Cladding New Street station with mirrors, Stephenson Street

Image: © Robin Stott Taken: 12 Sep 2013

The curving, swooping mirror surround being applied around the station site probably looked stunning in computer simulations and as a concept model on the boardroom table. In the real world, seen from the ground, it's a different story. The imperfect mirrored surface gives a muddled reflection of what is opposite and below it, introducing a swathe of visual confusion into the streetscape and creating a strange identity for a major railway station. The sun could reflect off the upward-angled surface in unfortunate ways. I fear that in a few years it will be painted over or will have become a surface for advertising. See also Image The original station, opened 1854, was light, airy, visible and much loved. It has yet to be shown that the new New Street will be an improvement on its 1960s predecessor. The view is from Enson Place, the route of the Metro (tram) extension from Corporation Street. At upper left is the void which is the entrance to the Pallasades shopping centre from the pedestrian ramp up from New Street. If you like hats, the Hat Man shop, behind the blue hydraulic platform, has a wide selection.

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