Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds and Court Collaboration, a leading UK property developer, officially broke ground on the 51-storey One Eastside build-to-rent development in the city yesterday (23 March).

The event, also attended by Birmingham City Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward, marks a significant milestone for the exciting project which PIC has forward funded with a £200 million investment and which will be one of Birmingham’s first skyscrapers.

One Eastside will comprise 667 high-quality new homes for rent. The development will also feature a top-class co-working space and amenities for residents such as a landscaped garden, cinema room, sky lounge and gym.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Hayley Rees, Managing Director of PIC Capital, and Alex Neale, Managing Director of Court Collaboration, both emphasised their commitment to providing quality, innovative and sustainable BTR schemes in the region, as well as their strong ESG credentials.

One Eastside will create over 300 new jobs, as well as provide opportunities for hundreds of local students. Work placements, on-site courses and experience, will be provided at One Eastside part of Court Collaboration and PIC’s joint commitment to supporting future talent in the city and the next generation of professionals.

Hayley Rees, Managing Director of PIC Capital, at PIC said: “With this, our fourth Build to Rent scheme, PIC is firmly establishing itself as a significant and purposeful investor across the UK’s infrastructure and housing footprint.

“With 667 new apartments being developed here in Birmingham we will be helping to grow a thriving community while contributing positively to the local economy, including creating hundreds of new job opportunities and supporting the training of local students. The development will provide long-term, secure cashflows underpinning our policyholders’ pension payments for many years to come.

“We look forward to our continuing partnership with highly experienced developer, Court Collaboration, on this best-in-class scheme and remain actively engaged on a number of similar opportunities across the UK.”

Alex Neale, Managing Director of Court Collaboration commented: "We are delighted to have broken ground on our truly ambitious and exciting One Eastside development today, and it’s an honour to welcome the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, to help us celebrate. This project is a reflection of our and our council’s commitment to help drive this city forward, creating wonderful, sustainable new places and spaces, and the homes for the next generation. Thanks also to Pension Insurance Corporation and other guests who have joined us today to mark this special occasion.”

One Eastside is targeting a 2026 completion. Keep watching our social media channels for more.

The Heroic Age in Birmingham History

The Heroic Age in Birmingham History is part of the Everything to Everybody Project. It started on the 27th February and runs to the 12th April 2023. A collaboration between the Jewellery Quarter Research Trust and Everything to Everybody. They have worked together to explore the formation of Our Shakespeare Club and the people behind it. Free entry.

A quick look at this exhibition on Saturday 4th March 2023, was a lot of people in there, only really came up for the George Dawson blue plaque, which wasn't outside the room that day. There is images of Dawson, Timmins and Bunce on three of the walls up here. There was books in the glass display tables.

 

A return visit to the Shakespeare Memorial Room on Thursday 16th March 2023, this time got the room to myself. Mission accomplished this time, as I got the George Dawson blue plaque, now on the wall outside of the room that he inspired. Probably best to see it during a weekday, compared to a Saturday (closed on Sunday's).

Link to Everything to Everybody 

Birmingham City Council page on The Heroic Age in Birmingham

 

Samuel Timmins

Samuel 'Sam:' Timmins (1826-1902) lived at 18 Elvetham Road, Edgbaston. Also called Elvetham Lodge. Timmins was a co-founder of the Shakespeare Memorial Library. Timmins was a learned industrialist, lover of libraries and literature. The blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society was unveiled in the Shakespeare Memorial Room on the 28th February 2023, and was placed a few days later on his former home in Edgbaston. Seen on the 4th March 2023.

 

George Dawson

On the 4th March 2023, the George Dawson blue plaque was not yet screwed to the wall outside of the Shakespeare Memorial Room, but the existing tablets, from the old Central Libraries, and the previous blue plaque up here for Marie Bethell Beauclerc were on the wall.

 

I waited a couple of weeks for them to put the blue plaque up, and returned on the 16th March 2023. George Dawson (1821-1876) was a champion of the Civic Gospel, promoting responsible local government and education, arts and culture for all. He inspired the world's first great Shakespeare Library. Dawson bust has been up here on Level 9 in the Skyline Viewpoint room since it opened in September 2013, but the glass case for that and the other marble busts is a recent addition.

 

Previous post on the Shakespeare Memorial Room

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

The vacant former John Lewis store, currently being stripped back awaiting its exciting new use, is to become Drum: a workspace and amenity destination catering for up to 2,000 people.

Plans have been given unaminous approval to proceed, with work set to get fully underway later this year, with a 2025 completion penciled in.

Enlivening a key gateway site, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities, and sustainability, the rethink is part of Hammerson’s strategy to reinvigorate its prime urban estates through new diversifying uses – and Drum fits that bill to aplomb.

The building will bring 160K SF & a new type of workspace to the city that meet the requirements for established and start-up businesses post-pandemic.

Designed by Birmingham-born Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects, all four floors will be transformed to facilitate a sweeping, open, communal entrance that widens as it rises.

This will be topped off by an external rooftop garden lounge, with internal green walls on each level giving the appearance of a garden spilling back down through the building.

Its ground floor will be repurposed to become a vibrant destination; one that complements Grand Central, whilst adding a combined hospitality space with restaurant, bar and food market.

There will be a grocery, gym, wellbeing amenities, and around 19K SF of flexible spaces which could potentially see the introduction of a new cinema, live music venue, theatre, VR, gallery and exhibition space, plus bars and drinking establishments.

The refurbishment will come with higher sustainable construction specs, as well as introducing low/ zero carbon energy production and efficient M&E.

Drum was approved unanimously.

Drum Grand Central, images from Make Architects and Macgregor Smith.

The 1929-built landmark, famous for its production of Typhoo Tea, will become one of Birmingham’s first net zero carbon in construction office buildings, and is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ rating and an energy performance certificate (EPC) of ‘A’.

