Comment Design of the times is still a gem
explored and this street of down-atheel frontages is quite a shock.
Why is it like this? Half of the street is occupied by an important piece of Birmingham’s history in the shape of The Ballroom.
There will be many who have fond memories of this place.
Originally The Top Rank Suite, then The Hummingbird, The Carling Academy and now The Ballroom, a Birmingham venue where so many famous bands have performed, including The Clash, Bob Marley, Deep Purple, Nirvana and The Ramones.
Now it is empty, blighted by the shadow of development which hangs over the whole complex.
Removing this threat would ensure that a nightclub might once again thrive and continue this Birmingham tradition. So, what about this sixties gem? It was designed by architect Sir Fredrick Gibberd who trained at the Birmingham School of Architecture.
Famous for his design of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool, he received a knighthood for his contribution to architecture.
Few outside of Birmingham would dare to describe any of Gibberd’s work in derogatory terms, let alone this fine piece of sixties architecture.
The use of high quality building materials has ensured that the buildings have stood the test of time and retain their original grace.
Remove all those later ‘improve- ments’, and a very attractive and serviceable 20th century building is revealed, one that is a credit to the city and meets the needs of ordinary Brummies.
So much in our city has succumbed to destruction in the name of progress, chipping away at what makes Birmingham human and works for the people of Birmingham, to be replaced by what we are told makes commercial sense and somehow represents progress – progress to where, for whom and at what cost?
Finally, the latest news on the Ringway Centre in Smallbrook Queensway is that its fate still hangs in the balance.
A number of councillors at a recent pre-planning application meeting were reported to have expressed their dislike of the building.
Should we allow the personal opinions of councillors to fly in the face of expert opinion?
Smallbrook Queensway is locally Grade B listed, and a report from the city conservation officers confirms its merits.
Historic England suggested in last week’s Post that the city will one day come to regret losing the Central Library.
Let’s learn the lesson this time. Next time, we will explore some fine examples of Birmingham’s 60s concrete sculpture, overlooked and neglected for far too long. In the meantime, we would welcome views at our Facebook page, www. f a c e book. c om/ Br ut i f ul - Bi rmingham-139223999758814/ or follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/brutifulbrum, or email brutiful2015@ gmail.com. Mary Keating represents the Brutiful Brum group, campaigning to preserve Birmingham’s last Brutalist landmarks