Following the granting of planning permission and completion of an archaeological investigation, piling and excavation for The Forum began in May 1999. Construction was completed in October 2001 and the building was opened to the public in November of that year before being officially opened by The Queen in July 2002. 

 

The three-storey external frame is built over a two-storey basement car park and is formed from exposed concrete. The main enclosing horseshoe wall is made of handmade load-bearing brick, punctuated by a regular rhythm of windows. This brickwork mirrors the adjacent City Hall in using bricks that are longer than standard.  The roof is supported by tubular steel trusses, in-filled with acoustically absorbent metal cladding, whilst the adjoining areas are glazed. The solid panels of the roof are made from zinc.

 

There is a time capsule in the foundations of the building which was buried on 17 March 2000 and which contains various items including coins, stamps and a copy of the Eastern Daily Press. It also contains papers and plans relating to the building with personal messages from people working on the project at the time. The capsule will remain hidden unless it is found by someone many years in the future.