King Kong set to return to Birmingham in time for the Commonwealth Games

Birmingham’s infamous King Kong is coming home this summer to celebrate the city being the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Heralded by Birmingham-based property developer Cordia Blackswan, the company have worked closely alongside Nicholas Monro (the original sculptor) and family, particularly his son, Joe and his daughter, Maude, to bring a new and improved King Kong back to the city in a pop-up park – King Kong Park at Great Hampton Row.

The festival-style park will bring together the local community, visitors, athletes, and tourists in a celebration of the city. Working together with local artists, one of Birmingham’s biggest independent food operators and event organisers, the park will host live music, sport events and street food and drink suppliers in the run up to and during the Games.

A 7m tall King Kong sculpture, created by Gloucestershire-based RoboCarv, will form the centrepiece of the park. Aesthetically identical to the original sculpture, Cordia Blackswan is working closely with original artist Nicholas Monro and his family to bring a bigger, and structurally sound King Kong back to life to return a piece of history to the city that will stand the test of time.

Commonwealth Games events will be livestreamed on a big screen, with seating and refreshments available from local suppliers with evening food and drinks also available. The park will also have a running track - ideal for organised sports and fitness classes for visitors to enjoy.

Located on Great Hampton Row in the Jewellery Quarter, the park will be easily accessible from the city centre with great transport links. Just a two-minute walk from St. Paul’s tram station, a seven-minute walk from Snow Hill Station and 15 minutes from New Street Station, the park will host visitors from across the city and beyond.

With nine developments located along Great Hampton Street, Cordia Blackswan has a masterplan to transform the key gateway route into the city, which has suffered significant underinvestment in recent years. Their developments offer a mix of uses, including build-to-rent and Birmingham’s first shared living scheme.

Marcus Hawley, Managing Director at Cordia Blackswan, said: “Birmingham holds a very special place for us as a developer, and we are committed to supporting the city in realising its ambitions to be a world-class destination. The Commonwealth Games presents the perfect opportunity to bring King Kong home, with Birmingham on the global stage.

“For those of us that remember the original Kong, it’s time to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of his first visit to the city. While it’s an honour to bring a piece of Birmingham’s history back to life, we hope people will ‘go ape’ over the park we’re creating, bringing the community spirit back to Great Hampton Row.”

King Kong Park will open on 22^nd July, with entertainment running until 8^th August from 12pm-10pm each day. The park is free to attend for all.

For more information, please visit the King Kong Park page.