Architects and designers shortlisted for multi-million pound Factory development

A shortlist of potential architects and designers for a £84m arts and theatre development in Manchester has been revealed.

Shortlisted candidates for work on the The Factory, being built on the city’s former Granada site, were selected from a list of 86 companies.

The brief has been split into seven categories, with developers seeking companies with expertise in areas such as theatre consultancy, structural and civil engineering and building services.

Nine firms have been named as potential candidates in the architect category, including companies based in Manchester and London, as well as New York and Rotterdam.

Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, Cllr Rosa Battle, said: “Culture has a hugely significant part to play in the economic future of Manchester and the North.

“Our ambition is to create a building that, in its design, will match the national and international ambition of the works created within it.”

She added: “The level of international interest reflects the city’s emerging status as an internationally renowned city of culture. This is a landmark development that will place Manchester in the highest tier of arts worldwide.”

Contracts are expected to be awarded in November and a planning application submitted mid-2016. Construction work is scheduled to start in early 2017 with a view to The Factory opening in 2019.

Once complete the facility, which will work in partnership with national and international events and serve as a permanent home for Manchester International Festival, will create a new village in the centre of the city.

In its 2014 autumn statement, the government pledged £78m towards The Factory as part of its Northern Powerhouse initiative. Around £3.5m of that figure is being released early to allow for the procurement of design services.

The project’s full cost has been estimated at £110m, with £84m relating to construction costs.

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