Factory Manchester
In January 2017, Manchester City Council granted planning permission to Factory, a flagship cultural venue for the North of England.
The building has been designed by Rem Koolhaas’ architectural practice Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), and will be their first major public building in the UK.
Factory is intended to be a groundbreaking new venue that forms part of the vibrant new St. John’s neighbourhood currently being developed by Allied London on the site of the former Granada TV Studios.
Manchester International Festival (MIF) will operate Factory, which will offer the broadest range of art forms and cultural experiences, including dance, theatre, music, opera, visual arts, spoken word, popular culture, and so on. Artists from around the world will be invited to create new work in the building.
It is anticipated that Factory will accelerate economic growth in the region, create or support almost 1,500 full-time jobs, and add £1.1 billion to the city’s economy over a decade.
It is hoped that it will reduce the dependency on London as the provider of creative industries training and employment. It will develop partnerships with the city’s leading higher education institutions and will further support the city’s drive for high-calibre graduate talent retention through job creation.
Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital & Culture said: “I want to blast open access to the very best world-class art and culture we have to offer in this country. So we're investing £78 million into Factory in Manchester that will provide a further boost to the brilliant arts, culture and technology scene in the North. On top of that, it will also help local tourism, generate jobs and provide training opportunities for the next generation of British creatives.”
Tom Bloxham, Chairman, Manchester International Festival (MIF) said: "This is a great show of confidence in the cultural future of the North. In just five festivals Manchester International Festival has established itself as one of the major international arts festivals, and we are delighted to now be able to add to the city’s and the country’s cultural offer all year round through our programming at Factory.”
Construction is due to begin in Spring 2017, and completion is expected in 2019.
Images © OMA.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building of the week series.
- CCTV Headquarters.
- China Philharmonic Hall.
- London Design Museum.
- Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
- National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.
- Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum.
- Our Town Hall, Manchester.
- Property development and music.
- Sage Gateshead.
- Trinity Islands, Manchester.
Featured articles and news
Registered building inspectors
Building types and conflicts of interest updates explaineed.
Engineering services still struggle with labour shortages
According to latest quarterly services survey of the sector.
Infrastructure that connect the physical and digital domains.
Harnessing robotics and AI in challenging environments
The key to nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering.
BSRIA announces Lisa Ashworth as new CEO
Tasked with furthering BSRIA’s impressive growth ambitions.
Public buildings get half a million energy efficiency boost
£557 million to switch to cleaner heating and save on energy.
CIOB launches pre-election manifesto
Outlining potential future policies for the next government.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry announcement
Phase 2 hearings come to a close and the final report due in September.
Progress from Parts L, F and O: A whitepaper, one year on.
A replicated study to understand the opinion of practitioners.
ECA announces new president 2024
Electrical engineer and business leader Stuart Smith.
A distinct type of countryside that should be celebrated.
Should Part O be extended to existing buildings?
EAC brands heatwave adaptation a missed opportunity.
Definition of Statutory in workplace and facilities management
Established by IWFM, BESA, CIBSE and BSRIA.
Tackling the transition from traditional heating systems
59% lack the necessary information and confidence to switch.
The general election and the construction industry
As PM, Rishi Sunak announces July 4 date for an election.
Eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce
A year after being recognised at the King's coronation.