To kick start works, part of the building will see partial demolition (below in red) and the full removal of boiler house, in addition to the removal of its existing roof and bridge links.

The building will then be conserved and will house several BBC editorial teams, including The Archers, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today.

The BBC will move out of their existing Mailbox home in late 2025, early 2026, when their lease ends, before making the short move into Digbeth.

The move presents a golden opportunity to catalyse on reinvigorating the wider area and kick-starting investment in the area’s built environment and transport connections.

Stoford is working with the landowners, The Gooch Estate, with Glenn Howells Architects, Grant Associates, Turley and several public sector partners to complete the project and to prepare a vision for the wider area over the next decade.

This vision (below) includes the delivery of up to 800K SF of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation directly around the BBC and the adjoining canal basin.

 

THE VISION

PARTNERS: Stoford, Benacre 2022 LLP (The Gooch Estate)
ARCHITECTS: Glenn Howells Architects, Grant Associates
QS, PM: Arcadis
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER: Anstey Home
CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: BWB
M&E, SUSTAINABILITY: ESC
CONTRACTOR: TBC
AIR QUALITY, TRANSPORT: BWB
FIRE CONSULTANT: Jensen Hughes
AGENT: Savills & Wallis Real Estate
PLANNING CONSULTANT: Turley
PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER: 2022/08628/PA

Typhoo Wharf, images from Glenn Howells Architects & BBC.

Enlivening the key gateway site, built on the principles of connectivity, amenities, and sustainability, the rethink is part of Hammerson’s strategy to reinvigorate its prime urban estates through new diversyfying uses while maximising the reuse of embodied carbon.

Drum will bring 160K SF & a new type of workspace to the city that meet the requirements for established and start-up businesses post-pandemic.

Designed by Birmingham-born Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects, all four floors will be transformed to facilitate a sweeping, open, communal entrance that widens as it rises.

This will lead to a newly created rooftop garden lounge and workplace garden, with internal green walls on each level giving the appearance of a garden spilling back down through the building.

Its ground floor will also be repurposed to become an amenity destination – one that complements Grand Central, whilst adding a combined hospitality space with restaurant, bar and food market.

Plans will also see a grocery, gym, wellbeing amenities, and around 19K SF of flexible spaces which could see the introduction of a cinema, live music venue, theatre, VR, gallery and exhibition space, plus bars and drinking establishments.

The proposal refurbishes the building with higher sustainable construction specifications, introducing low/zero carbon energy production and efficient M&E.

Subject to consent, work is expected to begin later in the year, with completion set for 2025.

Drum Grand Central, images from Make Architects and Macgregor Smith.

21st January 2022

The River and Youth statues in storage, while the fountain was repaired. It was back working in time for the Commonwealth Games that summer.

 

10th February 2022

The Council House got a jet wash, while a spot in Victoria Square was being prepared for the return of the Iron: Man statue by Antony Gormley.

 

28th February 2022

The Iron: Man is reinstated in a new position in Victoria Square, months before the Commonwealth Games, having been in storage for around five years.

 

9th April 2022

Paving completed around the Queen Victoria statue.

The River statue by Dhruva Mistry has been lowered back into it's basin. It was removed, back in September 2021, ahead of the repairs to the fountain.

 

23rd April 2022

St George's Day with a massive flag on the Town Hall. Not long before the fountain was turned back on. The paving here looked tired after 30 years.

 

11th June 2022

View from 103 Colmore Row, during Key to the City. The River and Youth fountains were back on. As you can see the paving around the fountain had yet to be done, this would have to wait until early 2023, due to events coming up, such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that summer. It was at this time that the Queen Victoria statue was transformed by artist Hew Locke (Foreign Exchange).

 

23rd July 2022

During the Commonwealth Games, local street artists painted over the old paving, as can be seen from 103 Colmore Row (during Key to the City).

 

13th August 2022

After the end of the Commonwealth Games, Victoria Square was returned back to normal. This would not last long before PoliNations was installed here.

 

8th October 2022

After PoliNations ended, this was the last time Victoria Square was fully opened, before the return of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Before that was Diwali on the Square in October. Work to resume renovating the square, only started up again at the end of December 2022.

 

12th January 2023

A few weeks after the end of the last Frankfurt Christmas Market closed, most of Victoria Square was fenced off again for repaving works.

22nd January 2023

The route past the Town Hall and Iron: Man statue is open from Victoria Square towards Chamberlain Square.

Hoardings have gone back up again around the Council House, Council House Extension, Museum & Art Gallery again, the renovation and rewiring works will take until sometime in 2024.

Near Starbucks, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street. Pedestrians can enter the path either side of this gate. It is the construction site entrance.

A view to the Council House entrance. It will be closed until the renovation works here are completed by 2024.

 

8th March 2023

From the bottom of Victoria Square, a view to the Council House through a gap in a gate. The lower paving looks almost complete.

A view from Christchurch Passage, past one of the Sphinx guardian statues. Can't see much here other than the steps.

During the week is workers on site, so didn't want to get my camera over the high fence, this is the path from Colmore Row / Waterloo Street, through the top of Victoria Square towards the Town Hall and Chamberlain Square.

 

12th March 2023

From the top of Victoria Square, near the Council House. There is a gate and high fence, so bit hard to see what is going on up here.

The 1993 paving has been removed and they are repaving from the Council House towards the top basin of the River and Youth fountain.

The stone spheres / balls appears to have been removed. Is a lot of repaving needed here.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Coventry Transport Museum is a short distance away from Pool Meadow Bus Station. So if you don't get the train, you can catch the X1 bus from Birmingham (takes over an hour, via the Airport and NEC). On these visits I used to start by going to Esquires Coffee, before going into the museum (it is now Baxter Baristas @ 16 Hales Street).

 

TAXI: The Story from A to B

From horse drawn to horse power, the history of the taxi is much older than you think. From record breaking cabs that drove around the world, to hackney carriages throughout the ages. This is the Story from A to B.

