These empty rooms and long corridors tell a story that never truly made the headlines. A story of neglect, unanswered questions, and a sudden closure that left more behind than just furniture and files.
Walking through this building feels heavy. You can almost sense the lives that once passed through here — the routines, the voices, the moments of hope, and the moments of fear. Now, only dust, shadows, and echoes remain as time slowly reclaims what’s left.
Some of the most unsettling places aren’t designed to scare — they were designed to protect.
Big thanks to MOD Jelly on the Photographs and MOD Dan2 on editing!
As a kid, I lived opposite this abandoned site for about 13 years, long before I became an explorer. It was obvious that this would definitely be a building I’d explore one day. Some of the history surrounding this building is quite dark. There are rumours online of a tunnel system used by MI5 and MI6, and claims that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors of the block were also used by MI5 and MI6. There are multiple reports of people being moved via the tunnels and of individuals being brainwashed at this location. How true this is, I am unsure.
We explored this building back in 2016, and it was not easy at all. With security based inside the building and positioned at the rear, it was challenging to gain entry. We explored this building around 15 times, popping back and forth to try and find out more about what this place was used for. This has to be one of the most interesting explores.
The Powergen building once stood at the junction of Stratford Road and Haslucks Green Road in Shirley, Solihull. It was part of the offices for the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB), which later became Powergen — one of the companies formed after the UK electricity industry was privatised.
The building was designed in the 1960s by notable Birmingham architect John Madin, who also designed other major local structures such as the old Birmingham Central Library. Its style reflected the era’s modernist/brutalist trends, making it distinctive but also controversial among local residents.
Powergen vacated the site in the mid-1990s, around 1995, leaving the building largely unused for many years. After closure, the site sat derelict for decades and became a familiar, if slightly eerie, landmark in Shirley.
In 2015, while still abandoned, the building’s decaying appearance made it an ideal filming location for the zombie movie The Girl With All the Gifts (starring Glenn Close). The production used the site’s rugged, abandoned atmosphere to depict a post-apocalyptic setting.
The Powergen building was demolished in 2017 to make way for redevelopment. Today, the site has been transformed into Solihull Retirement Village (also known as Solihull Village) — a modern residential community with homes and facilities for people over 55.
Exploring an Abandoned House of Fraser with West Midlands Police | Urban Exploration Adventure
Join us as we embark on a thrilling urban exploration journey through the abandoned House of Fraser in the heart of the West Midlands. This once-bustling department store now stands forgotten, and we’re giving you an exclusive look inside. In a rare twist, we have the West Midlands Police on hand for this adventure, as we uncover hidden gems, decaying remnants, and explore the history behind this iconic building.
What secrets does this abandoned location hold? Watch as we delve into the eerie atmosphere and uncover the story of the store’s sudden closure, all while being accompanied by the police. This video showcases the unique blend of urban exploration and the necessary safety precautions when venturing into such spaces. Don’t miss this thrilling exploration!
Catch us live every Saturday on our TikTok @deexplores1. We also upload a video to our YouTube every Sunday at 4pm. This footage is from one of our TikTok lives from the weekend. Subscribe, Like and Comment more videos weekly! #DeeExplores
Huge thanks to Mod Dan 2 for the photos
