West Block To Birmingham Accident Hospital (Excluding Later Rear Extensions)

The west block of the former Birmingham Accident Hospital, dating from 1873, was designed by J. H. Chamberlain as an extension to an earlier building. It is constructed in an Italianate style, which was unusual for Chamberlain. The rectangular block has a front entrance facing the road and comprises two-bay wings flanking a slightly recessed central section. The structure is primarily red brick with ashlar dressings. The wings feature superimposed ashlar pilasters, while the central section has coupled pilasters. An ashlar entablature sits above, with a panelled parapet interrupted by a pilastered attic storey surmounted by a pediment. The ground floors of the wings have channelled ashlar facing and flat-arched windows, while the first floor has round-arched, pilastered windows. Above the modernised entrance, the central section contains a large two-light window and a Diocletian window, both within a single arched surround that extends into the attic.