ICC Birmingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids International Convention Centre |
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Exterior view of the venue (c.2021)
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| Address | 8 Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2EA England |
| Coordinates | 52°28′44.12″N 1°54′38.61″W / 52.4789222°N 1.9107250°W |
| Owner | NEC Group |
| Operator | NEC Group |
| Built | 1984–91 |
| Architect |
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| Inaugurated | 12 June 1991 |
| Opened | 2 April 1991 |
| Renovated | 2015–16 |
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Construction cost
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£200 million (£463 million in 2021 dollars ) |
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Theatre seating
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2,262 (Symphony Hall) 1,500 (Conference Auditorium) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 9,104 m2 (97,990 sq ft) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 4,151 m2 (44,680 sq ft) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 1,927 m2 (20,740 sq ft) |
The International Convention Centre (ICC) is a huge building in Birmingham, England. It's a popular place for big meetings and events. Inside the ICC, you'll find the famous Symphony Hall. The building faces Centenary Square and also has an entrance that leads to Birmingham's canals. The ICC is owned and run by the NEC Group, which also manages the nearby Arena Birmingham.
Contents
Building the ICC: A Look Back
The International Convention Centre was designed by two architecture firms: Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin. Construction began when Jacques Delors laid the first stone. Over 1,500 workers helped build the centre. They used more than 60,000 cubic metres of concrete!
The ICC officially opened on June 12, 1991. Queen Elizabeth II herself attended the opening ceremony. The project cost about £200 million to build. A large part of the funding, £49.7 million, came from the European Council.
What Was There Before?
The land where the ICC now stands has a long history. It used to be the site of the Prince of Wales Theatre. It was also home to Bingley Hall, which opened in 1850. Bingley Hall was special because it was the world's first building made just for exhibitions. Before the ICC was built, there were also many houses, a brewery, and an inn in the area.
Important Events at the ICC
The ICC has hosted many important events over the years. In May 1998, it was the location for the 24th G8 summit. This was a meeting where leaders from eight of the world's biggest economies came together.
The building is also used for special community events. For example, on a specific date in August, it hosts "Discovery Day." This event features different activities and displays from companies and groups across the city. In 2004, a part of the ICC was even turned into an indoor country fair, complete with a Ferris wheel!
Since 2008, the ICC has become a popular place for major political parties to hold their conferences. These are big meetings where party members discuss their plans and policies. All three main political parties in the UK have used the venue for their conferences.
Inside and Out: The ICC's Design
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The outside of the ICC looks modern with its blue-tinted windows and white stone. Above the main entrance, you can see a cool neon sculpture called "Birdlife" by Ron Hasledon. This entrance area is sometimes used for small performances or peaceful protests. On the south side of the building, there's a special bridge that connects the ICC to the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Exploring the Interior
Inside the ICC, you'll find a large, open space called an atrium. High above, there are many bridges and walkways connecting different parts of the building. The ICC has ten main halls and ten extra meeting rooms. It can hold up to 8,000 people at once!
The largest hall is Hall 3. It has a huge space of 3,050 square metres and can fit up to 3,000 people.
Here's a quick look at some of the main rooms and their capacities:
| Room | Floor Area (m2) | Maximum Capacity |
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| Conference Auditorium (Hall 1) | – | 1,502 |
| Symphony Hall | – | 2,262 |
| Hall 3 | 3,050 | 3,000 |
| Hall 4 | 806 | 830 |
| Hall 5 | – | 300 |
| Hall 6 | 113 | 120 |
| Hall 7 | 148 | 140 |
| Hall 8 | 319 | 306 |
| Hall 9 | 296 | 300 |
| Hall 10 | 236 | 250 |
| Hall 11 | 360 | 345 |
Within the main mall area, there are several shops and places to grab a bite. You can find an art gallery, a WHSmith store, and coffee shops like Starbucks. There's also a box office where you can buy tickets for events at Symphony Hall and other local theatres. If you need to work, there are even hotdesking spaces with computers and internet access.
