[@alpaljl]

Quality & not quantity is very true on this channel. This video was so interesting to me that I am watching it for the second time.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

cool, thanks very much for the comment :)

[@selkieblood4030]

What a great video! I love how detailed you are and how clearly you explain every part of the elevator system. Subbed!

[@kcryptouk8124]

This is flipping amazing! I always wonder about this building and BAM! a detailed video of this very building. THANK YOU!! As a property developer, I would had loved to convert this to housing!

[@HaCKeRPCP007]

First time viewer here. I paused the video to write this comment. The amount of detail is insane; you got a new subscriber!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much Hackerpcp007! I appreciate the sub :)

[@Petertronic]

Superb, exciting, atmospheric and informative as ever, amazing building to explore!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

...All the word that I like!! It's exactly what I set out to do, so I'm really happy it's ticked all the boxes! Thanks for the massive compliment Petertronic

[@SeanBZA]

My guess for no 4 going up another floor is that it was the install shaft, with the motor room being used to haul up the heavy equipment for the other lifts, and thus it needed that extra floor to allow the hoist to run. Then final act was to haul up the no4 motor room equipment, and pull it to the side while the slab was cast that it would rest on, before the hoist, in a final move, put the motor and gearbox on the new slab. That way they could have one of the other lifts run early, to allow builders and internal finishers to get heavy stuff up to floors with less need for the tower crane to be on site, so it likely left, along with it's massive rental fee, a few months before the final build out, as it now was no longer needed, likely only last thing being the window cleaning platforms being hoisted up to the roofs. Probably saved the builder 200 000 pounds in rental with that single change, letting all the lifts do work inside instead, then a final fit for the pretty interior, to replace what was likely utilitarian plywood sheeting while fitting out.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Excellent ideas, but actually it's a little more simplistic that that (and nowhere near as complicated). I really want to tell you why, but I think it's best you find out in part 2 :) (sorry about that lol)

[@lordred7462]

as someone who builds new elevators this is something interesting to watch. Crazy how much elevator technology improved in last 20-30 years...

[@Lift.Tracker]

I wouldn’t be so sure about using the word ‘improved’. Changed for sure, but the old stuff does the job just as well if not better than today’s. Reliability and power efficiency may have improved, but most other things have been downgraded over the last few decades.

[@lordred7462]

@@Lift.Tracker I install only new Schindlers. In terms of speed, efficiency and power consumption new elevators are way better. Build quality is something else. Now everything is made with screw and nut. No welding, or concrete brackets for car guides. Cabins are lighter, cabin guides also, brackets for them also. In my opinion old elevator with just updated motor and electronics is best of two worlds. You got efficiency of new technology and quality of old hardware.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I'd love to go back to the 70s and see the work that went into installing and commissioning such lifts.

[@spikester]

@@lordred7462 One of the old buildings we used to live in upgraded their Otis DC machines & installed all new electronics & hoists with 3 phase motors/vfd, brand new cables & kept the original cars & door mechanical intact. They completely refinished the interior of the cars. These kind of retrofits are amazingly detailed & it was awesome to oversee them complete the work, very professional stuff. There were 2 AC to DC gensets they completely ripped out too. EDIT: The original control board was entirely electromechanical relays, and that floor corkscrew floor selector looking thing, similar to what the WTC lifts had.

[@bjornkeizers]

Awesome job on this one; very nice exploration of the building and great info on the elevators and plants.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much Bjorn. It did take me a while but more effort and time results in a better video, which is what I'm all about

[@waynephatg]

I thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you for another quality video. That place looks epic👌

[@om3g4z3r0]

Like the little bits of information you sprinkle on the video, its the sort of style thats unique, i liked it a lot.

[@falkerhard]

Thank you for this. You know what's weird? It looks exactly inside as I thought it would look without going in. Its sad what some people have been doing to the building though. A time capsule growing up in brum and seeing this everytime on the way in to town through highgate.

[@xnizonyt]

Used to have access to a lot of rooftops when I worked for a wireless provider. Elevator rooms were always so interesting to explore. Rode on top of an elevator cab once too. Very cool video.

[@samgunner2149]

Every time I went past this building, I always wondered about it. Cool!

[@keith800]

Fascinating to watch , looked a lovely building in its hay day all that workmanship that went into it now soon to be torn down.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

It's really interesting to see just how much work goes into a building like this. All the things behind the scenes that people don't even realise are required, like the ventilation fans. You cannot open the windows, so what else is going to bring in fresh air? There's so much "stuff" that people don't realise. When you see part 2 and 3, you'll see even more of the "stuff" that I'm talking about.

[@keith800]

@@mrmattandmrchay Similar to Greenwich district hospital demolished in 2006 that also did not have opening windows (due to being near the Black wall tunnel) and had its own air filtration system to clean the in coming air and ventilate the hospital along with other innovative building service's.

[@antharro]

Superb video. I love buildings of this era, especially red brick. Would love to have a poke around inside this one! Looking forward to part two.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks! Believe it or not, I don't exactly enjoy these explores but we didn't come up against anything too difficult this time. And no-one was in there when we went in also.

[@NordicAxe]

I like the music used in your videos and intro… 👍🏻

[@stevenhoughton1406]

I don't usually watch these types of videos. But I found this interesting because i live in Birmingham and I can see that tower from my rear bedroom.

[@meatpockets]

I love the floor/lift diagrams, they are much nicer than the building itself. What an eyesore.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

haha!! Thanks! The building actually looks quite nice and modern, well, that was before windows were broken and the graffiti!

[@mr.struppi9903]

As you said: It gets better an better!!! (including the quality of your videos!)

[@alarmmuseum]

Very well done with this awesome video!! Abandoned buildings really fascinate me.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks AM, took a while to edit this one!

[@ANDREWWALLFORD123]

Wow, what a whopper of a video that was it... Excellent quality video from start to finish and extremely atmospheric. What a place so sad this gone to be derelict are they, hey! :(

[@Dapope_1]

I have been here dozens of times it's a brilliant building to explore. Climbing up the the 5th floor was what people thought was the only way but to the side of the carpark there was a hole in the fence, which gave access to the carpark below the building which this led through corridors underground to the reception. Beside the reception is stairs which lead up to a floor which then further leads people to the staircase of the entire tower via Five Ways House Extension (Two floor extension of tower connected to the main Five Ways House). Since then people have found more alternative ways to enter the tower such as breaking the windows of the lower block of the tower connected to Five Ways House as previously mentioned to get a faster route to the staircase of the entire tower.

[@simontay4851]

Boarded it up. Not bored

[@mrmattandmrchay]

@Yoshakz_ Oh, no more access?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

I suppose one week is different to the next. They're always fighting against people who want to rip down barricades to get in. They board it up one week and the next it's all been ripped open again. As I mentioned in the video, my whole purpose is to film interesting content - but if I cannot get in, then that's that, and I go away a little disappointed! Lucky when I went there, access (once you know where) was fairly easy. Interesting info you provided, so thanks for that :)

[@Dapope_1]

@@mrmattandmrchay A honor

[@mrmattandmrchay]

@@Dapope_1 Written Honor in the US, but written Honour in the UK. A bit like Color and Colour.

[@georgieippolito9924]

good to see you back! I'm watching this video tonight

[@shawnaburns5158]

This is cool ,,,love the old switch panells,,, elevator panels and the fire alarm panel would love to have that stuff

[@joris3842]

Once again a very very nice and well made video! Thanks for uploading! Schindler Aconic, yeahhh!!!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi Joris and thanks! I remember you mentioning Aconic in a previous comment (or email) at some stage.

[@Lift.Tracker]

Schindler Aconic is the name of the controller?

[@joris3842]

@@Lift.Tracker Yes.

