Derwent Tower

Derwent Tower was a 29-storey residential apartment building in Dunston, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, opened in 1972.

Due to its unusual shape it was nicknamed the "Dunston Rocket" during construction (even before its official Derwent Tower title) and the name remained with locals throughout its life.

The tower was designed by the Owen Luder Partnership on behalf of Whickham urban district Council, which controlled the Dunston area of Gateshead.

Services breakdowns, lift failures, water supply faults were all common but were unlikely to be a result of the tower's design or construction methods.

In 2007 Gateshead Council decided to relocate residents amid health and safety concerns over the already poor and deteriorating services.