The Anchorage

The Anchorage is a brick residence with stone dressings and applied timber framing located in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. The building is topped by a distinctive off-center cupola on its tiled roof and holds Grade II* listed status.

Built in 1899 for jewelry manufacturer Alfred Constantine, it was designed by architects Joseph Crouch and Edmund Butler. The home emerged during a period when handcrafted residential design and quality execution were highly valued in industrial Britain.

The interior displays metalwork by the Bromsgrove Guild and embroidery by Mary Newill, reflecting the handcrafted ideals valued in this home. These decorative elements show how the residents chose to surround themselves with fine artisanal work.

The building sits on Handsworth Wood Road and displays typical Arts and Crafts features visible during a visit. An earlier modification converted a garage into a separate dwelling unit, showing how the original design adapted over time.

A fire in 1977 damaged the minstrels' gallery and notable murals titled The Hunt and Feast, created by artist Fred Davis. These artworks were singular examples of artistic collaboration within a private home and speak to the scope of decoration that once graced the rooms.

Location: Birmingham

Inception: 1899

Architectural style: Arts and Crafts movement

GPS coordinates: 52.51850,-1.92978

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:41