Squares and public spaces
15 Jun 2024 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates
Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - June 2024 update
Had an opportunity to go up to the top of Three Chamberlain Square thanks to an invite by Paradise Birmingham. So here is views to Victoria Square, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street with the on-going Public Realm Works. Colmore Row looks complete, but new bollards covered over. Waterloo Street is half done.
Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - June 2024 update
Had an opportunity to go up to the top of Three Chamberlain Square thanks to an invite by Paradise Birmingham. So here is views to Victoria Square, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street with the on-going Public Realm Works. Colmore Row looks complete, but new bollards covered over. Waterloo Street is half done.
Thank you to Paradise Birmingham for the invite on the 10th June 2024.
General views of Victoria Square over Birmingham Town Hall from the top of Three Chamberlain Square, including the Floozie in the Jacuzzi (River and Youth), the fountains and pools still flowing. Also scaffolding is up Waterloo House near Nandos.
Colmore Row as far as Newhall Street and Bennetts Hill has been completely relaid, with new bollards. The cones were still out at the time. I wonder if after this bit is done, if they will need to complete the rest between Victoria Square and Colmore Square past Cathedral Square (where the buses stop).
New Street from Victoria Square to Rotunda Square is in urgent need of repaving. It was pedestrianised in the 1990s, and the bricks keep getting dug up and relaid. Plus some of the Metro paving near Corporation Street (dating to 2015-16) is all cracked and broken, and also needs fixing. This is all due to cars, vans and lorries driving up and down (deliveries, police etc).
Squares and public spaces
12 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates
Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update
Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.
Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update
Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.
21st January 2022
The River and Youth statues in storage, while the fountain was repaired. It was back working in time for the Commonwealth Games that summer.
View from 103 Colmore Row, during Key to the City. The River and Youth fountains were back on. As you can see the paving around the fountain had yet to be done, this would have to wait until early 2023, due to events coming up, such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that summer. It was at this time that the Queen Victoria statue was transformed by artist Hew Locke (Foreign Exchange).
After PoliNations ended, this was the last time Victoria Square was fully opened, before the return of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Before that was Diwali on the Square in October. Work to resume renovating the square, only started up again at the end of December 2022.
Hoardings have gone back up again around the Council House, Council House Extension, Museum & Art Gallery again, the renovation and rewiring works will take until sometime in 2024.
During the week is workers on site, so didn't want to get my camera over the high fence, this is the path from Colmore Row / Waterloo Street, through the top of Victoria Square towards the Town Hall and Chamberlain Square.
I've only really passed through Victoria Square while Diwali on the Square was on, just stopping to get my photos in the middle of my photo walk. These are my photos of the event from October 2018, October 2019 and October 2022. It was held by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham.
I've only really passed through Victoria Square while Diwali on the Square was on, just stopping to get my photos in the middle of my photo walk. These are my photos of the event from October 2018, October 2019 and October 2022. It was held by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham.
Diwali is usually celebrated by the Indian community in Birmingham every October. In the last couple of years of the 2010s, the Indian Consulate General of Birmingham organised an event along with the West Midlands Combined Authority, and taking place in Victoria Square. Due to the Pandemic, there was no event in the square during 2020 and 2021, but it returned in 2022. There is usually a stage with music and dancing on it. Various stands with food and drink, hand and face painting etc.
Diwali on the Square - 20th October 2018
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%20(Oct%202018)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%20(Oct%202018)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Diwali on the Square - 19th October 2019
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%20(Oct%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%20(Oct%202019)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%20(Oct%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Diwali on the Square - 15th October 2022
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%2015102022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%2015102022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%2015102022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%2015102022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
dndimg alt="Diwali on the Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Diwali%20Vic%20Sq%2015102022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Environment & green action
24 Aug 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery
PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022
PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.
PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022
PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.
PoliNations is part of Unboxed Creativity in the UK. During the last three weeks of August 2022, after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games things were dismantled (including Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange on the Queen Victoria statue). PoliNations moved in.
The free event is due to take place from the 2nd to 18th September 2022.
Step into a spectacular city-centre garden of magical proportions where you will be welcomed by an epic array of colour and nature.
Giant architectural trees and thousands of plants will transform Victoria Square into an urban oasis, which will host free events, workshops and performances including live music, dance, spoken word and drag.
This supernatural wonderland uncovers the origin stories of the plants we know so well – daisies, pansies, apple trees, roses – in fact these, and most of the plants we see in our gardens are not from the UK. They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots.
PoliNations is a celebration of colour, beauty, and of natural diversity. Explore, enjoy and be your true unique self. You can experience music from around the world, an incredible light show each evening, and a grand finale like no other where the tree’s canopies will burst into a joyful cloud of confetti and colour.
This is Carnival and Holi combined in one brilliant, messy, playful party and everyone is invited.
I first spotted the giant trees from Chamberlain Square.
They encourage people to get public transport to PoliNations, including the West Midlands Metro, get off at Town Hall Tram Stop. Also in walking distance of the main railway stations and your bus stops.
