The Grand Hotel - A Birmingham Gem!

The Grand Hotel on Colmore Row was built between 1875 and 1879 in the French Renaissance style, and has undergone major renovation. It is Grade II* listed building.


The Grand Hotel is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham. Owned by Hortons Estates. Recently restored. 

The Grand Hotel (September 2019). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

History of the Grand Hotel Birmingham

Built between 1875 and 1879 The Grand Hotel was opened on the 1st February 1879. It was build on land opposite St Philip's Church (not a Cathedral at this time) on Colmore Row. Also down Church Street with the back end on Barwick Street. Until the 1870s there was Georgian terraces surrounding St Philip's Churchyard. The leases on these began to end in the 1860s and they were demolished. The site was acquired by Isaac Horton, a major Birmingham landowner. His architect was Thomson Plevins. The hotel opened at the time with 100 rooms. There was also a restaurant and two coffee rooms. The hotel was let to Arthur Field, a hotel operator from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The hotel was extended in 1880 when the corner on Church Street and Barwick Street was built. By 1890 the hotel operator was running into financial problems and it was handed back to Horton Estates Ltd. In the 1890s the architects Martin and Chamberlain was hired to reconstruct and redecorate the hotel. The hotel was built in the French Renaissance style, so it wouldn't look out of place in Paris. Was even a room in Louis XIV style decoration. In the 20th century, the hotel was host to royalty, celebrities, politicians of the day, who would wine and dine in the Grosvenor Suites. The likes of King George VI, Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Malcolm X etc attended functions or stayed in the hotel at the time. The hotel ran into problems and closed in 1969. Hickmet Hotels took over the lease of the hotel from 1972 until 1976. In 1977 Grand Metropolitan Hotels took it over. The architect Harper Sperring did some modernisation works in 1978. The lease passed to Queens' Moat Hotels in the 1980s and 1990s, but little was done to the hotel at that time. The hotel closed down again in 2002. The owner wanted to knock it down in 2003, but The Victorian Society stepped into save it. In 2004 the hotel was given a Grade II* listing protecting it from demolition. Restoration works of the hotel began in 2012. If circumstances allow, they hope to reopen during 2021.

Grand HotelThe Grand Hotel from Cathedral Square (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Grand Hotel BirminghamThe Grand Hotel Birmingham from Colmore Row (May 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Shops, cafes and restaurants

Many of the new retailers opened at the restored units by 2016. Including: 200 Degrees Coffee, Cycle Republic and The Alchemist.

Grand HotelRetailers on Colmore Row at The Grand Hotel (September 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Restaurants on Barwick Street

By at least 2017 there was two new restaurants at the back of the Grand Hotel. One of these venues was called Tattu.

Grand HotelTattu at The Grand Hotel (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Close to Barclays Bank is Primitivio. From the Summer of 2020 a Parklet was installed outside of here on Barwick Street/

Grand HotelPrimitivo at The Grand Hotel (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Restaurant on Church Street

Another new venue at The Grand Hotel is Gusto, with an entrance on Church Street.

Gusto Grand HotelGusto at theThe Grand Hotel (December 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

02 Apr 2019 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Construction & regeneration, Travel & tourism
Classic Architecture

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Classic Architecture
30 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

History of The Grand Hotel, Birmingham

Post image

The Grand Hotel, Birmingham was established in 1879 on a site on Colmore Row on land owned by Isaac Horton and the architect was Thomson Plevins. The Victorian hotel was near the original Victorian Snow Hill Station. Derelict for many years. Most of the 2010s was spent restoring the hotel. Also down Church Street.

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History of The Grand Hotel, Birmingham





The Grand Hotel, Birmingham was established in 1879 on a site on Colmore Row on land owned by Isaac Horton and the architect was Thomson Plevins. The Victorian hotel was near the original Victorian Snow Hill Station. Derelict for many years. Most of the 2010s was spent restoring the hotel. Also down Church Street.


