Phil Mead, NIA managing director, said the arena is entering its last intensive build phase, to enable essential work to take place in time for completion by December 2014.
He added the redevelopment is currently on time and within budget, as the venue seeks to attract the very best in global entertainment and sport.
The arena is now closed to the public with access being granted to essential staff only, as work takes place which includes installation and completion of a new concourse, and ground floor and walls from the existing NIA to the new façade. The redevelopment also includes the build of new food and beverage areas, a box office and new retail spaces.
There will also be a new feature staircase which will be visible from the glass-fronted façade and all of the arena seats will be removed to be replaced with modern, comfortable seating.
Work is also continuing on a 10-metre by 50-metre LED feature light wall, designed to welcome visitors in, and illuminated 30-metre ‘sky needles’ providing a focal point on the Birmingham horizon.
"We are looking forward to seeing the results of everyone’s hard work finally coming together," said Mead. "We have been a live venue up until now, so complete shutdown until September allows for the essential work to accelerate and take us to completion on-time in December 2014."
The redevelopment has been project managed by Novus and will see capacity increase from 14,150 to 15,992, adding an additional 6,000 metres of retail space and an extension of the concourse areas by over three times at some points, from seven metres to 21 metres.
There will also be an increase in toilet facilities, new dressing rooms, hospitality lounges and a seven-day a week retail offer. The NIA re-opens to the public on 15 September with a performance from The Saturdays.
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