Central Square

I didn’t realise that this square actually had a name until today, despite having walked through it many a time. But I guess Central Square is pretty apt: it’s a square, and it’s pretty central.
As part of the Brindleyplace facelift, Central Square is a purpose-​designed to add aesthetic, civic appeal to this particular area of the waterfront development. And frankly, it’s done rather well. It’s surrounded on four sides (ummmm because it’s a square) by a number of different architectural styles: some corporate-​looking offices, some cosier restaurants and the rather fabulous Three Brindleyplace — which is actually offices, but looks more like an Italian church.
It has a great walk-​through fountain with 38 jets (walk-​through as in the middle is paved, so you avoid the jets on either side, rather than an outdoor shower…) and the odd piece of outdoor sculpture — most obviously the ‘Aqueduct’ by Miles Davies. (The sculptor, rather than the musician. Obviously.) All in all its a rather lovely little area: full of civic development joy: water features, nice buildings, public art and the space the host various events.

This is probably my favourite square in Birmingham. Some smart office buildings, built in a contemporary homage to renaissance Italian architecture, surround it. They have arched porticos that look terribly grand.
The square contains a wonderful water feature that is split in two by a stepped walkway. You can have lots of fun posing for photos and getting the angle so that it looks as if you are walking on water.
There is a Costa Coffee shop and some nice works of art dotted around the square. There are also plenty of tables outside of Bank if you fancy an alfresco cocktail or lunch.