Where is Islington House?

Islington House is at 80 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AU

 

In brief

Red brick house built in 1814-15 for the Islington Glassworks. A century later it was used as the Outpatients Department of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital from the 1920s to the late 20th century. In the early 21st century it has been used as bars and nightclubs. It is a Grade II listed building.

Islington House on Broad Street (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Islington House - history

A red brick town house was built on a site on Broad Street near Sheepcote Street in 1814-15.

It was built for Rice Harris and the Islington Glassworks.

The centrepiece was the owners house.

The property has a Doric porch.

In 1863 the windows with heavy architraves and lintels were added.

This work was probably by J J Bateman, who also built the wings, when it became the Lying-In Hospital.

The railings with Gothic piers was by Martin & Chamberlain in 1869.

By the 1920's and 1930's the building became home to the Outpatients Department of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

The building remained as a hospital until sometime in the late 20th century.

After the Outpatients was moved down to the Northfield site on the Bristol Road South, the building has spent the last few decades as restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Islington House on Broad Street (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the late 2000s there was a restaurant and bar at Islington House called Old Orleans. But it had closed down by 2010. The Premier Inn hotel behind is still there today.

Islington House on Broad Street (December 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In 2011 something called Georgie Porgies Buffet World was supposed to be move into Islington House.

Islington House on Broad Street (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Nothing really happened to Georgie Porgies Buffet World, but work started again in the summer of 2013, with the installation of canopies in front of the listed building.

Islington House on Broad Street (July 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Another two years on, and Georgie Porgies ended up being turned into a nightclub and bar called Zara's. This would open in September 2015.

Islington House on Broad Street (August 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the summer of 2018, the canopies of Zara's was decked out in world flag bunting for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Zara's would remain open for another couple of years until closing down for good in 2021-22.

Islington House on Broad Street (July 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown