The Ringway Centre

Often described as the Smallbrook Queensway, this building is actually the Ringway Centre. The six-storey, 230 metres (750 ft) long building was designed by architect James Roberts as part of the Inner Ring Road scheme in the 1950s and is notable for its gentle sweeping curved frontal elevation.  The architect more famously designed the Rotunda building at about the same time.


There are proposals to redevelop the site, despite opposition from the local civic society.  It will mean yet more tall buildings ranging from 44 to 56 storeys in height.  I certainly remember going to a night club located in the centre in the 1980s, called Pagoda Park, previously La Dolce Vita.


I was in Birmingham for a quick shop and didn't hang around for long.  I just can't get excited about visiting the city as I did in the past.