Birmingham City Council welcomes early plans to revitalise city’s famous Crown pub and surrounding site
Birmingham City Council has welcomed the early-stage proposals being explored for the future of The Crown, Shaftesbury House and the adjoining car park site in the city centre.
Toyoko Inn is at an early stage of developing concepts for the site, with a central focus on retaining and revitalising The Crown — the Grade II listed former public house made famous for its association with Black Sabbath and the city’s celebrated musical heritage.
Initial design work has been undertaken by Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio in collaboration with Lisa Meyer of Home of Metal, to develop a comprehensive approach that preserves The Crown while exploring options for a new hotel development on the adjacent car park and the sensitive redevelopment of Shaftesbury House.
The concept demonstrates how the site could be brought forward for regeneration without demolishing The Crown, allowing investment and new uses to come forward while protecting Birmingham’s cultural legacy.
Consultants are considering how any future proposals might best reflect the heritage value of the site and celebrate its place in the city’s identity.
Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader for Birmingham City Council, said:
“It is fantastic to see Toyoko Inn taking such a thoughtful and ambitious approach at this early stage.
“Their commitment to putting The Crown at the heart of their plans is hugely welcome, and the initial design work shows how we can celebrate this iconic building while unlocking new investment for the city.
“The involvement of respected local partners, including Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio and Lisa Meyer, gives us real confidence that the cultural heritage of this site, including its special connection to Black Sabbath, will be treated with the care it deserves.
“These ideas are still at a very early, conceptual stage, but they demonstrate the potential for a development that respects our past while creating new opportunities for Birmingham’s future.”
A spokesperson for Tokyo Inn, said:
“Toyoko Inn is at an early stage of exploring options for its site, comprising The Crown, Shaftesbury House, and the adjacent car park. The approach treats the retention of The Crown, its central consideration.
“The initial design work has been undertaken to establish a robust and viable approach that retains The Crown, while accommodating hotel development on the adjacent car park along with the development of Shaftesbury House.
“This comprehensive approach to the overall landholding demonstrates how a scheme could be progressed without the demolition of The Crown and provides a sound basis for further design development and planning discussions.
“Consultants have been asked to consider how any future concept might appropriately reflect the site’s cultural heritage and its significance as a listed building, including its association with Black Sabbath. All ideas remain embryonic and conceptual."
The project team will now move into a period of engagement and workshops with stakeholders, led by Birmingham City Council, as early design and planning discussions progress over the coming months.
