Paradise Street

[Stitcher]

This advert is from 1947
I do not have a date for the other one.

 

[mikejee]

Bocker & Betteridge had quite a long run. they were at Bristol St 1936 -56, but by 1962 had moved to station road

 

[Vivienne14]

This thread is sadly lacking many of its earlier images, so here's a 1930s photo of the street. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

I’m starting this thread as I don’t seem to be able to find one dealing with the historical aspects of this street. This clipping from the Birmingham Mail describes a street that would be unimaginable today.

 

[ellbrown]

A few photos from over the last decade or so on Paradise Street.

Facade of Queen's College in 2009.



Pedestrian diversion in 2015 when Fletchers Walk was still there.



Cars in 2014. Will never be cars on Paradise Street again. At least they shouldn't go on what is now a tram only street.



Nor will any limo's go down here ever again. This was in 2015.



Town Hall Tram Stop in December 2019.



Tram arriving at Town Hall Tram Stop during January 2020.

 

[Brookfields Lad]

I’m starting this thread as I don’t seem to be able to find one dealing with the historical aspects of this street. This clipping from the Birmingham Mail describes a street that would be unimaginable today.

View attachment 141819

Great article. Thanks for posting it.

 

[mikejee]

The map below shows nos 33 and 34 c1889. However there is some confusion in directories, and in early directories it would appear that the building marked 33 is recorded as 34

 

[BrumMack]

The Birmingham Museum Trust has a drawing of what is described as 'Free Trade Hall, Paradise Street, Birmingham' and dated 1886. The drawing is by Robert F Matthews (It is posted by 'mikejee' in message #6 on this thread below).

This is the only evidence I have seen of a Free Trade Hall on Paradise Street. It does not appear in Kelly's Directories of 1888 or 1894; nor does it appear on the 1880 Ordnance Survey Map for Birmingham. I've also not seen any other drawing nor any photo of the Free Trade Hall.

My hypothesis is that the building may have been proposed but was never built. Can anyone confirm of refute my hypothesis?

 

[mikejee]

I agree that it was probably an architect's impression. It certainly does not look like any building in Paradise St I have seen photographs of

 

[Vivienne14]

Pity it wasn’t built. Would have been a lovely addition to the town. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

Pity it wasn’t built. Would have been a lovely addition to the town. Viv.

i agree viv looks lovely although the cynic in me says only for a short time

 

[Pedrocut]

Fire Insurance Map, 1889
[Flash Player needed for zoom]

Discover the riches of the British Library

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[Vivienne14]

The view towards the Canal Offices and the Old Wharf. A view hard to place in the context of the present day view. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Paradise Street (Edit ) pre-1899. Easy Row to the left, Suffolk Street to the right. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

A few more. Viv.

 

[Dave89]

Paradise Street c1903. Easy Row to the left, Suffolk Street to the right. Viv.

Hi Viv

A bit earlier as Christ Church was pulled down in 1899. I have a fascination
for that building, and would have loved to see it, but I guess if I had been around
then I would probably also have seen the horrors of WW1. You can't have everything !

Kind regards
Dave

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Dave. Have edited post #10. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

A very wet, and doubtless muddy, Paradise Street. Afraid I don't know the date of this stereoscope image.

 

[Astoness]

not seen this lovely one before...just look at the line of lovely street lights...christ church in the distance

 

[Astoness]

paradise st decked up for the coronation

 

[Astoness]

hope this is a new one

 

[Vivienne14]

Have merged two threads together about Paradise Street. There may be earlier unseen posts.

 

[Richard Dye]

hope this is a new oneView attachment 194354

How graceful that street scene looks!

 

[Richard Dye]

not seen this lovely one before...just look at the line of lovely street lights...christ church in the distanceView attachment 188285

That is classic!

 

[Pedrocut]

Queen's College, Paradise Street, Birmingham, creator: Thomas Lewis. 1889.
(Birmingham Archives and Collections)

 

[Vivienne14]

Queens College (now Queens College Chambers) has an interesing architectural history. In 1904 the facade of Queens College was altered giving it a terracotta and brick frontage. Then in the 1970s, the facade was kept (being Grade II listed), but the rear of the building was demolished and rebuilt.

The photo in #115 shows the first frontage.

Present day view

 

[Astoness]

Queen's College, Paradise Street, Birmingham, creator: Thomas Lewis. 1889.
(Birmingham Archives and Collections)

View attachment 217479

nice street lighting

lyn

 

[BrummieGeoff]

I believe this is an 1840's architect's drawing of Queen's College in Paradise Street. The original construction may have varied from this plan, and certainly the front skyline in later photos has an additional "extension". It gives an aerial view of what was planned behind the frontage on Paradise Street .... including residential accommodation, and a chapel for the Theological Department. The chapel was at the back of the site, on Swallow Street.
The attached photos show the chapel in a 1949 aerial shot, and a 1954 street view.