Colmore Gate

Colmore Gate is a 15-storey office building in Birmingham's business district, characterized by dark blue tinted windows and a distinctive external lift shaft running up its facade. The structure stands out with its postmodern architectural style and geometric design.

The building replaced the former Greys department store and was constructed between 1990 and 1992 by the Seymour Harris Partnership. It emerged during a period when Birmingham was modernizing its urban architecture for expanding business needs.

The structure marks the transition period of Birmingham's architecture, combining traditional elements with modern materials in the city's primary business area.

The building is well connected to Birmingham's business center and transportation hubs, making it easily accessible. Visitors should note that as a primarily office-based structure, interior access is limited to those with business purposes.

The external lift shaft running prominently up the facade was a bold design choice that set the building apart from typical office towers of its time. This exposed infrastructure reveals the architectural experimentation that characterized 1990s commercial design.

Location: Birmingham

Inception: 1992

Architects: Seymour Harris Partnership

Floors above the ground: 15

GPS coordinates: 52.48240,-1.89708

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:40