In the 1960s and 70s amateur snapper Derek Fairbrother made over 20 photographic time-lapse sequences showing the demolition of old buildings and their replacement by new buildings and road systems in Birmingham’s city centre.
Gasp as delightful Victorian Gothic buildings in Chamberlain Square with real architectural worth get crushed into dust and sigh as vast slabs of civic concrete go up in their place.
We’ve been documenting the demise of equally beautiful buildings in the Brixton history part of the site, and it’s sad to see what’s replaced some of the fine workmanship of the past.
Birmingham timelapse from 7inch cinema on Vimeo.
More: 360 degree interactive panorama of Chamberlain Square
Birmingham – photo feature
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Just come across this while looking at some of your photos Ed, very interesting to me as I remember the old Victorian central library in Birmingham – very sad it was replaced but I think there was not enough space for the City archives etc.
Ironically, the 60′s concrete building will now be demolished as the Library is being moved up to a new building in Broad St.
It’s sacrilege to see these magnificent Victorian, Gothic buildings been demolished in place of the modern alternative – the central library; now itself to face the same fate!
The craftsmanship is unparalleled with anything we see today, although city planners should be commended for some of the recent additions – not everything modern is ugly.
However, I’m not sure of the new Library? A little Victoriana wouldn’t of gone amiss, but there’s probably nobody left skilled enough to carry out such work.
Gavin.