International Convention Centre, Birmingham

Infobox building
building_name = International Convention Centre


caption = The central mall
building_type = Convention Centre
architectural_style =
structural_system =
location = Birmingham, England
coordinates = coord|52|28|44.12|N|1|54|38.61|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title
start_date =
completion_date = 1991
demolition_date =
height =
floor_count =
main_contractor =
architect = Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin
structural_engineer =
services_engineer =
civil_engineer =
other_designers =
quantity_surveyor =
awards =

The International Convention Centre (abbreviated to ICC) is a major conference venue in central Birmingham, England. The centre includes Symphony Hall and it faces Centenary Square. The building has another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Convention Quarter area, which includes Brindleyplace, is located directly opposite the building on the other side of the canal. It is part of the NEC group.

The building was designed by Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin. The foundation stone was laid by Jacques Delors as a start of another 4 years and 5 months of construction. In all, over 1,500 workers helped construct the building. Over 60,000 cubic metres of concrete were used. The site was opened on June 12 1991 by Queen Elizabeth II. Funds of £49.7 million were provided by the European Council. The total cost of construction was £200 million.

It is on the site of the Prince of Wales Theatre and Bingley Hall, the world's first purpose-built exhibition hall, opened in 1850. Also on the site were numerous houses fronting King Edwards Place as well as a brewery and inn. On the eastern side of this was King Alfreds Place which was also fronted by houses and a hotel. A listed Victorian cast iron urinal was removed before construction began, on condition that it be re-erected. Although it was taken to Tyseley Locomotive Works, it has never been restored.

The building was the focal point for the G8 summit meeting of world leaders in 1998.

On a specified date in August, the building is used by companies, organisations and/ or individuals as part of "Discovery Day" which features events co-ordinated all over the city. In 2004, an area was used as an indoor country fair. The fair featured a Ferris wheel and small rides. In Spring 2008, the hall hosted its first party political conference, for the Labour Party [https://secure.eventadv.com/EAS_LabourDMS/application/eventapplication.aspx?eventid=7&app=20] .

The façade of the building is covered in blue tinted windows and white stone cladding. The entrance is adorned by a neon sculpture, by Ron Hasledon, named "Birdlife" which hangs above it. [cite book|author=Malcolm Miles|title=Art, Space and the City: Public Art and Urban Futures|pages=115|year=1997|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0415139422] The entrance is used as a small performance area and small protests are sometimes held there. The south side of the building features a link bridge to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. When the pre-fabricated connecting bridge was delivered, it was found to be too short, as the plans for the hotel had been modified, moving it away from the ICC slightly, but the bridge makers had not been informedFact|date=May 2007.

Inside the building, numerous connecting bridges and walkways line the atrium overhead. The ICC has a capacity of 3,700 delegates.

Inside there is a branch of the Halcyon Gallery which sells original paintings and prints. There is a souvenir shop as well as the Box Office for tickets for both Symphony Hall and other local theatres.

References

External links

* [http://www.theicc.co.uk The ICC Website]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.asp?sheetid=10089&ox=4650&oy=1576&zm=1&czm=1&x=570&y=282 1890 map of location of ICC] (Bingley Hall is on the far right of image)