Birmingham Historical Buildings Tour (Self Guided), Birmingham

The Birmingham Town Hall, opened in 1834, looks very like the Temple of Castor and Pollux. The Temple once stood in the center of the ancient Forum. The look-alike Town Hall also stands in the center of things, on Paradise Street at Victoria Square.

It rests on a podium of rusticated stone. The columns are finished on top with carved Acanthus leaves below a simple architrave and dentil cornices. The Great Hall has high windows with eared architraves. At the south end of the podium there is an arcade as the main entrance.

The Town Hall was built as a venue for concerts and popular assemblies. It offers more events of jazz, folk, rock, pop and classical music, recitals, dance and educational performances. Not content with that, it goes on to general meetings, product launches, dinners, fashion shows and graduations.

Two construction workers, John Heap and William Badger were killed on the site by a falling crane in January 1833. They were buried in Saint Philip's churchyard. Their memorial was a pillar base originally made for the Town Hall.

In 1853 Charles Dickens gave his first reading in the Hall. The visit of David Lloyd George triggered a riot. Mendelssohn's Elija received its premiere. It was the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra until it moved in 1991.

Popular headline acts made their appearance. There has been Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen (!), Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, The rolling Stones and naturally, Bob Dylan (perpetually touring).

The Council House in Birmingham serves as the headquarters of Birmingham City Council and functions as the central hub for local government in the city. This Grade II* listed building not only houses the offices for council officers, including the Chief Executive, and elected members, but also features significant spaces like the council chamber, Lord Mayor's Suite, and an elaborate banqueting suite with a minstrel's gallery. The building is notable for its use of a first-floor exterior balcony by dignitaries and sports teams to address the public gathered below.

Constructed between 1874 and 1879, the building reflects the designs of architect Yeoville Thomason. It features a prominent hexastyle Corinthian porte-cochere leading to a balcony, arch, and tympanum, supported by a meticulously carved pediment. This construction was initiated to address the inadequacies of the earlier Public Office, dating from 1807, which was insufficient for the growing administrative needs of Birmingham, particularly after its status elevation to a city in 1889.

The main façade facing Victoria Square is adorned with a mosaic in the tympanum by Salviati Burke and Company of Venice, above which sits a pediment depicting Britannia receiving Birmingham's manufacturers. The square itself holds historical significance, having been the site of Christ Church before its demolition in 1899.

After its initial construction, the Council House was extended from 1881 to 1885 to add the city's art gallery, museum, and Gas Department offices, funded innovatively by the Gas Department to bypass taxpayer funding limits for the arts. Additional expansions from 1911 to 1919 included a new northern block linked by a corridor similar to Venice's Bridge of Sighs, which now contains the Feeney Art Galleries.

The Council House has also been a focal point for significant civic celebrations, such as the illumination event for the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, underscoring its role not just as a functional space for governance but as a symbol of local pride and heritage.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, commonly known as Saint Philip's Cathedral, is a Church of England cathedral located on Colmore Row in central Birmingham. Originally built as a parish church, it was designed in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and consecrated in 1715. The church became the cathedral of the newly formed Diocese of Birmingham in 1905.

Saint Philip's Cathedral is a Grade I listed building. The church's construction began in 1711 and was completed by 1715, with the tower finished by 1725 and additional urns added to the parapet in 1756. Archer's design was influenced by Italian Baroque architecture, specifically the churches of Borromini, and features a rectangular hall church interior with fluted pillars and Tuscan capitals supporting an arcade with a prominent cornice. Wooden galleries span the pillars, a common feature in English Baroque churches.

The cathedral's exterior is characterized by tall windows separated by pilasters, a roof-level balustrade, and a single tower with a lead-covered dome and lantern. The building is brick and faced with stone from Archer's estate at Umberslade. In the late 19th century, the eastern apse was extended by J. A. Chatwin, who also refaced the exterior due to the softness of the original stone. Chatwin's design included strongly projecting Corinthian columns and richly marbled surfaces.

Edward Burne-Jones, a local artist, contributed several stained glass windows to the cathedral, including three at the eastern end and one at the west end dedicated to Henry Bowlby. The cathedral also features several heritage-listed monuments, including those commemorating workers who died during the construction of Birmingham Town Hall and victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings. A statue of Charles Gore, the first Bishop of Birmingham, stands at the west entrance.

