BIRMINGHAM 2022 MEGASTORE

7th May 2022

The full reflective pool was last visible during May 2022. Just after the statue of Boulton, Watt & Murdoch returned. The land opposite at 5 Centenary Square could have been used, why not?

3rd June 2022

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Weekend, 55 days (at the time to the Commonwealth Games). Early signs of the construction of the Birmingham 2022 Megastore on at least half of the reflective pool.

They took over the entire reflective pool to building the megastructure.

11th June 2022

Construction is well underway on the temporary big white elephant that was dividing opinions on social media. Blocking the views of Boulton, Watt & Murdoch and A Real Birmingham Family statues. As well as the Library of Birmingham.

It's hiding HSBC UK at One Centenary Square and half of HMRC at Three Arena Central.

From A Real Birmingham Family, you can barely see The Cube.

22nd June 2022

A couple of views of the white megastructure from Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square. It was almost finished. Views with the Library of Birmingham and the Boulton, Watt & Murdoch statue.

At this point you could still see the Boulton, Watt & Murdoch statue fully, but it had fences around it.

23rd June 2022

A view from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham, the day of Little Amal's visit. Would be my last update before going on holiday.

4th July 2022

The Birmingham 2022 Megastore was opened while I was away, so got a photo update when I was back in Birmingham. Views from all sides in Centenary Square. As well as an update from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. But the water jets weren't switched on.

Colourful wraps all around the temporary building make it look better, buses will go past this section.

You can wait for a bus outside of the Megastore in Centenary Square.

Half of the Library of Birmingham is visible, as a Deliveroo rider cycles past.

Entrance and exit to both ends of the shop.

The water jets were not turned on on Monday.

Up to the Discovery Terrace, and they have changed the hoardings around Five Centenary Square.

Might have been a better site for the Megastore, could Birmingham 2022 have negotiated with Arena Central for their land?

It's there now, but whether people will go in to buy merchandise for Birmingham 2022 I have no idea. Or if they even use the Official Store on New Street?

BBC Sport will have studios on the upper level.

9th July 2022

Birmingham 2022 hoardings around the Boulton, Watt & Murdoch statue, next to the Megastore.

Saturday afternoon, and the water jets are back on in Centenary Square in front of the Birmingham 2022 Megastore. Young children are once again enjoying a splash in the free outdoor pool, if only where the jets are (and not the reflective pool half covered up).

15th July 2022

View of the Megastore from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham, while graduates from Birmingham City University were outside.

20th July 2022

8 days until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, a look towards the Library of Birmingham.

23rd July 2022

Tram ride. There is a new interpretation sign outside of the Boulton, Watt & Murdoch Golden Boys statue, right next to the Birmingham 2022 Megastore.

Bonus photo - 27th July 2019

This was how Birmingham 2022 used the reflective pool during an event to celebrate there being 3 years to go to the Commonwealth Games.

 

 

BIRMINGHAM 2022 WRAP AT THE COPTHORNE HOTEL

9th July 2022

At least two sides of the now closed Copthorne Hotel have been wrapped for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. They can be seen from Centenary Square, Centenary Way and Paradise Circus Queensway. Mostly orange and pink. The wrap has a temporary backing change for the King Edward VII statue for the first time in almost 12 years. It has the message "WELCOME BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES".

15th July 2022

From Centenary Way, the Copthorne Hotel wrap for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games towards the Library of Birmingham. They haven't wrapped the side facing Paradise Birmingham.

 

BENEFICIAL HOUSE

15th July 2022

Perry the Bull can now be seen on the BAM hoardings at Beneficial House from Chamberlain Square, while there is also another Birmingham 2022 Welcome wrap that you can see from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Both can be seen from Paradise Circus Queensway. And when trams resume from the 17th July 2022 on Paradise Street.

16th July 2022

The View from 103 Colmore Row, thanks to the Key to the City. Not as good as the Secret Garden view to Beneficial House, but you get the Town Hall in it's Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games banners as well.

23rd July 2022

Tram passing Perry the Bull in the direction of Centenary Square.

 

ONE CENTENARY WAY

20th July 2022

Perry the Bull is now on the right hand side of One Centenary Way facing Centenary Square. Views from Centenary Square, the Discovery Terrace and Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. You can now compare it to the other Perry the Bull over at Beneficial House on Paradise Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

THE RINGWAY CENTRE

 

The likes of Gent 48 and Annatomix are not happy with Birmingham City Council. They are not being paid enough or at all for their artwork. Gent has unfinished pieces in Southside along Smallbrook Queensway, and other areas. While the Council has been putting wraps around the 60 year old Ringway Centre at Smallbrook Queensway, Hurst Street and Dudley Street. Covering over tags on the Hurst Street side (apart from on the air conditioning units on the roof which they have missed).

Also developers are proposing to building eyesore apartments along this site, some of whom have used Birmingham street artists work without their permission.

The Brutalist Ringway Centre was built from 1958 to 1962, from designs by James A. Roberts. But in recent years the offices and retail units here have been empty (other than SNOBS nightclub).

 

Smallbrook Queensway

7th April 2017

The Ringway Centre from the window at Caffe Nero at Bullring Link Street. A regular view I would get whenever I would go to this Caffe Nero for a coffee. There used to be a billboard above the former Banana Leat.

20th July 2021

The billboard had long since gone by 2021, and there was a lot of Gent 48 street art at the former retail units on Smallbrook Queensway. The 144 Salt Road bus from Worcester and Bromsgrove used to start down there, but the service was cut back in Spring 2022, and no longer serves Birmingham.