[@eddiewillers1]

Fascinating - I suspect that was an old government owned building. The fire alarm panel sign refers to the 'PSA' - the Property Services Agency, a central government department that maintained all government owned or leased/operated property. The high rise lifts were probably completely removed so the building could be declared 'incapable of beneficial occupation' and so be exempt from property tax/business rates. I worked in property management in the 90's and we used to have to decommission buildings, prior to their redevelopment, to claim the tax exemption - used to chain the lift cars to the beams at the top of the shaft though before removing the hoist cables.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

That is a VERY INTERESTING comment about the high-rise lifts being knocked out!! VERY INTERESTING! I may use your comment in my next video, as I saw exactly the same inside a different high rise building. Two of the four lifts were knocked out in the same way as they are in fiveways tower, and I always wondered "WHY WOULD THEY?". This is the great thing about youtube, you learn something new from all the fantastic comments like this one :)

[@baldieman64]

Yes - and the PSA were actually based in the adjoining Five Ways House for many years. Not going to check now, but the tower used to have a Wiki article that named the designer.

[@jasmenter]

Mate thats a lot of outstanding work, well done mate really enjoyed this vid. Cheers.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much for the compliment JasMenter! Appreciated.

[@FrostyGaming8394]

Hey Matt how you doing? great video as always they are some amazing old late 70s lifts surely made well for the time I hope you had a good new years day and I hope Chay and your family did too have a good rest of you day buddy :)

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hey Frosty Gaming, haven't said hello to you for a while now! We're great thanks, how about you? We were in The Philippines with family at Christmas time, new years day was mad with fireworks going off just about everywhere and people driving up and down revving the nuts out of their motorbikes!! Take care and thanks for the comment.

[@FrostyGaming8394]

@@mrmattandmrchayI'm great too im happy that you and your family in the Philippines had a great Christmas time and a new years day they love revving there motorbikes down the Philippines specially new years day and its alright about the comment I like leaving a comment on your videos as your a top bloke your really are and your videos are next level awesome have a good day Matt 👍

[@brunoais]

Superb! So lucky! Awesome!!! I love every time you bring a video! I know you won't disappoint! You kept me glued to the video!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the massive compliment Brunoais!

[@dieseldragon6756]

An absolutely *fantastic* video and explore there, fellas! Exceptional kudos for including all of the necessary and appropriate safety notices too! 👍 It's quite heartbreaking to see a building like this going to waste and getting so trashed by certain kinds of folk though, especially as (To my eye, and as seen in my other comment) it looks like it'd be a great place, were it not for the fact one of the essential windowed sides appears to have been oriented straight north and completely blocked to all natural light! Had they sited the building 90° either way to its eventual orientation and improved ventilation though, they might've avoided the curse of SBS completely! 😇 Many thanks for yet more awesome videos, and for sharing your explores for the benefit of those of us who aren't able to explore by ourselves! ♿🏚❤

[@baldieman64]

It was a crappy place to work. Sick building syndrome was the least of its problems. We were assured that the lifts were safe and couldn't fall more than a few inches, but I, and many others, experienced free-fall of several floors. Several people also got trapped for four hours, when the lift descended to the basement and refused to move. Another problem was temperature. There were no windows to open, and it would bake in the summer. Conversely, in the winter, on cold, clear mornings, one side of the building would be baking due to solar gain, from the rising sun striking the black glass at 90 degrees, while the other side of the building remained freezing.

[@ElevatorExploration]

Thank you very much for this video, I had seen a duo of urbexers on a French channel who were going to this building, but your video brought a lot more to the elevators that the other two had not filmed much. Once again thank you for this great video very well edited.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Videos like this are never "as they seem". This is actually two visits stitched together. After the first visit I made, I realised some more areas that I'd not filmed or things that would make the video better. One month later I returned with a 'to do' list and recorded loads more footage. I'm happy with the result, but so much footage means there are another two parts to this video! I always focus on attention to detail, and if I think it's not good enough, then I will aim to go back rather than uploading a half finished video.

[@ElevatorExploration]

@@mrmattandmrchay You're absolutely right because your videos are really well done and it's always a pleasure to watch them. It also happened to me to return to places after the fact to redo a few more video and photo shots during some of my videos. Sometimes a visit is not enough to do the full tour and you have to come back, because the end result is only better.

