Igbo house project

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Its peculiar shape can stop you in your tracks when looking at it from the outside – while it can take your breath away once you’re within its walls. This eye catching 'Toxteth' building is the Igbo Association house, popularly known as the Igbo House. 

In 1944, the Igbo community in Liverpool became the first African and diasporan community in the city and probably in the country to acquire its own community centre without public funds. Our current centre at no 2 Park Way (the former deaf and dumb school) was acquired in 1988 following the compulsory acquisition of 54 Princes Road by the city council for housing development programme. The Igbo community was proud to own this building. It is a Grade 2 listed historic Building. The first Centre for the deaf opened in 1887 by Princess Alice, Queen Victoria’s cousin. Sadly the property is currently in a dilapidated condition and there are obligations under the listed building requirements to repair the property. When the building was in use it was a popular centre for the entire communities in Toxteth and surrounding neighbourhoods. It helped build community cohesion by promoting an understanding of and respect for other cultures and by encouraging interaction between them.

The Igbo House Project Committee is working with organisations  in workshops to develop a plan for the redevelopment and sustainability of Igbo House.  Come back for more updates on this in due course.