Where is Methodist Central Hall?

Methodist Central Hall is at 196-224 Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6QB

 

In brief

A red brick and terracotta building at 196-224 Corporation Street and 1, 3 and 5 Ryder Street. By E and J A Harper. Built from 1903 to 1904. A Grade II* listed building. Shops on the ground floor, but has been empty for a very long time, and at one point was scaffolding at the back on Dalton Street.

 

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The other feature is here "The Dean" - note to Jonathan / Daniel - merge the old and new project?

 

Methodist Central Hall - history

The Methodist Central Hall at 196–224 Corporation Street, is a three-storey red brick and terracotta Grade II* listed building with a distinctive tower at the northern end of Corporation Street.

Methodist Central Hall on Corporation Street (February 2021). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

The design complements the Victoria Law Courts opposite, also in terracotta, and includes eclectic details such as the corner turrets resembling Indian chattris.

It is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.

The terracotta was manufactured by the renowned firm of Gibbs and Canning Limited of Tamworth, which also produced decorative works for 179-203 Corporation Street and the interior of the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham and the Natural History Museum in London.

Methodist Central Hall with scaffolding on Dalton Street near James Watt Queensway (February 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was built 1903–04 by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper.

The main hall seated 2,000 and it had more than 30 other rooms, including three school halls.

It cost £96,165.

The street level has twelve bays of shops (four with their original fronts).

Annexe Restaurant and Bar on Corporation Street (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The building also runs along Ryder Street and has more original shop fronts.

In 1991, the Methodist Church was converted into a nightclub; however, since its closure in 2002, the building fell empty and was poorly maintained.

Methodist Central Mission on Corporation Street (December 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Currently it is only partially in use and its deteriorating condition has led to it being listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

Get Stuffed - Corporation Street (August 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The building has been the subject of various proposals for conversion to apartments and offices.

In 2018 Birmingham City Council approved plans to restore and renovate the building including a 147-bed hotel.

Corporation Street with the County Court, Victoria Law Courts and Methodist Central Hall (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

With its distictive tower and terracotta exterior, the Methodist Central Hall is one of Birmingham's most famous buildings and the red brick and terracotta exterior manufactured by Tamworth's Gibbs and Canning complements the Victoria Law Courts opposite.

 Methodist Central Hall in 2018. Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

It was built in 1903-04 by architects Ewan and James Harper at a cost of £96,165. 

There have been numerous plans to rennovate this wonderful building, most recently in 2017 with a £35 million proposal to covert it into a 160 bed hotel.  

 

Filming at Methodist Central Hall

Over the years the venue has been used to film for TV and film.

In December 2013, Methodist Central Hall was used to film a BBC TV series called The Game, set in 1970's London.

Filming for The Game at Methodist Central Hall on Corporation Street (December 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown