Where is Queen's College Chambers?

Queen's College Chambers is at 38 Paradise Street, Birmingham, B1 2AF

 

In brief

Queen's College was a medical school in Birmingham, a predecessor of the University of Birmingham. The site at Paradise Street was built from 1843 to 1845 in the Gothic Revival style. But the façade was given a buff-coloured terracotta and brick front in 1904. The college later moved to Edgbaston in the 1920s, but when the college was demolished in the 1970s, the façade was retained and is now Grade II listed. It was converted into a office and residential block called Queen's College Chambers from 1975 to 1976. It now faces Three Chamberlain Square.

Queen's College Chambers from Three Chamberlain Square (June 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Queen's College - history

Founded in 1825 by the surgeon William Sands Cox as The Birmingham Medical School.

He later went on to found Queen's Hospital on Bath Row (opened 1841).

The college was originally on a site at Temple Row and Brittle Street (now the site of Birmingham Snow Hill Station).

The Medical School became the Birmingham Royal School of Medicine in 1836.

Queen's College got a Royal Charter in 1843.

Built in the Gothic style by Drury & Bateman from 1843 to 1845.

Queen's College Chambers from Paradise Street (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The current façade was built in 1904 of buff-coloured terracotta and brick.

The nearby Mason Science College became the University of Birmingham in 1900, and moved to develop it's campus in Edgbaston.

Queen's College did not merge with Mason College, and later moved in 1923 to Somerset Road in Edgbaston, becoming the current Queen's Foundation, Birmingham.

Queen's College Chambers through the site of Three Chamberlain Square (December 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The façade became a Grade II listed building in 1972, while the rear of the building was demolished in the mid 1970s.

The façade was incorporated into an office and residential block named Queen's College Chambers, built from 1975 to 1976 by Watkins Gray Woodgate International.

Queen's College Chambers through the site of Three Chamberlain Square (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Paradise Circus Queensway used to face the building from the 1970s until it closed in 2015, to be redeveloped as part of Paradise Birmingham.

Queen's College Chambers from Paradise Circus Queensway (February 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was still traffic on Paradise Circus Queensway in 2015, but it closed later that year.

Queen's College Chambers from Paradise Circus Queensway (January 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As of 2024, Queen's College Chambers is now facing the new Three Chamberlain Square.

Queen's College Chambers from Three Chamberlain Square (June 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Queen's College Chambers (June 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Queen's College Chambers from Swallow Street to the rear, also called Swallow House.

Queen's College Chambers from Swallow Street (February 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown