The Methodist Central Hall, 196–224 Corporation Street, Birmingham, England, is a three-storey red brick and terracotta Grade II* listed building with a distinctive tower at the northern end of Corporation Street. The design complements the Victoria Law Courts opposite, also in terracotta, and includes eclectic details such as the corner turrets resembling Indian chattris.[1] It is located within the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
| Methodist Central Hall | |
|---|---|
 Methodist Central Hall, Birmingham City Centre | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | red brick and terracotta |
| Location | 196-224 Corporation Street, Birmingham, England |
| Coordinates | 52°29′01″N 1°53′33″W / 52.48361°N 1.89250°W |
| Construction started | 1903 |
| Completed | 1904 |
| Cost | £96,165 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Ewan Harper & James A. Harper |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 21 January 1970 |
| Reference no. | 1075607 |
The terracotta was manufactured by the renowned firm of Gibbs and Canning of Tamworth, which also produced decorative works for 179-203 Corporation Street and the interior of the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham and the Natural History Museum in London. It was built 1903–04 by architects Ewan Harper & James A. Harper. The main hall seated 2,000 and it had more than 30 other rooms, including three school halls. It cost £96,165.
The street level has twelve bays of shops (four with their original fronts). The building also runs along Ryder Street and has more original shop fronts.
In 1991, the Methodist church was converted into the Que Club, a nightclub and music venue; however, since its closure in 2002, the building fell empty and was poorly maintained. Currently it is only partially in use and its deteriorating condition has led to it being listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.[2] The building has been the subject of various proposals for conversion to apartments and offices. [3][4] In 2018 Birmingham City Council approved plans to restore and renovate the building including a 147-bed hotel.[5]
In July 2022, it was announced that Press Up Entertainment, would begin converting the building into a 150 bedroom hotel and event space following a grant of planning permission.[6][7] The building will be renamed The Dean Hotel as part of the renovation.[8]
Notes
edit- ^ "Looking at Buildings - Pevsner Architectural Guide - Birmingham". Pevsner Architectural Guides. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Heritage at Risk Register 2018, West Midlands (Report). Historic England. p. 52. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Roslyn Tappenden, City planners give go-ahead to turn historic building into flats, Culture24, 8 November 2004, accessed 24 November 2009
- ^ "Hidden Spaces: Methodist Central Hall behind the scenes". Birmingham Post. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ "Councillors back restoration plans for Birmingham's Methodist Central Hall". Express & Star. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ "Press Up to open its first British hotel in historic Birmingham building". Business Post. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Geall, Megan (18 August 2022). "Hospitality group Press Up granted planning permission on Grade II* Listed Birmingham Methodist Hall". SquareMeal. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ "The Dean Hotel, Birmingham". TODD Architects. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
References
edit- Foster, Andy (2005). Pevsner Architectural Guides - Birmingham. Penguin. ISBN 0-300-10731-5.
- Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1075607)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 May 2006.
- Heritage at Risk Register: Methodist+Central+Hall
External links
edit
Media related to Methodist Central Hall, Birmingham at Wikimedia Commons
