Description

Enclosed by monumental listed Victorian buildings, the square is located between the Convention Centre, Town Hall, Council House and Central Library, and the shopping areas of Corporation and New Streets, one block away from Birmingham New Street rail station. Taking up approximately one block, it forms a natural part of the surrounding street pattern, with several routes leading directly into it, including one from Chamberlain Square, adjacent to the west.

A high level open setting for the Town Hall (being refurbished) and the Council House descends via steps on each side of a central water feature to a smaller more enclosed space linking to New Street. Semi-mature trees marking the southern and eastern sides of the Square, complement bedding displays and hanging baskets to provide year round colour.

The sculptural water feature, a bronze river goddess, dominates the space both visually and by the sound of water falling from its stone shell into a lower basin. Other works of art include cast bronze figures in the water feature, the renovated statue of Queen Victoria, the fibreglass 'Iron Man', two 30-tonne stone guardians, and obelisk lanterns. A specially designed cover for the base of the Christmas tree and letter carving on walls and coping stones around the water feature continue the remit of the public art.