SkyDome
This £38 million family entertainment and leisure scheme, opened in 2000, houses a nine screen Odeon cinema, Old Orleans Restaurant, Jumpin’ Jaks bar, Ikon and Diva night-clubs, Orange House and Bonds café bars, Chicago Rock Café and multistorey car park. The scheme is owned by Luminar Leisure Limited, the UK's largest owner and operator of licensed late-night premises. It is their flagship and the most successful scheme within their brand.
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SkyDome Arena
In April 2000 the £5.5 million 4,200-seater arena, which is a ice rink during the day, opened to the public. This truly multi-purpose arena features the highest quality acoustics for concerts and shows. It is also a major sports venue for Ice Hockey and Basketball.
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Canal corridor enhancements
Thanks to a six-year regeneration project totalling £6.5 million, the canal has undergone a gradual transformation from a neglected area to the city's longest park. Complete with a range of highly acclaimed public art and pocket parks, heritage trail and ramped towpath entrances, it encourages a flow of visitors to the Canal Basin and beyond.
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Coventry University new library
The University has invested £20 million in a new, energy efficient, state-of-the-art library, housing a fantastic array of resources and materials for both students and staff.
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TechnoCentre Phases 1 and 2
The TechnoCentre was the first building to be built on the University’s 5.7 ha (14 acre) Technology Park. The success of this led to the development of its sister building, the Enterprise Centre, which opened in 2001. This provides dedicated accommodation for small and medium-sized businesses.
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Ellen Terry Building
Thanks to a sensitive conversion and restoration by Coventry University the former art deco Odeon building is now their new performing arts centre.
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Manor House Drive - new Inland Revenue offices
This recently completed 9,290 sq. m. (100,000 sq. ft.) office development is the new home of the Inland Revenue. This project was undertaken by Stoford Developments.
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Phoenix Initiative
Formally opened in December 2003 by Neil Back of England's Rugby World Cup winning team, the Phoenix Initiative is Coventry’s major Millennium project, linking Coventry Cathedral with the Transport Museum via a series of stunning squares and gardens. The £45 million project has seen the redevelopment of over 4 ha (10 acre) and has unveiled some of city centre's long forgotten historical treasures. The project's masterplanners/architects were MacCormac Jamieson Prichard, the landscape architects were Robert Rummey Associates.
The project is made up of the following elements:
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Blue Coat School
Overlooking Priory Gardens is Blue Coat School, a Coventry landmark revived by the Phoenix. This Victorian Gothic building, which had stood empty and neglected for years, has been brought back to life with a stunning £1 million refurbishment and is now the home of the Holy Trinity Church Centre. Coventry University
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Priory Gardens and Visitor Centre
The new Priory Gardens are laid out over the remains of the 12th century Priory, part of which remains exposed. 1,600 skeletons were moved from this site during the archaeological dig, covered on TV by Time Team and Meet The Ancestors. The stunning new Visitor Centre designed by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard houses some amazing finds from the archaeological excavations and tells the story of the old Priory.
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Ribbon Factory
This early Victorian building, built on the ruins of the 12th Century Priory, has stunning south-facing views over the new Priory Gardens and Holy Trinity Church. The owners CDP (Complex Development Projects), have completely restored the original building with some striking modern additions converting the upper floors into the city centre's first loft apartments. A new Nandos restaurant is located on the ground floor.
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Phoenix - Priory Place
This is the heart of the Phoenix Initiative, developed by urban specialists CDP. The £10 million development comprises 2,787 sq. m. (30,000 sq. ft.) of bar/restaurant space in units ranging from 125 sq. m. (1,350sq. ft.) to 743 sq. m. (8,000sq. ft.). The first unit is now occupied by the up market Prague bar restaurant. The BBC is relocating their local radio station and more bar lettings are set to follow. There are 85 private apartments above, developed by KingsOak Homes. This scheme is transforming the area into the hub of the city’s cultural and leisure scene.
