Grand Hotel Birmingham celebrates five years since reopening with art, culture and culinary collaborations

The Grand Hotel Birmingham is marking the fifth anniversary of its reopening in 2021 with five partnerships across art, food, drink, culture and wellbeing. The hotel, located on Colmore Row in Birmingham’s business district, reopened in May 2021 following a £50 million restoration that ended nearly two decades of closure. To commemorate the milestone in 2026, the hotel has announced a programme involving local and regional partners that will run throughout the year.

Originally built in 1879 and designed by Thomson Plevins, The Grand Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian building comprised of 185 bedrooms, a Grand Ballroom, Madeleine cocktail bar and Isaac’s restaurant. Its French Renaissance façade overlooks St Philip’s Cathedral and the surrounding commercial area.

The first collaboration, already open to bookings, is an artist residency organised with the Charles Pedone Art Collective. Running from April to June, the residency – Timeless Visions – sees four guest suites transformed into individual gallery spaces, each reflecting the work and discipline of a different artist. William Storey’s suite draws on architectural themes, featuring three-dimensional works depicting the cultural and physical characteristics of cities around the world. The Mengyao Qin Suite explores movement and dream-like imagery, with pieces informed by the artist’s visits to Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Imogen Morris Suite combines paint and thread work to create a contrast between precision and free-flowing form, while The Charles Pedone Suite presents contemporary abstract works with naturalistic influences, incorporating 24-carat gold.

Further partnerships are planned across the remainder of the year. The Birmingham Book Club, which has held meetings at The Grand since 1886, will curate a selection of five books to be made available throughout the hotel, and artisan chocolatiers Chocolate Quarter will produce an exclusive creation for Madeleine’s afternoon tea menu. Students from University College Birmingham will be working alongside the bar teams at Isaac’s and Downstairs at The Grand to develop a limited-edition cocktail especially for the anniversary. Meanwhile, a wellness partnership with Harvest Skincare will see the brand’s Sleep Mist, produced locally using botanical ingredients, made available to guests.

General manager Johan Scheepers said: “Reaching our fifth anniversary is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at The Grand. When we reopened in 2021, it was about more than restoring a historic building; it was about reigniting a landmark that means so much to Birmingham. Over the past five years, we’ve welcomed guests from around the world, hosted unforgettable celebrations in our Grand Ballroom and re-established The Grand as a place where the city comes together.

“These collaborations are a celebration of talent and creativity. They reflect exactly what The Grand stands for today, honouring our heritage while embracing the energy and innovation of the city around us.”

Food Desk

For further information or to book accommodation at The Grand Hotel Birmingham, 1 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2FE, visit the hotel’s website here.