Roundhouse Birmingham
Reviving industrial heritage as a vibrant hub for culture and exploration
Client: National Trust & Canal and River Trust
Listed Grade II*
Status: Complete
The Roundhouse, a Grade II* listed building, is one of Birmingham’s most iconic pieces of industrial heritage. Originally built in the 19th century, it has been brought back to life through a collaboration between the Canal & River Trust and the National Trust, with support from the NLHF Heritage Enterprise programme. Now reimagined as a base for urban exploration - on foot, by bike or by water – a working example of how thoughtful design can give heritage new relevance.
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Built in 1874 by Birmingham Corporation, the horseshoe-shaped Roundhouse originally served as stables and stores for the city’s lamplighters and the Public Works department. Now, following extensive restoration, it has been reimagined as a base for discovery; offering volunteer-led and self-guided city and canal tours, with kayak trips proving especially popular.
The project involved significant restoration and conservation work including urgent roof repairs, major structural interventions, relaying of the cobbled courtyard to improve access, the removal of unsympathetic alterations, full re-servicing, and a series of energy efficiency upgrades. Internally, the building was carefully reconfigured to support a diverse range of new uses.
The reopened Roundhouse now supports a mix of local businesses and social enterprises. A visitor centre, café, kayak hire, and flexible workspace for volunteers and the public all sit alongside permanent exhibitions and rotating displays tied to local events and festivals.
Central to the project is the goal of cultivating an active, day-to-day community. This has resulted in dedicated workspace allocated for the National Trust and Canal & River Trust, while additional desk space is available to local users. A growing volunteer programme is supported through the site's management model, with a projected 50,000 visitors annually from Birmingham and beyond.
“This project is fantastic news for Birmingham, and will breathe new life into one of the city’s most recognisable and much-loved historic buildings. The Roundhouse will be a fantastic place to showcase Birmingham’s waterways and heritage and inspire people to explore all that the city has to offer.”
— Stuart Mills, Canal & River Trust
“If Birmingham is the nation’s ‘canal capital’ then the Roundhouse would be its city hall. This wonderful waterside landmark has been under-used for far too long and we are determined to find a new community use for it which puts it back at the heart of the city’s revitalised waterways. The Canal & River Trust and National Trust both want to celebrate and reconnect people to Birmingham’s rich working heritage and we believe the Roundhouse offers an exciting opportunity for the city.”
— Simon Salem, Marketing Director for the Canal & River Trust
“The survival of this unusual historic building in such a central location, and in an area that has largely been redeveloped, makes it stand out in a very modern city. It tells a fascinating part of Birmingham’s story. It was originally a hub for the distribution of goods and the stabling of horses and there is an exciting opportunity to make it a modern-day hub for those who want to actively explore and discover more about their city today. We’d love to help make that happen.”
— Beccy Speight, then Regional Director for the National Trust in Birmingham
Project Team
Lead Designer, Architect, Heritage Consultant & Principal Designer CDM & BSA: BFF Architects
Civils & Structural Engineer: AKS Ward
MEP Engineer: Couch Perry Wilkes
Landscape Architect: Fira Landscape
Acoustic Consultant: Idibri
Building Control: Acivico
Main Contractor: Kier
Awards
2023 RIBAJ MacEwen Award: Longlisted
2023 Tomorrows Procurement Festival of Achievement Awards: Shortlisted - Social Value Project of The Year
2022 LABC West Midlands Region Award: Winner – Best Public or Community Building
2022 LABC People and Place Awards: Shortlisted Finalist
2022 West Midlands Tourism Awards: Experience of the Year - The Roundhouse's innovative kayak canal tours were honoured with this award, celebrating their unique approach to exploring Birmingham's waterways and industrial heritage.
Visit England Accreditation: The venue has been awarded the "We're Good to Go" industry standard mark, indicating adherence to government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring visitor safety and cleanliness.