Colmore Square - A Birmingham Gem!

Colmore Square is located in the middle of Colmore Circus Queensway between The Wesleyan and One Colmore Square. Between Steelhouse Lane and Colmore Row. The first Metro extension passes it.


At the centre of Colmore Circus Queensway is Colmore Square. There used to be subways here, but they were filled in around the late 1990s or early 2000s. Part of the Colmore Business District, you walk through here from Steelhouse Lane towards Colmore Row. Or from The Priory Queensway or Bull Street.

Buildings at Colmore Square include The Wesleyan (completed in 1991) and One Colmore Square (completed in 2004).

Colmore Square

Colmore Square (May 2009). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

In 2014, Colmore Square was refurbished, this included new benches, and flower planter areas. Plus some chess board benches.

Colmore Square

Colmore Square refurb (April 2014). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

In the summer of 2022, Key to the City Birmingham lets you get access to the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row, and you can zoom down to Colmore Square with your camera.

Colmore SquareColmore Square from the view at 103 Colmore Row (June 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Midland Metro City Centre Extension

The first Midland Metro extension was built near the square on part of Colmore Circus Queensway from 2012 to 2015. The line from Snow Hill to New Street stations opened in stages from December 2015 to 2016. Initially the first tram stop to open was on Bull Street (before Corporation Street or Grand Central opened).

Midland Metro extension Colmore Square

Midland Metro extension from Colmore Square (November 2012). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Midland Metro tram 20

Midland Metro tram 20 passes Colmore Square (December 2015). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

Every summer, the was a Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail piece for everyone to enjoy. Planted and made by Cofton Nursery.

Female Weightlifter for the London 2012 Olympics.

Female Weightlifter

Female Weightlifter in Colmore Square (August 2012). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Folding Bicycle to commemorate 100 years since the start of WW1.

Folding Bicycle

Folding Bicycle in Colmore Square (July 2015). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Rock 'n' Roll Drums during Black Sabbath's 50th Anniversary, while they also had an exhibition on at the Gas Hall that summer.

Rock 'N' Roll Drums

Rock 'N' Roll Drums in Colmore Square (July 2019). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

In the summer of 2015, for 10 weeks, there was 3 painted owls of The Big Hoot trail around Birmingham located in Colmore Square. When the trail ended, the owls were sold off for charity.

Leo by the artist Ruth Green.

The Big Hoot

Leo in Colmore Square (July 2015).  Artist: Ruth Green.  Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Tessellated Triangles by the artist Deven Bhurke.

The Big Hoot

Tessellated Triangles in Colmore Square (July 2015).  Artist: Deven Bhurke.  Photo by Elliott Brown

 

The Graduate by the artist Deven Bhurke.

The Big Hoot

The Graduate in Colmore Square (July 2015).  Artist: Deven Bhurke. Photo by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

Two years on from The Big Hoot, another trail was around Birmingham and the West Midlands. This time a trail of bears called The Big Sleuth. Colmore Square had three bears as you can see below. It ran from the summer of 2017 for 10 weeks. Before being sold off for charity.

Get Your Bearings designed by Tom Crotty. Painted by G-Anders.

The Big Sleuth

Get Your Bearings in Colmore Square (July 2017).  Designed by Tom Crotty. Painted by G-Anders. Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Birminghamshire by the artist Rachel Blackwell. 

The Big Sleuth

Birminghamshire in Colmore Square (July 2017). Artist: Rachel Blackwell. Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Captain Blue Bear by the artist Maria Burns.

The Big Sleuth

Captain Blue Bear in Colmore Square (July 2017).  Artist: Maria Burns.  Photo by Elliott Brown

Project dates

14 Jan 2021 - On-going

Passions

Photography, People & community, Modern Architecture
Landscape architecture, Squares and public spaces

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com