The Grand Hotel, Birmingham

Built between 1875 and 1879 The Grand Hotel was opened on the 1st February 1879. It was build on land opposite St Philip's Church (not a Cathedral at this time) on Colmore Row. Also down Church Street with the back end on Barwick Street. Until the 1870s there was Georgian terraces surrounding St Philip's Churchyard. The leases on these began to end in the 1860s and they were demolished. The site was acquired by Isaac Horton, a major Birmingham landowner. His architect was Thomson Plevins. The hotel opened at the time with 100 rooms. There was also a restaurant and two coffee rooms. The hotel was let to Arthur Field, a hotel operator from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The hotel was extended in 1880 when the corner on Church Street and Barwick Street was built. By 1890 the hotel operator was running into financial problems and it was handed back to Horton Estates Ltd. In the 1890s the architects Martin and Chamberlain was hired to reconstruct and redecorate the hotel. The hotel was built in the French Renaissance style, so it wouldn't look out of place in Paris. Was even a room in Louis XIV style decoration.

In the 20th century, the hotel was host to royalty, celebrities, politicians of the day, who would wine and dine in the Grosvenor Suites. The likes of King George VI, Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Malcolm X etc attended functions or stayed in the hotel at the time. The hotel ran into problems and closed in 1969. Hickmet Hotels took over the lease of the hotel from 1972 until 1976. In 1977 Grand Metropolitan Hotels took it over. The architect Harper Sperring did some modernisation works in 1978. The lease passed to Queens' Moat Hotels in the 1980s and 1990s, but little was done to the hotel at that time.

The hotel closed down again in 2002. The owner wanted to knock it down in 2003, but The Victorian Society stepped into save it. In 2004 the hotel was given a Grade II* listing protecting it from demolition. Restoration works of the hotel began in 2012, with the hope that it would reopen sometime in 2020.

 

One of my earlist photos of the Grand Hotel taken in February 2010 from Cathedral Square (St Philip's Cathedral grounds). Under scaffolding, it wasn't clear what was going to happen to it at this point.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2010, a look past Bagel Nation and some of the other shops that used to be down here.You can see columns with Corinthian capitals at what was the main entrance to the hotel. There used to be a Starbucks down here and Snappy Snaps.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Oct 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look during December 2010 from Colmore Row. The scaffolding covered the top half of the hotel.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Dec 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By February 2013 restoration work had began on the Grand Hotel. And from Colmore Row you could see even more scaffolding and hoardings at ground level. As well as down Church Street.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2013) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now down on Church Street, with a look down Barwick Street. The architecture style changed here as this was the 1880 extension. The 1890s additions were by Martin & Chamberlain.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2013) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The buildings down on Barwick Street were built of red brick. The hotel ends where Barclays Bank is today.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2013) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view was taken during March 2014 from Cathedral Square. There was still scaffolding wrapped all around the building at this time.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (March 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In April 2015 they were rebuilding the roof and installing steel girders underneath.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (April 2015).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Many of the previous shops had to move out of the Grand Hotel, but the signs remained. In October 2015 there was banners on Colmore Row for the Rugley World Cup 2015 which was being held in England. The view from the 141 bus.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Oct 2015).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By December 2015 the scaffolding had come down and you could see the restored stonework on the hotel. Still a crane on site at the time, but the roof looked finished. Still hoardings on the ground floor. Cathedral Square view in the rain.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Dec 2015).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Ground floor hoardings were coming down by February 2016. And new shops, cafes and restaurants were ready to be fitted here.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By October 2016 many of the new shops, cafes and restaurants were open. Including 200 Degrees Coffee, Cycle Republic and The Alchemist.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Oct 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

An autumnal look during November 2016 from Cathedral Square. With buses on Colmore Row in front of the Grand Hotel. Leaves on the lawn around the St Philip's Cathedral chuchyard.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Nov 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A nightshot taken during February 2017, near the corner of Church Street and Colmore Row. All the scaffolding had gone. All of the new venues on Colmore Row were open. The Alchemist is on the corner.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Feb 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Onto April 2017 from Cathedral Square, where you can see Cycle Republic, Up & Running, Liquor Store, Crockett & Jones and 200 Degrees Coffee.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (April 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More of the same from September 2017. Some of the shops had blinds open. It really does feel like you are in Paris, or maybe even Birmingham's French Twin City of Lyon? What do you think?

