Birmingham’s iconic Great Western Arcade, one of the city’s last great Victorian shopping arcades, has entered a new phase of development as construction begins to connect it with the neighboring office block.
Since its completion in 1876, this magnificent three-storey structure, adorned with Corinthian-style columns, pediments, and intricate floral panels, has stood proudly between Colmore Row and Temple Row. The arcade hosts a diverse range of businesses, including Birmingham’s upscale Greggs, Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Land, wine merchants Loki, the acclaimed Anderson and Hill deli, and the popular Mexican eatery Habanero.
The arcade has also welcomed new tenants following recent market closures, such as trading card game retailer Game HQ and Ignite Records, both previously located at Oasis Market, which shut its doors after 54 years.
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While many shops remain open during the redevelopment, some units are vacant. Notably, the former Bread Collective closed on Christmas Eve 2025, with a sign in the window indicating closure due to redevelopment. Behind protective boards, rubble is visible as work begins on creating a passage to the adjacent office building.
Both Great Western Arcade and 10 Colmore Row office block are owned and managed by Ashtrom Properties, an Israeli real estate company that entered the UK market in 2018 by acquiring two office buildings in Liverpool. Planning permission was granted to establish a new connection between the arcade and the Colmore Gate development.
Historical records reveal that the arcade sustained damage during the Birmingham bombing of 1942. The roof and sections near Colmore Row were extensively refurbished, with many Victorian shopfronts dating from the 1980s restoration.
The redevelopment plan includes replacing one shopfront to provide access into the office block and modifying staircases to clearly separate ground floor retail from first-floor office spaces.
If completed on schedule, the Colmore Gate project will be finalized by spring 2027, bringing a sustainable and efficient office building with a facade designed to respect the charm of the surrounding listed buildings.
Great Western Arcade remains a treasured landmark at Colmore Row, B2 5HU, blending history and modernity in the heart of Birmingham.