Squares and public spaces
17 Aug 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery
Victoria Square - View from 103, Key to the City
In June 2022, Elliott was gifted the Key to the City by the lady behind the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts. He visited 103 Colmore Row for views from the 18th floor balcony four times between June and August 2022. Here are the changing views of Victoria Square. Including during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In June 2022, Elliott was gifted the Key to the City by the lady behind the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts. He visited 103 Colmore Row for views from the 18th floor balcony four times between June and August 2022. Here are the changing views of Victoria Square. Including during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Having missed the February 2022 meet at 103 Colmore Row, Elliott was promised to get the key to 103 Colmore Row. He was gifted it by the lady who runs the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Between June and August, he went up four times. Usually as the view of Victoria Square kept changing. He always went on Saturday's.
Every time you arrive, you show your key to one of the Key to the City volunteers. The wait in the foyer could be anywhere between 20 minutes and 50 minutes (especially near the end of the Commonwealth Games). You would get a slot of 10 to 15 minutes to go up the fastest lift to the 18th floor, for views from the balcony.
It was an opportunity to get views of Victoria Square. When street art was painted ahead of the games, Elliott went twice on two Saturday's in July. And one final time in August on Super Saturday, while the 60th Jamaican Independence Day was being celebrated.
11th June 2022
General views down to Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row.
Hew Locke reimagined the Queen Victoria statue as an artwork called Foreign Exchange (with the IKON Gallery). It would remain here for two months (until the middle of August 2022). Sir Antony Gormey's Iron: Man statue seen to the left.
Second visit to the 18th floor balcony, to see the artwork being painted called Connections by the artist Anjuli McKenna, in Victoria Square. It was half complete at this point.
One week on, and the Victoria Square Fan Zone was almost complete, several days before the start of the Commonwealth Games. Also to see the Connections street art in Victoria Square fully complete. There was now a stage in the square, and would be the finish point for the Birmingham Marathona week later. The West Midlands Metro trams were also now running all the way between Wolverhampton St George's and Edgbaston Village.
Super Saturday, and the final weekend of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the City Centre was very busy. It was also the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence which was being celebrated in Victoria Square at the time. This would be my final visit to 103 Colmore Row, before Key to the City ended the following day.
Victoria Square - places of interest mapped for you
Here we have mapped a selection of places that we would recommend as of real cultural interest in Victoria Square.
This includes:
Birmingham Council House, The Town Hall, Victoria Square House; The River and Youth ('Floozie in the Jacuzzi'), and the Statue of Queen Victoria.
Enjoy!.
Victoria Square is home to Birmingham's historic Council House.
Victoria Square was originally called Council House Square, but was re-named to Victoria Square after Queen Victoria in 1901, just 12 days before she passed away.
Here we have mapped some of the highlights in Victoria Square. Enjoy with our compliments our map of this amazing public space.
Historic architecture
First let's introduce you to some magificent architecture and historic builds that are on display in Victoria Square.
The Birmingham Council House
The Council House was built between 1874 to 1879, and was designed by architect Yeoville Thomason. It is a Grade II* listed building and is home to Birmingham City Council.
The Town Hall is the oldest building in the square was built between 1832 and 1834. It was designed by architects Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch. The Grade I listed building was refurbished between 2002 and 2007. It was the first example of the 19th Century revival of Roman Architecture in Birmingham.
Victoria Square House was built from 1899 to 1901, and operated as the General Post Office until 1972 when the Royal Mail moved to larger premises. this building was saved from demolition by the Victorian Society.
There are two great examples of public art that can be enjoyed in Victoria Square.
River and Youth ('Floozie in the Jacuzzi')
River and Youth was unveiled in 1993 and was sculpted by Dhruva Mistry. It is known locally by 'Brummies' by her nickname of the "Floozie in the Jacuzzi". There is also a a pair of Sphinx Guardians.
Art; Culture & creativity
12 Apr 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery
The Big Egg Hunt in Victoria Square, February 2013
Lets time travel back to February 2013, when for a week, The Big Egg Hunt was on around Birmingham City Centre. 101 eggs to find. These were the eggs that were in Victoria Square at the time. Plus some Lindt Gold bunny's! The trail went nationwide at the time. Does anyone remember them? Hope everyone had a nice 2nd Covid Easter Bank Holiday Weekend break at home.
The Big Egg Hunt in Victoria Square, February 2013
Lets time travel back to February 2013, when for a week, The Big Egg Hunt was on around Birmingham City Centre. 101 eggs to find. These were the eggs that were in Victoria Square at the time. Plus some Lindt Gold bunny's! The trail went nationwide at the time. Does anyone remember them? Hope everyone had a nice 2nd Covid Easter Bank Holiday Weekend break at home.
THE BIG EGG HUNT
VICTORIA SQUARE
FEBRUARY 2013
Coming to Central Birmingham in the last week of February 2013, was The Big Egg Hunt. A trail of 101 painted Easter Eggs. The trail went around all the major Cities in the UK, including Birmingham. And they would be auctioned off at the end of the trail for charity.