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Millennium Place
Walking through the new Priory Place brings you out at the new Millennium Place (front cover image). This magnificent open plaza, with its granite floor, has already become a venue for major events in the city centre. Set in the floor of Millennium Place is the Time Zone Clock. Lit from beneath, this stunning piece of artwork is appropriate for a city with a rich history of clock and watch-making. Then looking up and flying over the plaza is the Frank Whittle Millennium Arch. This lightweight twin-arm structure forms a stunning arch and reflects Coventry's impressive aviation heritage, emphasising the striking design of Millennium Place.
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The Transport Museum
The Transport Museum, one of the top transport museums in the world, is now the landmark backdrop to Millennium Place. Incorporating a magnificent new sweeping frontage and completely revitalised exhibitions that create dynamic new interfaces with visitors, it is a fitting home for this internationally important collection, which now also features the world’s first supersonic car, Thrust SSC. This development is already reinforcing the profile of the area as one of Coventry’s premier visitor destinations.
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Lady Herbert’s garden & the garden of International Friendship
A once peaceful oasis in the city centre, Lady Herbert’s garden had become wild and overgrown. The Phoenix Initiative has restored it to its 1930 flower garden design. This includes the restoration of Swanswell Gate and the old Town Wall. In complete contrast the bold new Garden of International Friendship sits alongside. This modern space receives the end of the new elevated glass bridge from Millennium Place.
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Gala Bingo Hall
The former 1930’s bingo hall was demolished to make way for the Phoenix Initiative's Millennium Place. The new hall, opened in February 2003 and developed by Gala Bingo, ensures the retention of this well used and important leisure attraction in the city centre.
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Lower Precinct
The £50 million joint development by Arrowcroft and Scottish Life to rejuvenate the Lower Precinct opened in May 2002. It provides the highest quality covered shopping under a glass canopy, and includes the restoration of many 1960's features. Arranged over two prime levels with five large anchor stores and over 30 new smaller units, tenants include NEXT, H & M, Pizza Hut and Sainsbury’s. It has won two local, and two national design awards.
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Spon Street environmental enhancement
This area, which is rich in heritage, has seen £1.4 million of improvements. These comprise innovative lighting, heritage interpretation and new stone paving making it an attractive link between SkyDome and Corporation Street.
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Council House lighting
The innovative lighting of this building's stunning façade has already won two lighting awards.
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Lighting of the modern towers
The three centrally grouped post-war tower blocks of Coventry are major city centre landmarks. And now a light-art installation to help predict the weather for the next day – based on national weather forecasts it uses light to tell everyone if it will be sunny or even foggy. The project has received a great deal of media interest - it was even included in a CNN news broadcast!
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Lighting of the historic spires
The historic three spires of Coventry have been sensitively lit to reveal their architectural beauty at night. Christchurch Spire, Holy Trinity Church, the Old and New Cathedrals and surrounding streets and gardens now provide an atmospheric evening experience. Provision has also been made for events and theatre lighting within the catherdal ruins.
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Spectacle lighting onto the three historic towers
This innovative scheme projects a variety of themed images and coloured lights onto the historic spires. Each spire has a different theme: conflict and reconciliation; religion and industry; and communication and regeneration. Arange of other images can be used to contribute to festive occasions, such as Christmas, and other events.
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Lighting of historic buildings
Several Medieval buildings in historic Spon Street have been lit. This scheme also involves the use of gas flambeaux to provide additional atmosphere.
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Bull Yard improvements
Major enhancements to this busy part of Coventry have updated its image, giving it a lively, continental feel. Specially designed paving, lighting, street furniture and a new water feature are bringing a new appeal to eating and drinking al fresco in this part of the city centre.
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Foyer housing scheme
63 on-suite bed study rooms developed by Touchstone Housing Association.
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CV Central
100 apartments developed by KingsOak Homes.
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Coventry University Sports Centre
A £4 million development by Coventry University for staff and students. Complete with sports halls, fitness centre and cafes. It opened in January 2004.
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Whitefriars and Corporation Street Pocket Parks
These simple but very effective new green lungs provide small grassed and landscaped areas. Sensitively designed, they provide attractive places to sit, meet and relax.
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