[@spikebmth]

Interesting video, love the detail on the mechanics of the building. Shame the metal/cable thieves have caused so much damage!

[@afterlifedes]

Your video editing skills are getting so good! Awesome video!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks so much for the compliment :)

[@k.m.h.1346]

Damn I watched your channel regularly around 2015 or 2016 and totally forgot about it and now algorithm puts a video in my recommendations.😅

[@vilenius187]

Very nice fresh take on Urbex videos. Great work! U got a new subscriber!

[@TaylaHolland]

Hey Matt, not sure if you know but in Bedford we still have some unmodernised 70s Express lifts in the car parks, including a set you missed out in your tour when you came ages ago and can’t be found anywhere on KZbin! There are also 5 tower blocks just outside Bedford and the expresses have just started to be replaced, but 4 still remain! SoIf you want some expresses then definitely come to Bedford sooner rather than later, not sure how much longer they’ll be here!

[@Lift.Tracker]

I’ve seen quite a lot about the Expresses in Bedford, and apparently there were quite a lot of them. Pretty much all of them were 80s/90s generation ones with LED matrix displays. Would you mind sharing some of the exact locations of these lifts you mentioned? I may go to Bedford sometime and take a look! I thought all of them were gone apart from a final set in one of the car parks, so thanks for letting us know!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi Tayla, thanks very much for the info! If you can give the info to Lift Tracker then I'll contact him and perhaps we can visit.

[@johnlishman4946]

keep up the fantastic work i look all the time for your notification's 10/10 many thanks

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the compliment John! :)

[@MomentsInTheSky]

That was great, one of your best yet..loved it

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the great compliment MITS!

[@ArthursLiftAdventures]

I would love to explore five ways tower it won’t be easy cause when the boarding does get broken they put a new one up by the looks of it! Great video Matt I can’t wait for Part 2

[@philhealey4443]

A sad demise from its glory PSA maintained era! I worked in the adjoining L shaped Five Ways House around 1990 and we used the shared low rise canteen alongside the tower. A great M&E savvy approach here to building services, without the the usual mind numbing poking about and misunderstanding of basic systems. The motor generator setup I'm assuming will likely be Ward Leonard drives, which pre-dated today's electronic inverter based VVVF drives and were not particularly efficient.

[@elevonic401fan]

Great video. Do you have any guesses as to why the high-rise lifts are completely trashed, while the low-rise lifts look nearly untouched?

[@filanfyretracker]

elevators are interesting, and when you think about the fact we had automatic elevators as far back as the 1920s means I suspect places like Empire State had some impressive controls rooms back in 1930 when it was built. walls of relays and other types of switches clacking away as there had to always be several cars in motion in a building that size.

[@voiceofjeff]

Thank you for a most interesting video. Some places in the building eerily remind me of some of the lesser affected areas at World Trade Center after the terrible destruction on 9-11.

[@lotusisok]

Have been here 3 times already, it's an amazing building. I've heard from a friend that our usual entrance is sealed up again so we'll have to find another way in

[@mffhv71]

Part 3 please❤

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

A couple of things here did catch my attention: With the old lifts, interesting that they appear to use Triangle/Delta key latches, I didn't know they had those style keys on lifts that early...I'd thought it was a bit later (mid-80s) that those came in. Also interesting to see the speaker in the external indicator, so clearly these had an electronic "chime" and not a dinging bell. Other companies, such as OTIS didn't really move away from Bells until the 80s when Series 1 fixtures came out. I also noticed at 6:18 that there's a new, modern-day Fire Alarm Call-Point there. Looks like somebody has at least replaced that ruined fire alarm panel you showed off later....even if just a basic system so that the building has something rather than nothing. That new call-point is in such good condition that I highly doubt that it was there per-closure. The white sticker labels on it look too new and clean as well. Possibly put in after the original was trashed? Maybe a system that runs on batteries or a separate power system if the building has no power?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi Alex, yes interesting one about the call point. The ground (3rd floor as named here) and a level that I filmed, but didn't show in the video was behind the white boarding here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rVp6eNoJlqnKc This contained some offices which I'm told were in use well after the building officially closed. As you said, they probably needs some kind of fire alarm and perhaps this was setup to cover only areas in use. Schindler was well ahead of other manufacturer's and I'm also told this system was in the development stage from the late 60s!!? (I can't quite believe that myself!). Although it is "possible" that landing stations were modernised at some point, perhaps 90s, although I don't have any information on that and they could still be original.

