Oozells Square at Brindleyplace was developed from the 1990s onwards, to the south west for the former Oozells Street Boarding School. Now home of the IKON Gallery.

Oozells Square, Brindleyplace (May 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

On one side is Six and Seven Brindleyplace. With One and Nine Brindleyplace on the other side towards Broad Street. Eight Brindleyplace is opposite the IKON Gallery.

Oozells Square, Brindleyplace (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

IKON Gallery

The IKON gallery in the square is housed in the former Oozells Street Boarding School designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1877. It is a Grade II listed building. The gallery was established in 1965, but moved to this location in 1997, after the building was restored, and the tower rebuilt after it was demolished in the 1960s. There is a cafe on the ground floor. Until recently it was occupied by Yorks Cafe, but was originally Cafe IKON.

IKON Gallery in Oozells Square, Brindleyplace (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go to this feature for more on the IKON Gallery.

 

Six Brindleyplace

With over 92,000 square feet of office space, Six Brindleyplace is located from Central Square to Oozells Square between Cumberland Street and Oozells Street. The concept architect was Allies and Morrison and the production architect was Weedon Partnership. It opened in 2000 with a restaurant called The Thai Edge. There is now two restaurants at Six Brindleyplace in Oozells Square, including Cielo Italian and Siamais Thai Restaurant.

Six Brindleyplace in Oozells Square (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Eight Brindleyplace

Construction of Eight Brindleyplace began in July 2000, it has 92,000 square feet of office space. With 14 storeys, nine floors of office space, and five floors of residential apartments. Glamalco installed a variety of Kawneer's precision-engineered curtain walling and window products throughout the building in a partnering contract with Argent. Previous tenants include the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Eight Brindleyplace in Oozells Square (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Nine Brindleyplace

At Nine Brindleyplace between Oozells Street and Cumberland Street, towards Broad Street, there is 26,800 square feet of restaurant space and 43,000 square feet of office space. It was home to Number Nine the Gallery. In 2018 it was renovated into the Oozells Building from Oozells Square. Piccolino is the restraurant in Oozells Square in this building, near the Oozells Street corner. Free Radio Birmingham is based in this building (previously called BRMB). Coast to Coast American Restaurant & Bar is on Broad Street.

The Oozells Building, Nine Brindleyplace in Oozells Square (October 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Pergola sculpture

This sculpture in Oozells Square is located in front of Eight Brindleyplace, and was made in 1998 by Paul de Monchaux. There is a canal towards the IKON Gallery, plus some stone benches. The middle of the square is surrounded by stones on the ground.

Pergola sculpture in Oozells Square. Photography by Kev Maslin

 

Cherry Blossom Season

A selection of photography from Birmingham's people with passion of the cherry blossom in Oozells Square over the years every March.

Cherry Blossom in Oozells Square (Spring 2018). Photography by Damien Walmsley

 

Cherry Blossom in Oozells Square (Spring 2018). Photography by Kev Maslin

 

Cherry Blossom in Oozells Square (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Events in Oozells Square over the years

There has been a variety of events in Oozells Square over the years, from the 4 Squares Weekender in September 2013, to the Birmingham Weekender in September 2015. Plus The Big Hoot had an owl here outside of the IKON Gallery in the summer of 2015, and was a pair of The Big Sleuth bears in the summer of 2017.

 

4 Squares Weekender

This took place over the second weekend of September 2013, to celebrate the opening of the new Library of Birmingham. Mostly arts and crafts related activities close to the IKON Gallery.

4 Squares Weekender in Oozells Square (September 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham Weekender

This was held on the last weekend of September 2015, about two years after the original 4 Squares Weekender. More arts and crafts related events.

Birmingham Weekender in Oozells Square (September 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

A trail of painted owls around Birmingham for about 10 weeks from the summer of 2015. Later sold off at an auction for charity.

Midnight Moths was by the artist Alyn Smith, the sponsor was Harrow Green. It is outside of the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square.

Midnight Moths (by artist Alyn Smith) in Oozells Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

A trail of painted bears was around Birmingham and the West Midlands from the summer of 2017, for 10 weeks. After which they were auctioned off for charity. There was two bears at the time in Oozells Square.

The Ink Detective by the artist Mr A Singh. The sponsor was Deloitte. It was outside of the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square.

The Ink Detective (by artist Mr A Singh) in Oozells Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

Enlightenment was by the artist Valerie Osment. It was sponsored by theDudley Zoological Gardens. Was located close to Eight Brindleyplace in Oozells Square.

Enlightenment (by artist Valerie Osment) in Oozells Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Barry Flanagan hare sculpture

There was an exhibition on at the IKON Gallery from September to November 2019 of bronze sculptures by the late Barry Flanagan (1941 - 2009). One of his bronze hares called Large Troubador (2004) was placed outside the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square for a few months. Flanagan mostly sculpted his iconic bronze sculptures during the 1980s and 1990s. He studied at the Birmingham College of Art and Crafts in the late 1950s.

Barry Flanagan hare sculpture in Oozells Square (October 2019). Photography by Daniel Sturley