There was loads of Easter Eggs in Victoria Square, too many to take in one go, so I only took photos of a couple of them at the time. This view to the Council House.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Humpty Dumpty to the far left, a Lindt Gold Bunny on the right.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
The charity was Action for Children. The trail was fun for kids and adults alike to see.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
View of all the Big Eggs towards 130 Colmore Row, at the Colmore Row corner with Waterloo Street. This was the site from 1901 to 1970 of Galloway's Corner.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
A Frugal Meal
Near the bottom of the steps at Victoria Square was this caricature of King George III eating a egg in a egg cup. A Frugal Meal by the artist Charlie Billingham. Lot No. 14.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Leafy Abstract
This green egg looked a bit like a dinosaur egg. Was near the bottom of the steps close to one of the Sphinx Guardians. Leafy Abstract by the artist Laura Morrison. Lot No. 41.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Humpty Dumpty
Careful that you don't knock Humpty Dumpty over or he'd break up into a million of pieces!
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Lindt Gold Bunny
One of the Lindt Gold Bunny's in Victoria Square at the time.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Another Lindt Gold Bunny
A giant Lindt Gold Bunny surrounded by fences.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
More Lindt Gold Bunny's
About four Lindt Gold Bunny's outside of the main entrance to the Council House, with Starbucks Coffee to the right.
dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Hope you had a nice Easter 2021 and Passover 5781.
After I left the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on the 22nd April 2012, I walked into Victoria Square and saw all of these vintage Austin cars. Most of them were Austin Seven's parked in front of the Council House. I think it was for something at the time called Drive It Day Birmingham. This reminds me of a recent car rally at Kings Heath Village Square in late August 2019.
After I left the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on the 22nd April 2012, I walked into Victoria Square and saw all of these vintage Austin cars. Most of them were Austin Seven's parked in front of the Council House. I think it was for something at the time called Drive It Day Birmingham. This reminds me of a recent car rally at Kings Heath Village Square in late August 2019.
There has been many events that took place in Victoria Square, Birmingham over the years, so probably too many to put into one post (have more than 500 plus photos in my archive).
On the 22nd April 2012, I had just visited the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery again (taking more photos once I knew that it was OK as long as you don't use flash), and left via the Chamberlain Square entrance and headed into Victoria Square. At the time you could use the Great Charles Street Queensway entrance to the museum, and on Sunday's they used to open at 12:30pm (but that's for another post in the BM & AG project).
I saw all of these vintage Austin motors parked in front of the Council House. Many of them may have been Austin Seven's. Some of these might have been Morris or Riley cars.
It was Drive It Day Birmingham in Victoria Square. So many classic Austin's to see, and for once you didn't have to see them in Thinktank or at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre (although I have seen old cars in the museum and in storage).
Google Lens for the car at the front is coming up as an Austin Ten. (On Wikipedia showing as an Austin Ten Lichfield).
A black labrador called Ebony and why Victoria Square is such a historic gem of Birmingham!
Ebony was a black labrador who worked alongside her owner Larry Bae, a stonemason from Harborne. Ebony could be seen wearing a high vis during the revamping of Victoria Square during 1992-93. This plaque is in memory of Ebony.
Take our post for more about Birmingham's fascinating Victoria Square.
A black labrador called Ebony and why Victoria Square is such a historic gem of Birmingham!
Ebony was a black labrador who worked alongside her owner Larry Bae, a stonemason from Harborne. Ebony could be seen wearing a high vis during the revamping of Victoria Square during 1992-93. This plaque is in memory of Ebony.
Take our post for more about Birmingham's fascinating Victoria Square.
The original Victoria statue by Thomas Brock was erected in 1901 as part of the opening of Victoria Square, and was made of marble. Queen Victoria died 12 days later. The statue was recast in 1951 by William Bloye in bronze. The latest square, opened in 1994 by Diana, Princess of Wales has as its main feature an amazing water feature ‘The River’ by Dhruva Mistry which includes the famous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’.
Did you know? The Council House is a Grade II* listed building and has its own postcode. The open space which is now Victoria Square (containing a water feature and steps) was once occupied by Christ Church (built 1805–13, demolished 1899 to be replaced by shops and offices – the Christ Church buildings, themselves demolished 1970).
The fountain, which is actually named The River but dubbed the 'Floozie' by locals, however, due to leaks and costly repairs, it resulted in the fountain being turned off in 2013 and then transformed into an elaborate flower display two years after.
Victoria Square is often seen as the most central point of the city, where people can get together to celebrate, share and showcase. Below are a few events that have taken place over the years and continue to do so, but there are many more including the Frankfurt German Market, which began in Victoria Square in 2001, and still takes place every year.
Throughout all of the regeneration around Victoria square over the years, Queen Victoria still watches over. Below are the statues of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert, held in the magnificent Birmingham Council House.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Council House Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />