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The Gothic - Great Hampton Street

MrAstro said:
Good afternoon, gents!

Glad to see you taking an interest in this beautiful building (sadly, soiled with the ugly paint and left for dead for faaaar too long).

Let me begin by introducing myself - I'm the guy who created the future phase building mock-ups for Blackswan :)

Funny bit of speculation you had going on there, especially since I know exactly what's going on, but basically the plan for now, as it stands, is to try and salvage the structures from collapse (I've been inside and have pics - it's in a horrible state!), remove the crappy Gothic extension, along with some buildings on the rear, then to re-vitalize the Gothic and the adjacent buildings (No 2, 3 and 4).

In my original illustrations the client asked us to show a Kobe beef restaurant (hence the flower ornament above the doors), as there was a potential japanese investor who was interested in the place. From what I understand, this won't be the case anymore, but there will still be a bar/restaurant on the ground floor. The floors above, as it stands now,are planned to be turned into a hotel, but it will be a separate entity from the bar/restaurant.

Now here's the interesting bit. In the early days of the Gothic, the corner bit had some signage. We can make out the word "beer" but not the other words. What the client wants is to potentially create a nice neon sign saying "The Gothic" to pay tribute to that historical bit.

If anyone would like to help me out and figure out what the old signs actually said (perhaps find better photos or someone who may know?) - be my guest :)

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to share, so I won't be posting any plans or anything like that, but I will say that there are new images coming as to what the place will look like.
I guess I can share some internal pics, if anyone's interested, as I was just there on a survey...since I have to build the bloody thing in CG now :D

Attached are an old pic of the Gothic with the signage + an internal view I took from the top floor (also featured on Blackswan's website, if you can catch a crop of it there!) + a nicotine-stained coving of the pub area (ground floor).

Hope I've shed some light on this. Feel free to ask questions, of course, but as much as I'd like to answer everything - I will probably have to keep some things a secret for now :)
Click to expand...
M and B Good Honest Beers. That was the company tagline and the sign I believe.
 
Quick reply!
The neon sign is not confirmed or anything, just a thought for now, but I'm sure it wouldn't look garish.

All in all, it's certainly better to have the building revived than to leave it as is. It's in a VERY sad state, both inside and outside. The roof is collapsing, the extension is about to fall over...
I'm not much for health and safety, but walking around inside was definitely not safe!

I'll try Andrew, see if he can help :)
 
brianthelion said:
M and B Good Honest Beers. That was the company tagline and the sign I believe.
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It seems like you may be right on the money - I can see it in the pic, though it's probably either missing letters or the quality is too bad to make out some. Interesting bit of history there :)
 
MrAstro said:
Quick reply!
The neon sign is not confirmed or anything, just a thought for now, but I'm sure it wouldn't look garish.

All in all, it's certainly better to have the building revived than to leave it as is. It's in a VERY sad state, both inside and outside. The roof is collapsing, the extension is about to fall over...
I'm not much for health and safety, but walking around inside was definitely not safe!

I'll try Andrew, see if he can help :)
Click to expand...
We all agree RE having the building revived!
Pic from a local pub.
 

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There is guy on Facebook called Keith Jager whose gt gt grandfather came from Austria and had the pub when it was originally called The Gothic Stores - he may have some interesting stuff for you.
 
brianthelion said:
Thanks for the heads up. Try Andrew Madam on Facebook he might be able to help with old photos.
Plans are online so no probs with that.
Neon sign could cause some debate.
Biggest concern is contractors in administration!
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hi brian just a slight correction...its andrew maxam not madam...all the best

lyn
 
MrAstro said:
Now here's the interesting bit. In the early days of the Gothic, the corner bit had some signage. We can make out the word "beer" but not the other words. What the client wants is to potentially create a nice neon sign saying "The Gothic" to pay tribute to that historical bit.

If anyone would like to help me out and figure out what the old signs actually said (perhaps find better photos or someone who may know?) - be my guest :)
Click to expand...

Great Hampton Street - Gothic Inn Good Honest Beer.jpg
 
Being as one can obtain a 250 year lease for an apartment in The Gothic for only £409,000 plus annual service fee, I am considering moving to a location where it is still a bit edgy, oh sorry, I am supposed to say trendy.
 
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A Sparks said:
Blimey, that's the sort of prices we have in London!
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hi sparks even though it looks like a great job is being done on the gothic and nearby buildings the whole area would need a lot doing to it before i would even consider paying that much for an apartment in that area hopefully in the next 10 years or so it may look different around there...all very well tarting up the main drag of gt hampton st but you want to see what the surrounding back streets look like..not good although some improvements of certain buildings is going on at the min

lyn
 
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Astoness said:
hi sparks even though it looks like a great job is being done on the gothic and nearby buildings the whole area would need a lot doing to it before i would even consider paying that much for an apartment in that area hopefully in the next 10 years or so it may look different around there...all very well tarting up the main drag of gt hampton st but you want to see what the surrounding back streets look like..not good although some improvements of certain buildings is going on at the min

lyn
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I would concur with this, except I would not be so diplomatic!
 
brianthelion said:
Latest design artwork for Gothic rebuild. View attachment 144944
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Wow! What a brilliant "picture" - hope it really does look like this on completion - another piece of heritage saved. The building next door was originally involved in the jewelry trade and later [about 1963?]The Marmoset Nightclub. The building features on the Urban Exploration site and shows much interior detail albeit in a terrible state. Suggested that it was called the Gothic Works. Can be seen at:
www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/the-gothic-works-jewellers-marmoset-nightclub-birmingham.91268/
 
Hi I am new to this site. I was born 1958 "63" now I love nostalgia started off early life in Spark brook, lived in Nelson road with family as a child, I absolutely Love Witton, and Aston am now living in Handsworth Piers Road. Love Pics of Handsworth, Aston and surrounding areas This site and all members and forums have got me addicted. every night or when I can I view what you all have to offer very interesting. I knew there had to be a station on Soho rd. at sometime and was in awe when I saw a picture of it on this site. Keep up the good work never been on Drugs this site is addictive and I am addicted and starving for more.
 
Astoness said:
john i dont even want to think about that..we nearly lost it in the 80s

lyn
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The Gothic SoHo road was that the real name of the pub? also never knew it was a pub Lived in Church Green for 16 years only living in this part of Handsworth for 8 years but so interested in Soho road and history. The gothic is where the no. 46 bus travels, I am going to have to pass this building again an have a proper look.
 
Astoness said:
totally agree with you brian..dont think i know of the plot at st pauls metro stop will try and find it on street view

lyn
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yes been derelict for years, ON the same side as the Metro stop that pub come off license is a beauty inside with all the original fixtures what was the name of that little pub? Just before the petrol station.
 
A matchbox label for the Gothic. Probably about 1960s (?). It was assumed that these would be taken away from the premises. I remember them being freebies - I suppose it was cheap advertising. Viv.
Screenshot_20230630_151603_Chrome.jpg
 
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