Free Admission (not on the meter). It was on from the 26th January to 12th May 2019.

Did you know that the much loved feature of London streets has been made in Coventry since the 1940s?

They have been ferrying millions of passengers around the UK and in more than 40 countries.

The recent TX4 black cab model has starred in more than 5000 films including in James Bond, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes.

 

Here is some of the taxis that was on display in this temporary exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum, back in 2019.

 

Humber Laudette 1910 London Taxi

 

FX3 1948-1958

 

TX1 1997-2017

 

Sent to Coventry - 2 Tone Taxi - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

 

Japan Taxi

 

New York Taxi

 

Get Taxi Breaking a World Record - It's on the Meter World Taxi Challenge

Aston University, Birmingham, QUT Business School.

 

Rickshaw

 

Tuk Tuk

 

TX E City Electric Future

Photography by Elliott Brown

Coventry Station

Arriving at Coventry Station on Avanti West Coast Pendolino Flying Scouseman 390 148 on the 23rd February 2023. Mainly to have a look around the new Coventry Station concourse (the old 1960s building remains as is Grade II listed). Caught at Birmingham New Street, this train was going down the West Coast Mainline towards London Euston. The train stopped at platform 2. After my walk around Coventry (via War Memorial Park and the City Centre), I got Cross Country Trains back to Birmingham New Street (standing all the way, no free seats).

 

The previous time I'd been to Coventry Station was on the 12th June 2021, where I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010, with the 'Welcome to Coventry' sign. That day I got Avanti down to Coventry from Birmingham New Street, and later back with this train.

 

Birmingham International Station

I previously saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 152 at Birmingham International on the 3rd September 2022. But that day got London Northwestern Railway back to Birmingham New Street. This Avanti service was heading for Edinburgh at the time.

 

Birmingham New Street Station

Seen from platform 4c at Birmingham New Street was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 135 at platform 5 (5b) on the 19th June 2021.

While at platform 3 (3b) that day was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 122.

 

A pair of Avanti West Coast Pendolino's Class 390 recorded at Birmingham New Street, from the Moor Street Link Bridge on the 17th October 2021.

 

At Birmingham New Street on the 20th August 2020,  I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 127 in the new livery. Earlier that year before the pandemic began, they were still white, after the end of Virgin Trains in December 2019.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Back after plans for a 26 storey were knocked back in April 2022 on heritage impact grounds, Fusion Students now have the go-ahead to proceed with the site.

Derelict for too long, plans will see four new linked blocks of eight, 10 & 11 floors, with the tallest rising to 17 storeys.

Intriguingly, Fusion has appealed last year’s refusal and that will go to a public inquiry on 28 March 2023, running for four days. A decision is due 24 May 2024.

THE HERE AND NOW: 17 STOREYS.

The site will accommodate three- and four-bedroom clusters, along with a variety of studios, social studios, twodios, and one-bedroom apartments.

Students will be welcomed by a double-height reception area leading into a two-floored amenity space, occupied by a basketball half-court, a gym suite and open plan everyday space.

In addition to a 24-hour concierge, lounges, dining rooms, auditorium/cinema, karoake TV room, and a games room, a mezzanine level will facilitate study and communal areas.

A 347sqm landscaped central courtyard with a strong connection to nature will serve as a high-quality new external space that will provide an extension to the outstanding indoor social spaces.

Connected to a prominent cycle highway, covered cycle spaces for 162 will be allocated, with the potential for 80 more.

Fusion Students, images from Corstorphine+Wright.

Centro Regional Railways 323221

West Midlands Railway repainted the Class 323 unit 323221 in the 1990s livery of lime green, yellow and white with Centro and Regional Railways logos at the Soho depot. It returned to service on the 19th December 2022.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown first spotted it at Selly Oak near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal a day later (near Selly Oak Shopping Park on 20/12/2022), but was unable to get a photo of it.

Several other attempts to see it including a trip from Five Ways to Longbridge (and back to Kings Norton on 21/12/2022), then Birmingham New Street to Aston (and back from Duddeston on 01/01/2023), finally Bournville to Birmingham New Street one way (on 28/01/2023), didn't catch it.

 

Previous liveries over the years

London Midland 323221 at Aston Station during August 2012.

 

London Midland 323221 at Witton Station during September 2012.

 

London Midland 323221 at Bournville Station during January 2015.

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 in London Midland livery, late December 2017, at Birmingham New Street Station. The franchise changed that month.

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Chester Road Station during December 2018.

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Selly Oak Station during August 2019.

 

 

University Station - 11th February 2023

On this day I went to the Selly Oak Shopping Park and walked up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to catch a train one way from University to Birmingham New Street. And I finally got 323221 arriving on a service to Redditch! It was quite awesome to see. The station here is still not complete. At the front that day was 323204.

The platforms here feel extra long, but don't walk past the no pedestrians sign at the end.

Sometime in the future you will be able to use both sides of the new station building, but it is still not open or complete.

First full view of the back of 323221 in it's "new" Regional Railways livery.

These units still had this livery into the Central Trains era, but was changed to a darker green, yellow and white livery under London Midland from 2007 to 2017.

Eventually when West Midlands Railway took over in 2017, they got a orange and white livery. They are due to be replaced by the new Class 730 Aventra with orange and purple livery sometime in the future, by 2024.

 

Video clip on Youtube here West Midlands Railway 323 at University.

 

Birmingham New Street Station - 15th February 2023

A few days later, I went to Birmingham New Street to get the train to Shenstone in Staffordshire, to see the Annatomix mural. And guess what, Centro Regional Railways 323221 showed up at platform 8! So I got on it and had a half hour ride to Shenstone. While there was 11am emergency alarms tests at the station, but departed a few minutes later.

The Class 323's have a big gap between the platform if they are curved, so MIND THE GAP.