Located in the heart of Birmingham, at the intersection of Newhall Street and Edmund Street, the building at 17 & 19 Newhall Street stands as a significant architectural and historical landmark. Known as "The Exchange" and formerly referred to as the "Bell Edison Telephone Building," this Grade I listed structure is renowned for its distinctive red brick and architectural terracotta facade.

Designed by Frederick Martin of Martin & Chamberlain, the building was inaugurated in 1887 to accommodate the Central Telephone Exchange along with offices for the National Telephone Company (NTC). At the time, with 5,000 subscribers, it was the largest telephone exchange in the country. The building originally bore the postal address of 19 Newhall Street and was internally known within the NTC as "Telephone Buildings." The wrought iron gates at the main entrance proudly display the NTC logo, featuring the names of innovators Bell and Edison, highlighting its origins in the telecommunications industry.

In 1912, the Postmaster General took over the NTC, transferring the building to the General Post Office (GPO). Over the years, it served as a TAS exchange, the Birmingham office for the Post Office Engineering Union, and the Midland headquarters for the air raid warning system during World War I. In 1936, telephone exchange operations were moved to Telephone House, making space for various tenants in the subsequent decades.

Today, 17 & 19 Newhall Street is a vibrant hub for businesses, including Core Marketing, Mitchell Adam, and GBR Phoenix Beard, reflecting its ongoing relevance in modern commerce. The basement, with an entrance on Edmund Street, is home to the bar Bushwackers, adding a recreational aspect to this historic building's contemporary use.

Saint Chad's Cathedral, officially known as The Metropolitan Cathedral Church and Basilica of Saint Chad, is a prominent historical and religious landmark in Birmingham. It holds the distinction of being the mother church of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This cathedral is one of the first four Catholic churches erected in England after the English Reformation, which was initiated by King Henry VIII in 1534.

The cathedral's design was crafted by Augustus Welby Pugin, a celebrated figure in the Gothic Revival architectural movement in England. Pugin is known for his meticulous attention to detail, which is evident in the cathedral's construction, completed substantially by 1841. In 1852, it was elevated to the status of cathedral.

Saint Chad's is located in the Gunmakers Quarter of Birmingham and has a dramatic history, particularly during World War II. On November 22, 1940, the cathedral was nearly destroyed when an incendiary bomb pierced the roof. Miraculously, water from burst central heating pipes, damaged by the bomb, extinguished the resulting fire. This event is commemorated by a thanksgiving tablet on the transept ceiling that reads "Deo Gratias 22 Nov 1940," expressing gratitude for the cathedral's survival.

In recognition of its significant historical connections, Pope Pius XII declared Saint Chad's a Minor Basilica in 1941, a rare honor as there are only four such basilicas in England. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Chad, a 7th-century Bishop of Mercia. It houses relics of Saint Chad, enshrined in the canopy above the altar.

Further architectural contributions were made in 1932 with the addition of Saint Edward's Chapel, designed by Sebastian Pugin Powell, Pugin's grandson. However, the 1960s brought less favorable changes; several of Pugin's original fittings were removed, and the interior was repainted, altering the initial aesthetic envisioned by Pugin.

Today, Saint Chad's Cathedral stands near Birmingham Snow Hill station, surrounded by a green public space known as Saint Chad's Queensway, named in honor of the cathedral. Although only some of Pugin's original work remains, the cathedral still serves as a significant spiritual and cultural site in Birmingham.

The Methodist Central Hall in Birmingham is a prominent historical building distinguished by its architectural and cultural significance. This three-story structure, completed between 1903 and 1904, is a Grade II* listed building, notable for its red brick and terracotta facade. The building features a prominent tower and is located at the northern end of Corporation Street within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.

Designed by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper, the Methodist Central Hall's architectural style complements the nearby Victoria Law Courts, which are also crafted in terracotta. The design incorporates eclectic elements, such as corner turrets that resemble Indian Chattris, adding an exotic flair to its appearance.

Originally built to serve as a Methodist church, the main hall of the building could seat 2,000 people and included over 30 additional rooms, among them three school halls. The street level of the building features twelve bays of shops, four of which retain their original fronts, extending along Ryder Street where more original shop fronts can be seen.

