International Convention Centre (ICC)
Birmingham
B1 2EA
View site map HERE.
Photography by Elliott Brown.
In brief
The International Convention Centre cost around £200 million to build and is part of the NEC Group.
It is ideally located between Centenary Square and the canalside leading to Brindleyplace, with public entrances at either end.
Photography by Elliott Brown.
History of the build
Construction of The ICC began in 1986 and was completed in 1991. The foundation stone was laid by Jacques Delors.
Stone laid by Jacques Delors at the Canalside of The ICC Birmingham (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown
The building was built and designed by the Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin.
It was officially opened by HM The Queen on the 12th June 1991.
It was built on the site of the Prince of Wales Theatre and Bingley Hall, the world's first purpose built exhibition hall which opened in 1850. After a fire in 1984, it was demolished and work on The ICC began two years later.
The site covers land from the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline along Broad Street towards Centenary Square and adjoins Symphony Hall.
The ICC Birmingham from Brindleyplace (April 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown
The ICC was renovated between 2015 to 2016 and work included new signs around the building.
The ICC Birmingham from the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown
Conferences and Events over the years
Most famously, The ICC was host to the G8 in 1998 with leaders attending from around the world.
The G8 table from the 1998 Conference on the wall at The ICC (May 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Conservative Party Conference was held here once every two years starting in 2010, the last one being held in 2018 (2020 was cancelled and went online instead).
The Conservative Party Conference 2018 took over Centenary Square (October 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown
The ICC Mall
You can walk through the mall from Centenary Square towards the Canalside. You would have to go up and down steps. But there is ramps for those who can't use the steps.
The ICC Mall (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown
The ICC Mall (August 2018). Photography by Daniel Sturley