The modernisation of the West Midlands venue, due for completion in winter 2014, will include a new glass-fronted façade and front-of-house showcase entrance next to Birmingham’s Brindleyplace. It will add 2,926sqm of space into the 13,437sqm of redevelopment.
As a result of the move, the venue will be rebranded NIA, a Barclaycard Unwind Experience, following the NEC Group securing a earlier this year.
The NIA was granted for the refurbishment last October.
Phil Mead, managing director of arenas, NEC Group, said: "The NIA has a rich 21-year history in Birmingham, welcoming world-renowned singers, athletes, comedians and performers who all help to shine a light on what our city has to offer.
"This redevelopment is vital to ensure we continue to attract world-class artists to Birmingham and to offer our visitors the best experience possible."
The redevelopment of the NIA will take part in two phases, with the first involving the refurbishment of backstage areas including the control room, medical and storage facilities, as well as production offices, crew catering facilities and dressing rooms.
Phase two, taking place next year, will involve the redevlopment of hospitality suites, concourse expansion, improved circulation areas and the new external façade.
The NIA will remain open throughout the majority of the redevelopment, but will be closed during the summer months this year and in 2014.
Richard Dakin, director at BAM Construction, said: "We are extremely pleased that the NIA has entrusted the redevelopment to BAM. This high-profile project will benefit from BAM’s substantial experience in major projects, both in the Midlands and nationwide, and we look forward to working closely with the NIA team to successfully deliver this exciting redevelopment of the NIA."
Mead added: "We are delighted that work will start imminently to make the future NIA a reality for Birmingham, our visitors and clients."
The move has received full backing from Birmingham City Council as part of its Big City Plan, launched in September 2010.
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