In 1991, the Methodist Church was transformed into a nightclub, a function it served until its closure in 2002. Since then, the building has been largely vacant and has suffered from poor maintenance, leading to its deteriorating condition. This has resulted in its addition to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

Despite its current state, the Methodist Central Hall has been the focus of various redevelopment proposals, including conversions into apartments and offices. In 2018, Birmingham City Council approved plans to restore and renovate the building, with the new design incorporating a 147-bed hotel, promising a potential revitalization of this historic landmark.

The Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham is an example of Victorian architectural splendor. Situated on Corporation Street, this Grade I listed building is currently home to the Birmingham Magistrates' Court. Designed by the London-based architects Aston Webb & Ingress Bell in 1886, it was built to establish the first Assize Courts for the burgeoning town of Birmingham. Local construction firm John Bowen & Sons executed the design, which won out in a competitive selection process. The courts were ceremonially opened on July 21, 1891, by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The exterior of the Victoria Law Courts is notably crafted from deep red terracotta, giving it a distinct and vibrant appearance. This material choice not only highlights the intricate terracotta ornamentation that adorns the building but also ties the structure visually to other civic buildings in the area, like the Methodist Central Hall across the street. Notably, Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone herself on March 23, 1887, during her Golden Jubilee year, which is commemorated by a statue of the Queen crafted by Harry Bates positioned above the main entrance.

Internally, the building retains much of its original grandeur. The Great Hall, in particular, is a standout feature, adorned with sandy-yellow terracotta and detailed ornamentation. Its chandeliers, which mimic the design of Queen Victoria's coronation crown, were notably the first outside London to be powered by electricity. The courtrooms themselves, five of which are original, maintain their historical integrity with extensive timber detailing, original furniture, and paneling.

Over the years, the building has undergone various extensions, including the addition of a projecting bow window from 1891 to 1894 and further expansion along Newton Street in 1914. Despite these enhancements, the Victoria Law Courts have preserved their historical essence and continue to serve as a functional and symbolic cornerstone of legal proceedings in Birmingham.

Saint Martin's is the original parish church of Birmingham. It stands by the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets. The church is a Victorian neo-Gothic building. It has a high nave and chancel and a spire. The spire was rebuilt many times and thrice struck by lightning.

The church was demolished and rebuilt in 1873 by the architect J. A. Chatwin. The exterior is of Grinshill stone. The inside is of sandstone. Victorian floor tiles by Minton show the arms of the de Bermingham family.

The Blitz of World War II destroyed all the stained glass windows except the near irreplaceable Burne-Jones window. The other windows were replaced by 1954.

The church is provided with 16 bells. This is unusual. Other than Saint Martin's, only three rings of sixteen bells exist in the world.

The pipe organ in use today is by Harrison & Harrison. It dates from 1906. Since 2004 the church has stopped using the organ for the 11am service but it is still played at the 9.30am communion and at the 6pm Choral Service.

The Old Crown in Deritend, Birmingham, stands as one of the city’s most historic treasures and is among the oldest surviving secular buildings in the area. With its origins dating back to 1368, this Grade II listed structure exemplifies traditional "black and white" timber framing. While the building as it currently stands primarily dates from between 1450 and 1500, there is evidence of construction from as early as 1492.

Originally constructed as the Guildhall and School of Saint John, Deritend, the building was later purchased in 1589 by John Dyckson, also known as Bayleys. It remained in the ownership of the Dixon alias Baylis family, later known simply as Dixon, for approximately a century. By 1626, it began serving as an inn and was officially recognized as "The Crowne" by 1666.

Significant alterations occurred over the centuries: it was converted into two houses in 1684 and into three houses by 1693, a division that lasted until the 19th century. During this century, the Old Crown faced the threat of demolition three times—1851, 1856, and 1862—but each time it was successfully preserved. Noteworthy features from its earlier days include a central hall, and a courtyard with a 26-foot-deep well surrounded by large stones, which was refurbished in 1863 with an iron gate to maintain its accessibility while preserving its structure.

In 1991, the building was acquired by a local pub company, which undertook extensive restorations to bring the Old Crown back to its historical splendor. Today, it operates as a vibrant pub, celebrating its rich history and architectural heritage, continuing to serve as a beloved landmark in Birmingham.