Birmingham - always changing

Each time we have been here there seems to be something new.  Building is going on all the time in the UK's second city of Birmingham. Some of it is canal related, as we experienced a few days ago on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Selly Oak.

Ariel Aqueduct

New Ariel Aqueduct

Right in the heart of the city there is a new building, a very strange building ......

Moored here at Cambrian Wharf, we are five minutes from the centre of Brimingham - the Symphony Hall, Town Hall, New Street station, shops, cafes, museums and galleries are all within easy walking distance. One can get "lost" in Culture - if the budget allows!

narrowboats

Narrowboats at Cambrian Wharf

Last time we were here there was a hole in the ground beside The Rep Theatre - a new library was planned in Centenary Square, home of the Symphony Hall and The Rep.

ICC

Symphony Hall is part of the ICC, entrance from canal

We were not sure when we saw the drawings and we are still not sure, now the building has risen high above Centenary Square!

new library

New Library

The Library of Brimingham is arguably an interesting architectural achievement, but set alongside The Rep and the modern glass of the Symphony Hall there is no commonality or "symphony" in the three buildings. What a shame.

The rep

The Rep - closed for redevelopment

Contrast this with Chamberlain Square which once again made me say "wow" when I walked there again the other day. Providing you keep your back to the concrete 1960/70s ziggurat that is the Birmingham Central Library, there is a feeling of continuity between the Museum and Art Gallery, Gas Hall, the Town Hall and the memorial fountain - a wonderful space.

Chamberlain Square

Chamberlain Square

I just wish that architects could "make their mark" in the same style of some of these wonderful buildings. I suppose that some would find that unacceptable and just a pastiche as some of our modern so called "Georgian style" houses are. Ah well - each to his own!

There is more about the buildings in the city centre on my blog, "Back to the Centre of Brum

I wonder what will be new another year when we return to Birmingham, because I can guarantee that there will be more new developments.

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