The Cube, Birmingham, UK - Great architecture

The Cube, such a wonderful example of modern and creative architecture in Birmingham built between 2007 and 2010 and inspired by the city's tradition of jewellery making.


The Cube

Birmingham

B1 1RN

View site map HERE.

Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

In brief

The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010. It is located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf at B1 1RN. The building was designed by Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

The Cube is one of Birmingham's iconic builds and is much loved by the City and photographers.

The Cube, at 25-storeys high, is a mixed-use development. It contains apartments, offices, restaurants, a hotel and a 'skyline' Steakhouse Bar & Grill run by award winning chef and celebrity Marco Pierre White. The Cube even has its own bowling alley.

Taking inspiration from the city’s jewellery making tradition, Ken Shuttleworth's vision for The Cube was to create “an enchanting jewellery box”, rich with light and intricate gold and bronze geometric shapes. 

Abstract of The Cube by Pete Davies

The building’s iconic jewel-like exterior is complemented by an interior that is filled with evocative bronze sculptures by renowned local street artist, Temper.

The panoramic view of the City from the top of The Cube is stunning.

November 2020 - Daniel Sturley

 

The story of the build

Open in 2010 - Photos by Elliott Brown

Daniel as judge the next year.

Won by Faye Lowey and Oliver Kuklovsky in 2017 with Oliver winning the new youth award.

2017 Chris Fletcher

2018 Peter Leadbetter

View from the Cube by Daniel Sturley

12345

Project dates

22 Sep 2017 - On-going

Passions

Photography, Modern Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

Related posts

Photography
10 Nov 2020 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

Amazing views from The Cube, Birmingham - a day's photography with Birmingham We Are

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On the 4th November, the day before the second national lockdown, Daniel Sturley, community photographer at Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build was invited to The Cube to experience and capture the early morning and late afternoon views from the 25th floor. 

Take the full feature and enjoy a selection of stunning photography.  

Related

Amazing views from The Cube, Birmingham - a day's photography with Birmingham We Are





On the 4th November, the day before the second national lockdown, Daniel Sturley, community photographer at Birmingham We Are and It's Your Build was invited to The Cube to experience and capture the early morning and late afternoon views from the 25th floor. 

Take the full feature and enjoy a selection of stunning photography.  


Birrmingham has always been a city of huge creativity and the city's architects are acknowledged for some of the most creative builds seen anywhere across the world. One of the most photographed and talked about is The Cube, designed by architect Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. 

Built between 2007 and 2010, The Cube is a mixed-use development located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

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At 7am on the 4th November, Daniel is given exclusive access to floor 25 of The Cube, home of the Marco Pierre White restaurant.

Here is a small selection of Daniel's photography taken before and during an amazing sunrise as experienced sky high at The Cube. 

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Very early before the city sunrise looking at the Mercian and Bank Tower 2 on Broad Street.

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Getting creative through the glasses and bottles.

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And then the sun riseth.

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Creating shadows on the interiors of the rooftop restaurant:

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With great views of the city from the terrace:

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Later the same day, Birmingham We Are and Daniel are invited back to The Cube to experience the late afternoon views as seen from the 25th floor of The Cube.

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Stunning photography!

Thank you to the Cube team for the invitation and the experience. 

Get in touch

Showcase your build and your city with Birmingham We Are and It's your Build.

Contact jonathan.bostock@peoplemattersnetwork.com for more information.

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50 passion points
Construction & regeneration
16 Apr 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Cube from the last year of construction in 2009 till it was completed in 2010

Post image

I only started taking photos around Birmingham in 2009, so didn't get my first close up photos of The Cube until the summer of 2009. On and off I got the odd photo update. Then in 2010 when it was getting close to completion I took more photos of it. The Lovely People statues were installed by the end of 2010. This year The Cube is getting close to it's 10th anniversary.

Related

The Cube from the last year of construction in 2009 till it was completed in 2010





I only started taking photos around Birmingham in 2009, so didn't get my first close up photos of The Cube until the summer of 2009. On and off I got the odd photo update. Then in 2010 when it was getting close to completion I took more photos of it. The Lovely People statues were installed by the end of 2010. This year The Cube is getting close to it's 10th anniversary.


The Cube

The Cube was built between 2007 and 2010. The architect was Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. It should have been completed by 2008 but got delayed until 2010. Located near The Mailbox alongside the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on Commercial Street and near Washington Wharf.

 

2009

Indirect views of the construction of The Cube taken during April 2009 from Gas Street Basin. These are crops of the original photos. So you have the bridge near the Tap & Spile.

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The narrowboats at Worcester Bar, and the buildings behind were derelict.

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Views from June 2009. From the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towards the Salvage Turn Bridge.

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Towards The Mailbox.

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From The Mailbox.

