Grand Central, Birmingham
This fantastic building now hosts an iconic sculpture named for Black Sabbath front man, Ozzy Osborne.
Grand Central was , reputedly, the original intended name of the railway station in the centre of Birmingham, UK. After the construction of the station in 1971 however it was given the, less grand, title of “Birmingham New Street Station “. The station is essentially below ground level and a shopping centre/atrium was built above it. This was given the name “The Palisades” after a refurbishment in 1991.
The Palisades was again redeveloped in 2015 and provided with a remarkable ETFE polymer roof and redesigned to form the current structure known as “Grand Central”. The centre was linked to the nearby “Bull Ring” shopping centre by a footbridge.
In 2022 Birmingham hosted the Commonwealth Games and the enduring mascot of the games became a huge mechanical sculpture of a bull, reflecting the City’s iconic symbol. It was intended only as a temporary, moving, sculpture but, by popular demand, the funds were obtained to retain it in the city. It is currently housed in the Grand Cental atrium and following an on line poll it was named Ozzy, after that great son of the city, Black Sabbath front man, Ozzy Osborne.
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.
Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.
Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook