Art; Culture & creativity
05 Sep 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery
'Gratitude' - A tribute to NHS staff and key workers held in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham
Elliott Brown, a regular contributor at Birmingham We Are, got chance to experience Gratitude, a tribute to NHS staff and key workers, before it was moved to Manchester. The tribute consisted of 51 sculptures and was curated by creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.
If you missed the event, don't worry you can still enjoy Elliott's gallery with us here!
'Gratitude' - A tribute to NHS staff and key workers held in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham
Elliott Brown, a regular contributor at Birmingham We Are, got chance to experience Gratitude, a tribute to NHS staff and key workers, before it was moved to Manchester. The tribute consisted of 51 sculptures and was curated by creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.
If you missed the event, don't worry you can still enjoy Elliott's gallery with us here!
Gratitude was an event held by Wild in Art in Chamberlain Square, at Paradise Birmingham, which ran from the 20th to 30th August 2021. It has now moved on to Manchester and will then move on to Edinburgh and London. It pays tribute to NHS staff and keyworkers during the pandemic.
There were 51 "Lockdown Oscars" displayed in Chamberlain Square close to the Chamberlain Memorial.
The display had mirrors around it and it was curated by creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.
Chamberlain Square - places to visit mapped for you
Here we have mapped a selection of places that we would recommend you visit in Chamberlain Square.
This includes:
Chamberlain Memorial, The Town Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, One and Two Chamberlain Square and The Dishoom restaurant.
Chamberlain Square
Chamberlain Square is where a modern and thriving Birmingham connects with the City's amazing history and heritage.
Chamberlain Square is home to Birmingham's Town Hall and to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Between 2010 and 2020, the square was completely redeveloped.
Chamberlain Square is at the heart of the Paradise scheme with One Chamberlain Square and Two Chamberlain Square being the two flagship builds of the Paradise development.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is situated in Chamberlain Square, and first opened in 1885. The gallery was extended in 1911, and is above the Council House. Home of Big Brum clocktower.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is located in Birmingham's Chamberlain Square.
dndimg alt="Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery" dndsrc="https://www.birminghamweare.com/uploadedfiles/BMAG%20Chamberlain%20Sq%20(July%202020)%20(3).jpg" />
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from Chamberlain Square (July 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Go HERE for our feature on Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade I listed building which is a concert hall and venue for popular assemblies.
It was opened in 1834 and is situated in Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square. Birmingham Town Hall was also the first significant work of the 19th-century revival of Roman architecture.
The Town Hall was built in 1834 by Joseph Hansom. When installed the Town Hall's 6,000-pipe William Hill concert organ was largest and most technologically advanced in the world. Between 1784 - 1912 the city hosted the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival and the Town Hall was built to cope with its popularity with greats like Felix Mendelssohn and Edward Elgar performing there.
The Town Hall closed in 1996 for refurbishment works. And renovation works were completed by 2007. It was reopened in 2008 by The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Dishoom Birmingham can be found at One Chamberlain Square in Chamberlain Square. Here you can find a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food and enjoy first-class drinks all day, every day.
For more on Dishoom Birmingham, reservations and delivery service, go HERE.
One Chamberlain Square
One Chamberlain Square is a curvaceous 8-story building and a great example of how modern architecture can sit naturally alongside historic builds and complement a city's heritage. This is the first of the modern buildings to open as part of Argent's huge and transformative Paradise development. The building was designed by Eric Parry Architects and is home to international professional services firm pwc.
For our feature on One Chamberlain Square, go HERE.
Two Chamberlain Square
Two Chamberlain Square has closely followed One Chamberlain Square in the developments to open as part of the Paradise complex. Two Chamberlain Square is a mixed use office retail development.
The Chamberlain Memorial was unveiled in 1880 in honour of Joseph Chamberlain (while he was still alive) It was sculpted by John Henry Chamberlain (no relation). Joseph Chamberlain had served as Mayor of the Town of Birmingham. Birmingham didn't gain City Status until 1889. Chamberlain was also a Town Councillor, and later served as a Birmingham Member of Parliament. The memorial is in the neo-gothic style.
