We are delighted to announce that we have formally regained possession of our building from our contractors.
Or as we like to think of it, we’ve got the keys back and we can start to plan the housewarming party!
Construction work began in January 2018 to transform our building for the next generation of audiences, artists and young people. The practical completion of the building is a significant milestone in our major £6.75 million transformation project.
And, whilst we’ve loved being out and about across the city performing in unusual spaces (piss bricks in an abandoned tunnels under Victoria Station, anyone?) there really is no place like home.
As with everything we do, we’ve put young people at the heart of design process. A dedicated team of young people, Con:Struct, were fully involved in all aspects of the transformation project since it began exploring possible designs in 2014.
Working closely with award winning architects and sustainable design specialists Sheppard Robson, the building has been designed to include a dedicated arts and health space, the first of its kind in any UK theatre.
We now have an amazing new, purpose-built recording studio, a dedicated rehearsal studio for young performers, refurbished performance spaces, and offices for artists and cultural organisations to hire.
Stunning oriel window in new rehearsal and hireable space
Scroll down to the bottom for a sneak peek of more of our incredible new spaces…
The practical completion of the building will see us reopen in September 2020 for socially distant participation and creative activities, with performances scheduled to start in 2021.
The project has been funded thanks to a £3.85million investment from Arts Council England plus generous grants from other supporters, trusts and foundations including Manchester City Council. the Foyle Foundation, the Granada Foundation, Wellcome Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and the Oglesby Charitable Trust. Help in-kind was given from Manchester University and Bruntwood.
Construction work was carried out by F Parkinson Ltd, with project management from Mace. Legal advice was provided by Mills and Reeve LLP.
