In last week's Sunday
Snap we were looking at the house that was said to have inspired
Charlotte Brontë's
description of Mr Rochester's Thornfield Hall. I asked which book
this featured in and the answer is
Jane
Eyre
From the Peak District
countryside we are off to the city this week. Due to its height and
unusual circular design The Rotunda has become one of the best known
features of this city. It was built between 1961 and 1965 as part of
the city's new Bull Ring Shopping complex. The original plans had it
as 12 storeys but this was revised to 25 thus making it 81m tall. The
height of the building made it the perfect backdrop for advertisements
to be see across the city. During the 1980s and 1990s a large sign
for Coca Cola was displayed.
In 1974 the pub which
occupied the bottom two floors of The Rotunda came to national
prominence for all the wrong reasons. On the evening of 21 November
1974 the local newspaper received a telephone call
saying that there was a bomb in The Rotunda and the tax office. What
the caller failed to mention was that the bombs were in the pubs that
shared these buildings. The Police started to check and clear the
upper levels of The Rotunda but didn't have time to clear the
Mulberry Bush pub at the bottom. 10 people were killed in this pub
alone with many more seriously injured.
In 2000 it received Grade II
listed building status. This is despite some critics saying it
displays all the aspects of the worst type of 1960's architecture. As
part of the major refurbishment of the Bull Ring Shopping Centre
between 2004 and 2008 The Rotunda was also refurbished with many of
the former offices being converted into residential flats and
serviced apartments.
Which city is The Rotunda
in?
We were joined last week by
Jack
and Noah enjoying the delights of September. Cheryl
was wondering about living in a yellow submarine. In the mood for
dancing was Susan's
daughter. In San Diego Sue
found some viejos. There was delight in the summer bouquet for
Kelly.
Kara found her daughter walking
the high ropes and the swan
coming in on the water.
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The Bullring is in Birmingham, I believe?
ReplyDeleteI only know of the Bullring in Birmingham, so that is my guess. Been a while since I joined in Sunday Snap, so here I am joining in with some Elvis pictures from the weekend, Hope your well.
ReplyDeleteThis photo is for me isn't it? :) It's Birmingham, I was born the year the Rotunda was completed and it's one of the major buildings in my City that has always been there. I remember signing the petition to keep it in 1999 when they were in the middle of completely redesigning the city. It's not so pretty but it's a landmark that is always remembered. I also remember the pub bombings in 1974. My Irish neighbours were questioned about it and they soon moved as the two oldest sons were actually supporters of the I.R.A and were testing bombs in the kitchen when something went wrong and they burnt the house down. It was a terrifying fire and one that caused me to be afraid of fire ever since. Luckily our house was ok, but we still had smoke damage. The neighbours just disappeared after that. oops sorry for rambling on xx I'm going to post another photo of Birmingham to your linky now :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the name the Rotunda but I've been to the Bullring a couple of times when on girls weekends to Birmingham. Very happy memories. Mich x
ReplyDeleteI used to work in Birmingham but didn't know this building as the Rotunda. Some interesting (and sad) facts about its history. x
ReplyDeleteThe name Bullring also makes me think its Birmingham!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the name you took me back to where I was born: The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin (same place as Bono) but the Bullring can only be Birmingham!
ReplyDeleteI don't know it as the Rotunda but the bullring is definitely Birmingham x
ReplyDeleteSo it's in Birmingham. Hadn't heard of this building before x
ReplyDelete