Significant new win at Manchester’s world class performing arts building, The Factory

Image credit OMA

We are hugely excited to confirm that contracts have now been secured for a significant drylining package at one of the most unique buildings currently under construction in Manchester, not to mention one of the largest cultural spaces in the world, The Factory.

The contract, for Laing O’Rourke, includes drylining / ceilings, acoustic linings and beam encasements and will continue progress on the Rem Koolhaus’ OMA designed scheme in the heart of the city.

Backed by Manchester City Council, HM Government and Arts Council England, the world-class arts space will be the year-round home for the Manchester International Festival, commissioning and presenting a year-round programme of extraordinary, ground-breaking and interdisciplinary work by leading artists from across the globe.

Dance, theatre, music, opera, visual arts, popular culture, and innovative contemporary work, incorporating the latest digital technologies, will come together in the landmark building located on part of the former Granada Studios site.  The Factory will contain two performance spaces, with a total capacity of 7,300. The warehouse area will hold 5,000 people at standing events like concerts, while a more traditional theatre will be able to hold 1,600 all-seated or 2,300 with the downstairs seats removed.

Led by operations director Steve Green, the team will consist of Craig Brierley, Barry Stoddart and Paul Devlin and we’ll be commencing onsite in January 2021.

Angela Mansell, managing director at Mansell Building Solutions commented, “This is a game-changer of a project for the City, and one which we are thrilled to be a part of. As a Greater Manchester sub-contractor we fully recognise the benefit of using local operatives and a local supply chain to bring this scheme, which is located on our door-step, to life. We’ll also be supporting up to four apprentices and numerous work experience placements during our works programme which is a fantastic opportunity for people at the beginning of their career to gain lifelong construction skills on such a landmark project.”

Upon completion the building is expected to attract up to 850,000 visitors a year and deliver £1.1 billion boost to Manchester’s economy over a decade.