Contractor named to transform city's former Ikea

The Coventry City Centre Cultural Gateway will be developed by construction firm ISG

Work to transform Coventry's former Ikea into a cultural hub and arts venue is to begin after a contractor was appointed.

The City Centre Cultural Gateway, located at the former furniture store on Croft Road, will be developed by construction firm ISG.

Construction is set to begin in August with work expected to be completed by autumn 2025.

Councillor David Welsh, from Coventry City Council, said he was "delighted" that work would begin on a "really impressive new cultural landmark in the city. "

"The start of the construction process is a milestone to be celebrated and there will be even more to come as we see changes to the building that will soon become a cultural destination in our city," he said.

"We're really looking forward to sharing more in the coming months and of course even more excited to see the work finished next year."

Plans for the refitted building also include artists’ studios, post-production filming facilities, galleries, and a cafe.

The existing 9m high warehouse area is also set to be transformed into a temperature controlled storage facility to house collections of artwork.

The former Ikea building on Croft Road will be transformed into a cultural hub and arts venue

The external appearance of the building would also be transformed, with an "attractive new combination of cladding and spray-painted finishes," and the installation of panoramic windows, an ISG spokesperson said.

Mechanical and electrical services will be upgraded, alongside structural alterations and a "full strip out of the 60,000 sqm accommodation."

Louise Daville, director at ISG, added: “This is a bold and innovative vision to reimagine former retail space as a cultural hub for the city of Coventry.

"The Cultural Gateway brings together complementary, yet distinct, partners within a key central location, providing a richly diverse experience for visitors, students and academics."

The former Ikea in Coventry shut in 2020, with its leasehold bought by the city council.