Old Square, Birmingham

The square dates from 1713 when it was recorded as having 16 uniform two-storied houses with five-bayed fronts having angle pilasters, pedimented doorways, and dormer windows.

in Bull Street; the back plots, including the Friends' burial ground (once gardens to the front houses) being valued at 1s.

Lewis's Department store was constructed at the western end to replace Berlin House and to build over the Minories in 1885 following personal persuasion from Joseph Chamberlain.

During World War II, a hole was dug next to Lewis's Department Store and above it, a bomb shelter was built.

[1] The square was to become subject to more development during the post-war years when the land leases given to the builders of Corporation Street during the 1880s expired.

As part of the development, the Priory Queensway was reconstructed as a sloping road following the gradient of the Birmingham city ridge as a result of the demolition of Masshouse Circus.

In 2006, refurbishment work on Cannon House to the northeast of the square commenced to convert it into Grade A office space.

In the centre of Old Square is a memorial dedicated to Tony Hancock, who was born in the Hall Green area of the city.

The mural was commissioned by the Public Works Department of Birmingham City Council and was paid for from the Capital Account.