12th June 2022

The first wrap on the Ringway Centre spotted from Edgbaston Street on the Dudley Street side of the building. It was coloured sky blue.

It reads: "WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM PROUD HOST CITY OF THE 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES".

18th June 2022

About a week later the second wrap, this time purple went up to the left on the Dudley Street side of the building. The views from Caffe Nero at Bullring Link Street

It just says: "BE BOLD BE BIRMINGHAM".

25th June 2022

Last update before going on holiday, there was now a purple wrap full of B's from Smallbrook Queensway, but at this time it only went down about half of the building. It can also be seen from Birmingham New Street Station at St Martin's Queensway and the Moor Street Link Bridge.

4th July 2022

Back from holiday, and I got an update starting from Gough Street, then Suffolk Street Queensway, before going down Smallbrook Queensway at Holloway Circus, and onto Hurst Street in Southside. The full purple wrap has loads of B's and the slogan: "Welcome to Birmingham Proud Host City of the 2022 Commonwealth Games #BeBoldBeBham".

12th July 2022

Up to Caffe Nero at Bullring Link Street again to see the complete Be Bold Be Birmingham wrap all the way down the Ringway Centre.

16th July 2022

View from 103 Colmore Row, during Key to the City Birmingham. Centre City Tower. Just about visible are the B's from the Be Bold Be Birmingham banner on the Ringway Centre.

 

Hurst Street

18th August 2021

This is what the Ringway Centre used to look like from Hurst Street near the Birmingham Hippodrome. Unsightly tags in the upper windows of the long since abandoned offices.

30th April 2022

All that was new on Hurst Street at the time was a new road surface and cycle lane. But the tags were still visible on the back of the Ringway Centre.

4th July 2022

The green wrap over the Hurst Street end of the Ringway Centre. It says: 

"WELCOME TO BIRMINGHAM PROUD HOST CITY OF THE 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES".

Hippodrome Square has now been tarmaced over and painted with rainbow colours, as the previous scheme fell through.

 

BIRMINGHAM 2022 AT SMITHFIELD

This will be where Beach Volleyball and basketball will be played.

15th April 2022

First signs of a structure going up at Smithfield as observed from Upper Dean Street.

30th April 2022

About two weeks later the structure now had a roof forming.

14th May 2022

A canopy was now visible from both the train heading into Birmingham Moor Street, and from the bus on Pershore Street

26th May 2022

There is now a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Sport purple wrap around the top of the structure. Can be seen from Bradford Street, Moat Lane and Upper Dean Street.

3rd June 2022

More bus views, again from Pershore Street, as more temporary buildings go up. There seems to be an entrance on Barford Street.

11th June 2022

The view from 103 Colmore Row thanks to the Key to the City project. A zoom in from the 18th floor balcony to the Birmingham 2022 Smithfield site over the Bullring, to Digbeth and beyond.

12th June 2022

Upper Dean Street view again of the temporary buildings have have been erected at Smithfield.

10th July 2022

You can now see an orange sign from Moat Lane and Bradford Street reading Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Sport. From the Upper Dean Street view the reverse says Sport is just the Beginning.

15th July 2022

Top deck bus view coming onto Moat Lane. The orange banner now reads WELCOME TO SMITHFIELD. Perry the Bull, followed by BIRMINGHAM 2022 Commonwealth Sport. The grass is looking dry after the recent dry spell of weather.

16th July 2022

A return visit for View from 103 Colmore Row with my Key to the City. Zoomed in again to the Birmingham 2022 Smithfield site, days before the heatwave hit the UK.

20th July 2022

Coming from Moseley Street onto Barford Street in Digbeth. Back of the basketball arena with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games banner. There was also a service entrance from Barford Street close to Pershore Street in Southside.

23rd July 2022

Third visit to the 18th floor balcony with my Key to the City, View from 103 Colmore Row. It looks like the Birmingham 2022 Smithfield site is now more or less complete.

Bonus photos - 28th July 2020

There was a basketball court at Smithfield, marking at the time when it was two years exactly until the starts of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Approximately the same site where the actual basketball is due to be played.

Photography by Elliott Brown

The 1904-built grade II* listed building will be fully and unequivocally restored by Irish developer Oakmount and sister leisure company Creative Cedar and will be operated by another of Oakmount's sister companies, Press Up Hospitality.

Known as ‘The Dean’ – a UK first – the building will see a viability-boosting three-storey glazed roof extension to house another UK first: a flagship Sophie’s restaurant and bar, with two terraces affording panoramic views across the city.

The hotel-led destination will also see a full restoration of its Central Hall auditorium into a grand 1,500 capacity event venue, guaranteed to become one of the city's premier destinations, as well as offering basement and ground-level commercial and business units.

These will feature several public bars, eateries, and leisure brands, such as the members-only 'The Dalton' club and cocktail bar, a 'Creative Cedar' gym, meeting rooms, and a classic barber's.

Class!

The Dean Birmingham, images from TODD Architects. 

Long lost to demolition during the mid-20th century when the site once housed dense back-to-backs and terraced housing, the site will re-establish new frontages to both Upper Gough Street and Chapmans Passage for the first time in a generation.

Recognising the emergence of new projects in the area, the I-shaped Corstorphine & Wright design will be spread over five to seven storeys and will be formed around two landscaped courtyards.

