Cathedral Square from above: Views from 103 Colmore Row

Key to the City gave you the chance to see Cathedral Square from above, from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row, between June and August 2022. From October 2022, you can go up to the 24th floor, at Orelle Restaurant for an even higher view! Best to go during the day, and not at night. Photography by Elliott Brown.

Key to the City - June to August 2022

View from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row

11th June 2022

The first opportunity to see Birmingham Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of St Philip) and Cathedral Square, along with the Colmore BID from this vantage point.

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BC%20Cath%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BC%20Cath%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

16th July 2022

An attempt to zoom down to Cofton Nursery's floral piece for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which won Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Cath%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Cath%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The House of Fraser and 43 Temple Row. Sadly, Lloyds Bank closed down in this building in September 2022. The nearby NatWest branch also closed down at the opposite corner. Horatio Nelson once stayed in a hotel on this site back in 1802, it is marked by a Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque on the former NatWest building (1 St Philip's Place).

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HoF%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

6th August 2022

The last weekend of Key to the City, so one last opportunity to see Cathedral Square from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row. The grass was a bit dry at the time, due to the summer heatwave.

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cathedral%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Orelle Restaurant

Views from the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row

8th October 2022

Much higher vantage point here, but as was inside of Orelle Restaurant, there was glass windows in the way, so sometimes a bit of glare from the lights inside and out. This is a month after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II. And around a month befor the return of the Christmas Market here.

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Cathedral%20Orelle%20103CR%2008102022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Colmore%20SH%20Orelle%20103CR%2008102022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cathedral Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Colmore%20SH%20Orelle%20103CR%2008102022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society at The Transport Museum, Wythall

It wasn't just heritage buses at The Transport Museum, Wythall. On the August Bank Holiday Mondat 29th August 2022, visitors could pay to go on the Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society. The locomotive in use was called Blanche from the Penrhyn Railway. Kids seemed to have enjoyed it.

Miniature Railway Wythall operated by Elmdon Model Engineering Society

Shortly after getting off the car park shuttle bus at The Transport Museum, Wythall, I saw the station Elmdon Halt from the Miniature Railway Wythall.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The first time I saw the miniature railway in action, was while looking at various heritage buses parked up. Was a grassy bank, and saw the miniature steam train Blanche come around.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I was in The Power Hall, and briefly popped out when I saw this footbridge, shortly afterwards saw the miniature train heading around on the tracks. It went past the heritage buses, as well as a picnic bench area with bouncy castle and slides for kids.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I was later in another bus garage on site, near the milk float collection, popped out and saw this tunnel. I did not wait around to see if the miniature steam train would come out of it. So back to the milk floats and buses it was.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Before leaving, and after coming back to Wythall from a free bus ride, and ice cream. Saw the miniature steam train at Elmdon Holt, before we got back on the car park shuttle bus, to return to the Phoenix Group car park.

dndimg alt="Transport Museum Wythall" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MRW%20Elmdon%20TMW%2029082022%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

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.

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.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

River and Youth aka the Floozie in the Jacuzzi was flowing again.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

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.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew%20Locke%20QV%20V103%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew%20Locke%20QV%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Council House from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Council%20House%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Council%20House%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Victoria Square House from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Vic%20Sq%20Hse%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Vic%20Sq%20Hse%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Town Hall from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Victoria%20Sq%2011062022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

16th July 2022

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.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange artwork with Iron: Man as it was meant to be seen.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Town Hall again, this time with a Perry the Bull banner on Beneficial House behind.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry%20the%20Bull%20TH%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

23rd July 2022

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.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Metro trams passing Victoria Square and stopping at Town Hall Tram Stop, in both directions.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

See more of that day here Riding trams in Zone 1.

 

6th August 2022

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.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Thank you to 103 Colmore Row, the Key to the City volunteers, to Fierce and Yale Locks.

 

Next up is PoliNations in September 2022, but will have to get views from Victoria Square itself.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Pressworks, Digbeth Reimagined

Pressworks, a proposed residential reinvention of a site in Digbeth, has been comprehensively refined to take into account the emerging schemes coming forward in the area.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20Location.jpg" />

Prosperity Developments are bringing forward plans to rejuvenate this area of the city.

Spread across two parcels of land, the development has been designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects.

Having bounced onto the scene back in 2021, the proposal went back to the drawing board and has now been refined in recent weeks to consider the other emerging schemes in the area - namely Birmingham Smithfield, and Warner Fields.

THESE ARE THE CHANGES PROPOSED (GREEN):

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Prop%20Massing%20for%20Pressworks.png" style="width: 602px; height: 415px;" />

Plot 1: Significant improvements have been made to Bradford Street.

The new design now features a classic perimeter block of buildings ranging from 7 right up to 11-storeys at prominent corners. The perimeter extends to Bradford Street, across Rea Street, Cheapside, and back towards Bradford Street.

The designs have also been significantly improved to take more cues from neighbouring heritage assets.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%206.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%205.jpg" />

The old proposal v the new one:

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20b4%20and%20After.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%202.jpg" style="width: 602px; height: 350px;" />

Plot 2: This is where we will see an increase in height, which will be dissected by a newly created green linear link and a green space that looks out towards Smithfield.

Previous plans for Pressworks saw a 21-storey to Bradford Street - which, of course, has now been refined. The height has now been transferred to Moseley Street - and will reach 23-storeys.

Why? Other emerging schemes in the area, namely Warner Fields, will incorporate a landmark 30-storey directly adjacent Pressworks. For that reason, the 23-storey has been positioned to sit subservient to the 30-storey, but to also sit in line with the planned 'scraper at Smithfield.

Therefore, an emerging cluster is earmarked for the ever-changing area, all of which will face onto a new public green link and sit in front of Smithfield. Good forward thinking!

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%204.jpg" style="width: 602px; height: 347px;" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%201.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Pressworks%20(July%202022)%203.jpg" style="width: 602px; height: 414px;" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.freetimepays.com/uploadedfiles/Massing%20Pressworks.jpg" />

Like the CGIs? Let us know in the comments.

Pressworks Birmingham, images from Glancy Nicholls Architects.

The Construction of The Octagon - June 2022 Update

The demolition is almost complete at the site as the piling continues. The hordings around the construction are of a high quality and its imagery of the tower adds to some nice juxtapositions in these photos covering late April to mid-June. Some great unusual views of the Museum and Art Gallery are revealed too.

29th April 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_5891b_OCTA.jpg" />

4th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_6203b_OCTA.jpg" />

11th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_7828b_OCTA.jpg" />

13th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_7904b_OCTA.jpg" />

14th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_8014b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_8070b_OCTA.jpg" />

16th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_8498b_OCTA.jpg" />

19th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_8540b_OCTA.jpg" />

27th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9553b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9534b_OCTA.jpg" />

27th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9585b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9555b_OCTA.jpg" />

28th May 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9790b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9822b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9802b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9830b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9839b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9855b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9871b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9899b_OCTA(1).jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9884b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9908b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9911b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_9920b_OCTA.jpg" />

31st May 2022

It's Your Build were kindly invited to the offices of Glenn Howells Architects in Digbeth to view and photograph their amazing architectural models.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_0650b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_0653b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_0662b_OCTA_002.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_0733b_OCTA.jpg" />

10th June 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_2552b_OCTA.jpg" />

14th June 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3103b_OCTA.jpg" />

17th June 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3196b_OCTA.jpg" />

19th June 2022

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3348b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3351b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3361b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3376b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3406b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3412b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3418b_OCTA.jpg" />

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_3415b_OCTA.jpg" />

Photography by Daniel Sturley.