As big developments and regeneration projects continue to be constructed in our cities, we’re left to observe the over-the-top hoardings and adverts which celebrate them and hope to attract (often very wealthy) tenants.
We asked you to share your pictures and stories of the most ridiculous property development adverts and hoardings: here’s a selection of some of your contributions. You can see the full gallery here.
‘Innovate, don’t imitate’
Luxury Apartment at San Francisco's Mid-Market Neighborhood
At the height of the housing crisis and the anti-tech sentiment in San Francisco, this nonsensical "AMENITIES, NO ENEMIES" catchphrase of the so-called NEMA (NEw MArket) Apartment, located at the center of the city's new tech hub, invited more teasing.
Dalston is Westminster
Big Ben in Dalston?
Developers' brochures (rather than a hoarding) showing Dalston as being slightly more central London than it really is!
Misleading nature
Live on a lovely semi private forested island in a blue ocean
This development is on Toronto's Lake Ontario shoreline. There are no trees anywhere and the development is situated beside a large sugar processing mill.
Everyone will be young
Eastgate developments, Leeds
Leeds is developing a whole new retail quarter with the development of Eastgate.
It’s about life
‘No better place to be’
Everyone has to be somewhere, and there’s no better place to be. Apparently..
Dalston Curse E8, spiel from their brochure...
‘Coolest events’ next to a refugee camp
Savamala Intrusion: Dubai style development Ad next to a local refugee camp
Belgrade Waterfront project, a Dubai style development in Belgrade's neighborhood of Savamala, knocking down hubs of local culture and creativity. In this picture, Belgrade Waterfront Ad saying "A Place for the coolest events" against the volunteering refugee camp established by one of the local cultural organizations, Mikser, for people of Middle East.
Who really belongs?
Heygate estate hoardings
Having booted out 3000 council tenants from the Heygate estate, Lend Lease claims to be creating a neighbourhood "where everybody loves to belong".
This could be difficult considering that their development of 3000 new homes will provide just 82 social rented.
‘Priced from the $2 Millions’
Redevelopment of pier area next to Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn
The townhome-style condominiums offer a "lifestyle unlike any other in New York City". It better be unique at $2 million!
Homes or investments?
"New homes" now called "Off-plan investment opportunities"
This hoarding on Commercial Road, E1, bills the new homes under construction first-and-foremost as "Off-plan investment opportunities". It's a sign of how warped London's housing situation has become - and we've got to change it.
‘Drink beverages together’
Drink Beverages Together!
Prospect East in Stratford. Note the hipster avatar. Further along, another hoarding says "Smarten Your Connections".
Celebrity mugshots
Acorn property in South London
Inexplicably features mugshots of Prince, Elvis & Robert Downey Junior. And the development is called Cribs. Because that's edgy.
Meets or eats?
Where The City eats Shoreditch
Hoarding around Principal Place upmarket residential development, just north of Broadgate Tower. The Victorian Light Bar building was scheduled to be demolished, but was saved only after sustained protests by local residents. The City does not meet Shoreditch, it eats it.
Big apple?
The Big Apple
A giant apple among the multicoloured boxes flanking the canals of Ancoats, Manchester.
Going luxe
‘A new district’
.@guardiancities "Earls Court a new district for London". No, the destruction of an existing one. @saveEarlsCourt pic.twitter.com/nnnUYthpV7
— Robin Hawkes (@RobinHawkes1) October 2, 2015
Celebrity supporter Lionel Blair!
@guardian we had epic hoardings in Tonbridge a couple of years back involving Lionel Blair. pic.twitter.com/rJVvURm3cx
— Matthias Carter (@matthiascarter) October 4, 2015
So exclusive
@guardian @guardiancities Have always wondered what an "executive home" is. Also "exclusive development". Whom are they excluding?
— Sylvia Milne (@Libmoggy) November 1, 2015
And, finally, the most ridiculous of all:
@guardian @guardiancities Anything in London that says 'New affordable homes'
— Alan Wood (@alwoodswork) October 10, 2015
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