Accommodating a wide range of lifestyles, the project includes a hearty array of one- and two-bedroom apartments, together with 5 two-bedroom duplex townhouses - eleven have been assigned affordable, with 25% available as 'First Homes'.

Complementing the living spaces will be a fifth-floor roof terrace offering both exercise spaces & views across the city, spaces for 56 cycles, and private balconies to select apartments.

Brought forward by Upper Gough Street Ltd (Rainier Developments), the development also includes a new pedestrianised thoroughfare to Chapmans Passage, which will go a long way to sewing together the fabric of the street to (ultimately) provide fluid access to the historic Peace Gardens.

Chapmans Yard, images from Corstorphine&Wright.

Place-shaping, place-making, promotion of place and the continued growth of a digitally engaged community as a legacy of the Commonwealth Games.

Our story

At the time the announcement was made that Birmingham would be hosting the Commonwealth Games, we were convinced about the value of engaging community in a huge collaboration for place-shaping, place-making and the promotion of place. See our video below created back in 2020.

Select HERE for video.

Interest in collaborating was huge

Interest from community in getting involved in the largest digital collaboration (we believe) of any city was huge and soon we had people sending us content of the places and the Birmingham Passions they were keen to promote.

This content is now contained in 100s of features and displayed on multiple maps.

Select HERE for Birmingham Gems video.

Promotion of place

Using this map, residents and visitors can explore the City and its Gems.

Select HERE for Birmingham Gems map.

Making and Shaping of place

Using this map, residents can engage in the development and future of their place.

Select HERE for Birmingham development map.

Productive place-shaping and creative conversations

This in turn has led to place-making creative conversations exploring the link between creativity, place and community.

Select HERE for one of our Creative Conversations videos.

Select HERE for another of our Creative Conversations videos.

More Gems featured by community

It has led to more and more Birmingham Gems being featured with creatives generating considerable interest across Community.

Select HERE for another of our videos focussed on creativity.

More maps and more trails

The growth in the number of community contributors has led to many maps and trails being created for well-being and a promotion of specific passions.

Here’s one covering Parks and Open Spaces.

Select HERE for Parks and Open Spaces video.

Over 1.2 million views already

The digital platform we launched last year has now received almost 1,200,000 views, increasing by 15,000 every week.

Plans over the next two weeks during the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games, we knew would provide the added incentive for people to engage with their place. We have created a digitial space where they can do just this.

We also knew that this would lead to significant social and economic impact and this would reflect the digital reach that could be achieved by all the programmes the CG2022 team and BCC are supporting and funding.

The following shows the flexibility and adaptability of our maps so that Birmingham Gems and Birmingham Passions can be showcased alongside Commonwealth Games community-related events.

Here’s a map showing the baton relay stops and other events.

Here we have added the passion of public art in and around the city.

We can add rivers, canals and open spaces.

We can add History as a passion.

We can add modern architecture and classic architecture.

This is the view if we include all passions and places of interest across the city.

 

Resulting in .....

... a massive digital legacy for the city and its neighbourhoods following the Commonwealth Games with more people more aware of what the city offers.

..... a digital space populated by community for community.

..... place-making, place-shaping and promotion of place in practice.

Plans for the remainder of 2022

Engaged and connected digital neighbourhoods.

The plan post Commonwealth Games is to roll out digital spaces into the city’s neighbourhoods with the support of people passionate about their city. This could well provide a digital vehicle for volunteers and those people active in supporting the Games.

It will also open up digital skills exchanges whereby young people act as digital ambassadors in their community.

Such a venture will build on the awareness and inspiration created by the Be Bold Be Birmingham campaign.

Together with the help of community, work to show how a digital neighbourhood would look and function has already started and several of Bimingham’s councillors have expressed an interest in finding out how their neighbourhood could be involved.

Let’s connect

We appreciate that time is critical to make the most of the opportunities presented by the Games.

Let’s meet and discuss all the applications of a unique digital space.

Jonathan.Bostock@yourplaceyourspace.com

 

 

As our drone images show, Enterprise Wharf is looking absolutely magnificent as we enter the closing stages of development – with the prominent external red panels now being installed.

Offering 120,000K SF of high-quality commercial space over ten floors, the £30m building is a brand-new addition to Birmingham Innovation Campus, the UK’s largest dedicated digital tech campus, home to over 170 businesses. But there's so much more.

The building, brought forward by Bruntwood SciTech, and designed by Associated Architects, will be embedded with the latest cutting-edge new technologies, such as ‘Internet of Things’ sensors, which will act as a ‘central nervous system’ for the building to provide its energy use data.

Businesses will be able to harness this data to optimise their heating, lighting, and air quality, helping to reduce emissions, and operational costs while improving occupants' wellbeing.

A whole lot of work is also happening around the periphery of the site, with the planting of new trees rejuvenating the canalside and amenity. Other facilities will include 5G coverage, a large open-plan reception, collaborative spaces, showers, breakout areas, and a roof terrace.

Drone images from Stephen Giles.

Enterprise Wharf CGIs from Bruntwood SciTech.

A trip from Edgbaston to Jewellery Quarter via the City Centre, on the 23rd July 2022, to see King Kong return, then pop to The Golden Square, and get a tram back to the Colmore Business District for another visit to the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row. And one final tram journey from Victoria Square to Brindleyplace.

On the 20th July, I'd travelled to Broad Street to get photos of my first trams in service, but left riding the tram until the Saturday.

