After a busy day yesterday we had a bit of a lay-in and then off for a bit of shopping and a visit to the art gallery/museum.
As we passed through Centenary Square Amy said that she had never been in the Hall of Memory so we popped in. There are the three Rolls of Honour books one for each world war and one for those that died afterwards. The building was started in June 1923 when the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone. It was the first of the civic buildings that were planned for what is now known as Centenary Square. There was a Baskerville House here previously when the Baskerville font was 'invented'. That was pulled down following damage in a riot and a canal arms was built. The Hall of Memory was built on the infilled basin. There are three bas-relief plaques by local artist William Boyle. The figures are of those men from Birmingham.
The window is by R.J. Stubbington and looks great from the dark interior. Outside are four statues that represent the Army, Air Force and .... Women's services.
We knew that until fairly recently the museum/art gallery had been fully closed but knew that it had partly re-opened so we went for a look. There still wasn't much open but we did the tour and headed for the Edwardian Tearooms. They were very busy and just weren't manned for the rush. But this is the ceiling of the area. I assume that the light was by gas as there seems to be a plate to stop 'stuff' dropping down on those below, and big pipes too.
As we headed down New Street Helen and Amy ducked into a shop and stayed out in the street and noticed this Art Deco building. It is the White House and was built in 1928 and was one of the first concrete framed buildings in Birmingham. It was built by the Horon Family. Isaac Horton (1821 - 1892) was a butcher in Lichfield and branched out to cheese and provisions. He also invested profits in property, specialising in land near to railway stations as he saw it a good investment. In 1871 he bought the Midland Hotel and the estate business became a major part and and has been run by the family to this day. The land was acquired and this lovely building was erected.
Next to the White House is the Piccadilly Arcade. This building started off as luxury cinema called the Picture House. It opened in 1910 and had a reading room and two cafes above. It was designed by local firm Nichol and Nichol. It didn't last long and was shut in 1926. It was then converted into an arcade of shops that went through, down hill, to Stephenson Street. It was then known as the West End Arcade.
Next to the Piccadilly Arcade is this indistinct building. However it was the site of a theater, the first of which was built in 1774 and known as the Theatre Royal, before being burned down and then being rebuilt in 1807, 1902 and the redundant in 1950. The site was sold to Woolworth's for a new store. They demlished the theatre and built their store that opened in 1958. They moved on in 1983 and of course went out of business in 2008/09.
This is now the Apple Store a little further down New Street. Previously it had been Waterstone';s and before that Dillon's book shop. It had been built as one of the first branches of Birmingham's Midland Bank. It was built between 1867 and 1869 with a rear extension in 1875. It was designed by architect Edward Holmes and is, apparently classical palazzo style Ionic columns either side of the doorway and Corinthian columns forming the pilaster.
This iconic Birmingham building is the Rotunda, and seems to be known by some as the Bull Ring Tower. It was opened in 1965 as offices.It was designed by James Roberts and originally had a digital clock at the top as I remember in red. It is 81mt 266 ft tall. Later in its life it was threatened with demolition but an outcry ensure it was saved as being Listed Grade II. It had a massive refurbishment between 2008 and 09 and had two floors of apartments now.
This is the corner of New Street and Cannon Street. Before Charles Tyrwitt it was Austin Reed's and before that I believe it was the Holroyd's Wollen Warehouse from when the building was erected in 1856. New Street Station first opened in 1854.
This was taken in the shiny cladding that is a round the new New Street, or Grand Central Mall. We do love a reflection photo.
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