Central Square at Brindleyplace, consists of a 90-metre tree-lined area which is able to accommodate open-air performing arts events, such as ArtsFest. The square is paved in York stone and has a fountain featuring 38 jets of water. 

Central Square, Brindleyplace (October 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

At the centre of Central Square in Brindleyplace is the Costa Coffee cafe. It was designed by Piers Gough. Made of glass and steel, it has an "eye-shaped" footprint.

Costa Cafe in Central Square, Brindleyplace (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The square is surrounded by Two Brindleyplace, Three Brindleyplace, Four Brindleyplace, Five Brindleyplace and Six Brindleyplace.

Central Square, Brindleyplace (February 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

The Water's Edge is to the north east corner, while the National Sealife Centre is to the north west corner of the square.

Towards the National Sealife Centre from Central Square, Brindleyplace (December 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

You can also get coffee from Caffe Nero at Four Brindleyplace and Pret a Manger at Six Brindleyplace. Plus there is a restaurant called BANK at Four Brindeyplace. In recent years, Zizzi and CAU opened up at Three Brindleyplace (in 2016). But by 2019, Pulperia was due to open where CAU used to be.

Towards Four Brindleyplace in Central Square, Brindleyplace from The Water's Edge (December 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

'Aquaduct' by Miles Davies

This sculpture was unveiled in Central Square in August 1995 close to Four Brindleyplace. Made of bronze and sulphur. Sculpted in two pieces it resembles an aqueduct. It is on a lowered stepped base. It was manufactured by Burleighfield Arts and supported by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts. It was a winning entry in a competition from Brindleyplace and the Royal Society of British Sculptors.

Aquaduct (by Miles Davies) in Central Square, Brindleyplace (November 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

38 Jets of Water

The fountains with 38 jets of water is from the approach from The Water's Edge into Central Square. There is a path down the middle. Close to Two and Three Brindleyplace. The path leads down to the Costa Cafe.

38 water jets at Central Square, Brindleyplace (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Two Brindleyplace

This is a 6 storey office block with 75,000 square feet of office space. At one point it was the offices of the Lloyds Banking Group. Made of Marshalls clay brick in a Flemish bond.

Two Brindleyplace in Central Square (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Three Brindleyplace

Looking lost out of Venice, it was built between 1996 and 1998. At one point the offices were occupied by Avison Young, Towers Watson and Landmark Space. In recent years, the ground floor has been converted to restaurant use with Zizzi and CAU (later replaced by Pulperia).

Three Brindleyplace in Central Square (June 2018). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Four Brindleyplace

This building has over 114,000 square feet of office space. Built during the late 1990s. Caffe Nero and BANK are on the ground floor.

Four Brindleyplace in Central Square (April 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Five Brindleyplace

This building was pre-let by BT in 1994. Built between 1995 and 1997. Has around 120,000 square feet of offices space. BT moved out in 2011. After renovation in 2014, Deutsche Bank moved in. Places Birmingham occupies the retail space on the ground floor.

Five Brindleyplace in Central Square (November 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Events in Central Square, Brindleyplace over the years

There has been many events in Central Square over the years, such as the 4 Squares Weekender, Fine and Local Food Market, Brindleyplace Film Festival to name just a few. Plus The Big Hoot and Sleuth trails. As well as the annual Christmas tree and lights.

 

4 Squares Weekender

This was held on the 2nd weekend of September 2013, celebrating the opening of the new Library of Birmingham. Various activities in each square used. Here we had a thrilling aerial sculpture called Pif Paf, within a transforming mechanical world of action, metal and rope, presented by mac Birmingham.

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

 

Fine and Local Food Market

This took place at the end of May 2014, several food markets close to Two Brindleyplace.

Fine and Local Food Market in Central Square (May 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Brindleyplace Film Festival

This usually takes place every year in July for about a week. People can sit on the steps and watch a film in the open air.

Brindleyplace Film Festival in Central Square (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

A trail of painted owls around Birmingham during the summer of 2015 for 10 weeks. There was two owls in Central Square.

You Can Call Me Owl by artist Stephen McKay. The sponsor was Brindleyplace.

You Can Call Me Owl (by artist Stephen McKay) in Central Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Oozells Owl by artist Jodie Silverman. The sponsor was Deutsche Bank.

The Oozells Owl (by artist Jodie Silverman) in Central Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

A trail of painted bears around Birmingham during the summer of 2017 for 10 weeks. There was two bears in Central Square.

Bear'indleyplace by artist Jennifer Shufflebottom. The sponsor was Brindleyplace.

Bear'indleyplace (by artist Jennifer Shufflebottom) in Central Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bearlock by artist Lee O'Brien. The sponsor was Deustche Bank.

Bearlock (by artist Lee O'Brien) in Central Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Christmas decorations at Central Square

There is usually an annual Christmas tree in the square each year, plus the various fairy lights around Brindleyplace.

At Christmas 2016 there was this unique Christmas boot sculpture, probably from the Magical Lantern Festival, which at the time was at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Christmas boot at Central Square (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Christmas tree in Central Square is never the same each year, some years they have a real tree, sometimes an artificial one!

Christmas Tree at Central Square (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Christmas tree in Central Square (December 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Go to this post for more Events in Central Square.