Where is the Samuel Heath & Sons Factory?

The Samuel Heath & Sons Factory is at the Cobden Works, Leopold Street, Highgate, Birmingham, B12 0UJ

In brief

Offices on Leopold Street, Stanhope Street and Darwin Street in Highgate, built for Samuel Heath & Sons, from designs by David Henry Ward in 1888-1889. It was extended by Bateman and Bateman in 1891 and 1897. It was designated a Grade II listed building on the 25th March 2022, thanks to campaigning from the West Midlands branch of the Victorian Society.

Samuel Heath & Sons from Darwin Street (Jul 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Samuel Heath and Sons Head Offices

Cobden Works,

Leopold Street

Birmingham

B12 0UJ

View site map HERE

Samuel Heath and Sons - history

The Samuel Heath and Sons factory at Leopald Street, Birmingham, has been in use for over two hundred years.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Hartland of the Victorian Society

The company was founded in 1820 producing high-quality brassware - from bedsteads to gas lamps. In the late 19th century, the firm commissioned architect David Henry Ward to design new offices at the site.

They were completed in 1888 with an extension to the southeast a year later. In 1891 this extension was built upon by J J Bateman and Bateman adding two further stories. Further works were completed between 1913 and 1914, as well as later additions in the 20th century.

The principal office block is a symmetrical five-bay range with Jacobean influences over two storeys, with two gables on either end fronting the street.

The offices are red brick with a blue-brick plinth, all in Flemish bond. The gables are capped with stones which scroll at the apex, with stone urn finials topping giant brick pilasters framing the end bays, sections of which are fluted. There are Italianate details including brick pilasters supporting a pediment above containing acanthus leaves and a dentilled cornice, as well as ionic capitals.

As of April 2022 it is now a Grade II listed building.

Samuel Heath & Sons from Leopold Street (September 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

Listings on the build

Following Victorian Society caseworker Tim Bridges’ application, Historic England has listed the offices for their architectural interest and high-quality craftsmanship as well as the historic interest as testament to Birmingham’s industrial development with Samuel Heath and Son operating on the site since the company’s inception.