It’s been 50 years since King Kong loomed large over Birmingham’s Bull Ring Shopping Centre. The 20ft statue was a sight to behold in the 1970s.
And now, to celebrate the city being the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Cordia Blackswan is bringing the statue home once again. This time a replica of Nicholas Monro’s sculpture will be housed in his very own pop-up park: King Kong Park at Commonwealth Row.
The park will bring together the local community together with athletes, visitors and tourists in a festival-style celebration of the city. It will be the perfect stop for selfies.
There will be live music, sports events and street food and drink in the run up to and during the Games. Commonwealth Games events will be livestreamed on a big screen, and the park will also have a running track for visitors to use. What’s more, entry to the park is free of charge.
“A 7m tall sculpture of King Kong, created by RoboCarv will form the centrepiece of the park,” said a spokesman for Cordia Blackswan.
“Identical to the original sculpture by Nicholas Monro and with the family’s blessings, we have worked hard to return King Kong to his original state and to bring him back to his rightful home here in Birmingham. It’s time to go ape and get ready for an awesome summer in Brum. Join us for live Games, music, street food, King Kong, and more monkey business.”
Source: Zoe Chamberlain