 

Edgbaston Village Tram Stop

I got the no 1 bus from Acocks Green via Moseley, which was diverted twice, including the scheduled diversion (due to Church Road being closed as The Vale is a Birmingham 2022 athletes village). Eventually got off the bus at Calthorpe Road and walked round to Harborne Road, then up the new Edgbaston Village Walk to the newly opened tram stop on the Hagley Road. It wasn't too long to wait for the tram to arrive.

Zone 1 is from Edgbaston Village to Jewellery Quarter. There is three other zones from Jewellery Quarter to Wolverhampton St George's.

West Midlands Metro tram 21 arrives, heading past Morrisons, and headed to the platform I was waiting at.

The tram was pretty empty from the first stop, another photographer got on board, but he got off at Five Ways (the next stop).

 

Five Ways Tram Stop

After heading through the Five Ways underpass between Hagley Road and Broad Street, the next stop would be Five Ways Tram Stop.

The Superfreak street art was seen from tram 21, on the wall of Atlas Intercity, and near Islington House (was formerly Zara's).

A few days before on the 20th July 2022, I caught a no 24 bus and saw tram 22 on a test run towards Edgbaston Village, it was heading down the Five Ways underpass from Broad Street.

Before that, I'd got my first photos of a tram arriving at Five Ways Tram Stop, that would be West Midlands Metro tram 42. They need to manually change the display, as this one still said Edgbaston Village, but was heading to Wolverhampton St George's.

Even More Brum! Seen on Five Ways Tram Stop before I took my first tram photos on Broad Street.

On the 15th July 2022 they were applying the vinyls a couple of days before the line opened. Got this nice shot of Five Ways Tram Stop with the Five Ways Entertainment Complex.

 

Brindleyplace Tram Stop

Back to the journey on the 23rd July 2022, the next stop on Broad Street was Brindleyplace Tram Stop. Right outside of a restaurant called Qavali. Another tram went past.

In front of the driver, was a National Express West Midlands bus, no 6104 (not sure of the route number). Heading for Edgbaston Village Tram Stop was West Midlands Metro tram 40.

Later that day, I'd caught my third tram, this time from Town Hall Tram Stop at Victoria Square, and got off at Brindleyplace Tram Stop. Was on tram 21 again, as tram 42 was heading for Wolverhampton St George's. Note that both trams said Edgbaston Village. Those tram drivers need to manually change the  digital destination display!

On the 20th July 2022, I headed up to the Secret Garden on  Level 7 at the Library of Birmingham to see if I could catch a tram on Broad Street. I managed to capture West Midlands Metro tram 43 heading for Edgbaston Village Tram Stop.

By the time I left the library, I walked up Broad Street and saw tram 43 departing from Brindleyplace Tram Stop. There is still people riding e-Scooter's on Broad Street, near the trams and buses.

 

Library Tram Stop

Back to the journey on the 23rd July, the tram arrived at Library Tram Stop for Centenary Square. This was when it started to get a bit busier.

The tram went past the statue of Boulton, Watt & Murdoch, as well as the Birmingham 2022 Megastore.

I also saw from the tram window, the Library of Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games flag pins.

No 24 bus journey on the 20th July, as West Midlands Metro tram 39 (University of Birmingham livery near The Exchange) dpearted for Edgbaston Village (not Wolverhampton).

 

Town Hall Tram Stop

On the 23rd July, my second tram trip was from Jewellery Quarter, got off at Bull Street (standing room only). Then walked up Colmore Row, to use my Key to the City for a third time at 103 Colmore Row. A 20 minute wait, before getting taken up the lift to the 18th floor balcony again. Took the opportunity to get the trams passing through Victoria Square, including tram 39 (University of Birmingham adverts) having just departed Town Hall Tram Stop.

Not long after West Midlands Metro tram 42 (Nourished adverts) went past Victoria Square House towards Town Hall Tram Stop.

After leaving Town Hall Tram Stop on Paradise Street, it passed Perry the Bull on it's way to Library in Centenary Square (crossing over Paradise Circus).

Earlier, on my first tram towards St Paul's, the tram passed Victoria Square with this view to the Birmingham 2022 Fan Zone and 103 Colmore Row.

After leaving 103 Colmore Row, I went to Town Hall Tram Stop for my third and final tram trip of the day (towards Broad Street, Brindleyplace Tram Stop).

The Paradise Street side of the Town Hall now has Birmingham 2022 banners, as workmen got the building ready for the opening of the games.

Tram 21 arrived, the tram I'd caught earlier that day. 103 Colmore Row, Foreign Exchange (Queen Victoria), Iron: Man and a tram. Finally!

 

St Paul's Tram Stop

I ended my first tram journey on Zone 1 at St Paul's Tram Stop. I'd caught West Midlands Metro tram 21 at Edgbaston Village. It was closer here to get off and then see King Kong on Great Hampton Row. Also the tram was started to get a bit fuller than earlier stops.

The new King Kong was a short walk away from St Paul's Tram Stop, from Constitution Hill and Great Hampton Street, to Great Hampton Row in 'King Kong Park'.

 

Jewellery Quarter Tram Stop

After a quick look at King Kong, a walk towards The Golden Square, and checking out the Jewellery Quarter Festival, before a coffee stop at Costa Coffee on Frederick Street. Then a walk up Vyse Street to catch my second tram back into the City Core. Into Jewellery Quarter Station, then across to the tram stop platforms.

On the railway side, I saw West Midlands Railway 172004 (and an unidentified Class 172 at the back) heading in the direction of Birmingham Snow Hill Station.

