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Broad Street/Easy Row
- Thread starter Astoness
- Start date
Re: broad st/easy row
Been backwards and forwards to this post several times, something's nagging me about it. Where's the Town Hall? Is it obscured by the buildings being demolished? And what's on the site where those buildings were being demolished? Is it the site of Alpha Tower? Questions, questions ..... Viv
Been backwards and forwards to this post several times, something's nagging me about it. Where's the Town Hall? Is it obscured by the buildings being demolished? And what's on the site where those buildings were being demolished? Is it the site of Alpha Tower? Questions, questions ..... Viv
Re: broad st/easy row
Unless my memory is really up the creek, I think just about where the base of the crane is was a rather up-market sports shop. I was into archery in the late 50's, and we used to go there to buy various bits of equipment that we couldn't get anywhere else. There was a very superior lady behind the counter, as I recall.
Big Gee
Unless my memory is really up the creek, I think just about where the base of the crane is was a rather up-market sports shop. I was into archery in the late 50's, and we used to go there to buy various bits of equipment that we couldn't get anywhere else. There was a very superior lady behind the counter, as I recall.
Big Gee
motorman-mike
Brum visitor who stayed.
Re: broad st/easy row
The Town Hall is out of sight to the right of Big Brum. This view is looking across to Congreve Street but an undemolished building on the Town Hall end hides the bridge over Edmund Street.
The Town Hall is out of sight to the right of Big Brum. This view is looking across to Congreve Street but an undemolished building on the Town Hall end hides the bridge over Edmund Street.
Lloyd
master brummie
Re: broad st/easy row
Behind the bus is the frontage of the buildings being demolished in post #1.
View attachment 69333
Behind the bus is the frontage of the buildings being demolished in post #1.
View attachment 69333
Re: broad st/easy row
Got it! Thanks all, that's a relief that the Town Hall's still there. Photo #1 makes you realise how much space the 1960s library used up. And I suppose the road in view of pic #1 became part of Suffolk Street Queensway. Viv
Got it! Thanks all, that's a relief that the Town Hall's still there. Photo #1 makes you realise how much space the 1960s library used up. And I suppose the road in view of pic #1 became part of Suffolk Street Queensway. Viv
Re: broad st/easy row
you know sometimes Lloyd i wonder why i continue posting pics...it just makes me want to weep when i see pics of what birmingham has lost..and for what...thanks for that pic though..
lyn
you know sometimes Lloyd i wonder why i continue posting pics...it just makes me want to weep when i see pics of what birmingham has lost..and for what...thanks for that pic though..
lyn
Re: broad st/easy row
totally agree with you big gee and you also Lloyd..the list is endless of buildings needlessly demolished..the old library..the woodman pub on easy row..snow hill station..the exchange buildings..the building in the pic i posted...no doubt our members could easily add others to the list...thing is that once they have gone we will never get them back..we just dont have either the craftsmanship or the money to build such fantastic buildings....
lyn
totally agree with you big gee and you also Lloyd..the list is endless of buildings needlessly demolished..the old library..the woodman pub on easy row..snow hill station..the exchange buildings..the building in the pic i posted...no doubt our members could easily add others to the list...thing is that once they have gone we will never get them back..we just dont have either the craftsmanship or the money to build such fantastic buildings....
lyn
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Re: broad st/easy row
Anyone know what this building was? This view makes New Street look like it's on a pretty steep hill. Actually, is that New Street to the left of the main building or another street? Viv.
Anyone know what this building was? This view makes New Street look like it's on a pretty steep hill. Actually, is that New Street to the left of the main building or another street? Viv.
Re: broad st/easy row
Morning Viv,Lloyds picture on post#6 was taken from above the Hall of Memory or possibly Baskerville House,looking down Easy Row which ran into Suffolk St.
Here is a picture looking in the same direction from street level,it shows part of the Hall of Memory on the right,MossView attachment 69336
Morning Viv,Lloyds picture on post#6 was taken from above the Hall of Memory or possibly Baskerville House,looking down Easy Row which ran into Suffolk St.
Here is a picture looking in the same direction from street level,it shows part of the Hall of Memory on the right,MossView attachment 69336
Re: broad st/easy row
Hi Moss. That makes it much clearer for me. Got my bearings now. I had a feeling Lyn's pic #1 was closer to Paradise Street, but it's much further away. Also had a look at my 1912 map and these buildings must have been on the bend at the junction of Easy Row, Broad St and Suffolk Street. Just behind these buildings would have been Old Wharf. It was obviously a very interesting area. Seems all the modern day development of the road system has hidden much of this. Viv.
View attachment 69339
Hi Moss. That makes it much clearer for me. Got my bearings now. I had a feeling Lyn's pic #1 was closer to Paradise Street, but it's much further away. Also had a look at my 1912 map and these buildings must have been on the bend at the junction of Easy Row, Broad St and Suffolk Street. Just behind these buildings would have been Old Wharf. It was obviously a very interesting area. Seems all the modern day development of the road system has hidden much of this. Viv.
View attachment 69339
Re: broad st/easy row
That's a good photo Carolina. You can see the architects intention to make this row of houses symmetrical and to give the impression of one large building. A wild guess I'd date it around 1940s but sure others could be more precise by dating the cars. Pity this street doesn't exist today. Viv.
That's a good photo Carolina. You can see the architects intention to make this row of houses symmetrical and to give the impression of one large building. A wild guess I'd date it around 1940s but sure others could be more precise by dating the cars. Pity this street doesn't exist today. Viv.
guilbert53
master brummie
Re: broad st/easy row
Here is roughly the same view today as that shown in post one, the picture with the building being demolished.
It is taken from Google Steet View (so hard to get exactly the same position).
