Birmingham is undergoing huge change and location by location, we are taking a look at a) the past, b) the present, and most importantly, c) the future.

Birmingham skyline as seen from Lickey Hills (Jan 2024) - photography by Daniel Sturley.

 

We will use imagery and, increasing, more innovative tech to show how places can change and how community can be engaged and involved in this change.

As this place-making and place-shaping partnership between business, the council and the community grows, we will use our collaborative space and our digital tools to open up features specific to each of the locations we cover.

Birmingham skyline as seen from Edgbaston Reservoir (Jan 2024).  Photography by Daniel Sturley.

 

103 Colmore Row

The NatWest Tower at 103 Colmore Row was built from 1973 to 1976 to the Brutalist designs of John Madin. But by the 2000s the building had been empty for quite some time. It was eventually demolished between 2015 and 2018. Construction of the new 103 Colmore Row began in 2019 and was completed in 2021. It opened in 2022.

103 Colmore Row in 2015 and 2022 from the Secret Garden, Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise in the city centre

This is an area covering Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square and a major development in Birmingham.

Paradise Birmingham from 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2022. Discovery Terrace, Library of Birmingham view. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise Circus (then)

View to Birmingham Central Library from the Skyline Viewpoint, Level 9 at the Library of Birmingham, September 2013. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise (now)

Paradise Birmingham from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row, Key to the City, July 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise (Then and Now)

From Madin's brutalist Central Library and NatWest Tower, to the modern Paradise development and 103 Colmore Row.

Paradise Birmingham from the Skyline Viewpoint 2013 and 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise (the future)

What does the future have in store.

 

Arena Central

In little under a decade, the Alpha Tower was joined by HSBC UK at One Centenary Square, along with HMRC at Three Arena Central. Behind there is also a Holiday Inn Express hotel. And the Birmingham Municipal Bank was redeveloped into The Exchange for the University of Birmingham.

Arena Central from the Skyline Viewpoint 2013 and 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Broad Street in Westside

Broad Street from the Secret Garden, Library of Birmingham in 2013, preliminary Metro works in 2018,  a couple of days before and after the Metro extension opened on the 15th and 20th July 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Smithfield in Southside

Birmingham 2022 at Smithfield. View from 103 Colmore Row, Key to the City, June 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Victoria Square

During Key to the City, the View from 103 Colmore Row, 18th floor balcony. June, July and August 2022 in Victoria Square.

Victoria Square, View from 103 Colmore Row, Key to the City from June to August 2022. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

City Centre Gardens

12 months difference, 13th August in 2021 (no heatwave) and the same day a year later in 2022 (heatwave and a drought). Not much rain in the summer shows how dry the grass is now.

City Centre Gardens on the 13th August in 2021 and 2022 from the Library of Birmingham, Discovery Terrace. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Cambridge Street pizza island

Maintained over the years by Cofton Nursery. This roundabout is behind The REP, and can be seen from above from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Can see the changes when a heatwave is on.

Cambridge Street island in 2013, 2018 and 2022, from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown