Highcroft hospital/ asylum, Erdington, Birmingham

**yamahapaul** · 6th August 2009, 15:24

Blurb

Been meaning to have a nose round here to gather some pictures and history in one place for twelve months now! finally got around to having a quick look last night, as I found myself in Brum..

Previously called

Aston union infirmary

source

History

Highcroft Hospital was a former Poor Law institution, then a psychiatric hospital. There was a social stigma to being treated there. Other large psychiatric institutions in Birmingham have been broken up. Some of the old Highcroft Hospital grounds have been used for new housing. The main hospital itself has been renovated into luxury apartments and has been named Highcroft Hall. Highcroft Hall was built between 1869 and 1871 by Victorian architect, Yeoville Thomason.

The building, sanctioned by the Poor Law Board, was originally a workhouse providing housing to paupers, idiots, tramps, seniles, lunatics and imbeciles (terms used at the time with distinctive definitions).
The building was originally named the Aston Union Workhouse although it has been renamed over the years to Erdington House (1912 - following the City boundary changes), Highcroft Hall Hospital (1942) and was more commonly referred to in later years as just Highcroft Hospital.

Over the years, the hospital has generally provided care for the mentally ill. In 1994, the hospital became part of the Northern Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust. During the following two years, the facilities were gradually rehoused in more modern units nearby and in 1996, the building was declared closed.

The site was derelict for the subsequent eight years, before being refurbished by property developers in 2004-2006.

source

Links

http://www.institutions.org.uk/workh..._workhouse.htm

There's some dates and stuff on here-

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...d=1339&page=27

Found a pic from 2002-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvis-rivers/64028758/

Aerial

around 2003

present day

Pics

the old blending with the new...

workshops and stuff

rear of the nurses quarters

this was, apparently, the TB centre originally

behind the dark blue skips the asbestos decontamination tents can be found (and also at the rear of the nurses quarters)

old original fire map

hint-

it looks quite interesting in both the nurses quarters and TB centre from what I could see and there's probably more that can come from inside these, if you know what I mean

**Emmaj** · 6th August 2009, 20:59

Originally Posted by yamahapaul

hint

it looks quite interesting in both the nurses quarters and TB centre from what I could see and there's probably more that can come from inside these, if you know what I mean

Lovely pictures and history yam

**bubblehead** · 6th August 2009, 21:35

The main building is well impressive, had a look up there round a year ago. The builders were still there then. Security can be a bit arsey though. Also not too sure if there would be much of interest in the nurse's accomodation block, they are pretty samey wherever you go

**yamahapaul** · 6th August 2009, 22:44

Last time I saw inside nurses quarters was the Royal over twenty years ago...

**Indy500** · 9th August 2009, 16:40

Last time I saw inside nurses quarters was the Royal over twenty years ago...

Oooooooooh yeah?

**Emmaj** · 12th August 2009, 20:08

Originally Posted by Indy500

Oooooooooh yeah?

Bullymeister · 10th September 2009, 20:48

I am sure I had to pay a visit back in the 80's

**Frothy** · 25th September 2009, 17:45

Some more of Highcroft going under the hammer

**bubblehead** · 26th September 2009, 09:53

Its a shame to see a decent building like that ripped down, even though it was only nurses quarters you ca nbe sure that whatever is built in its place just won't have the same build quality. Good one for the pohotos frothy.

**Indy500** · 26th September 2009, 19:04

It's a shame. I agree with Bubblehead... the building that replaces this will be a soul-less design by a faceless architect. We just don't produce these stunning buildings any more.