My tram had arrived, West Midlands Metro tram 39. It was a bit full, so standing room only, and I got it to Bull Street. Later saw it from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row (see further up this post for those photos).

Photography by Elliott Brown

We took to the skies recently to snap the latest progress of Setl, where construction is well underway on the delivery of two residential buildings.

The site will see a new part 6-12 storey to Ludgate Hill & Newhall Street, with a striking tile-clad three-storey cushioned canalside.

102 one- and two-bedroom apartments will be formed, together with two public commercial units that will add to the already thriving commercial street scene on Ludgate Hill.

All of this will be complemented by a rooftop garden on the sixth floor, with workspaces, lounges, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and an internal courtyard space.

The £32m project is HBD's first foray into Birmingham and, with Jeweller Quarter trendsetters BPN designing the scheme, Setl - when it completes in 2024 - will be externally finished in a dark red & light red orange brick, with bespoke glazed terracotta & decorative detailing, paying homage to Birmingham's architectural past.

Cornwall House for Ready Player One (Image from Metrogogo, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons).

Drone photography from Stephen Giles; CGIs from HBD.

Follow the development HERE with us!

Prosperity Developments are bringing forward plans to rejuvenate this area of the city.

Spread across two parcels of land, the development has been designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects.

Having bounced onto the scene back in 2021, the proposal went back to the drawing board and has now been refined in recent weeks to consider the other emerging schemes in the area - namely Birmingham Smithfield, and Warner Fields.

THESE ARE THE CHANGES PROPOSED (GREEN):

Plot 1: Significant improvements have been made to Bradford Street.

The new design now features a classic perimeter block of buildings ranging from 7 right up to 11-storeys at prominent corners. The perimeter extends to Bradford Street, across Rea Street, Cheapside, and back towards Bradford Street.

The designs have also been significantly improved to take more cues from neighbouring heritage assets.

The old proposal v the new one:

Plot 2: This is where we will see an increase in height, which will be dissected by a newly created green linear link and a green space that looks out towards Smithfield.

Previous plans for Pressworks saw a 21-storey to Bradford Street - which, of course, has now been refined. The height has now been transferred to Moseley Street - and will reach 23-storeys.

Why? Other emerging schemes in the area, namely Warner Fields, will incorporate a landmark 30-storey directly adjacent Pressworks. For that reason, the 23-storey has been positioned to sit subservient to the 30-storey, but to also sit in line with the planned 'scraper at Smithfield.

Therefore, an emerging cluster is earmarked for the ever-changing area, all of which will face onto a new public green link and sit in front of Smithfield. Good forward thinking!

Like the CGIs? Let us know in the comments.

Pressworks Birmingham, images from Glancy Nicholls Architects.

Early morning arrival.

Waiting outside.

In we go!

South Central tower, well under construction on Bristol Street, Essex Street.

The historic Rotunda.

Cranes Reflected in the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

One Centenary Square (HSBC UK), the Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Mercian, and the core of Cortland Broad Street.

The Library of Birmingham.

Looking Over Centenary Square.

'Cheese'.

On the Top Floor.

The Dome of the Council House.

Exchange Square, Phase 2, is flying up!

Orion House and Beetham Tower

And down we go! 

Photography by Daniel Sturley

Photography by Stephen Giles

Photography by Mat Burling

Photography by Jack Babington

 

There are now nearly 800 photos of the construction of this building and can be seen in reverse date order in the full gallery here:

Full Construction Feature Project and Photo Gallery

 

Once home to Furnaces & Machinery, until their demise in 2019, the Alcester Street site will deliver 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments, in two buildings of three to six storeys.

The Corstorphine & Wright designed scheme, red-bricked and offering a symbolic nod to Digbeth's industrial heritage, will offer high-end apartments to match the demands of today's rental market.

Six storeys to Alcester Street and three storeys to Cheapside, the new builds will nestle alongside its historic neighbour, The Fountain Inn, offering it focal point status - and bustling trade - for years to come.

Both builds will reanimate their respective streets and will be set around an attractive and intimate internal courtyard space - as seen below. Watch our socials for more on Fountain Lofts!

Construction images from Stephen Giles; CGIs from 10m Group.

The University of Birmingham is a host venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Here on the Sports Pitches will be Hockey and Squash. Temporary seating stands are being erected, here we can see the hockey pitch near Aston Webb Boulevard (Selly Oak Bypass).

 

Photos taken on the 21st June 2022.

Starting from Aston Webb Boulevard towards the Southgate on the Bristol Road at the University of Birmingham. There will be specatular views of Old Joe and the Chancellors Court from the hockey pitch. When shown on the BBC.

 

These views can be seen from Ring Road North, from the level above near the stone wall perimeter. The specator stand is only on one side here.

 

I did not find the squash courts, but it was probably inside of the University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness Centre. I only popped into the Costa Coffee here and saw the swimming pools.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Located on Hanley Street and Lower Loveday Street, The Crown Works is a 203-apartment scheme entirely for rent (View the site map HERE)

Led by Europa Capital and White Ink Architects, the new placemaking community will reinforce the area through a contemporary, contextual design offering an enhanced interpretation of the area.

With groundworks ramping up on site and a crane due any time now, The Crown Works will be arranged in four blocks of four to eight storeys, with each one, two & three-bedroom apartment designed to a high specification, across 138K SF of space.

With renters in Birmingham wanting good quality living spaces and amenities aplenty, The Crown Works offers that in abundance.