[@Mulletsrokkify]

Brilliant editing! Love the use of the 3d overview , music and the lift graphics are amazing! Probably the best video I've seen in a long time. The interior reminds me of Companies House in Cardiff. Another red brick dominated building, a lot less floors, but also a PSA building. The floor numbering of Five Ways is interesting, Alencon Link in Basingstoke and Dukes House in Southport were PSA buildings with bunkers in their basements, I wonder (probably too romantically) that Five Ways was intended to have lover levels as per these other buildings, but never built as it this style of protected building became less relevant by the time of construction? But I'm sure the PSA would have just changed the floor numbering scheme if this was the actual case. From other urbex vids here, maybe they included the level where the fans/generators were as level 1, a more Occam's razor compliant reason for the floor numbering! Anyway, awesome video, on tenterhooks for the next instalment!

[@iitzfizz]

Been a while since you popped up in my recommended but great content as always

[@jhonbus]

Water tank phobia 😂 I thought I was the only one!

[@DeadByNoodles]

The car parks are all gone now I think, so I guess access it even harder again! I’d been wanting to go…

[@BefaceComputing]

Five ways. Adam told you did five ways. I have been waiting to see this video 🙂

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi Jordan! Yes, I also saw your video of the building just around the corner (the one I commented on) - fascinating (this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/npKthKWYptiqotk ). Would be cool to meet up with you one day for an explore somewhere. Yes, met up with Adam a couple of times on this one - thank goodness for that, that was really helpful and appreciative because this building was difficult to navigate at night when you don't know it! Hope you like the video. Hope you have a great weekend!

[@kopspijker3515]

At around 5:00 you mention lift nr 4's motor is on a platform higher up. Yet the video show's it for number 6. Which one is it?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Well spotted! I found out late on that the one up high was lift 6 - I thought it was lift 4. I corrected the animation numbering, but forgot about the voice over script! If I'd spotted it then I would have amended the video as I'm a perfectionist, and this would have delayed the video a day or two. But it's too late now I'm afraid! It's actually lift 6, or was it 4? LOL I'll sort it out for part 2.

[@williamnessanbaum7464]

This 13th floor...? Usually referred to as a "Sky Lobby". Prior to 9/11, both WTC buildings used this principle for its elevator system. Controlled Demolition, The Loizeaux family... This seems like a good job for them.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Sky lobby, yes absolutely! I didn't want to mention it though, as I don't think we use that term here in the UK.

[@FurthermoreJack]

Fascinating the building is as old as me

[@ДимитърТасев-р9п]

That's a fabolous building! Hope that it gets restored some day.

[@kaifriedrich1763]

It will be demolished

[@EdgyNumber1]

Awesome work guys. Always wanted to know about this mysterious tower block on tne edge of town. 👍 NFA got there before you guys, lol.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

yes lol! Thanks for the comment :)

[@Mik-hm9tb]

tbh this looks kinda ancient nowadays, also cool music selection

[@interactii]

A very enjoyable watch.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much Jonathan!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

The 70s were the best years ever with the perfect style!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Totally agree!

[@Lift.Tracker]

A close match against the 60s though!

[@RediffusionMusic]

Around 21:45 - I can't help but notice those little speakers... I wonder what they were for? A chime, perhaps?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

This is the speaker that makes the "bongggg" chime arrival sound. In fact, it's probably this noise (and the arrow is the same)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzCqoGhn81gqtk (see 45 seconds). Or it MIGHT be this one, but I think this one was about 10-15 years later... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TGfJykYq9sn7s (see 4mins 30s)

[@29crypto]

What is that thing moving on the ceiling beam at 23:34 ?

[@Lift.Tracker]

Pigeons :-)

[@29crypto]

@@Lift.Tracker Thank you! My brain refused to make sense of it first time around

[@1867Phoenix]

6:30 Based on the striped markings on the parking garage columns, I'd say that those were the Gryffindor parking spaces.

[@martinalooksatthings]

Great video, subbed

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks for the sub!

[@ORGANIZEDCoNfUsioN]

That was very cool.

[@haweater1555]

Your graphics are outstanding!

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

18:40 Is that a speaker in the floor indicator? If so, was that for a chime or a voice announcement?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

That is the speaker that makes the "bongggg" chime arrival sound. In fact, it's probably this noise (and the arrow is the same)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzCqoGhn81gqtk (see 45 seconds). Or it MIGHT be this one, but I think this one was about 10-15 years later... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TGfJykYq9sn7s (see 4mins 30s)

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

@@mrmattandmrchay ah I see. Relating to this, the US Schindler chime has the same tones, but the European one sounds a lot better

[@TheForbiddenShadow]

This video is really good :)

[@SamSitar]

that lift arrangement is very different. at 6:48 where does that ramp go?

[@Lift.Tracker]

Only one lift goes down to the basement. And the ‘ramp’ is just where the ceiling has fallen down lol!

[@steve45678]

Those lift car trailing cables seem so close to the lift buffers.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Yes, but don't forget this was the lowest floor. I'm very thankful that the lift wasn't right down on level 2 and we had the chance to see into the pit. Also, normally if the lift isn't low enough there is additional panelling underneath it so that people cannot see/fall into the shaft. No panelling on this lift which would have prevented me filming the pit.

[@maxwellblaine7975]

Amazing Video

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks Maxwell

[@falkerhard]

There was a time when this building still used to be lit even though it wasn't in use. I couldn't believe it at the time. The car park lights were still on too, high pressure sodium pink/orange lights. When you got close to the car park, and saw the over grown weeds then I knew for sure it wasn't used for many years. The stairways had lights on as well. This is before most people knew it was abandoned.

[@trinity6880]

I love the editing! Nice video.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much Trinity!

[@luis-ranma]

Stunning video!

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thank you very much!

[@Roblilley999]

Maybe a stupid question What's the speaker for in the light panels?

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Hi Robert. No question is a silly question on my channel, don't be afraid to ask me something. This is the speaker that makes the "bongggg" chime arrival sound. In fact, it's probably this noise (and the arrow is the same)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzCqoGhn81gqtk (see 45 seconds). Or it MIGHT be this one, but I think this one was about 10-15 years later... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TGfJykYq9sn7s (see 4mins 30s)

[@angrycatowner]

Mr Matt walked right into the network and telephone closet and showed a bit of the patch panels, but did not even mention the high tech late 1970's gear.

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Yes, you're right, but I didn't really see anything in there worth filming except the patch panels which where someone had ripped out all the cabling. I do have a building management room coming in part 3 that you may find interesting though.

[@JohnShinn6078]

New subcriber. Stayin tuned! 🤠👍

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks very much for the sub John!

[@urban_fox_cub_urbex]

Done this tower in 2018 documented these lifts in full detail from original build photos found online to original plans i found in the building. Good video

[@mrmattandmrchay]

Thanks. I was unable to find the video that you mentioned though?

[@richardc1983]

I'd be keen to see your video as well

[@lukedavis436]

Wow that dangling fluroscent lamp fixture looked PROPERLY burnt out!, that section of tube was almost solid black!

[@9280-i9y]

I wonder who the "last tenant" was. It's pretty rare for a company to abandon a 23 storey office block because the workers felt sick. I'm sure there's more to it than that.

[@Satters]

Various government departments occupied five ways tower (1979) and the adjacent five ways house (1957) which also sadly is now abandoned

[@teslafreak]

I have an oddly strong aversion to water tanks as well. I think you're the only other person i've seen that just really wants to not be anywhere near them.