Methodist Central Hall

The Central Hall on Corporation Street is one of the most bizarre landmarks in the whole of Birmingham. Firstly, it looks quite bizarre: made of brick and terracotta it’s a brilliant red, gothic-​looking, Victorian crazy spired thing, with a huge tower. Why does a Methodist Hall need a huge tower? We’ll never know… Secondly, it’s bizarrely empty. And thirdly, it’s had a fairly bizarre history.
Due to the use of terracotta as a decorative architectural material, the building is fairly ornate, with spires and arches and alcoves and a million windows. (That’s an exaggeration, by the way. But there are lots.) Despite this, the interior always seems quite dark — although this could be due to the fact that I only went inside when it was the Que Club, as it was for about 5 years, I think. Since then, I’ve been in to see a Birmingham Opera Company performance (they like taking over derelict buildings), and otherwise have just gazed, quite incredulously, at its crazy exterior.
Again, I have no idea what the plans are for this building — I can only think that it is sinking further and further into disrepair — although, apparently, it is part of the Steelhouse Conservation area, so perhaps there’s hope yet…