The refurbished interior is unchanged from when West Midlands Railway did up the entire fleet from 2018 to 2021.

My walk around the village of Shenstone gave me time to get back to the station and back on West Midlands Railway 323221 in Regional Railways Centro livery, and back to Birmingham New Street. Arriving at platform 12.

 

Shenstone Station - 15th February 2023

Between Sutton Coldfield and Staffordshire as usual is all the fields, and after that Shenstone is the first station outside of the WMCA. Got off West Midlands Railway 323221 at Shenstone. It was a bit bright from this side as I exited the station. Couldn't initially saw the Annatomix. A half hour walk around the village, found three pubs, and several old churches.

The station building at Shenstone probably dates to 1884 but isn't listed, sunlight to bright from this side, was better to see from the car park.

Up the steps to Lynn Lane, for a half hour walk around Shenstone.

After the walk, back to Shenstone Station. The Annatomix was in the bike store area on platform 2. This time 323221 was at the back, with 323207 at the front, still I decided to get on 323221 again for the half hour train ride back to Birmingham New Street from Shenstone.

323207 passed under the Lynn Lane bridge.

Six carriages on three car sets linked together. The WMR livery contrasts with the Centro Regional Railways livery behind.

Yellow doors with the Centro logo, press the button to open the doors when it lights up.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Positioning Birmingham at the forefront of the green revolution, Curzon Wharf has been the process of seven years of consultation with the City Council, public, and a team of regeneration and built environment specialists.

Woodbourne Group is proposing outline planning permission for four new buildings comprising:

• up to 130K of office R&D and life science floorspace over nine floors;
• up to 732 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) within a 41-storey;
• and up to 620 homes in two builds of 14 and 53-storeys (172m; 564ft).

The 53-storey Build to Rent skyscraper would deliver up to 498 new homes, while the 14-storey would accommodate 122 units.

Luxury and leading student and Build to Rent operators for the buildings have already been secured, according to Woodbourne.

Full planning is also proposed for partial demolition of a listed canal-side wall to open up the site. This would allow for improved walking and cycling routes around the site, and the creation of a new £2.49M public realm.

All of this would be complemented by over 3K SF of retail and over 15K SF of leisure opportunities, on a site that will be just an eight-minute walk to the forthcoming HS2 Curzon Street station.

“Birmingham is now at a turning point and our generation has the opportunity to transform the city into one of the most sustainable and leading cities in the world. The support received by Curzon Wharf is a reflection of that. It has taken us years of hard work to get here, and I hope the committee supports these unique proposals.

“This isn’t just another development, it’s a manifesto that will position Birmingham as the UK’s leading smart and sustainable city – as demonstrated by the highly successful eco-friendly delivery of the Commonwealth Games – helping to pave the way for the country’s Green Revolution. 

“It will act as a catalyst for the wider transformation of the Eastside area where a number of masterplans have been earmarked which otherwise would not be possible. It signposts Birmingham’s route to delivering transformational change to the city, promoting social, cultural and economic exchange in a truly transformative urban neighbourhood.”

Tani Dulay, Chief Executive, Woodbourne Group

Curzon Wharf, images from Woodbourne Group

On your My Metro app, buy an off peak return Zone 1 - 2 ticket. Make your way to either Corporation Street or Bull Street tram stops (or any Zone 1 tram stops) in Birmingham City Centre. Catch an Urbos 3 or Urbos 100, West Midlands Metro tram towards Dudley Street Guns Village Tram Stop, where this tour will begin of West Bromwich!

 

Dudley Street Guns Village Tram Stop

Dudley Street Guns Village Tram Stop is at Dudley Street, West Bromwich B70 9LY

This will be our stop in West Bromwich, as you can start the walk from the top of the High Street. The tram stop is at Dudley Street in West Bromwich. This is good starting point for the Farley Clock Tower. The no 74 bus also stops near here. And there is the West Bromwich Parkway.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

From Dudley Street,  turn right, and walk towards Carters Green and the West Bromwich High Street. Directly in front of you is the Farley Clock Tower.

 

St Andrew's Carters Green

St Andrew's Carters Green is at 18 Dudley Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LR. At the junction with Carters Green.

A church at Carters Green in West Bromwich which is shared by both The Church of England and The Methodist Church. It was built from 1915 to 1924.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Farley Clock Tower

Farley Clock Tower at Carter's Green, West Bromwich, B70 9LG

This Grade II listed red brick and terracotta clock tower dates to 1897, and was named after Reuben Farley (1826 - 1899), who was the first Mayor of West Bromwich, and served four terms. Located at Carters Green. There is three reliefs, a portrait of Reuben Farley, one of Oak House and one of West Bromwich Town Hall.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Old Hop Pole

The Old Hop Pole at 474 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD. Corner of Guns Lane.

A traditional West Bromwich High Street pub near Guns Village called The Old Hop Pole.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Wheatsheaf

The Wheatsheaf at 379 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9QW

A Real Ale public house on the High Street in the West Bromwich called The Wheatsheaf with Pure Black Country Holder's Golden.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Garden of Remembrance

The Memorial Gardens in West Bromwich aka the Garden of Remembrance. High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8RJ.

A place for reflection in West Bromwich for those lost in conflicts of the past. The gardens is in front of the Sandwell Register Office at Highfields House.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Highfields House

Sandwell Register Office at Highfields, High Street, West Bromwich. B70 8RJ.

This building is the location of the Sandwell Register Office, it is called Highfields, or Highfields House. A Grade II listed building since 1985, was four houses, now offices, probably built in the 1830s.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Take a minor detour down Lodge Road, for a couple of former Sandwell College buildings, that used to be part of the West Bromwich Campus.

