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Hagley Road, BIRMINGHAM, B16 8TP

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]

A majestic building with a most unusual plan, a triangle with concave sides (or Y-shaped with three equal, curved arms). They elegantly curve between narrow canted projections. By Sidney Kaye, Eric Firmin & Partners, 1973-74. 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.

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.

A new retail and leisure development.

The view is looking looking north-east along Hagley Road and the West Midlands Metro line as it approaches the Five Ways road interchange and under-pass. On the left is the unusual Tricorn House (offices), and beyond it is The Lansdowne (apartments). On the right in the distance are further towers in the city centre.

Opened in 1913 by HRH Princess Louise this has been a well known landmark for drivers using the Middle Ring Road. The hospital has moved to the city centre and the building is now part of the Broadway Plaza leisure complex.

Cinema, hotel, bars and ten-pin bowling. The entertainment quarter along Broad Street extends up to Five Ways.

A new retail and leisure development.

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.