Dundee’s iconic Alexander Street multis have been brought back to life as miniature models
Four of Dundee’s most recognisable former tower blocks have been brought back to life in miniature form, thanks to a creative new project celebrating the city’s architectural history and the memories of those who once called them home!
Carnegie Tower, Jamaica Tower, Maxwelltown Tower and Wellington Tower, which once dominated the skyline around Alexander Street, have been recreated as detailed models by Evan Rattray, the creator behind MCRWRKS.
The distinctive concrete buildings were a familiar sight to generations of Dundonians before their demolition, and although they may no longer stand, they remain an important part of the city’s memories.
Now, these miniature recreations are giving people the chance to own a little piece of Dundee’s past, with the models already bringing back fond memories of life in the multis.
And remarkably, one person has even managed to identify their old bedroom window!
Celebrating the parts of Dundee people call home
The idea behind the project came from Evan’s desire to celebrate parts of Dundee that don’t always receive the same attention in local artwork.
Having previously created a typographic map of Dundee, Evan noticed that many customers particularly appreciated seeing their own neighbourhoods represented.
Areas such as Lochee, the Hilltown and Dundee’s housing schemes were especially meaningful to people who had grown up or lived there.
Explaining the inspiration behind the project, Evan said:
“The idea of creating something inspired by the Dundee multis has been rattling around my head for quite some time.”
He continued:
“One thing that kept coming back from people who bought one was how much they liked seeing their own area represented. Particularly areas that aren’t normally featured by artists; Lochee, the Hilltown, the schemes.”
For Evan, the project is about much more than recreating buildings. It’s about recognising the pride Dundonians have in their communities and the places that shaped their lives.
As he explained:
“People are proud to identify with their part of town and buildings are at the heart of that.”
Remembering life in Dundee’s multis
Although Evan never lived in a multi himself, conversations with family and friends who grew up in Dundee’s high-rise flats helped inspire the project.
And what stood out most was how positively people remembered their experiences.
Despite the negative perceptions that often surrounded high-rise housing during the years leading up to demolition, many former residents have fond memories of the communities that existed within these buildings.
Evan explained:
“Whenever I ask people about what life was like, it is always so positive. A great childhood, with a real strong community feel.”
He added:
“It’s so far away from what we were told was wrong with high rise living when they were pulled down.”
Those memories have become an important part of the project, recognising that the multis were not simply concrete buildings, but places where families grew up, friendships were formed and entire communities developed.
For many Dundonians, they remain closely connected to childhood memories and a very different Dundee skyline.
A brief history of the Alexander Street multis
For more than 40 years, four enormous tower blocks formed an unmistakable part of Dundee’s Hilltown.
The Alexander Street multis, comprising Carnegie, Jamaica, Maxwelltown and Wellington Courts, were constructed during the 1960s as Dundee underwent significant changes to its housing landscape.
Standing 22 storeys high, the buildings represented a new approach to housing in the city, providing hundreds of families with modern accommodation at a time when many older tenements were being cleared.
Over the decades, the towers became closely associated with the Hilltown, forming part of the everyday lives of thousands of Dundonians who lived in or grew up around them.
Their time eventually came to an end on 31 July 2011, when all four buildings were brought down in a controlled demolition, permanently changing the appearance of the surrounding area.
Today, the multis continue to hold a special place in Dundee’s social history, with photographs, personal memories and now miniature recreations helping preserve the story of buildings that were once home to generations of local families.
Rather than producing simple representations of tower blocks, Evan has worked to capture the architectural features that made these particular buildings recognisable.
Recreating four familiar Dundee landmarks
The first collection focuses on four former tower blocks on Alexander Street: Carnegie Tower, Jamaica Tower, Maxwelltown Tower and Wellington Tower.
The buildings were chosen because of their distinctive design and the prominent place they once occupied in Dundee’s skyline.
The models feature a grey concrete appearance, reflecting the raw Brutalist architectural style of the original multis.
Explaining the decision, Evan said:
“They were such a dominant and well-recognised part of the city’s skyline. Their distinctive design also made them ideal for this project.”
He continued:
“So much more than just a plain tower block, they have lots of little interesting architectural details that make them really stand out.”
And the level of detail has already struck a chord with former residents.
One person has even told Evan that they could identify the window of their former bedroom in one of the models.
It’s a lovely reminder of just how personal these buildings remain to the people who once lived in them.
More Dundee multis could be recreated in the future
The Alexander Street collection could be just the beginning, with Evan already considering recreating other well-known Dundee tower blocks.
While no further designs have been confirmed, there are hopes to expand the project to celebrate more of the city’s former high-rise landmarks.
Evan said:
“Going forward, I’d like to have a go at some of Dundee’s other iconic multis. There are a few I think would potentially work really well.”
For those who remember Dundee’s changing skyline, the models offer a nostalgic reminder of buildings that were once part of everyday life.
And for former residents, they represent something even more meaningful: a chance to revisit the places they once called home.
The miniature Alexander Street multis are available to purchase through MCRWRKS on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/mcrwrks.
With the first collection already sparking memories, it will be interesting to see which of Dundee’s iconic former buildings could be recreated next.