 

West Bromwich Grammar School

The former West Bromwich Grammar School was at Lodge Road, West Bromwich, B70 8DY

The West Bromwich Municipal Secondary School was built in 1902 as the West Bromwich Institute at Lodge Road, funded by George Kenrick. The school was expanded several times, and later became a Grammar School in 1944. The actress Madeleine Carroll was a pupil here. The school moved to new buildings in Clarkes Lane in 1964. For a period from at least the 1990s to the early 2010s, the building was part of Sandwell College as the Hair Beauty and Holistic Centre. The college moved out in 2012 to a purpose built building on the West Bromwich Ringway. The building was empty until about 2018 when Ideal Travel Services took up a unit in the building.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Ryland Memorial School of Art

What is now the British Muslim School is at Lodge Road, West Bromwich, B70 8NX

This red brick building on Lodge Road in West Bromwich, was built as an Art school in 1902 by Wood & Kendrick of Birmingham. It had been part of Sandwell College, as the Ryland Building until the early 2010s (before the college moved to a modern building on the West Bromwich Ringway). Empty for a few years, by 2017 it had become the British Muslim School and Latifiah Fultali Complex.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Head back to the High Street, for the Town Hall and Library next.

 

West Bromwich Town Hall

West Bromwich Town Hall is at High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8DJ. Corner with Lodge Road.

A town hall in West Bromwich from 1874 to 1875, on what was the Lodge Estate. It was the headquarters of the county borough of West Bromwich and remained the seat of local government after Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council was formed in 1974. However, the council moved to a modern facility in Oldbury in 1989. The building has been Grade II listed since 1987.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

West Bromwich Central Library

West Bromwich Central Library is at 316 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8DZ

Originally a library was built into the town hall of West Bromwich of 1874-5. But a purpose built public library was built next door in 1907, by Stephen J Holliday, of red brick with yellow terracotta dressings. The building was a gift of Andrew Carnegie to the Borough. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1987, and is known as the Central Library, West Bromwich.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Kenrick & Jefferson Building

The Kenrick & Jefferson Building is at 1, Astle Park, High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8NS

Red brick and terracotta offices built on the West Bromwich High Street in 1883 for Kenrick & Jefferson. It was a Printing Works founded by John Arthur Kenrick and Frederick Jefferson. They bought the Free Press newspaper in 1878 to help promote Liberalism.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Cross in Hand

The Cross in Hand sculpture outside the Wesley Methodist Church,  291 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8ND

The sculpture called Cross in Hand was originally unveiled in October 1989. It previously stood at the entrance to the Duchess Parade, but was removed in 2012 to make way for improvements to the pedestrian High Street, carried out by Fitzgerald Civil Engineering Contractors. It was created by Chris Dunseath and is dedicated to John Wesley, preacher and religious reformer, who preached many times in the 18th century in West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Tipton. His biblical teaching resulted in a revival of the Christian Church and the founding of the Methodist movement. The hand and cross is a symbolic representation of his message being accepted by the people.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Now briefly turn onto St Michael's Street for the Billiard Hall.

 

The Catholic Church of St Michael and the Holy Angels

The Catholic Church of St Michael and the Holy Angels is at 260 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8AQ. On the corner with St Michael Street.

A Roman Catholic Church in West Bromwich Town Centre. The Roman Catholic Church of St Michael and The Holy Angels West Bromwich was built from 1875-77 by Dunn and Hansom. The tower and spire was added by 1911 by Edmund Kirby. Built of  Red brick with some stone dressings and tile roof. A Grade II listed building since 1974. It is close to the West Bromwich High Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Billiard Hall

The Billiard Hall is at St Michael's Street, West Bromwich Ringway, West Bromwich, B70 7AB

Built as a snooker and billiard hall in 1913 in West Bromwich, since the early 21st century, the building has been used as a JD Wetherspoon Free House.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Head up New Street from St Michael's Street towards New Square shopping centre.  Perhaps stop for a coffee at Costa Coffee? On sunny blue sky days, it does get a bit bright in that Costa. There is other venues for lunch here including Nandos and a pub called the Interceptor.

 

The Sandwell

The Sandwell is at 277 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8ND. Corner with New Street.

A corner public house in West Bromwich at High Street and New Street. Now called The Sandwell. It was known as The Goose until at least 2015-16. And was associated in the past with Mitchells & Butlers. Now owned by Great UK Pubs.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Madeleine Carroll Memorial

The Madeleine Carroll Memorial on New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG

A 2006-7 memorial to the actress Madeleine Carroll (1906-87), in the shape of a lollipop stick. It's located outside of The Public (now Central St Michael's Sixth Form College) on New Street in West Bromwich. The world famous actress was born in West Bromwich in 1906. She starred in Alfred Hitchock's 'The 39 Steps' amongst many other films. She also won awards for her humanitarian work during the Second World War.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Central St Michael's Sixth Form College

Central St Michael's Sixth Form College is at New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG

This building was originally a public arts venue called The Public, designed by Will Alsop. It was fully open by 2009, but it closed it's doors by late 2013 and was handed over to Sandwell College, where it became Central Sixth Sandwell College in 2014. By 2018 it was renamed to Central St Michael's Sixth Form College (following a merger between Sandwell College and Cadbury College). 

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Celebration WBA statue

The Celebration Statue at New Square shopping centre, West Bromwich, B70 7PP

The Three Degrees: Brendon Batson (born 1953), Laurie Cummingham (1956-89) and Cyrille Regis (1958-2018). Three former black football players for West Bromwich Albion during the 1970s and '80s. The bronze statue was unveiled in May 2019, sculpted by the artist Graham Ibbeson. Their appearance in top flight football, led to more black footballers being accepted in the game. Located in New Square shopping centre, West Bromwich.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Portrait bust of Phil Lynott

The Phil Lynott memorial at New Square, West Bromwich, B70 7PG

A portrait bust / bronze statue of the singer Phil Lynott (1949-86) unveiled in August 2021 on what would have been his 72nd birthday. He was a member of the band Thin Lizzy. It's located in New Square, West Bromwich behind Central St Michael's Sixth Form College (formerly The Public). It was sculpted by Luke Perry.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Walk back along New Street, then turn left onto the High Street. You will walk past the markets and shops. Head towards Dartmouth Square where there is a memorial fountain and a clock.

 

I am the King of the Castle

I am the King of the Castle sculpture on the High Street, West Bromwich, B70 7LX

A bronze sculpture of a Lion King sitting on top of a castle, which is on top of an elephant. It was unveiled originally on the 30th January 1990 by the then leader of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Councillor C. R. Davis. The sculptor was Laura Ford and it was name I am the King of the Castle. It was moved from an entrance of the Kings Square Shopping Centre in 2012 for repairs and restoration to this location in 2014 on the High Street in West Bromwich near St Michael Street and New Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain

The Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain in Dartmouth Square att 161 High St, West Bromwich B70 7QX

This drinking fountain and canopy was originally erected in 1885 in Dartmouth Park by Alderman Farley J.P. the son of Elizabeth Farley, of whom the fountain was in memory of. In 1987, the drinking fountain and canopy was relocated to the High Street at Dartmouth Square, around the time it was granted Grade II listing status. It used to be in a dark red colour, and a canopy over it from the Farley Centre was removed between 2012 and 2014. It was renovated and repainted in blue and green in 2022.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Kenrick's Clock

Kenrick's Clock is in Dartmouth Square at High Street, West Bromwich, B70 7QU

This Grade II listed clock dates to 1912, and was presented to the Borough by the then Mayor, Councillor J Archibald Kenrick. The clock was relocated in 2000 from a traffic island to it's current position in Dartmouth Square. In 2022, the clock was refurbished and repainted from it's old red colours to blue and green.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

From Dartmouth Square, cross over at the lights at Bull Street, and continue down the High Street. Several Indian / Asian related restaurants and bars down here. The cross over the lights at Trinity Way.

 

The Great Lion Bar & Grill

The Great Lion Bar & Grill is at 43 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 6PB

A red brick and stone building, built as the Lewisham Hotel in 1887. To the rear was the Lewisham Brewery, the architect was Arthur James Price. In recent years the building has been Desi Junction, and since 2021-22, as The Great Lion Bar & Grill, an Indian restaurant.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Continue down the High Street, which then becomes Birmingham Road. At West Bromwich Interchange, which is M5, Junction 1, there is pavements around it. Wait for the traffic lights to stop the traffic before crossing safely. As you will go past a Georgian landmark, the only surviving building from Sandwell Hall, it's lodge!

 

The Lodge of Sandwell Hall

The Lodge of Sandwell Hall at West Bromwich Interchange, West Bromwich, B71 4EA

This remarkable survival might date to the early 18th century, it was the Lodge of Sandwell Hall. The remains of the hall are at Sandwell Valley Country Park (not far from the Sandwell Priory ruins). It is thought that William Smith designed this lodge. The M5 motorway was opened in stages between 1962 and 1972, and this lodge is a feature in West Bromwich for drivers around the Interchange. You can also see it from the top deck of the no 74 bus.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

From West Bromwich Interchange, walk down Birmingham Road, then cross the footbridge, as you will be approaching the home stadium of West Bromwich Albion Football Club. The Hawthorns. There is also a Starbucks Drive Thru, McDonald's and Greggs nearby.

 

West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club

West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club is at Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B69 4EX

A cricket club founded in West Bromwich in 1834. They are a friendly, sociable and inclusive cricket club. The are close to The Hawthorns (West Bromwich Albion FC) and Sandwell Park Golf Club.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Allied Bakeries West Bromwich

Allied Bakeries West Bromwich is at Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B71 4JH

Part of a network of bakeries across the UK, this is the Allied Bakeries located in West Bromwich, opposite The Hawthorns. Allied Bakeries was founded in 1935 when bakery entrepreneur Willard Garfield Weston set up Allied Bakeries and sister company Allied Mills. That group of mills and bakeries is the foundation of what was to become a great British business – Associated British Foods, a global PLC, still run by the Weston family.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Greggs - formerly The Hawthorns Public House

Greggs is at 2 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B71 4JZ. Corner of Halfords Lane.

A house built in circa 1840. It was a public house called The Hawthorns (used by the WBA Supporters Throstle Club). But has been been part of the Greggs bakery chain since 2015. The building is Grade II listed.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Hawthorns - home of West Bromwich Albion

The Hawthorns at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4LF. Also on Birmingham Road.

West Bromwich Albion has been located at The Hawthorns since 1900, the stadium is located on Birmingham Road, on the corner with Halfords Lane. It is here that you will find the 2014 statue of Tony 'Bomber' Brown, WBA's highest goal scorer!

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tony 'Bomber' Brown WBA statue

The Tony 'Bomber' Brown statue outside The East Stand, The Hawthorns, West Bromwich,  B21 0BH

A bronze statue located at The Hawthorns football stadium, home of West Bromwich Albion. Tony Brown (born 1945) was WBA's highest goal scorer. The statue was sculpted by Jonathan Wylder and unveiled in November 2014. It was removed for cleaning in 2020 before it was returned in 2021. It can be seen from Birmingham Road through the Jeff Astle (1942 - 2002) gates.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Hawthorns Tram Stop

The Hawthorns Tram Stop at The Hawthorns Station, between Halfords Lane and Middlemore Road, West Bromwich, B66 2HB

Enter The Hawthorns Tram Stop from Middlemore Road in West Bromwich. There is a path called Roger Horton Way from there. Just head down the steps and wait for your tram back to Birmingham.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Elevate Property Group development, designed by K4, and being built by Bespoke, is delightfully taking shape, as our images demonstrate.

The formation of a dynamic new community on a once quiet, tired street will see 85 one to three-bedroom homes created through interconnected new builds and the conversion of the site’s historical gem, Gunsmith House, into chic new homes.

