Birmingham’s centre is home to a remarkable example of the city’s postwar “carchitecture” known as the Ringway Centre. However, plans are underway to demolish this brutalist landmark and replace it with apartment blocks, as approved by councillors.
Over the past several months, activists have been passionately advocating for the preservation of the Ringway Centre. As the planning meeting to determine its fate took place on Thursday, dozens of protestors gathered outside the council house in protest.
The Twentieth Century Society, which recently listed this building as at risk, expressed their disappointment with the decision. They believe that demolishing the Ringway Centre is a missed opportunity to preserve and repurpose an important postwar heritage site.
Oli Marshall, the society’s campaigns manager, stated, “Birmingham has an incredibly rich postwar heritage, one of the greatest in the UK. It is disheartening to see so much of it being lost. We should be repurposing what we already have, which aligns with the council’s goal of going zero-carbon by 2030.”
Constructed in 1962, the Ringway Centre features a distinctive 230-meter elevation along Smallbrook Queensway. It consists of four stories of office spaces above a sheltered shopping parade. Regrettably, parts of the building have fallen into disrepair in recent years.
Situated at the entrance to the Chinese Quarter, on the south side of the city, the Ringway Centre is also renowned for housing the popular nightclub Snobs. Reports earlier this year suggested that Snobs would have to find a new venue if the building were to be demolished.
The architect behind the Ringway Centre is James Roberts, known for his work on the Grade II-listed Rotunda tower in Birmingham. The building’s design embodies the concept of “carchitecture,” with its form shaped by the surrounding roads and intended to be appreciated by passing vehicles.
The decision to replace the Ringway Centre with three glass tower blocks, ranging from 44 to 56 storeys high, was voted on by councillors. The development plan includes 1,750 apartments, as well as commercial and leisure spaces, along with new public areas.
During the meeting, Jeffrey Yap, joint chair of the Birmingham Chinese festival committee, advocated for the demolition. He stated, “The Ringway Centre symbolizes a car-dominated Birmingham of the past. We no longer desire this. As we look towards 2023, we envision a different city.”
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