New Futures for Birmingham`s Historic Buildings

A flavour of Italy on Constitution Hill

Posted June 14th, 2015 by Katie Hughes with 2 Comments

Ceramic tiles, terracotta detailing, floral motifs and carved cornices all contribute to the architectural vocabulary of two unique buildings on Constitution Hill which have a distinctively Italian feel against the backdrop of the historic Jewellery Quarter. Over the past couple of months I have ...

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Alpha Tower- A sculptural landmark.

Posted August 21st, 2014 by Katie Hughes with No Comments

There was good news this month when it was announced that the 28 storey Alpha Tower building at the bottom end of Broad Street/Suffolk Street has been given grade II listed status by English Heritage. This sculptural modernist tower which was built in ...

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Beautiful Birmingham Terracotta

Posted June 23rd, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 2 Comments

Discovering Birmingham’s extensive collection of beautiful terracotta buildings. Red, bold, ornate and beautiful…these are some of the words which spring to my mind when I see the striking Victoria Law Courts on Corporation Street built in 1891. For me, it is the material which provides the ...

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Arts & crafts splendour: Winterbourne House & Botanical Gardens

Posted May 4th, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 2 Comments

Last Sunday volunteers and supporters of The Birmingham Conservation Trust were invited for a tour of Winterbourne House & Gardens which is situated in the University of Birmingham Campus. Winterbourne House is an Edwardian house built in 1903 for the Nettlefold family who were industrialists ...

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The Smith and Pepper Factory

Posted April 5th, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 15 Comments

In the heart of the Jewellery Quarter nestled in-between the rows of Jewellers shops is a factory frozen in time exhibiting traditional methods of Jewellery making and production. The building and its contents are a physical reminder of Birmingham’s industrial past and the ...

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Birmingham heritage courtesy of BMAG- Sarehole Mill & Blakesley Hall

Posted March 11th, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 3 Comments

Hello everyone, I’m Katie and this is my first blog post for the Birmingham Conservation Trust as their new volunteer blogger. I thought for my first post I would share with you some photographs and memories of one of my favourite heritage ...

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