Chamberlain Memorial (following a post development jet wash) courtesy Daniel Sturley
Thomas Attwood Sculpture
Thomas Attwood was the first Birmingham Member of Parliament (from 1832 to 1840). He founded the Birmingham Political Union in 1830 and in 1832 held a rally calling for Political Reform. The "sitting" statue was scupted by Sioban Coppinger and Fiona Peever.
Construction & regeneration
29 Jul 2020 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates
Congreve Passage from Paradise Place in 2010 to Paradise Birmingham in 2020
As of July 2020, Congreve Passage has been reopened by Paradise Birmingham between Chamberlain Square and Great Charles Street Queensway. It runs between One Chamberlain Square and the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It was closed in late 2015 (or early 2016) to allow for the demolition of Birmingham Central Library and the construction of One Chamberlain Square (that is now complete)
Congreve Passage from Paradise Place in 2010 to Paradise Birmingham in 2020
As of July 2020, Congreve Passage has been reopened by Paradise Birmingham between Chamberlain Square and Great Charles Street Queensway. It runs between One Chamberlain Square and the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It was closed in late 2015 (or early 2016) to allow for the demolition of Birmingham Central Library and the construction of One Chamberlain Square (that is now complete)
Congreve Passage links Chamberlain Square to Great Charles Street Queensway and Paradise Circus Queensway. It was once called Congreve Street before Birmingham Central Library was built from 1969 until it opened in 1974. When the new Library of Birmingham opened in Centenary Square in 2013, the old Central Library closed. It was demolished from late 2015 into 2016. This meant that Paradise Birmingham had to close off Congreve Passage. And it remained closed until they reopened it near the end of July 2020.
21st August 2010 on Congreve Passage
Heading out of Chamberlain Square I headed up Congreve Passage away from the crowds. There used to be trees here and flower beds. On the left of the Central Library was a poem by William Hutton from 1803.
Pair of cherry pickers outside of the Central Library on Congreve Passage. In the last years of the libraries life, it had the Todo es Posible street art by Lucy McLaughlan. But it wouldn't survive the 2016 demolition.
Pedestrians were diverted via what was Edmund Street and Margaret Street if they wanted to get to Great Charles Street Queensway. Maybe the last time to see the Todo es Possible art before the library was knocked down on this side during 2016.
The view from Paradise Circus Queensway near Great Charles Street Queensway. There was now a gate / fence at the end of Congreve Passage to the right of the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
My first look at Congreve Passage in 4 years. It looks different. No Central Library or concrete footbridge. You can see the statue of Queen Victoria, Victoria Square House and the Town Hall from this vantage point.
I saw on Twitter that Congreve Passage was now open again, so I got the bus into town and walked up from the Bullring. Saw a PCSO on a bicycle near One Chamberlain Square.
It has changed a lot around here. Paving in Chamberlain Square is almost finished. One Chamberlain Square is complete, and The Dishroom is now open (delayed by the lockdown).
Looking up Congreve Passage towards Chamberlain Square from Great Charles Street Queensway. It's good to be open again after so many years. Looks better and cleaner too!
From here you can either walk to the Jewellery Quarter, crossing at the lights. Or walk past Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Great Charles Street Queensway (the museum remains closed sadly due to the pandemic).
Construction & regeneration
02 Jul 2020 - Daniel Sturley
News & Updates
Birmingham, Chamberlain Square is Close to Re-Opening
It looks as if Chamberlain Square in the very heart of the city is soon to re-open and will once again become a primary destination for Brummies and visitors alike. It does look familiar and at least one of the statues, Thomas Attwood, is being reinstalled. 8 of the latest photos in this post plus a look back at the square before the redevelopment, seems so long ago now, we can't wait!