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Sept 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In December 2017 a walk down Barwick Street. A new venue had opened called Primitivo, which was a Bar & Eatery.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Dec 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I last went down Barwick Street at the back of the Grand Hotel during October 2019. The new venue here is called Tattu.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Oct 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Plus a second look at Primitivo.

dndimg alt="Grand Hotel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grand Hotel Bham (Oct 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hopefully the hotel will open soon. Was supposed to be in Summer 2020. But due to the pandemic / lockdown, will it be delayed even further?

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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Construction & regeneration
15 May 2019 - Stephen Giles
News & Updates

The Grand Hotel, Birmingham - Update on restoration work (May 2019)

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Birmingham’s most iconic hotel is set to be restored to its former glory when it opens next year.

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The Grand Hotel, Birmingham - Update on restoration work (May 2019)





Birmingham’s most iconic hotel is set to be restored to its former glory when it opens next year.


Occupying a prominent position on the city’s grandest address of all, Colmore Row, The Grand Birmingham Hotel is scheduled to open its doors in May 2020.

It follows ten years of extensive renovation works throughout the building, which has seen Hortons’ Estate invest more than £25 million to give this Grade-II listed beauty a well deserved second chance at life.

Developed by the Horton Family themselves between 1879 and 1895, this opulent French Renaissance inspired building has played host to royalty, A-list Hollywood film stars and politicians over the years, as well as staging many dinners, concerts and dances in the picturesque Grosvenor Suite – a suite that will be returning to the public next year.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Grand Hotel original 1894.png" style="width: 100%;" />The Grand Hotel, 1894 - Photo by British Library

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Grand Hotel interior(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />The Grand Ballroom - Photo by Birmingham Post

Plush new shops, upmarket restaurants and upgraded new offices now adorn the lower floors fronting onto Colmore Row, with more to come on Barwick Street.

This work has been supported by grants from Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), Birmingham City Council and Historic England.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Grand Hotel 2019.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo by 55ColmoreRow

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_20190411_143853.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo by Tom Grunt

HOTEL OPERATOR

The crowning glory for Hortons' Estate in all of this was securing a hotel operator, however, this has proved to be more difficult than anticipated.

The search for a builder to undergo works, in order to attract an operator, has been painstakingly frustrating at times, with builders put off by the antiquated nature of the interior, with modernising works seemingly too difficult to overcome.

However, a deal was reached and an announcement was duly made midway through 2017 when Principal Hotel Company announced plans to turn the upper floors into a luxury 180-room hotel.

The hotel will include extensive conference and banquet spaces, along with a restaurant, bar, and spa.

Initial plans for a rooftop infinity pool have since been scrapped in favour of five more spacious rooms. The hotel will now contain a total of 185 rooms, with a decision on the star rating yet to be made.

“We have always believed that the restoration of The Grand would not be complete if it did not include a luxury hotel.

After considerable time and effort we have chosen to work with Principal on the project because they share our commitment to creating the city’s finest hotel and because of their impressive track record working on similar buildings in other major cities.” - Tony Green, chief executive of Hortons’ Estate

With the hotel set to open in twelve months time, Graham Construction won the fit-out contract to deliver the hotel late last year, with work inside very much underway.

The Grand Hotel is well on its way to being reborn!

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Grand Hotel Artist Impression 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Grand Hotel Artist Impression.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Artists Impressions by Berman Guedes Stretton

For more information on Birmingham's developments, follow @GtrBhamDev on Twitter

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