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The view from Brindleyplace along Oozells Street from Oozells Square (beyond Broad Street and down Berkley Street).

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In October 2009 from Digbeth, The Cube on the Skyline behind The Sentinels, and to the left of the Beetham Tower and Centre City Tower. The Custard Factory (Devonshire House) is to the right.

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December 2009 at The Mailbox (I was there for a work Christmas Party). Nightshots. Cladding of The Cube almost done apart from the Crown.

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Views of The Cube down Bridge Street. Cladding on the side facing Premier Inn was not quite done.

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Buildings on the left on the Arena Central site would not be demolished until 2015. Was an old hospital (I think).

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2010

Heading to February 2010, this view was between Baskerville House and the site of the Library of Birmingham. Cladding around The Cube looked done, but the Crown still hadn't had glass panels installed. The old Municipal Bank below.

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From Cambridge Street past the Library of Birmingham site. This end of The REP was going to be demolished before the library was built. Could see The Cube to the left. If you stand here today, you will not be able to See The Cube (unless you go up to the Discovery Terrace or Secret Garden).

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A few more views of The Cube from Bridge Street with a Victorian style lamppost. Looks like a gas lit one (but probably has light bulbs).

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May 2010 and they had finally put up the glass panels on the Crown of The Cube. Views from The Mailbox.

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The Highways Agency would become one of the first tenants at The Cube.

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This view over the future Arena Central site behind Centenary Plaza. This was a view from Centenary Square near the Hall of Memory.

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June 2010 and my first views of The Cube now more or less complete from Highgate Park and on the skyline with The Sentinels and Beetham Tower.

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Views from Bristol Street. Buildings that were on Holloway Head. So not far from Holloway Circus.

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July 2010 and some more views of The Cube from The Mailbox.

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The Cube from Gas Street Basin, now complete.

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December 2010 and my first interior photos of The Cube. Mainly to see the Lovely People statues.

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The Lovely People by Temper.

Urban

Positioned as though welcoming guests to The Cube, ‘Urban’ represents the difficulties of facing of adversity, as well as the triumphs of overcoming these to create a better life.
Inspiration: Lee Fortnam, who faced troubles throughout his early life, but with the help of The Prince’s Trust went on to begin a successful career as a Corgi registered gas and plumbing engineer – later becoming an ambassador for the charity.

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Mother & Child

The only pair of figures within the collection, ‘Mother and Child’ can be found on Level 7, sharing the unparalleled bond between a mother and her children.
Inspiration: Ellie-Mae, who was born in with a hole in her heart, and Rachel, who had no choice but to leave her daughter in the capable hands of the staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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Uplifted

Suspended high within the atrium, ‘Uplifted’ tells the story of bravery and self-sacrifice of those who help people in need. The sculpture was designed to show a person holding on to the balloon preparing for life’s ride.
Inspiration: Firefighter Dave Burns of the West Midlands Fire Service who, in 1992, entered a 20-storey building to rescue two colleagues from a floor engulfed in flames. Burns was later awarded the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.

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Working Man

Found on Level 5, ‘The Working Man’ is sat on a bench reading a newspaper, representative of people who work to provide for their family and put a roof over their head.
Inspiration: Birmingham-born Barry O’Neil who turned the notion of ‘nine-to-five’ into something much more heroic. Having worked for some of the West Midlands greatest manufacturers, including JCB and MG Rover, O’Neil proved there is no pursuit more honest or dignified.

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Persuit

Tucked within the office spaces on Level 8 you’ll find ‘Pursuit’, representing Birmingham’s entrepreneurial heritage and the legacy it holds to this day.
Inspiration: Paul Bassi, businessman and first Asian president of the Chamber of Commerce, recognised for his contribution to business and the economy, as well as his selflessness.

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Survivor

An addition to Level 6, ‘Survivor’ reflects the perseverance and bravery of people when faced with times of crisis.
Inspiration: Holocaust survivor, Gerda Cavangh, who escaped Vienna, trekked across Europe and arrived in England as a stowaway. Born into a Jewish family in Austria, Cavangh’s mother encouraged her to flee the country. Once in England, she worked as a medical orderly in the Auxiliary Territorial Services, receiving two service medals for her work.

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I've taken more views of The Cube since then from 2011 until earlier in 2020 on and off, but will leave those photos for another post maybe.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at 1,110 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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60 passion points
Construction & regeneration
29 Aug 2018 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

The Construction of The Cube During the Summer of 2009

Post image

During June and July of 2009 Daniel Sturley took photos of the construction of Birmingham's iconic The Cube. Lots of great photos in the full post.

Related

The Construction of The Cube During the Summer of 2009





During June and July of 2009 Daniel Sturley took photos of the construction of Birmingham's iconic The Cube. Lots of great photos in the full post.


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Photos by Daniel Sturley

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56 passion points
Close and return