City Centre Cultural Gateway
The former IKEA building is now known as the City Centre Cultural Gateway (CCCG).
The CCCG will be a central hub for culture and community in the heart of the city centre, and we’re working with national and local partners, including British Council, Arts Council England and CV Life. Coventry University will be a tenant of the building and will be utilising floors five and six.
Whilst plans for the building have been taking shape, the building has been open for interim use. It has often been used as a filming set and was included as a location for Lenny Henry’s drama, Three Little Birds and the BBC’s fashion series, Style It Out. The building has also been home to Hollywood Games and has often been used as a meeting and working space for local and national businesses.
When finished, the building will boast collection management facilities, artists’ studios, post-production filming facilities, galleries and a public cafe. The building is expected to open in 2026.
Financial considerations
Before embarking on the project, we put together a robust business plan for the CCCG. The project is fully costed, and any Council investment will be repaid in the fullness of time. The project is funded through a combination of Government grants, capital funding and partner contributions. Tenants for the building have already signed up and will be moving in when the building opens in 2026.
Beyond the direct finances of the project, our modelling of the situation highlights the project’s ability to lead to economic growth. High-level economic projections suggest the potential for significant job creation and economic value, bolstering Coventry's position as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and tourism.