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The scheme improved the way in which Council services are delivered without compromising the sense of place or the building’s significance.

The transformation included:

  • highlighting entrances
  • opening up significant historic spaces such as the Rates Hall to full public use
  • opening up the heart of the building for customer service and creating a series of welcoming spaces
  • providing leisure facilities such as restaurants, cafés and library space, which are directly linked into the Customer Service Centre and break down the institutional feel of the building
  • creating closer links between the Town Hall Extension and the adjacent Central Library
  • opening up office floor space and removing artificial boundaries to create a variety of work settings without compromising the sense of place or the heritage value of this important building

Project information

  • Client

    Manchester City Council

  • Status

    Completed

  • Area

    31,000 sq m

  • Start

    2010

  • Completion

    2015

  • Consultants

    Structural Engineer: Scott Wilson
    Environmental Engineer: BDP
    Fire Engineer: Arup
    Fire Planning Consultant:Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners

  • Elements

    Repair and alteration of Grade II* building Remodelling of working environment
    City Council administrative offices
    Council Chamber Customer Service Centre City Library
    Café/Exhibition space
    New link structure

  • Awards

    2015 Construction News - Project of the Year (over £50m)
    2015 Construction News - Judges' Supreme Award
    2015 North West LABC - Building Excellence: Best Public Service Building
    2014 Constructing Excellence, North West Sub-Regional Project of the Year
    2014 Constructing Excellence, North West Sustainability - Our Legacy
    2014 British Council for Offices (BCO), Northern Refurbished/Recycled Workplace
    2014: RTPI North West, Planning Achievement: Heritage
    2014: Forum for the Built Environment, Project of the Year
    2014 Building Controls Industry Association, Technical Innovation of the Year
    2013 Constructing Excellence, North West Integration & Collaboration

Core Team

Details

Client experience

Richard Munns

Programme Manager,
Manchester Town Hall Complex Transformation Team

"I think the quality of what we have created – both the buildings and the way they support our staff, services and customers – is outstanding, and this is due in no small part to the passion, commitment, ingenuity and resilience of the one team."

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