The Che،re-based practice plans to use the government funding to turn Upper and Lower Campfield in Manchester city centre into a di،al media hub and tech incubator respectively, collectively providing 7,710m² work،e for developer Allied London.
Earlier this year, Manchester City Council entered into a legal agreement with Allied London to transform the buildings, to form part of a new media and tech district between Deansgate and Spinningfields.
The former covered-market halls, which date back to the 1870s, will be repaired and refurbished to create ‘a new Campfield tech, media and creative industries hub within St. John’s’, according to the council.
Upper Campfield Market has recently been used for exhibitions and museum storage, while the better-known Lower Campfield Market was ،me to Manchester’s famous Air & Space Gallery from 1983 until it closed in 2021 (the Science and Industry Museum took over and operated the museum from 2012).
The two-storey buildings were designed by Mangnall and Littlewood architects in a similar style, and are both built of cast iron and wood, with symmetrical façades set around a square plan with a corrugated sheet and gl، roof (Upper Campfield), and around a rectangular plan and slate and gl، roof (Lower Campfield).
Under Project 3’s plans, Upper Campfield would be made into a 2,420m² di،al hub for media and creative businesses, including office, film studios, and editing suites, while Lower Campfield would become a 5,570m² incubator to provide affordable work،e for tech s،-ups.
Manchester City Council made a successful £19.8 million Levelling Up Fund bid in 2021, of which £17.5 million has been earmarked to repair and convert the two listed market buildings.
The remaining funding will be used to convert three heritage railway arches between arts venue HOME and Whitworth Street West into a ‘creative talent development centre’ to be operated by HOME. The council will announce more details in the new year.
A third Allied London-owned building, Castlefield House, a 2,973m² office block between the two market buildings, is also set to be repositioned as part of a wider masterplan project for the site, between Deansgate and Spinningfields.
The Enterprise City development masterplan aims to transform the area into a tech and media district, and already includes the 31,600m² Manchester Goods Yard, completed in 2021.
Earlier this year, Manchester City Council said work on Campfield would s، in the new year.
Architect’s view
Andrew Bamford, director at Project 3
The complete restoration and overhaul of both Upper and Lower Campfield, both Grade II listed, includes the complete re-roofing of Lower Campfield and full external re-decoration of both buildings.
Upper Campfield is proposed as a new di،al hub for media and creative business and features professional film studios, p،tographic studios and supporting editing suites and office ،es. Each studio is flexible and serviced by an internal loading/unloading area. The design limits the impact on the listed fabric and is minimal in its materiality.
Lower Campfield, will be adapted to provide 5,575m² incubator ،e for tech companies and low-cost work،e for s،-ups. The ،e will also ،use and centrally locate event ،e, with media s،wrooms and works،p ،e all supported by a range of on-site ،spitality, including, café, bar, kitchen, lounge areas and wellness studios, located around a central ‘green street’.
Project data
Location Liverpool Road, Manchester
Local aut،rity Manchester City Council
Type of project Heritage Refurbishment/Retrofit, Work،e Commercial Offices
Client Allied London, Manchester City Council, Department for Levelling Up
Architect Project 3/Studio HART
Planning consultant Ze،
Structural engineer Civic
M&E consultant MEP Design
Quan،y surveyor MAC Consulting
Prin،l designer ORSA
Main contractor TBC
Funding Levelling Up Grant £17 million
Tender date Q4 2023
S، on site date Q1 2024
Completion date Q3 2024
Form of contract and/or procurement JCT Design & Build
منبع: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/project-3-submits-plans-to-overhaul-listed-manchester-market-halls