Revamping Coventry: A £60m Art Storage and Retail Revolution in the Former Ikea Building

Coventry is poised for a significant transformation with a £60m initiative aimed at reinventing a former Ikea building into a state-of-the-art art storage facility for some of the nation’s most valuable artworks. The project, led by Coventry City Council, is undergoing revisions to ensure it is future-proofed and relevant in today’s landscape.

The redesign will not only include advanced storage spaces but will also incorporate public-access areas on the lower floors, making it a community-centric hub. A critical aspect of the new planning application involves the demolition of a damaged three-floor multi-storey car park, which has suffered from severe weather conditions.

The project plans to introduce retail space on the ground floor, aiming to enhance the versatility of the site for potential tenants. Initially, the plan included relocating the Coventry Transport Museum to the ground floor; however, it has now been decided that the museum will move to the first floor instead, a decision backed by a £5m grant from the government. This shift will not jeopardize the funding as the council assures that the ground floor will still serve community and retail purposes.

Councillor Naeem Akhtar, leading the project, emphasizes that the decision to move the museum is part of an ongoing conversation, and they are contemplating various options for its relocation and the future of the existing site in Millennium Place.

Originally opened as a furniture store in 2007, the building faced closure in February 2020, and plans to repurpose it have encountered numerous difficulties, including rising costs and the previous developer entering administration. The upcoming planning application is crucial, with a deadline set for November 18. This project not only marks a new chapter for the Coventry area but also highlights the council’s commitment to enhancing cultural accessibility and community engagement.