It is looking EAST along Broad St with Alpha Tower on the right (roughly where the demolished building would be).
The Council House and Town Hall are hidden behind the library.
I guess you will all be pleased to know when then NEW library is built the old library (plus the various buildings round it) will be demolished and the area redeveloped AGAIN.
See here https://www.paradisecircus.co.uk/
Here is roughly the same view today as that shown in post one, the picture with the building being demolished.
It is taken from Google Steet View (so hard to get exactly the same position).
It is looking EAST along Broad St with Alpha Tower on the right (roughly where the demolished building would be).
The Council House and Town Hall are hidden behind the library.
I guess you will all be pleased to know when then NEW library is built the old library (plus the various buildings round it) will be demolished and the area redeveloped AGAIN.
See here https://www.paradisecircus.co.uk/
guilbert53
master brummie
Re: broad st/easy row
Here is roughly the same view today as that shown in post 6, the picture looking across the roundabout at the building to be demolished.
The road going off straight ahead is Suffolk St, and the road coming in from the left is Paradise St (the one that runs in front of the Town Hall).
You can pick these out in the map shown on post 16
You will also be pleased to know that the whole area on the right (where the Arena building is) is ALSO going to be redeveloped (one day) as part of the Arena Central development
See here https://www.arena-central.com/
Here is roughly the same view today as that shown in post 6, the picture looking across the roundabout at the building to be demolished.
The road going off straight ahead is Suffolk St, and the road coming in from the left is Paradise St (the one that runs in front of the Town Hall).
You can pick these out in the map shown on post 16
You will also be pleased to know that the whole area on the right (where the Arena building is) is ALSO going to be redeveloped (one day) as part of the Arena Central development
See here https://www.arena-central.com/
Re: broad st/easy row
Thanks Guilbert. Lyn's original photo, perhaps more than any other I've seen of the 'old' Brum of my childhood, brought it home to me just how much our city has changed in my lifetime. For the better? Well, maybe...
BTW, someone I know thinks that the big Victorian building which was being demolished might have been the HQ of an insurance company, but he can't say which one.
Big Gee
Thanks Guilbert. Lyn's original photo, perhaps more than any other I've seen of the 'old' Brum of my childhood, brought it home to me just how much our city has changed in my lifetime. For the better? Well, maybe...
BTW, someone I know thinks that the big Victorian building which was being demolished might have been the HQ of an insurance company, but he can't say which one.
Big Gee
Re: broad st/easy row
This is a 1929 Broad Street Chambers picture. This where Alpha Tower would have been. The buildings on the corner of Broad Street and Easy Row, and under the banner of Broad Street Chambers, were City Chambers, Holborn Chambers, Grosvenor Chambers and Temple Chambers. You can also see that the land around the Hall of Memory was in an unfinished state.
This is a 1929 Broad Street Chambers picture. This where Alpha Tower would have been. The buildings on the corner of Broad Street and Easy Row, and under the banner of Broad Street Chambers, were City Chambers, Holborn Chambers, Grosvenor Chambers and Temple Chambers. You can also see that the land around the Hall of Memory was in an unfinished state.
Re: broad st/easy row
This 1929 painting of the Hall of Memory by Algernon Newton nicely shows the area around the Hall (just before Baskerville House was constructed?). The colonade that was moved is just visible to the left. Pretty well everything else in the painting I don't recognise. Viv
View attachment 69896
This 1929 painting of the Hall of Memory by Algernon Newton nicely shows the area around the Hall (just before Baskerville House was constructed?). The colonade that was moved is just visible to the left. Pretty well everything else in the painting I don't recognise. Viv
View attachment 69896
BordesleyExile
master brummie
Re: broad st/easy row
Interesting find, Viv. Work by Algernon Newton is new to me. He brings some interesting qualities.
Interesting find, Viv. Work by Algernon Newton is new to me. He brings some interesting qualities.
Re: broad st/easy row
Yes BordesleyExile, the painting has a very linear Art Deco style which I like.
Big Gee. I did wonder about this too. Perhaps the chimney stacks (if like you say) there ever were any, are exaggerated because the style of the painting is very linear. Did wonder if those chimneys would be anything to do with the canal. I really have no idea on this. Confused about this one, so if anyone has any ideas ........ Viv.
Yes BordesleyExile, the painting has a very linear Art Deco style which I like.
Big Gee. I did wonder about this too. Perhaps the chimney stacks (if like you say) there ever were any, are exaggerated because the style of the painting is very linear. Did wonder if those chimneys would be anything to do with the canal. I really have no idea on this. Confused about this one, so if anyone has any ideas ........ Viv.
DavidGrain
master brummie
Re: broad st/easy row
Viv I think that the painter was outside what a couple of years later would be where the Municipal Bank Head Office was built so the area you are looking at was bottom centre of the map you have posted in 16 above which shows a mass of factories etc and serveral canal basins. It is now anyones guess whether the height of the chimneys was artistic licence.
Viv I think that the painter was outside what a couple of years later would be where the Municipal Bank Head Office was built so the area you are looking at was bottom centre of the map you have posted in 16 above which shows a mass of factories etc and serveral canal basins. It is now anyones guess whether the height of the chimneys was artistic licence.
Re: broad st/easy row
Dek, I think you may well be right about the white building being the Cambridge Arms, but still not sure about those chimneys. Of course, if they existed then they'd have been demolished long before I was around. Maybe someone with more skill and knowledge than I possess could take a look to see what kind of industries there were in that part of Brum in 1929.
Big Gee
Dek, I think you may well be right about the white building being the Cambridge Arms, but still not sure about those chimneys. Of course, if they existed then they'd have been demolished long before I was around. Maybe someone with more skill and knowledge than I possess could take a look to see what kind of industries there were in that part of Brum in 1929.
Big Gee