Bloomsbury

The history of the Bloomsbury area of Nechells is in many ways typical of Inner City Birmingham. The land was built on in the overcrowded Victorian style of back-to-back houses mixed up with local industry. The terraced houses were demolished shortly after the Second World War.

Multi-storey flats and maisonettes, including a new Health Centre and shops, were provided by the end of the 1950’s. This neighbourhood soon showed a range of problems, which eventually became almost a no–go area. Much refurbishment followed, led by the Heartlands Development Corporation including a very successful tenant led management scheme.

In the 1990s, BVT’s aim was to create a new Urban Village and we have undertaken an exciting redevelopment which included a new Health Centre, shops and housing set around a Village Green.

Sweet shell of success

As part of its commitment to public art and to celebrate its centenary, BVT commissioned a limestone sculpture in Bloomsbury Village. The sculpture was formally unveiled by Birmingham Post Arts Editor, Terry Grimley.

Designed by Eachus Huckson of Kidderminster and made by sculptor Harry Gray at ‘The Carving Workshop’ who also made the fountain base in Birmingham’s Victoria Square, the sculpture is the final piece in the jigsaw development for Bloomsbury, the UK’s second new urban village.

The piece was designed in the shape of an ammonite, a fossil shell whose spiral form represents looking towards the future.