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Elliott Brown History & heritage
12 Feb 2023 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

Guided tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs from the National Trust

Having pre-booked a guided tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs, we went to the National Trust property on Hurst Street and Inge Street in Southside on Friday 10th February 2023, for the 10:20am tour. Before starting there was an exhibition space to check out. The tour itself with a knowledgeable volunteer, took well over an hour and a half to get around the houses and the tailoring shop.

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Guided tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs from the National Trust





Having pre-booked a guided tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs, we went to the National Trust property on Hurst Street and Inge Street in Southside on Friday 10th February 2023, for the 10:20am tour. Before starting there was an exhibition space to check out. The tour itself with a knowledgeable volunteer, took well over an hour and a half to get around the houses and the tailoring shop.


Back to Backs

It is best to book your tour in advance for the Back to Backs, as they are usually fully booked if you arrive without pre-booked tickets at the Visitor Centre (corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street).

National Trust members go free (they will scan your card in the Visitor Centre). Otherwise, tickets for adults are £7.50 and for children £3.75 (ground floor only). The full guided tour costs for £9.50 for adults and £4.75 for children.

 

Hurst Street

The Visitor Centre is at the corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street, while the former George Saunders tailoring shop you will see during the guided tour. To the far left is the second hand book shop. Upstairs on the 1st and 2nd floors are the special exhibition rooms.

 

 

dndimg alt="Back to Backs" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Back%20to%20Backs%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here's the exterior of George Saunders Tailoring. The tailor was here on Hurst Street from 1974 to 2001. You will see more of that from the guided tour.

dndimg alt="Back to Backs" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Back%20to%20Backs%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Inge Street

The guided tour starts outside the three terraced houses on Inge Street. The tour guides take the group of about 10 people through the gate.

dndimg alt="Back to Backs" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Back%20to%20Backs%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Special exhibition

In 2023, the Back to Backs is the proud host of a special exhibition called From City of Empire to City of Diversity. This is on the floors above the second hand bookshop.

The exhibition tells the tale of Birmingham from City Status in 1889 to the present day, with people of South Asian and Caribbean heritage very much part of this exhibition. It is on the 1st and 2nd floors, accessed via the narrow spiral style staircases (with hand rails and grips to go up and down).

dndimg alt="Back to Backs" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/FCECD%20BBtB%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Back to Backs" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/FCECD%20BBtB%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Court 15 - inner courtyard

This is the only surviving courtyard in the block. Built after 1801, there used to be other courts of back to back houses down Hurst Street, Bromsgrove Street, Essex Street and Inge Street. The rest were demolished. Court 15 was restored after 2001, and opened as a museum by the National Trust in 2004.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

To the far left are three outdoor privies (toilets). The one on the left was just a hole with a bucket below. The second was a flushing toilet with long pull cord. 

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On this side is the Wash House, women would work hard all day washing and cleaning clothes and sheets etc, manually.  There was no plumbing or mod cons back in the 19th century.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Outside is a bike, a child's wheelchair and what looks like a skateboard.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some rooms above had windows with views to the courtyard below. Here's the Wash Room again.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Other groups were visiting Back to Backs at different times. This group were near the privies, so at the end of their guided tour.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

We were taken into three houses. The left was set up as the 1840's for the Levy's. Then the 1870's for the Oldfield's. Finally the 1930's with the Mitchell Brothers.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There is a bicycle outside of one of the houses.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here's the 1840's house in the corner.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the alleyway we came into at the beginning of the tour from Inge Street. They lock the gate now, but it never used to be locked back in the day.

dndimg alt="Court 15" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/C15%20Birm%20BtB%2010022023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Wash Room

The Wash Room or laundry room is accessed from the inner courtyard. There is so much manual equipment and tools here to wash and dry your clothes and women would be doing this all day long. There is also shoe polish and a basic iron for ironing clothes.

dndimg alt="Wash Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WR%20Bham%20BtB%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Wash Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WR%20Bham%20BtB%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

House 1 - 1840's Levy's

The first house you enter from the inner courtyard is on the far left. It is set up as an 1840's home of the Levy's, who were Jewish. The dining table is set up with bread and wine with candles on the table. Although the candle sticks would normally be close together. 

dndimg alt="1840's Levy's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201840s%20Levys%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The daughter had to share a room with her parents, but the boys had their room on the top floor. They got the beds through the window, as the staircase was way too narrow to carry beds up to the rooms. There was a potty under the bed.

dndimg alt="1840's Levy's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201840s%20Levys%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here is the fireplace in the bedroom and a dressing table.

dndimg alt="1840's Levy's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201840s%20Levys%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Three beds are in the boys room on the 2nd floor. There was also unfurnished rooms on the top floor to show how bad a condition the property was before it was restored from 2001-4.

dndimg alt="1840's Levy's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201840s%20Levys%2010022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

House 2 - 1870's The Oldfield's

30 years later, the middle house in the 1870's was the home of the Oldfield family.

There is a bedroom workstation for making clock hands during the day. They would put their own thing onto the attachment at the front.

dndimg alt="1870s Oldfields" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201870s%20Oldfields%2010022023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In one bedroom, a curtain divides the beds from the lodgers.

dndimg alt="1870s Oldfields" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201870s%20Oldfields%2010022023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There are some rabbit ornaments on the dressing table next to the light, with a hand mirror.

dndimg alt="1870s Oldfields" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201870s%20Oldfields%2010022023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Downstairs, there is a kitchen table with basic food and a candle stick lit in the middle.

dndimg alt="1870s Oldfields" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201870s%20Oldfields%2010022023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

House 3 - 1930's The Mitchell Brothers

No, not the Mitchell Brothers from Eastenders! In this case, the Mitchell Brothers were elderly men in their 60's or 70's living during the 1930's. The decade of three Kings (George V, Edward VIII and George VI) and the start of WW2.

dndimg alt="1930s Mitchells" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201930s%20Mitchells%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On the window sill on the ground floor, there is a potted plant, some jugs, playing cards etc.

dndimg alt="1930s Mitchells" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201930s%20Mitchells%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A Bakelite radio is on the ground floor with a mirror and other objects.

dndimg alt="1930s Mitchells" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201930s%20Mitchells%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There are items above a chest of drawers in one of the bedrooms. There are some books or notebooks plus a clock and candle sticks.

dndimg alt="1930s Mitchells" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201930s%20Mitchells%2010022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

1970's George Saunders Tailoring

George Saunders, from the West Indies, set up his tailoring business on Hurst Street in 1974. He stayed until he retired in 2001 (before the houses were restored). He mainly made suits for men. All of the contents are original as he left them.

dndimg alt="1970s Saunders" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201970s%20G%20Saunders%2010022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here is one of the machines for making or pressing buttons.

dndimg alt="1970s Saunders" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201970s%20G%20Saunders%2010022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here is a table with some magazines and a radio.

dndimg alt="1970s Saunders" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201970s%20G%20Saunders%2010022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Here is the ground floor shop, George's desk with phone, postcards etc.

dndimg alt="1970s Saunders" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBtB%201970s%20G%20Saunders%2010022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

We hope you have enjoyed this post and tour of Back to Backs. 

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80 passion points
Stephen Giles Construction & regeneration
10 Feb 2023 - Stephen Giles
Gallery

The Construction of Snowhill Wharf - February 2023

Snowhill Wharf is complete and we have here a photographic review of the construction from 2019 to present.

There are 0ver 200 photos in Full Construction Photo Gallery for this site, there is a link to this in the article...

View feature View community

The Construction of Snowhill Wharf - February 2023





Snowhill Wharf is complete and we have here a photographic review of the construction from 2019 to present.

There are 0ver 200 photos in Full Construction Photo Gallery for this site, there is a link to this in the article...


Showhill Wharf Full Construction Photo Gallery

Berkeley Group's Snow Hill Wharf is complete.


420 (1-3 bed) new homes, 24-hour concierge, gym, sauna, steam room, cinema and lounges galore.

Quality!

Here is a selection of the over 200 photos of the construction of this project:

April 2019

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October 2019

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December 2019

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February 2020

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Macrh 2020

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May 2020

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June 2020

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July 2020

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August 2020

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December 2020

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Photography above by Stephen Giles

 

February 2021

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April 2021

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July 2021

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Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

October 2021

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20Wharf%20October%202021%20(2).jpg" />

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dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20Wharf%20October%202021%20(8).jpg" />

Photography by Stephen Giles

 

September 2021

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November 2021

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February 2022

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October 2022

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Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

January 2023

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Photography by Jonathan Bostock

 

There are 0ver 200 photos in Full Construction Photo Gallery for this site:

Showhill Wharf Full Construction Photo Gallery

 

 

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90 passion points
Daniel Sturley Construction & regeneration
03 Feb 2023 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

The Construction of the Octagon at Paradise Birmingham - February 2023 Photo Update

The Octagon is rising from the ground fast now and the concrete core has reached the third floor with the outer structure on the lower levels chasing behind. Photos from December 2022 through January 2023 in this gallery update, but don't forget we have many more in the main construction photo gallery for this build and a link is in the article...

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The Construction of the Octagon at Paradise Birmingham - February 2023 Photo Update





The Octagon is rising from the ground fast now and the concrete core has reached the third floor with the outer structure on the lower levels chasing behind. Photos from December 2022 through January 2023 in this gallery update, but don't forget we have many more in the main construction photo gallery for this build and a link is in the article...


There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

Below is a selection of recent additions to the full construction photo gallery...

28th December 2022

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7th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor  Daniel Sturley

13th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

14th January 2023

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15th January 2023

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18th January 2023

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19th January 2023

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21st January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

26th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Elliott Brown

28th January 2023

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Photography by Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build contributor Daniel Sturley

Huge gallery for Octagon 

There are now nearly 500 photos of the construction of this building in the Octagon Full Construction Photo Gallery

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103 passion points
Daniel Sturley Construction & regeneration
02 Feb 2023 - Daniel Sturley
News & Updates

The Construction of Exchange Square - Sept 2021 to Jan 2023

A review of the Exchange Square development from September 2021 to January 2023.

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The Construction of Exchange Square - Sept 2021 to Jan 2023





A review of the Exchange Square development from September 2021 to January 2023.


Exchange Square in Birmingham - how things have developed.

Here, we take a look at this huge development from September 2021 to present.

September 2021

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October 2021

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December 2021

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February 2022

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16th April 2022

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May 2022

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July 2022

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August 2022

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September 2022

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October 2022

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November 2022

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December 2022

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January 2023

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Photography by contributors to ItsYourBuild and BirminghamWeAre.

Please see the full construction photo gallery for this build here: Exchange Square Phase 1 & 2

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100 passion points
Stephen Giles Construction & regeneration
25 Jan 2023 - Stephen Giles
News & Updates

Plans for Birmingham Smithfield Are Now In!

EXCLUSIVE: Plans for Birmingham Smithfield are now in!

Detailed first phase plans include a new destination market, a state-of-the-art office, a health and wellbeing hub, and 547 new homes tailored for families.

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Plans for Birmingham Smithfield Are Now In!





EXCLUSIVE: Plans for Birmingham Smithfield are now in!

Detailed first phase plans include a new destination market, a state-of-the-art office, a health and wellbeing hub, and 547 new homes tailored for families.


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Here are the exciting plans for Birmingham Smithfield Phase 1, a once-in-a-lifetime £1.9b redevelopment from a Birmingham City Council & Lendlease Joint Venture.

Hybrid plans submitted in early December have now landed (in January!) and contain full detailed planning for Phase 1 and outline plans for future phases. These detailed plans include:

NEW MARKETS (Plots 5ABC) from David Kohn Architects and Eastside Projects

Bringing together the current Indoor and Rag Markets, this destination market will offer 13,301 sqm of spaces for live performances and events, day and night, along with places to eat, drink & socialise within the new dining hall and a landscaped rooftop garden overlooking Festival Square.

Located to the northern most point, the markets will provide maximum visibility for the new market areas from the commercial and retail heart of the city around the Bullring and St Martin’s Church.

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NEW HOMES (Plot 1D) from dRMMIntervention Architecture, Fira.

Borderd by Bradford Street and Barford Street comes the residential element of Smithfield. Tailored towards families, Plot 1D will comprise 405 residential dwellings with flexible retail and commercial floorspace provided at ground floor level.

Adding Plot 4A1 into the equation, a total of 547 homes will be delivered across the first phase of Birmingham Smithfield.

Provision for an additional 3,000 (12% affordability) is to be come forward as part of subsequent applications in the future – with a mixture of studios to four-bedroom dwellings.

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A HEALTH & WELL-BEING HUB (Plot 4A1) from RCKa and Intervention Architecture.

A new mixed-use Health and Wellbeing Hub for everyone!

Situated next to the new markets and connecting to the rest of Smithfield via a new green pedestrian boulevard, ‘The Hub’ will provide 142 residential dwellings, a plethora of amenities, all complemented with retail and food and beverage outlets, including a pub!

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OFFICES (Plot 3) from Minesh Patel ArchitectsHaworth Tompkins and Fira.

Plot 3A will occupy a significant location in the heart of Smithfield.

Integrating with the new public realm Plot 3A will provide 48,883sqm of Grade A office floorspace, complemented by a fourth-floor rooftop garden terrace.

The vision is to deliver an exciting new workplace offer, with a design that celebrates its adjacency to Festival Square and its connection to Central Boulevard.

The building has been designed to celebrate its functionality and to be adaptable so it can respond to future working trends.

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Event space:

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Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @Buildsweare, and Instagram: Itsyourbirmingham, as we'll update all of this information, including renderings, as the application evolves over the coming months.

Images from Lendlease and the above architects.

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