The Elephant Building

The Elephant Building is a modernist sports facility in Coventry that sits above Cox Street and connects to the Central Baths through a covered walkway. The structure features a distinctive shape that resembles an elephant in profile.

The building was completed in 1976 to expand the Olympic-size pool complex that opened in 1966 and to bridge a gap created by the 1972 ring road construction. It became a response to major changes in the city's urban design.

The building is recognized locally for its unusual form that calls to mind an elephant. This design choice comes from Coventry's coat of arms, a symbol that holds special meaning throughout the city.

The building has been closed since February 2020 and is not currently available for visits. Although not accessible inside, you can appreciate its distinctive shape from outside along Cox Street.

Inside the building lies a Grade II listed 50-meter Olympic swimming pool designed to hold around 1,200 spectators. For many years, this pool was an important competitive venue in the Midlands region.

Location: Coventry

GPS coordinates: 52.40878,-1.50338

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07