Birmingham photos
Snapshots of street scenes and architecture
Report and photos © urban75 2005/7



Arriving by train into Birmingham. It's not really a pretty sight that greets you!


A view of Birmingham's Council House (1879) which faces on to Victoria Square.

The building stands close to the Town Hall which retains its name despite Birmingham's status as England's 'second city' - a prize that the much smaller Manchester seems keen to claim for itself recently.


Looking across the large water feature in Victoria Square.


A statue of 'Er Majesty, Queen Victoria, stands in the appropriately named Victoria Square.


Performers outside the Grade II listed building.





Great Western shopping arcade, named after the once-grand GWR stations nearby.

Providing a thoroughfare between Snow Hill and Moor Street stations, the design of the 1876 arcade was apparently influenced by the Great Exhibition at London's Crystal Palace.



Woooo-ooooh! Gothic subway!



A big screen fitted to the side of the Town Hall facing Chamberlain Square is used to play back sporting events and concerts.

On a very wet afternoon, a few hardy souls brave the elements to watch the Man Utd v Arsenal FA Cup Final (which the Londoners won 5-4 on penalities, if you're interested).

» See 360º panorama



Half time. In the distance, a Man Utd fan gets fired up ready for the second half action.



The grim concrete bleakness of Chamberlain Square. Great work planners!





The faded glory of the beautiful, two-toned, tiled facade of the Craven Arms in Upper Gough Street, Birmingham, complete with original etched window.



Holloway Circus Tower (also known as Beetham Tower) in Holloway Circus, Birmingham City Centre.

Completed in 2003, the residential tower has 40 floors and stands 122m high.



The tower was originally proposed as a 44 floor tower with spires reaching 192m high, but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) cut it down to size as it breached height limits brought in after the 9/11 attacks in New York



Horsefair Mural at Holloway Circus, dating from 1966 and measuring 30 yards long by 12 feet high.

The scene depicts the annual horse fair that took place on the site until 1911.





The Christadelphians are a no-nonsense religious group who have, "no paid ministry, no robes or elaborate ceremonies, nor any 'head of the church' or legislative council."



The 152m BT Tower is the tallest structure in the city.

It was constructed in 1969 and is designed survive a one megaton atomic bomb explosion from just a mile away!

See: BT Telecom Tower, London

Designed by James A. Roberts, the 25 storey Rotunda tower block was completed in 1964 at a cost of £1 million

Initially a none-too-popular addition to the Birmingham skyline, public demand prevented two demolition proposals in the 80s and early 2000s, and the Grade II listed building has now been being refurbished and partially converted for residential use by developer Urban Splash and Glenn Howells Architects.





Designed in 1896 by Frederick Martin of the firm Martin & Chamberlain, 17/19 Newhall Street is a red brick and terracotta Grade I listed building on the corner of Edmund Street in the city centre of Birmingham.

Originally built as the Central Telephone Exchange and offices for the National Telephone Company (NTC), the building was taken over by the GPO in 1912 and served as the Midland headquarters of the air raid warning system in World War 1.

It is now occupied by Associated Architects and Phoenix Beard property consultants.


Close up of the incredibly intricate brickwork at 17/19 Newhall Street.



Sign for 'Brummiewood', Birmingham school of acting.


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