Many residents will benefit from having access to their own private balconies, while a landscaped courtyard ‘oasis’ garden will be available for all. The development will also offer gated car parking for seven vehicles, EV charging bays, and spaces for 85 bicycles.

Capping off the development will be a unique new 3m artwork sculpture overlooking the rapidly changing area, similar to that of Assay Lofts, another exemplary development from Elevate.

Photos by Stephen Giles; CGIs from Elevate PG.

You can follow the project here with us, as well as on Twitter, and on Instagram

Back to Backs

It is best to book your tour in advance for the Back to Backs, as they are usually fully booked if you arrive without pre-booked tickets at the Visitor Centre (corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street).

National Trust members go free (they will scan your card in the Visitor Centre). Otherwise, tickets for adults are £7.50 and for children £3.75 (ground floor only). The full guided tour costs for £9.50 for adults and £4.75 for children.

 

Hurst Street

The Visitor Centre is at the corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street, while the former George Saunders tailoring shop you will see during the guided tour. To the far left is the second hand book shop. Upstairs on the 1st and 2nd floors are the special exhibition rooms.

 

 

Here's the exterior of George Saunders Tailoring. The tailor was here on Hurst Street from 1974 to 2001. You will see more of that from the guided tour.

 

Inge Street

The guided tour starts outside the three terraced houses on Inge Street. The tour guides take the group of about 10 people through the gate.

 

Special exhibition

In 2023, the Back to Backs is the proud host of a special exhibition called From City of Empire to City of Diversity. This is on the floors above the second hand bookshop.

The exhibition tells the tale of Birmingham from City Status in 1889 to the present day, with people of South Asian and Caribbean heritage very much part of this exhibition. It is on the 1st and 2nd floors, accessed via the narrow spiral style staircases (with hand rails and grips to go up and down).

 

Court 15 - inner courtyard

This is the only surviving courtyard in the block. Built after 1801, there used to be other courts of back to back houses down Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Essex Street and Inge Street. The rest were demolished. Court 15 was restored after 2001, and opened as a museum by the National Trust in 2004.

 

To the far left are three outdoor privies (toilets). The one on the left was just a hole with a bucket below. The second was a flushing toilet with long pull cord. 

On this side is the Wash House, women would work hard all day washing and cleaning clothes and sheets etc, manually.  There was no plumbing or mod cons back in the 19th century.

Outside is a bike, a child's wheelchair and what looks like a skateboard.

Some rooms above had windows with views to the courtyard below. Here's the Wash Room again.

Other groups were visiting Back to Backs at different times. This group were near the privies, so at the end of their guided tour.

We were taken into three houses. The left was set up as the 1840's for the Levy's. Then the 1870's for the Oldfield's. Finally the 1930's with the Mitchell Brothers.

There is a bicycle outside of one of the houses.

Here's the 1840's house in the corner.

This is the alleyway we came into at the beginning of the tour from Inge Street. They lock the gate now, but it never used to be locked back in the day.

 

Wash Room

The Wash Room or laundry room is accessed from the inner courtyard. There is so much manual equipment and tools here to wash and dry your clothes and women would be doing this all day long. There is also shoe polish and a basic iron for ironing clothes.

 

House 1 - 1840's Levy's

The first house you enter from the inner courtyard is on the far left. It is set up as an 1840's home of the Levy's, who were Jewish. The dining table is set up with bread and wine with candles on the table. Although the candle sticks would normally be close together. 

The daughter had to share a room with her parents, but the boys had their room on the top floor. They got the beds through the window, as the staircase was way too narrow to carry beds up to the rooms. There was a potty under the bed.

Here is the fireplace in the bedroom and a dressing table.

Three beds are in the boys room on the 2nd floor. There was also unfurnished rooms on the top floor to show how bad a condition the property was before it was restored from 2001-4.

 

House 2 - 1870's The Oldfield's

30 years later, the middle house in the 1870's was the home of the Oldfield family.

There is a bedroom workstation for making clock hands during the day. They would put their own thing onto the attachment at the front.

In one bedroom, a curtain divides the beds from the lodgers.

There are some rabbit ornaments on the dressing table next to the light, with a hand mirror.

Downstairs, there is a kitchen table with basic food and a candle stick lit in the middle.

 

House 3 - 1930's The Mitchell Brothers

No, not the Mitchell Brothers from Eastenders! In this case, the Mitchell Brothers were elderly men in their 60's or 70's living during the 1930's. The decade of three Kings (George V, Edward VIII and George VI) and the start of WW2.

On the window sill on the ground floor, there is a potted plant, some jugs, playing cards etc.

A Bakelite radio is on the ground floor with a mirror and other objects.

There are items above a chest of drawers in one of the bedrooms. There are some books or notebooks plus a clock and candle sticks.

 

1970's George Saunders Tailoring

George Saunders, from the West Indies, set up his tailoring business on Hurst Street in 1974. He stayed until he retired in 2001 (before the houses were restored). He mainly made suits for men. All of the contents are original as he left them.

Here is one of the machines for making or pressing buttons.

Here is a table with some magazines and a radio.

Here is the ground floor shop, George's desk with phone, postcards etc.

Photography by Elliott Brown

We hope you have enjoyed this post and tour of Back to Backs. 

 

JQ Rise is a four-, eight-, and 24-storey development on Summer Hill Road, a primary thoroughfare into Birmingham city centre – and the project is progressing well onsite, as our drone images show.

The development, a perfect location for young professionals, couples, and students, will accommodate up to 226 1-3 bed apartments and a penthouse duplex.

JQ Rise comes in three elements: a 4-storey to Goodman Street; a 24-storey tower to the corner of Goodman Street, with a recessed duplex penthouse at its peak, plus an 8-storey shoulder fronting Summer Hill Road.

There will also be a spacious external courtyard, minimal spaces for vehicles, and in order to promote sustainable modes of transportation, there will be 226 bicycle places made available for residents.

