Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces

Curzon Street Station. Image by Birmingham Post / Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces

Do you look up at the historic architecture found above the gaudy line of every-town shop branding? Do you have a curiosity of what might be behind an interesting looking door or wall? If so, you are going to love Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces.

The project, by Associated Architects in association with the Birmingham Post and Royal Institute of British Architects, celebrates the city’s rich and diverse architectural heritage. But not just the views you are familiar with. This is what makes this project special. Through quality photography, they have granted us all virtual access to the interesting spaces found on rooftops, underground and behind closed doors. From the elegant French-style interiors of the Grand Hotel, to the height of 1960s technology in the BT Tower.

Grand Hotel, Colmore Row. Image by Birmingham Post / Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces

Architectural features include the Council House, Assay Office, Municipal Bank, Perrott’s Folly, Masonic Hall, and Curzon Street Station. Though some of the buildings have public access, the project spotlights behind the scenes glimpses in the Town Hall, Barber Institute, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, New Alexandra Theatre, Electric Cinema, and New Street Signal Box. 




The spaces are not just restricted to buildings either. See underground, in the tunnels of the Mailbox and Anchor Telephone Exchange. Also revealed, the historic tunnel between the basement of Steelhouse Lane Custody Suite and the Victoria Law Courts.

Anchor Telephone Exchange. Image by Birmingham Post / Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces

Each hidden space has a gallery of contemporary photographs, taken from creative angles from floor level to bird’s eye views. There are often fascinating close-ups of architectural details, such as a door handle, that would otherwise be missed to a casual glance. In further aim of showing the city in a different light, they are also keen to display your photos. What do you consider as a worthy contender for Your Spaces?


Are you interested in knowing how high BT Tower is? How heavy is Big Brum’s biggest bell? Where can the city’s Cold War heritage be found? Answers to these questions and more can be found in insightful articles that accompany each space in this wonderful project.