78 St Vincent Street

Category: Historic Building/Architectural Interest

This building was the first American Classical style building in the city, and was finished in 1913 by Alexander Hislop (1876-1966). It started life as the Phoenix Assurance offices, which explains this large carving of a phoenix rising from the flames. It is protected by nets to stop birds landing on it. This sculpture was made by a group called the Bromsgrove Guild. The wiring and electrical boxes have been added later without any care for the sculpture. It is now, like many other such buildings, a restaurant.