The modernisation of the NIA aims to take advantage of its unique location on the city's canal side and will feature a new showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with large glazed views over the water and the city.
The work is set to get underway in late 2012 and will include improved facilities and a much greater emphasis on both the pre and post show experience. The flow within the venue will be made much easier, increasing the ease of access and comfort for promoters, artists and visitors to the building. Coupled with this is the new entrance, which will secure the venue as a focal point for the city.
The NIA has been a huge draw for visitors to Birmingham since it was officially opened in 1991 by Olympic athlete Linford Christie; the flexible arena has since gained a global reputation for world-class sports, headline comedy and music, and a diverse range of crowd-pleasing live entertainment. This year it hosted the FIG Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships, the qualifying event for the discipline ahead of the London 2012 Olympics and the first time the event has been held in the UK since 1967. This year also saw Disney on Ice come to the Arena twice and welcomed internationally renowned artists including Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Kings of Leon.
The improvement work at the venue, which has not been refurbished since its opening, is key to continuing its long term success of the venue. The new design includes further opportunities for retail units with an extra 5,926 m² of pre and post show space added to the 7,500 m² of refurbishment that will take place, ensuring that the new NIA maintains its position as a destination to visit in Birmingham city centre.
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, says "The NIA is already one of the central features in our world-class events and conferencing offer, as well as a vital asset for our economy generating £150million in economic benefit, and supporting around 2,500 jobs in the wider economy. Clearly, if we are to retain and grow our reputation as an events city we need to invest in the future.
I am delighted that we are able to innovate and invest in infrastructure, at a time when other cities might have to curtail their development plans. By integrating the redevelopment into our Big City Plan we will seek to maximise the impact of this very exciting new development".
Paul Thandi, CEO of the NEC Group, says "We are proud to unveil the new look for the NIA venue alongside the plans that we have to turn it into the next generation of arena, as we position the venue as a real focal point for live entertainment.
The investment in the NIA represents not only a significant modernisation of the site to create an exciting and iconic contemporary venue, it also offers the chance to fulfil the ambitions of the city to be the place to visit for first-class facilities and the world's best performers".
Phil Mead, MD of NEC Group Arenas, says "Birmingham is currently abuzz with redevelopment as part of the Big City Plan. It is a very exciting time for the city and we are delighted that today's announcement takes our arena another step forward in its part of the transformation.
As well as improving the facility for performers and promoters, developing the experience for our customers is also top of the agenda. Our venue of the future will feature a new look and feel on the concourse with more choice for visitors in terms of food, beverage and merchandising.
The plans will further strengthen the venue's success in attracting the world's leading indoor sports events, live shows and concerts".
Aidan Ridyard, Director at Broadway Malyan, adds "The National Indoor Arena is a project defined by its potential. It is a truly public venue, hosting a remarkable diversity of performance, sports and entertainment, which brings Birmingham into the consciousness of millions of people around the world. To be chosen to redefine the architectural vision for such a great institution is an honour.
We are genuinely excited at the opportunity of beginning the reinvention of this pivotal section of Birmingham's waterfront fabric and hope to create a space which embraces this remarkable location whilst visually celebrating the venue's innate vitality. We see the new NIA as a waterfront window onto the excitement of the entertainment within and the heritage of our city surrounding it".
