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Waterstones

They should demolish McAwful's and move the slope to where that is, thus allowing more space fro the tramway on the left of the road
 
The next thing will be that they are closing Waterstones anyway - they are part of the struggling HMV group :(
There will soon be no bookshops left, in Tamworth the only chance you have of getting a book is in W H Smith and their selection is often dire. Kids won't know what a bookshop is, so sad, I can remember a trip to Hudsons being a real treat, must be getting old, though all the kids love books and bookshops.
Sue
 
Waterstones doesn't look too bad after demolition work.


(photo courtesy of wintery sarcasm, Birmingham contruction forum)
 
Here are my photos from Stephenson Street


Waterstones, Stephenson Street - former Midland Bank by ell brown, on Flickr


Waterstones, Stephenson Street - former Midland Bank by ell brown, on Flickr

Stephenson Place


Waterstones, Stephenson Place - former Midland Bank - also Ladywood House by ell brown, on Flickr


Waterstones, Stephenson Street / Stephenson Place - former Midland Bank by ell brown, on Flickr


The door on Stephenson Place - Bank


Waterstones, Stephenson Place - former Midland Bank - Old Bank door by ell brown, on Flickr

It is Grade II listed.

1867-9, by Edward Holmes; extended towards Stephenson Place and Stephenson Street 1875. Stone. Two storeys; 3 bays. Ground floor with banded rustication, a central arched entrance within a porch with coupled granite Ionic column to the entablature which carries a balcony and 2 arched windows. First floor with coupled giant Corinthian order and with 3 window in frames with pilasters and entablature. Entablature with dentilled and bracketted cornice. Balustraded parapet. Excellent detailing throughout. Long return on Stephenson Place in a similar style, but the first floor order is not coupled. Good iron railings. Inside, a banking hall of 3 x 7 arched bays separated by giant composite Corinthianesque pilasters supporting a heavily coffered roof with central coved glazed part.
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Midland Bank International Division 128
 
Waterstones with the corner missing (taken Saturday 10th May 2014)
I feel very sad they have done this to this building :(
 

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hi pol..i long ago accepted the fact that our lovely old buildings mean nothing to the powers that be...such a shame

lyn
 
I read that the bits removed were later additions. Is this correct? If so is it a real problem? There are architect proposals for the finished state somewhere.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
 
Hi Bernard: There is an in depth Architects report by Howl and Associates of Tamworth on the work at Waterstones,Stephenson Place in the form of a pdf file. There is also one by the Planning Department,Birmingham City Council. The Birmingham Council's pdf has a lot of photos and the history of the building etc.Not sure how to put on the PDF's link but if you put into Google - Howl and Associates- re Birmingham Metro-Waterstones - you will be able to link to both PDF files.
 
Perhaps a little off-topic, though it is about Waterstones. Their website informs us that a new book is on the horizon in the bloody histories series so beloved by kids, though, looking at the publication date on the image below, it would seem to be on the other side of the milky way at the moment

ScreenHunter_2863_May__12_12_43.jpg
 
mikejee said:
Perhaps a little off-topic, though it is about Waterstones. Their website informs us that a new book is on the horizon in the bloody histories series so beloved by kids, though, looking at the publication date on the image below, it would seem to be on the other side of the milky way at the moment
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For what it's worth, this is a link to the site of the publisher responsible for "Bloody British History" https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php. It's not a series for kids. They have several books in the series and another due in October but they do not mention a Birmingham book. They do have Birmingham books, just not that series.
 
Sorry, I was mixing it up with the "horrible histories". The point about the publication date stands though
 
Not sure when, but the new entrance is open (I exited it today).

Had a look around inside Waterstone's New Street (been years since I last went inside).

And took these photos.





After this set of stairs, there was a spiral staircase to the top floor.






Normally I just walk past here, but aware of it becoming an Apple store, thought I'd look around while it was still Waterstone's.

Have also posted them in the Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/129663943723498/999023536787530/
 
I wasn't aware the building was condemned to being used by Apple. they will probably ruin it
 
I guess better that Apple use the building rather than see it decline and then demolished to make way for one of modern rubbish they put up.
 
Can you enlighten me here? Is the Waterstones' Book Shop in New Street going to be completely used by another company e.g. Apple? If so, is there another Waterstones in the City Centre? Also, will there be any major bookshop in the City Centre selling serious and informative books or will they all be discount bookshops? I will be coming up to Birmingham soon and I always like to look round "proper" bookshops. Thanks. Dave.
 
There is/was another Waterstones, at the end of High St, facing New St. At the moment it is having a refit, presumably to prepare for the death of the other branch.
 
Birmingham Mail posted this article earlier this month.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-giant-apple-store-open-10169035

Technology giant Apple is set to move into one of Birmingham’s most historic and prominent stores, the Mail understands.A deal is imminent for the Californian behemoth to take over the six-storey Waterstones store on New Street, originally built as one of the first Midland Bank branches.It continues a renaissance of an important part of the city, coming just days after the opening of the Grand Central shopping mall and days before testing begins on the new Metro line.It presents a long-awaited boost for retail in the traditional heart of shopping in Birmingham, and one Corporation Street retailer has already committed to a major expansion on the back of the impending arrival of Apple.While the deal is yet to be confirmed, it is understood that Apple, Waterstones and the Grade II listed building’s owner Hortons’ Estate have agreed terms.Plans went in to Birmingham City Council earlier this summer outlining major changes to the inside of the building, including removing a staircase and mezzanine balcony added in the 1990s.
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mikejee said:
There is/was another Waterstones, at the end of High St, facing New St. At the moment it is having a refit, presumably to prepare for the death of the other branch.
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Yes both Waterstone's in the city centre will merge into one at the High Street store. Will have a new cafe. But will lose the entrance on the 3rd floor into the Pavilions (due to the possible Primark development there).
 
Waterstone's on the High Street next to the new Primark store. Was heavily sleeting / raining. Was very wet and cold! Primark won't open until sometime in 2019, should have been finished by Christmas 2018. There present to Birmingham by unveiling both façades!

 
I've just come across this thread, I went to the Waterstones that was in the old Times Furnishing building 22/11/02 Reason to purchase a copy of Rolling With The Stones by Bill Wyman , having bought a copy I joined a queue to get it signed by Bill I got to shake his hand and my book was duly signed . A good achievement I thought as I've been following this group since 1963
 
This is footage that I shot from the roof of what was The Times Furnishing Store looking down on the Bull Ring the area has changed a bit since then
https://flic.kr/p/dz8eQz




Williamstreeter said:
I've just come across this thread, I went to the Waterstones that was in the old Times Furnishing building 22/11/02 Reason to purchase a copy of Rolling With The Stones by Bill Wyman , having bought a copy I joined a queue to get it signed by Bill I got to shake his hand and my book was duly signed . A good achievement I thought as I've been following this group since 1963
Click to expand...
 
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