The Tubeworks at Icknield Port Loop
The Tubeworks, located at Icknield Port Loop, is a new residential neighbourhood in Ladywood. Built on an urban island surrounded by canals, the development is the result of a collaboration between Urban Splash, the Council and the Canal and River Trust; it is underpinned by an existing community of practitioners. The Tubeworks aims to ensure there is cultural and social interaction between the new residents of Icknield Port Loop, and the existing residents of neighbouring Ladywood, which is an area of high levels of deprivation.
Managed by Civic Square Birmingham CIC, this vibrant space repurposes an old industrial building at the heart of Urban Splash’s innovative housing development. The space serves as a cultural and social hub that enhances the community spirit of the area.
Tubeworks offers a dynamic mix of amenities tailored to support creative and communal activities. It features a co-working space that fosters collaboration among local entrepreneurs, artists, and small businesses, alongside a community café that serves as a gathering spot for residents. The facility also includes a rehearsal space for performers, a bike repair workshop to support sustainable mobility, and versatile event spaces for workshops, exhibitions, and cultural programming.
This initiative reflects the broader vision of Urban Splash to create not just homes but thriving communities enriched by cultural and social infrastructure. Tubeworks, in collaboration with Civic Square and partners like MAIA, empowers local people to participate in creative projects, build connections, and sustain cultural activities. It stands as a model for integrating culture into urban regeneration, making it a cornerstone of Icknield Port Loop’s identity.