Birmingham, Chamberlain Square is Close to Re-Opening
It looks as if Chamberlain Square in the very heart of the city is soon to re-open and will once again become a primary destination for Brummies and visitors alike. It does look familiar and at least one of the statues, Thomas Attwood, is being reinstalled. 8 of the latest photos in this post plus a look back at the square before the redevelopment, seems so long ago now, we can't wait!
A section of the Chamberlain Monument is test cleaned, 30th June 2020.
Construction & regeneration
05 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery
Chamberlain Square from Birmingham Central Library in 2010 to Paradise Birmingham in 2020
A look at the changes in Chamberlain Square over a 10 year period. Starting with what it looked liked in 2010 when Birmingham Central Library was still standing. Through the demolition works in 2016 and construction of 1 & 2 Chamberlain Square from 2017 to 2020. Since lockdown I've not been able to get into town. So my last photo was earlier in March 2020.
Chamberlain Square from Birmingham Central Library in 2010 to Paradise Birmingham in 2020
A look at the changes in Chamberlain Square over a 10 year period. Starting with what it looked liked in 2010 when Birmingham Central Library was still standing. Through the demolition works in 2016 and construction of 1 & 2 Chamberlain Square from 2017 to 2020. Since lockdown I've not been able to get into town. So my last photo was earlier in March 2020.
2010
Birmingham Central Library in Chamberlain Square during February 2010. From the John Madin Design Group. Built 1969-74. Known as the Ziggurat. The Chamberlain Memorial has seen all the changes since it was erected in October 1880 in honour of the Mayor of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain. He was also an Member of Parliament. Paradise Forum (behind) would remain open until 2015.
dndimg alt="Birmingham Central Library" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Central Library Ch Sq (Feb 2010).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
2015
Paradise Birmingham had put up hoardings around the former Central Library by February 2015. The Library closed in 2013 before the Library of Birmingham opened in Centenary Square during September 2013. Paradise Forum closed was closed forever by January or February 2015. The shops and restaurants etc inside were closed by the end of 2014. Goodby to McDonald's and Wetherspoon's. This was one of the last times you could see the street art called Todo Es Posible by the artist Lucy McLaughlan, before the library was knocked down.
August 2016. There was a window in the hoardings at Chamberlain Square, and you could look through it at the time. Only a slither of the old library left on the left, just behind the Chamberlain Memorial. Maybe also a bit to the far right.
July 2017. Access to Chamberlain Square was blocked off, but you could go around the back of the Council House to get into the Museum & Art Gallery via Eden Place and what was Edmund Street. Chamberlain Square entrance was still open at the time.
November 2017. Chamberlain Square was reopened with the closure of Fletchers Walk, and the opening of Centenary Way to Centenary Square (for the first time in 2 years).
July 2018. Carillion went bust in January 2018. So construction didn't resume until BAM took over. BAM were also responsible for building Two Chamberlain Square, which was underway by the summer of 2018.
March 2019. Two Chamberlain Square had reached the top, and the glass cladding was going up. Made some nice reflections of BM & AG and Big Brum from here.
October 2019. From Victoria Square with the Town Hall, then Two and One Chamberlain Square. Council House to the right. Chamberlain Memorial will all new surroundings.
Since the lockdown started, I have not been able to travel into the City Centre. As you can not go on the bus or train. I don't drive a car, or ride a bike, and it would be too far to walk.
Construction & regeneration
17 May 2020 - Daniel Sturley
News & Updates
The Refurbishment of Chamberlain Square - May 2020
The refurbisment of Chamberlain Square has continued during lockdown and is really getting close to being finished. We hope it won't be long before Brummies and visitors can enjoy this particulary beautiful spot and it is back to the bustle, and chilling out, from 5 years ago! Lots of photos in this update of 7th and 10th May.
The Refurbishment of Chamberlain Square - May 2020
The refurbisment of Chamberlain Square has continued during lockdown and is really getting close to being finished. We hope it won't be long before Brummies and visitors can enjoy this particulary beautiful spot and it is back to the bustle, and chilling out, from 5 years ago! Lots of photos in this update of 7th and 10th May.