There will be up to 5,900K SF of attractive facilities on offer, with all apartments set around a raised courtyard, with concierge services, shared gardens, terraces, dining and meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, as well as co-working areas for those WFH, all on offer.

Two public ground floor commercial units, totalling 3,700K SF, will also bring additional vitality to the area. The Crown Works is scheduled for a circa. April 2024 completion.

June 30:

May:

Drone images by Stephen Giles; CGIs from Europa Capital/White Ink Architects.

MAY

Cortland Broad Street from a little over a mile away at Soho Loop:

Photography from Stephen Giles.

JUNE

Photography from Daniel Sturley.

There are now over 200 photos of the construction of this building and can be seen in reverse date order in the full gallery here: The Square, Broad Street - Full Construction Photo Gallery

The Walk (Little Amal)

New Steps New Friends is a tour of the UK from the 19th to 27th June 2022.

She started her remarkable journey in 2021 crossing the Syria / Turkey border, across Europe in search of her mother and to fine a new home. She travelled over 8,000km representing all displaced children, many separated from their families and carried the urgent message "Don't forget about us".

She has travelled through over 70 cities in 12 countries and has been welcomed at more than 160 events, reaching 875,000 people along her route and millions more online.

In June 2022, one year on from leaving Syria she is exploring her new country, visiting towns and cities across the UK, meeting old friends and making new ones.

Today hundreds of thousands of children who have fled war and persecution need our support to get an education and to rebuild their lives. To try to help they have launched The Amal Fund with Choose Love. Visit walkwithamal.org/the-amal-fund/ to find out more.

 

Little Amal walks around Birmingham

Little Amal was in Birmingham City Centre between 11:30am and 1pm on Thursday 23rd June 2022.

The schedule was for people to gather in Victoria Square at 11:30am.

Then the walk began at 12pm and would last until about 12:50pm.

After Victoria Square, she would go around Chamberlain Square.

 

Then up Centenary Way past Paradise Birmingham.

 

Ending in Centenary Square.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After Birmingham, Little Amal visited Bristol, London, Stonehenge and even the Glastonbury Festival! She ended her journey at Folkestone on the 27th June 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing "Birmingham Gems"

Work to digitally map the city as a place to experience, creatively and culturally, commenced over 18 months ago with a collaboration of people passionate about Birmingham. This collaboration has helped to populate a platform covering the city and its neighbourhoods.

This map is now full of information that can be used by people who live and work in Birmingham, and of course, visitors to the city.

Our collaboration of people passionate about promoting their place is growing with considerable interest from schools and colleges keen to involve young people in this creative, cultural and digital initiative.

The map has now been viewed over 1.1 million times, increasing by 20,000 a week.

Select here to our video.

Introducing one of the city's Gems, "Public Squares", mapped with its own trail.

Each passion is showcased through features, maps, trails, galleries of photography, regular articles and (still to come) drone footage and 3D imagery.

In a short video, let's show you how, with the help of community, we introduce people to, and update people on, Birmingham's great public squares.

Select here to our video.

Introducing It's your Build - a digital space for engaging community in place-making

Let us show you, in a short video, how we have mapped the built environment (build by build) and have created a flexible and adaptable digital space for place-making.

Select here to our video.

Engaging Birmingham's community out of the city centre and connecting neighbourhoods

Birmingham is a city of connected neighbourhoods and here we show, via a link to a digital space created for Northfield, how a roll-out of connected platforms could support the drive for more digital neighbourhoods.

Click here to link to Northfield We Are..

Birmingham is the first city to be supported by community-focussed digital technology that will help drive social value and economic impact.

We would be delighted to discuss with you the many applications of this digital collaboration of community for community. Connect with us: Jonathan.Bostock@yourplaceyourspace.com 0121 410 5520

29th April 2022

4th May 2022

11th May 2022

13th May 2022

14th May 2022

16th May 2022

19th May 2022

27th May 2022

27th May 2022

28th May 2022

31st May 2022

It's Your Build were kindly invited to the offices of Glenn Howells Architects in Digbeth to view and photograph their amazing architectural models.

10th June 2022

14th June 2022

17th June 2022

19th June 2022

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

YOUR PLACE YOUR SPACE

(Wales)

Let us show you exactly what we are offering our clients in Wales.

Flexible Styling

In this short video here let us show just how flexible and adaptable we are in ensuring the styling of your engagement and consultation platform delivers the results you demand and deserve.

Cloning and fast and effective translations between Welsh and English

In this short video here let us show just how we can save you a massive amount of time when creating your engagements and how easy it is for respondents to switch between languages.

Engagement, consultation, research and insight using maps

In this short video here let us show just how highly engaging and visual interactive maps can be and can deliver some excellent results from your engagement with community.

Tagging and Sentiment Analysis

In this short video here let us show just how the tagging of responses and how sentiment analysis can speed up your analysis of open text responses and deliver far greater insight.

Placemaking and use of interactive maps

This is definitely one to share with your planners. In this short video here let us show just how we are successfully increasing the engagement of community in their place and planning decisions.

Largest social media channel of its type in Wales - that's It's Your Wales

This post will just be a photo gallery of Perry Park. I will do my May 2022, Alexander Stadium update in another post. At the time of writing, it is mid June 2022, and it is very hot in Birmingham.

The late May day visit to Perry Barr was much cooler.

I would think if people are going to the Alexander Stadium from Perry Barr Station, it would be faster to get a shuttle bus than take the long walk that I did last month.

 

This visit on Monday 30th May 2022.

 

Birmingham BMX Club

Entering Perry Park from the main entrance on Aldridge Road near the Birmingham BMX Club. The M6 motorway is beyond here.

Near the entrance is a skatepark for BMX riders, and behind that, the actuall BMX track.

Welcome to Birmingham BMX Club.

The path outside of the BMX Club, heading into Perry Park.

The start and finish line, the BMX track looks a bit bumpy.

 

Holbrook

The Holbrook is a stream that flows through Perry Park. There was a high fence alongside the path, so could only take it at the time from this bridge.

 

Paths and trees in Perry Park

Paths in Perry Park. One leads towards Perry Reservoir (and the Alexander Stadium, but the paths are currently blocked off). The other leads to the Alexander Stadium Woodland Walk.

After a look at the reservoir, a quick look at the Canada geese and trees. As you can't go beyond this path (to the right). But there is a pedestrian diversion path.

The diversion path runs to one side of the Perry Reservoir. The trees are lush and green here.

The path takes you around the reservoir, and eventually to the steps up to the Tame Valley Canal. Where you can then take your exit towards Walsall Road. Many routes around the Alexander Stadium are closed, at least until after the games have finished.

 

Perry Reservoir

One of the main reasons of this visit was at long last to get a proper look at the Perry Reservoir. Having only glimpsed it years ago from the Tame Valley Canal.

The reservoir was quite quiet, other than the usual ducks, geese and swans.

On the opppsite side of Perry Reservoir was swans and Canada geese.

I then saw a family of Canada geese with their gosling. How cute!

The reservoir is surrounded by trees on at least two sides.

With part of the reservoir blocked off by the Alexander Stadium development site, I got the rest of my views from the pedestrian diversion path.

The Alexander Stadium made for some nice reflections in the water. See more photos in my Alexander Stadium post.

One last look at the reservoir, before leaving the park for the Tame Valley Canal, where I got more views of the Alexander Stadium on the walk back to the Walsall Road, and later Perry Barr Station.

 

Text and photos by Elliott Brown

The Alexander Stadium was completed in Spring 2022 ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place for 11 days from late July to early August 2022.

You can now see the stadium from various points in Perry Park, from the Perry Reservoir, Tame Valley Canal towpath and the Walsall Road in Perry Barr.

It was around a half hour walk from Perry Barr Station (I did stop for coffee first in Costa at One Stop), via the Aldridge Road to Perry Park. Then another half hour or so down the Walsall Road back to the new look Perry Barr Station.

So the shuttle bus test they did for the Diamond League event, maybe they could do that from the station, as would be a long walk for ticket holders?

 

2nd January 2022

My previous attempt to get into Perry Park during 2022 was from the Walsall Road entrance. Tried to get views of Alexander Stadium over the Walsall Road Allotments, but wasn't much to see from here.

There was too many trees in the way, and I ended up not getting to the other side of Perry Park at the time, but the stadium was just about visible at the time.

 

 

30th May 2022

A proper look at the Alexander Stadium from multiple views, starting from Perry Park.

 

Views from Perry Park

Trees covering the view of the stand completed in 2011, with the temporary floodlights.

The stadium looks much bigger now, or it might just be the temporary seating and floodlights that have been erected here.

The temporary seating goes quite high, this will probably be dismantled after the games end in August.

 

Views with Perry Reservoir

The reservoir makes for some interesting reflection shots of the new look Alexander Stadium.

The stand completed in 2011, with the temporary stands on the right, plus the temporary floodlights with the reservoir.

Most of these views were from the pedestrian diversion from Perry Park towards the Tame Valley Canal.

Some of the new seating is permenant, the rest is temporary.

 

Views from the Tame Valley Canal

Onto the Tame Valley Canal, the views from the towpath was better than what I saw four years earlier. They have built a training (or warm up) track to the right of the stadium.

The temporary seating over hanging from the back.

View of the blue warm up track near the stadium.

It looks much better than it was before we won the right to host the Commonwealth Games.

These stands on the right are permanent, and looks amazing!

So many views from the canal, the temporary and permanent seating stands.

Workmen were still putting the finishing touches to the stadium. Which had a test event here about a week earlier.

The Birmingham Diamond League was held here on the 21st May 2022.

One last view from the canal towpath, including the new permenant stands.

 

Views from Walsall Road

After leaving the Tame Valley Canal at the Walsall Road, I wasn't expecting to see any more views, but I got these of the Alexander Stadium entrance.

This is the entrance to the Alexander Stadium on Stadium Way, from the Walsall Road in Perry Barr.

 

Text and photos by Elliott Brown

Birmingham's statue of Queen Victoria was originally unveiled in 1901. Made of marble by Sir Thomas Brock. It was the idea of the founder of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, who wanted to present a statue of the Queen to the City, during her Diamond Jubilee year of 1897. It was finally unveiled 12 days before the Queen's death.

50 years later, the statue had got quite weathered, and the orb was badly damaged during VE Day in 1945.

The statue was removed in 1951, and was cast in bronze by William Bloye. This was all thanks to the Birmingham Civic Society.

More recently, the missing tip of the sceptre was recast and added in 2011, then the Birmingham Civic Society had the statue fully cleaned in 2018.

Here are some photos of the work of artist Hew Locke called "Foreign Exchange" prior to the unveiling.

Saturday 11th June

Views from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row.

Photography by Elliott Brown

In Victoria Square

Photography by Daniel Sturley 

Sunday 12th June

By Sunday afternoon, workmen had installed a helmet on top of the original statue of Queen Victoria.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Photography by Daniel Sturley

The unveiling of the statue has certainly created a stir and opened up a conversation, as no doubt intended by the artist and those commissioning the work.

Locke’s vision behind the art is to create “an object of veneration, leading a battalion of other statues to represent the home nation throughout the Empire.”

 

Paper Yard will revive a 1960s warehouse site with 77 apartments and family townhouses.

With all leases on site now expired (as of March 2022), the tired industrial site is to be unceremoniously demolished and replaced with four distinct but interconnected blocks of three to six storeys.

The site will deliver 71 one- and two-bedroom apartments, and six family-sized townhouses/duplexes, complemented by a mix of greenery & amenities, including gardens to all ground floor units, recessed/Juliet balconies, a heavily landscaped communal garden, photovoltaic panels, a green roof on the Princip Street part, and secure bicycle spaces for 75.

SET FOR DEMOLITION:

Paper Yard, images from BPN Architects; Demolition images from Google Street Maps.

Designed to ‘BREEAM Excellent’ certifications, 3CS will ultimately raise the bar in the region to become one of the most sustainable commercial buildings, resulting in a highly progressive low carbon, low energy building.

With distinctive florid motifs, vertical ribs & an elegant two-storey cantilevered base, the prominent terracotta building will offer a desirable office environment with health and wellbeing firmly at its heart.

Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, 3CS will offer approximately 236K SF of office space & a ninth-floor roof terrace, with a sizeable 14K SF of mixed-use space at ground level.

A basement level is also included with changing facilities and 250 cycle parking spaces, with an additional 16 at ground level.

With consent granted, planning conditions arising from this will ensure that any design concerns are addressed at the delivery stage. Watch this space!

Three Chamberlain Square, images from Feilden Clegg Bradley. View the site map HERE.

Lower Essex Street Ltd – led by the team who developed the excellent Timber Yard adjacent, as well as Soho Wharf – is seeking the go-ahead to develop the land with a major 628-home build-to-rent (BTR) development at the heart of the city's vibrant Gay Village.

Three new buildings of eight, 12 and 27-storeys (98m) are planned, comprising one- to three-bedroom apartments (36 affordable), as well as over 20K SF of high-quality new ground-level amenity and commercial space, providing a vibrant extension to an already bustling commercial scene.

Plans also include discounted space for a local LGBT charity.

Two internally landscaped courtyards, extensive winter and podium gardens, terraces, and a ninth-floor roof terrace on the tower would be available to residents.

New tree-lined boulevards are planned, linking Hurst Street to Lower Essex Street, along with a new public square and a lime tree-lined link on Sherlock Street.

A cycle highway already runs past the site; as a result, 644 cycle spaces are to be provided across each new building, along with 24 car spaces, six disabled, and five electric vehicle bays.

A statement filed on behalf of the applicant said: "The proposal represents a significant capital investment which will create employment, drive increased spending in the local economy, and support the city council's aspirations for Southside and Highgate.

"The mix of housing delivers a range of unit types that best reflect the demographic trends and market demand in this part of the city centre, as well as supporting the creation of sustainable communities."

An officer's report said: "The scheme would make efficient use of this largely vacant brownfield site and contribute to the city's need for residential accommodation.

"There would be a net positive impact upon biodiversity, subject to the recommended conditions and, notwithstanding the small amount of employment land, the scheme would, on balance, make a positive contribution towards the regeneration of this part of the city centre."

Lower Essex Square will be reviewed by the city council’s planning committee on 16 June, at 11 am.

Lower Essex Square, images from Claridge Architects.

EMERGING AREA: Itsyourbuild's Development Map - Birmingham's first and only.

Brought forward by ES Suffolk Birmingham Ltd – McAleer & Rushe – Gough Street has been designed by Urban Innovations, the same team behind the 24-storey Oynx on Lancaster Street.

With Vita Group set to operate the ‘BREEAM Very Good’ building, students will have the added luxury of having a multitude of internal & external amenities to choose from.

Students will be greeted by a 24-hour concierge and reception via its Gough Street entrance, with two of the lower levels here devoted to shared facilities and amenities.

These include a pool/games area, study spaces, laundry, and private bookable dining rooms on the first and 28th floors – not to mention the landscaped terraces on the first, second & 29th floors.

A bio-green roof garden is proposed for the ten-storey here – a street that will also see a new layby for deliveries and drop-offs, as well as accommodating 207 cycle spaces.

To Suffolk Street Queensway, a double-height glazed entrance frontage will be introduced to the street and will provide a state-of-the-art gym studio and a social hub.

The designs for the development consist of a stack bonded brick finish with a horizontal rhythm, one that creates depth, texture and visual interest to a primary route into the city.

It is anticipated that – consent pending & the discharging of conditions relating to approval – the project could well kick off later this year – but 2023 looks the likelier option. Stay tuned!

Gough Street, images from Urban Innovations. View the site map HERE.

PROJECT TEAM:
Client: ES Suffolk Birmingham Ltd (McAleer & Rushe)
Architect: Urban Innovations, Park Hood
Operator: Vita Group
Project Manager/ Contractor: McAleer & Rushe
Principal Designer: Hasco
Civil & Structural Engineer: MCR Consulting
MEP: Caldwell Consulting
Sustainability & Energy: BPP Energy
Air Quality: Ramboll
Planning Consultant: Carter Jonas
Targeted start & completion: October 2022; August 2025