Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

The Chamberlain Memorial, a Victorian neo-Gothic structure 66 feet high, was unveiled in Birmingham on October 10, 1880. Joseph Chamberlain himself was there, watching the proceedings. The square and memorial were named in honor of his public service, including his time as Mayor of Birmingham.

The square was drastically remade in the 1970s. Most of the neo-Gothic Victorian buildings were demolished and replaced by Brutalist architecture. During this period, surrounding buildings were demolished, including the Brutalist Central Library. After more than five years, the square reopened in March 2021. It was completely transformed, with more open space, new paving, steps, and lighting.

From the western side of the square, look east-northeast toward the ornate façade of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. To your right, on the southeast side of the square, stands the classical Birmingham Town Hall. Between them, the soaring Chamberlain Memorial remains the centerpiece of the square.

Statues were also moved during the redevelopment. Thomas Attwood now reclines on the lower steps of Chamberlain Square among his scattered bronze papers. The statues of James Watt and Joseph Priestley, which had been removed for safekeeping during the Paradise redevelopment, returned to the area in August 2026. They now stand at opposite ends of Ratcliff Passage, the pedestrian space between Three Chamberlain Square and Birmingham Town Hall.