Development of Central Square in Brindleyplace took place in the 1990s. In the centre is the Brindleyplace Cafe which is a Costa Coffee. One building looks like it escaped from Venice and that's Three Brindleyplace. Four Brindleyplace is now home to Caffe Nero and BANK (a restaurant not a bank). Opposite is Two Brindleyplace. Five Brindleyplace finishes off the square.

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Central Square, Brindleyplace: Westside's central hub for events


Central Square, Brindleyplace: Westside's central hub for events


Development of Central Square in Brindleyplace took place in the 1990s. In the centre is the Brindleyplace Cafe which is a Costa Coffee. One building looks like it escaped from Venice and that's Three Brindleyplace. Four Brindleyplace is now home to Caffe Nero and BANK (a restaurant not a bank). Opposite is Two Brindleyplace. Five Brindleyplace finishes off the square.


Lets have a look around Central Square, Brindleyplace. First with my earliest photos from May 2009.

Costa Coffee based in the Brindleyplace Cafe or Central Cafe. I have been here several times over the years. Although it's more convenient now to go to the Costa at Arena Birmingham (it's bigger). This view looking towards Six Brindleyplace (to the left) and Five Brindleyplace (to the right).

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Looking towards Two Brindleyplace. Near there is the water fountain jets. There is a path in the middle that goes down the steps. The building was completed in 1997. At one point it was the offices of Lloyds TSB (now just Lloyds Bank).

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Now Birmingham's very own escaped from Venice buildings. Three Brindleyplace, which was completed in 1998. It faces the canalside and is to the right of the National Sealife Centre. In recent years restaurant space has been opened up on the ground floor.

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Five Brindleyplace is seen to the right of Six Brindleyplace and the Costa Coffee Cafe. It was completed in 1996. It was offices of BT. But in recent years has been refurbished into offices for Deutsche Bank (who used to be in One Brindleyplace (that has been taken over by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games).

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View of the Aqueduct sculpture by Miles Davies seen in November 2009. It was unveiled in 1995. Four Brindleyplace seen behind was completed in 1999. BANK the restaurant was in Central Square 10 years ago like it is now. I think an estate agents was where Caffe Nero is now (on the left). I regularly go to that Caffe Nero (as with others around the City and Solihull).

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The water fountain jets. Walk down the path in the middle for safety reasons. Kids may want to play in the water. Sometimes it is turned off. Between Two and Three Brindleyplace. Seen in May 2009.

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Now a look at some of the events held here over the years.

4 Squares Weekender

Held over the weekend of the 6th to 8th September 2013. Co-inciding with the opening of the new Library of Birmingham. They also used Victoria Square, Chamberlain Square and Centenary Square. I saw it on the 7th September 2013.

This is Pif Paf.
The thrilling new aerial sculpture by Pif Paf, within a transforming mechanical world of action, metal and rope, presented by mac Birmingham.

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Some musicians including a man with a guitar. Was still an estate agent at Four Brindleyplace at this time (no Caffe Nero until sometime in 2014).

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One of the pink and white banners for 4 Squares Weekender.

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Another view of Pif Paf.

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Fine and Local Food Market

This was on the 30th May 2014. These market stalls near Two Brindleyplace.

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These market stalls between the Costa Coffee Cafe and Three Brindleyplace. Looking towards Two Brindleyplace (on the left).

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Brindleyplace Film Festival

This was held from the 7th to 13th July 2014. On Saturday the 12th July 2014 they were showing Toy Story 2 in Central Square.

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The crowd of people enjoying the movie in the summer sunshine, as I headed for a coffee at Caffe Nero in Four Brindleyplace. They could be in Venice but Three Brindleyplace is in Birmingham. The Waters Edge on the right leads towards the canal and The ICC.

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The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

It was an art trail of painted owls across the city. Was a pair in Central Square from July 2015 for a 10 week period over the summer. (the old The Big Hoot website is no longer online).

This one was called You Can Call Me Owl by the artist Stephen McKay and the sponsor was Brindleyplace. Seen in July 2015. It looked like a red phone box. Seen close to Two Brindleyplace.

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This owl that resembled the IKON Gallery was outside of Five Brindleyplace. The Oozells Owl by the artist Jodie Silverman and the sponsor was Deutsche Bank (outside of their new home from 2014). See also my IKON Gallery post.

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The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

Another public art trail around Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Dudley. But this time painted bears. A 10 week trail over the summer from July 2017. Their website has unfortunately been taken over by something that is nothing to do with the trail.

Bearlock was by the artist Lee O'Brien and the sponsor was Deustche Bank. Seen outside of Five Brindleyplace. Based upon Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Seen in July 2017.

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Bear'indleyplace was by the artist Jennifer Shufflebottom and the sponsor was Brindleyplace. Was close to Two Brindleyplace.

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Christmas 2016

Seen in December 2016 was Santa's Christmas Boot. A bit like one of those Magical Lantern things that was at the Botanical Gardens at the time.

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Seems to me like Brindleyplace only put's up teir Christmas tree in early December, like his one in December 2016. looking towards Caffe Nero and Four Brindleyplace. You wont find a Christmas tree here in November (unlike other parts of the City Centre).

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Amazon Treasure Truck

This was seen in February 2018. Seen parked close to Three Brindleyplace. Over 2018 I kept seeing it return to the City Centre multiple times. Sometimes in Victoria Square, sometimes at the Bullring.

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The front side of the Amazon Treasure Truck near Costa Coffee and Five Brindleyplace.

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This view towards Four Brindleyplace and Caffe Nero. The occasion for this visit was Valentines Day.

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Forget me not

This was during April 2018. Got these views from the Brindleyplace Car Park. There for the second year from the 2nd to 8th April 2018.

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2000 wrought iron flowers symbolises a special person who is no longer with us. Views from the car park were a bit awkward to get.

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Bit harder to get a decent view from the square itself. I'm not sure if it returned here for a third year in 2019 or not. Didn't hear anything about it this time around.

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Fast & Furious

This was seen in Central Square during April 2018. Promoting Fast & Furious Live which was going to be at Arena Birmingham on the 20th, 21st and 22nd April 2018 (last year).

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Various revved up and modded cars were parked in the square. We now have Fast & Furious 9 to await in cinemas in 2020 (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw came out in August 2019).

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The Fast & Furious Live lorry parked near BANK at Four Brindleyplace.

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Brindley The Place

This was a temporary renaming of Brindleyplace as Brindley The Place during April 2019 (these signs have gone now). This was on Three Brindleyplace or Three Brindley The Place.

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This was at Four Brindleyplace. Or Four Brindley The Place.

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Welcome to Brindley The Place. This large banner was down Six Brindleyplace or Six Brindley The Place.

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More Central Square photos here Brindleyplace, Central Square, Birmingham. Including some small dinosaurs and Oompa loompas.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.