After 192 years, one of the Jewellery Quarter’s most iconic buildings is going back to its roots.

From being a place where William Elliott patented cloth-covered buttons it is being transformed into The Button Factory – a place to push the buttons on your laptop while you work out of the office.

Or somewhere to eat, drink, dine and relax while you forget about work completely.

It’s thought the corner site on Frederick Street and Regent Street dates back to 1824.

It was known as the Vertu Bar for a decade until the last pint was pulled on April 18 2016.

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The previous owners had used reclaimed bricks to construct a pavement-fronting extension which has been retained.

Light and bright: the first floor view towards Frederick Street
Light and bright: the first floor view towards Frederick Street

This means the original, scratched brick walls on the old Frederick Street frontage are now indoors.

And they have become the gateway to the new venue’s Robata grill at the heart of an open, theatre-style kitchen.

Although it is no eyesore by any means, when you look at the ground-level extension for any length of time from the opposite side of Frederick Street, you will see that it is not in true keeping with the main two-storey original building behind.

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But the benefit of keeping it is that the open terrace above will be one of the city’s hottest sun-trap destinations.

And it will capable of accommodating more than 80 guests.

The view along Frederick Street from the outdoor dining terrace
The view along Frederick Street from the outdoor dining terrace

The views of the other frontages along Frederick Street, either looking downhill towards the Library of Birmingham or uphill towards the Chamberlain Clock, are striking.

Inside, the first floor will have a large screen TV for sports events.

And the exposed beams create a New York-style loft feel.

A traditional signwriter painting The Button Factory logo
A traditional signwriter painting The Button Factory logo

The manager Richard Cascone, who joined Vertu Bar in 2010, has been working alongside the builders to transform the venue.

As many original sash windows, it now has fully exposed brick walls and original beams dating back two centuries.

The inside first floor corner overlooking Regent St (left) and Frederick St (right)
The inside first floor corner overlooking Regent St (left) and Frederick St (right)

Richard says: “My great-grandfather ran nine hotels in Genoa and my grandmother was a Blue Riband chef – equivalent to a Michelin star today.

“My mum, Carol, worked up the road at the Rose Villa Tavern and my father, John, ran the now demolished Albert’s Wine Bar on Albert Street.

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"That was once so popular it hosted cricketer Bob Willis’s benefit gig and saw artists like Duran Duran visiting regularly.

First floor sash windows overlooking Regent St
First floor sash windows overlooking Regent St

“I always see job opportunities in this industry as a career and am really looking forward to opening The Button Factory which will be using a lot of local suppliers.

“We are going to be selling Purity Beer and our coffee will be roasted at Quarter Horse on Bristol Street.”

What will the food be like?

The original outside wall is now the indoor way to the 'Robata' grill theatre-style kitchen
The original outside wall is now the indoor way to the 'Robata' grill theatre-style kitchen

The Button Factory’s executive chef is Stephen Gadd.

“Our menu focuses on seasonal ingredients cooked over the open flame," he says.

"We'll be taking influences from Argentina to the Middle East with a view to introducing an unique dining offering in Birmingham.”

The new owners of the building are The City Fund Pub Company, which was founded last June and has four sites in London and one in Cheltenham.

What are their plans for The Button Factory?

Regent Street view of the side of The Button Factory
Regent Street view of the side of The Button Factory

To respect its history while turning it into an all-purpose bar for the future.

One that will be open for coffee-shop mums, brunches and lunches and then carry on serving dinner and drinks into the early hours.

Chief operating officer Peter McDonald says: “Our aim is to bring together the very best of what we all love about our favourite restaurants, coffee shops and bars.

Near 200-year-old brick walls and wooden beams have been exposed while creating The Button Factory
Near 200-year-old brick walls and wooden beams have been exposed while creating The Button Factory

“The Button Factory offers something for everyone.

"From mums meeting for a morning coffee and professionals looking for a place for corporate catch-ups or somewhere to work remotely, to those in search of a spot for long lazy lunches.

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“It will also be a place for date nights and dinner with your family, right through to dancing the night away with top notch cocktails.

Watch this space for flowers: general manager Richard Cascone on the first floor outdoor terrace
Watch this space for flowers: general manager Richard Cascone on the first floor outdoor terrace

“We hope The Button Factory will fast become a much loved foodie destination in this vibrant and exciting quarter of Birmingham.

“We cannot wait to throw open our doors this June and share what we’ve been up to with our guests.”

This first floor room will house a big TV screen for sports events
This first floor room will house a big TV screen for sports events

When is it opening?

The bar is due to open on Wednesday, June 22.

There’s a main NCP on Vyse Street on the other side of Warstone Lane, although that currently closes at 8pm.

Beyond there is the Jewellery Quarter rail and Metro tram station.

Otherwise there is local on-street parking (permits only on much of Vittoria Street).

25 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HH

Anything else I should know?

Model owls on The Button Factory roof keep pigeons at bay
Model owls on The Button Factory roof keep pigeons at bay

If you look closely, you will see three "owls" on the edge of the roof of the Button Factory - these are models designed to scare pigeons away.

And, by all accounts, they do a good job.

There is also a former antique dealer's site to the rear of the Button Factory crying out for redevelopment.

Open door: there's a former antiques store behind the Button Factory
Door to nowhere: there's a former antiques store behind the Button Factory

In its current state, though, it looks perfect for a few scenes in the next series of Peaky Blinders!!