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Photo: Graham Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A modern convention centre sharing a building with Symphony Hall.
The International Convention Centre (ICC) is a major conference venue in Birmingham, England. The centre incorporates Symphony Hall and faces Centenary Square, with another entrance leading to the canals of Birmingham. The Westside area, which includes Brindleyplace, is opposite the building on the other side of the canal. The centre is owned and operated by the NEC Group, who is also responsible for the nearby Arena Birmingham, just to the west of the complex.
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Internationally renowned concert venue with two to four classical concerts per week. Also offers free pre-concert talks.
The Rep
Well-established theatre putting on classical and modern plays. Supports new work through The Door.
Large sea life centre with a multitude of aquatic animals, including piranhas, turtles, sea horses, rays and otters. Feeding demonstrations throughout the day.
The new library building at Centenary Square was opened in September 2013 to replace the 1970 Birmingham Central Library nearby (demolished 2016). It is the single largest public library in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. The building was designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo architecten, and took four years to build. It includes an intricate facade decoration, despite the very simple form of the building, as well as a number of innovative sustainable features. To explore the building take the lift to the top (9th) floor to see the Shakespeare Memorial Room, a fine wooden panelled library, which used to be in the city's library built in 1882. There is also a viewing window to look over the city. There are outside garden spaces on the 7th and 3rd floors which give different city views. The four lower floors house the public library, laid out in impressive style.
Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see below).
A war memorial built in 1925 for the 12,320 Birmingham citizens killed in the First World War.