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Francis Road, BIRMINGHAM, B16 8SP

A new retail and leisure development.

A new retail and leisure development.

This 1965 office block on Hagley Road received a cosmetic makeover with colourful panels and glazing several years ago. As can be seen from the 'To Let' signs it is struggling to fill the office space in competition with newer accommodation available in the city centre.

The mid 1970s office block was transformed with a new entrance lobby extending to second floor level to open the core of the building. A blue plaque records that JRR Tolkien lodged in Duchess Place during his teenage years. Places in the area such as the twin towers of Perrots Folly and the Edgbaston Waterworks may have inspired his books, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Brick and concrete office block, probably 1970s, offering some 45,000 square feet of space. The area around Five Ways was earmarked for office blocks under John Madin's 1957 plan, commissioned by the landlord, the Calthorpe Estate, eager to boost its income. Most people will think it a strange thing to say of a collection of 1960s tower blocks, but the result is of an unusually high standard. It is relatively low density, landscaped, and possesses a good mix of towers, a number of which were designed by Madin's architecture practice. Away from the towers, the area retains a pleasant residential character and some of the good early C19th houses have survived.

Cinema, hotel and entertainment complex near Five Ways in Birmingham.

One of a number of 1970s office blocks on the Hagley Road near Five Ways. Despite a recent refurbishment it is struggling to let its 150000 square feet of office space.

Now Cobalt House. By John Madin & Partners, 1963-65. A striking exterior of white concrete and (cobalt?) blue panels. The original glass mosaic panels mentioned in Pevsner appear to have been swept away in a recent refurbishment. An optical illusion suggests the buildings curves out as one ascends. The area around Five Ways was earmarked for office blocks under John Madin's 1957 plan, commissioned by the landlord, the Calthorpe Estate, eager to boost its income. Most people will think it a strange thing to say of a collection of 1960s tower blocks, but the result is of an unusually high standard. It is relatively low density, landscaped, and possesses a good mix of towers, a number of which were designed by Madin's architecture practice. Away from the towers, the area retains a pleasant residential character and some of the good early C19th houses have survived.

This tower was originally called Hagley House. It provides serviced office accommodation and dates from 1965, has sixteen floors, and a height of 62 metres (203 feet). The view is looking north, across and up from the A456 Hagley Road.

Tricorn House is a highly unusually office building by the A456 Hagley Road west of the Five Ways road interchange. It is 50 metres high (164 feet), has twelve storeys and was completed in 1976. The view is looking north-east across the A456 Hagley Road. See also: Image]