Last chapter: Birmingham Central Library is demolished
It was once at the cultural centre of Birmingham - but now machines are making short work of consigning it to history.
Huge pieces of concrete are crumbling away from Birmingham Central Library as its demolition gathers pace.
These latest pictures show demolition teams progressing with tearing down the iconic building in the middle of the bustling city centre.
It is being cleared ready for the development of news offices, a hotel and shops surrounding a remodelled Chamberlain Square.
The £500 million Paradise development project is being used as a catalyst for transforming the city centre.
Workers from Birmingham-based demolition specialist DSM have been on site tasked with the major overhaul of the land.
Machinery is smashing through layers on concrete at the site over Paradise Circus which has forced road and route closures.
A high tech mechanical excavator has been chipping away chunks from the building since work start before Christmas.
The work had disrupted this year's German and craft market events in the city after the route for people to walk between both was closed due to the works.
Office buildings, a hotel and open air walk ways will be created on the area currently occupied by Central Library, Adrian Boult Hall and the Copthorne Hotel.
Traffic has been re-routed around Paradise Circus island with work on this stage of the scheme due to finish this summer.
Construction work on the first new office block is expected to begin in mid-2016.
The first two buildings to be built will be completed during 2018 will be called One and Two Chamberlain Square.
This will total more than 350,000 sq ft of office space.
English Heritage bid to have Birmingham Central Library, which opened in 1974, awarded listed status in 2009.
The Central Library shut after the new £188 million Library of Birmingham opened in 2013.
