S01E01 Episode 1
Five years after Lewisham council sold off one of its riverside tower blocks to be transformed into chic apartments for young professionals, the transformation of the Tower is due to begin. Before the private developers...
The Tower: A Tale of Two Cities
S01E07: Episode 7
The Tower is complete and the first of the new tenants move in, including gay couple David and Paul. While Saima and Usman get used to married life, some harsh realities begin to come home to them. Elsewhere, retired gangster Harry Hayward feels overwhelmed by the changes, and Lol Gilbert's drug use continues as his friend Nicky plans his escape.
Overview
The Tower: A Tale of Two Cities is a British television documentary series based on the Pepys estate in Deptford, south-east London. The eight-part series premiered on 25 June 2007, on BBC One.
In 2004, Lewisham council sold one of three adjacent public housing tower blocks on the economically deprived Pepys Estate to a private property developer. The tower was converted into luxury apartments and sold to people who, for the most part, did not grow up in the local area. The documentary was filmed over three years and chronicled the difficulties faced by some of the local residents in adapting to the changes sweeping the neighbourhood. Notable characters included heroin-addicted Leol and his alcoholic best friend Nicky, and the landlord of the local pub who is struggling with the challenges of satisfying his conservative 'old guard' and tempting the new arrivals - mostly young and relatively wealthy - into his traditional boozer.
The Tower: A Tale of Two Cities won the best factual series BAFTA award in 2008.
Episodes
S01E02 Episode 2
The last tenant has been removed from the ex council tower block. The developers Berkley homes can now start the renovation. Their marketing department are keen to sell the virtues of riverside living, but on...
S01E03 Episode 3
Inside the Tower, the interior designers are hard at work creating the dream of sky-high modern urban living. While publicans Doug and Brenda Elsley face bankruptcy as their regular customers drift away, successful restauranteur Bambos...
S01E04 Episode 4
With the show flats in the Tower selling fast, two prospective purchasers are excited by the dream of modern living. However, first they are due to marry and Saima is experiencing some doubts about what...
S01E05 Episode 5
Love is in the air in the Tower and on the estate. Kelley Garcia finally weds Wayne Tapper, with half of the estate in tow. Newcomers Saima and Usman are now in Pakistan for their...
S01E06 Episode 6
Nessar's wealthy family have bought several new properties in the Tower, but before she can move in she must pass her law exams and win her dream job in the city. On the estate, Lol...
S01E07 Episode 7
The Tower is complete and the first of the new tenants move in, including gay couple David and Paul. While Saima and Usman get used to married life, some harsh realities begin to come home...
S01E08 Episode 8
The Tower is now fully occupied. For the residents this is a new beginning, but it is the end of an era for Deptford. The most expensive penthouse has been bought by 27-year-old millionaire property...
