City Centre Gardens is located on Cambridge Street in Birmingham City Centre.

City Centre Gardens (November 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is behind the Library of Birmingham (opened 2013) and The REP (opened 1971). Was part of the Civic Centre Estate. Brindley Drive is to the north eastern end of the gardens (near what is now called Paradise Circus Car Park).

City Centre Gardens (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Very calm and sedate away from the hustle & bustle of the city.

Flower borders at City Centre Gardens (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As well as at the back of The REP, it is to the back of The ICC.

City Centre Gardens (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of City Centre Gardens

Part of the Civic Centre Estate, there was various proposed schemes from 1918 onwards. Land was cleared in the 1920s near the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal towards the former Baskerville Wharf. The Hall of Memory was completed in 1925 and later Baskerville House by 1940 (just as WW2 broke out). The earlier schemes were abandoned, and by 1958 a new proposal for a line or residential towers was proposed. These were built by 1968 from the City Architect, Alan Maudsley. Including Galton Tower, Norton Tower, Crescent Tower and Cambridge Tower. On the land where the gardens would one day be built was old factories and a warehouse. Apparently they were very derelict and run down. When Bingley Hall still stood (until the fire of 1984 - now the site of The ICC), you could park down this way. The City Centre Gardens was opened on the 18th May 1993 by two Councillors of Birmingham City Council. It later won an award from the Local Government News, Urban Green Space in 1995 for Street Design, winning the First Prize.

City Centre Gardens (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Gazebo

The gazebo is in the middle of the gardens and can be accessed from all paths from Cambridge Street. There was some plaques on here, including one dated 18th May 1993 when the gardens was first opened to the public. The second plaque on the gazebo (at the top) was in memory of Donald Octavius Smith (1949 - 2007), who was the founder of the Organisation for Sickle Cell Research (OSCAR).  There is plants inside, so you can only sit on the benches on the paths around it.

Gazebo at City Centre Gardens (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at City Centre Gardens

Frost at City Centre Gardens (January 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at City Centre Gardens

Colourful flower borders at City Centre Gardens (April 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at City Centre Gardens

City Centre Gardens (June 2014). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Autumn at City Centre Gardens

City Centre Gardens (October 2014). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Views from the Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham opened to the public in September 2013, and that meant there was good views over the years from the Discovery Terrace (on Level 3) and the Secret Garden (Level 7).

City Centre Gardens from the Library of Birmingham Discovery Terrace (September 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

City Centre Gardens from the Library of Birmingham Discovery Terrace (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

City Centre Gardens from the Library of Birmingham Discovery Terrace (August 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

City Centre Gardens from the Library of Birmingham Secret Garden (November 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown