Centenary Square
Encyclopedia
Centenary Square is a public square
on Broad Street
in central Birmingham
, England
, named in 1989 in celebration of the centenary of Birmingham achieving city status in 1889.
The area was purchased in the early 20th century by the council for the creation of a grand civic scheme to include new council offices, mayor's residence, public library and concert hall. The scheme was abandoned after the arrival of World War II
with only half of the planned Baskerville House having been built.
The square is a work of art in itself, with paving, railings and lamps designed by artist Tess Jaray
. Work on the square cost £3.4 million.
The square was the centrepiece of the millennium celebrations for the city with singer, Cliff Richard
lighting a beacon known as The Flame of Hope, which stood between Baskerville House and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Problems with funding resulted in the flame regularly being turned off, and it was eventually removed.
The Library of Birmingham
is currently being built between Baskerville House
and Birmingham Repertory Theatre
. Mecanoo won the design competition in August 2008, and work began to prepare the land for building work in November 2009 before planning permission was granted. Final planning permission was granted in November/December 2009 and work began in January 2010. A large section of Centenary Square is now therefore shut off to the public whilst building work takes place. The Spirit and Enterprise Fountain has since been removed.
Town square
A town square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center, city square, urban square, market square, public square, and town green.Most town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets,...
on Broad Street
Broad Street, Birmingham
Broad Street is a major thoroughfare and popular nightspot in Birmingham City Centre, United Kingdom. Traditionally, Broad Street was considered to be outside Birmingham City Centre, but as the city centre expanded with the removal of the Inner Ring Road, Broad Street has been incorporated into...
in central Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, named in 1989 in celebration of the centenary of Birmingham achieving city status in 1889.
The area was purchased in the early 20th century by the council for the creation of a grand civic scheme to include new council offices, mayor's residence, public library and concert hall. The scheme was abandoned after the arrival of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with only half of the planned Baskerville House having been built.
The square is a work of art in itself, with paving, railings and lamps designed by artist Tess Jaray
Tess Jaray
Tess Jaray RA is the painter who designed Centenary Square, Birmingham, England and the forecourt for the New British Embassy, Moscow.Her work is characterised by the enigmatic interaction of forms and colours...
. Work on the square cost £3.4 million.
The square was the centrepiece of the millennium celebrations for the city with singer, Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
lighting a beacon known as The Flame of Hope, which stood between Baskerville House and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Problems with funding resulted in the flame regularly being turned off, and it was eventually removed.
The Library of Birmingham
Library of Birmingham
The Library of Birmingham is a new library under construction in the city centre of Birmingham, England. It is situated on the west side of the city centre at Centenary Square beside the Birmingham Rep and Baskerville House. It replaces the old Birmingham Central Library and will provide pedestrian...
is currently being built between Baskerville House
Baskerville House
Baskerville House, previously called the Civic Centre, is a former civic building in Centenary Square, Birmingham, England.-History:The site was originally occupied by the home of John Baskerville. He was buried nearby in the area which was known as Easy Hill...
and Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England...
. Mecanoo won the design competition in August 2008, and work began to prepare the land for building work in November 2009 before planning permission was granted. Final planning permission was granted in November/December 2009 and work began in January 2010. A large section of Centenary Square is now therefore shut off to the public whilst building work takes place. The Spirit and Enterprise Fountain has since been removed.
Features
All sculptures in the square were paid for by the "Per Cent For Arts" scheme which only pays toward building costs if public sculpture forms at least 1% of the entire building project.- Boulton, Watt and MurdochBoulton, Watt and MurdochThe gilded bronze statue of Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch by William Bloye and Raymond Forbes-Kings stands on a plinth of Portland stone, outside the old Register Office on Broad Street in Birmingham, England....
(statue, re-gilded September 2006) - Forward!, a sculpture by Raymond Mason which was unveiled in 1991. It cost £275,000. It was destroyed by arson on 17 April 2003. It was locally known as the "LurpakLurpakLurpak is a Danish brand of butter owned by the Danish Dairy Board. It is sold in over 80 countries worldwide and is best known for its distinct silver packaging...
sculpture". - Birmingham Rep theatre
- Industry and GeniusJohn BaskervilleJohn Baskerville was an English businessman, in areas including japanning and papier-mâché, but he is best remembered as a printer and typographer.-Life:...
(sculpture), in front of Baskerville HouseBaskerville HouseBaskerville House, previously called the Civic Centre, is a former civic building in Centenary Square, Birmingham, England.-History:The site was originally occupied by the home of John Baskerville. He was buried nearby in the area which was known as Easy Hill... - International Convention CentreInternational Convention Centre, BirminghamThe International Convention Centre is a major conference venue in central Birmingham, England. The centre includes Symphony Hall and it faces Centenary Square. The building has another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Convention Quarter area, which includes Brindleyplace, is...
and Symphony HallSymphony Hall, BirminghamSymphony Hall is a 2,262 seat concert venue located inside the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, England. It was officially opened by the Queen in June 1991, although had been opened on April 15, 1991. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events... - Hall of Memory
- Hyatt Regency HotelHyattHyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
- In 2005 a Ferris wheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
known locally as the Birmingham Wheel was constructed in the square to provide views for the public. The wheel finally closed on 5 September 2006 and was sold to a company in Australia. - Spirit & Enterprise (fountain, designed by Tom Lomax) This fountain is currently removed.
- 1914 statue of King Edward VIIKing Edward VII MemorialThe King Edward VII Memorial is a sculpture in memory of King Edward VII, located in Centenary Square, Birmingham, England.In 1910, the Birmingham Mail launched an appeal to erect a statue to Edward VII, in order to commemorate his reign...
by Albert ToftAlbert ToftAlbert Toft was a British sculptor.Toft trained in Wedgwood's pottery and studied sculpture at the South Kensington Schools under Professor Edouard Lanteri.-Notable works:...
, moved to the square in November 2010.