JQ Rise is a development from Prosperity, designed by K4 and executed by CBP.

Drone images by Stephen Giles; Ground floor and CGIs from Prosperity Wealth.

Showhill Wharf Full Construction Photo Gallery

Berkeley Group's Snow Hill Wharf is complete.

420 (1-3 bed) new homes, 24-hour concierge, gym, sauna, steam room, cinema and lounges galore.

Quality!

Here is a selection of the over 200 photos of the construction of this project:

April 2019

October 2019

December 2019

February 2020

Macrh 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

August 2020

December 2020

Photography above by Stephen Giles

 

February 2021

April 2021

July 2021

Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

October 2021

Photography by Stephen Giles

 

September 2021

November 2021

February 2022

October 2022

Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

January 2023

Photography by Jonathan Bostock

 

There are 0ver 200 photos in Full Construction Photo Gallery for this site:

Showhill Wharf Full Construction Photo Gallery

 

 

Sustrans on the National Cycle Network

Explore Birmingham using the National Cycle Network.

Local Heroes are sculptures that are part of a series celebrating local heroes, chosen by communities across the UK.

For more information visit: Sustrans Portrait benches.

These were created to celebrate Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

It was reported by the BBC - article here: Sir Lenny Henry sculpture boosts Birmingham community park. And by the Birmingham Mail: Lenny Henry 'moved' as sculpture unveiled at park - alongside Jane Sixsmith and Ellie Simmonds.

 

Osler Street Play Area, Ladywood, Birmingham

In Birmingham the three statues were unveiled on the 1st February 2023 at Osler Street Play Area (or Osler Street Park) in Ladywood. Close to Clark Street, Reservoir Road and Osler Street (plus close to Edgbaston Reservoir).

They depict local heroes: Jane Sixsmith, Ellie Simmonds and Lenny Henry.

 

 

Jane Sixsmith MBE

Jane Sixsmith is the first British female hockey player to compete in four Olympics. She retired from international hockey after scoring over 100 goals, winning 165 caps for England and 158 for Great Britain. Her honours include an MBE, an Olympic bronze (1992), European Cup gold (1991) and a Commonwealth silver medal (1998).

 

Ellie Simmonds OBE

Ellie Simmonds is a British former Paralympian swimmer. She competed at the Summer Paralympics in 2008 in Beijing, winning two gold medals aged 13. She won further gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics and the Rio 2016 Paralympics. She set a 400m freestyle world record in London 2012, and a 200m medley world record in Rio.

 

 

Sir Lenny Henry CBE

Lenny Henry is an actor, comedian, singer, presenter and writer from Dudley. He co-founded the charity Comic Relief in 1985, and was knighted in 2015 for services to drama and charity. More recently Lenny acted in Amazon Prime Video's Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Netflix's The Witcher: Blood Origin.

 

Some more views

The approach on the path from Osler Street.

 

The Exploring Birmingham Using the National Cycle Network sign.

 

The sign with the three statues.

 

The view from Clark Street, just having left the path.

 

Clark Street view with all three statues. The view towards the main entrance of Edgbaston Reservoir.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

Below is a selection of recent additions to the full construction photo gallery...

28th December 2022

7th January 2023

Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor  Daniel Sturley

13th January 2023

Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

14th January 2023

15th January 2023

18th January 2023

19th January 2023

21st January 2023

Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

26th January 2023

Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

28th January 2023

Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

Huge gallery for Octagon 

There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

 

Brought forward by Claremont Land and New Homes, Summer Hill House is to be sympathetically converted & rear new builds built to deliver 40 one-, two- & three-bedroom apartments & townhouses, along with two commercial units.

The grand old site on Summer Hill Terrace comprises two near-Victorian era properties that were built as children’s homes in the early 20th century.

Its historical aesthetic will be maintained before being carefully maximised through its conversion & the introduction of dormers to its roof slope.

Unsympathetic modern rear extensions will be removed to improve circulation before being remodelled with new 3 & 4-storey rear wings to each building; a 2-storey to the rear eastern boundary, and a detached 4-storey to accommodate 4 spacious townhouses.

A 2-storey side infill extension, designed as a coach house, will also be built and will house the two Class E commercial units. Once complete, Summer Hill House will also offer four affordable 'First Homes' at 30% discount

You can follow the development here with us.

Summer Hill House, images from D5 Architects.

 

Washwood Heath Depot is where HS2 trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use.

The 30-acre site will be transformed into the nerve centre of the new High Speed railway line, creating 550 jobs in the process.

Three buildings will be built: a Maintenance Building depot, a Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC], and a cleaners’ and drivers’ [C&D] building – each incorporating solar panels, sustainable drainage, renewable energy & low carbon materials.

All three buildings have been designed to allow maximum accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, with dedicated routes connecting with Birmingham’s future transport network.

A contractor will be announced in autumn 2023.

Maintenance Building depot:

Network Integrated Control Centre [NICC]:

Cleaners’ and Drivers’ [C&D] building:

In non HS2-related news, the wider underutilised site will continue its rich history of providing industrial employment with Aviva set to bring forward four new units – that application, which has been approved, can be viewed here.

Washwood Heath depot, CGIs from HS2's Engineering Delivery Partnership [EDP].

Exchange Square in Birmingham - how things have developed.

Here, we take a look at this huge development from September 2021 to present.

September 2021

October 2021

December 2021

February 2022

16th April 2022

May 2022

July 2022

August 2022

September 2022

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

January 2023

Photography by contributors to ItsYourBuild and BirminghamWeAre.

Please see the full construction photo gallery for this build here: Exchange Square Phase 1 & 2

The Lunar New Year lion dance tour in late January 2023, continued at Westside, on Thursday afternoon, on the 26th, after 2pm.

After setting up outside of the Library of Birmingham, they went past The REP, towards The ICC.

Photography by Elliott Brown