A competitive shortlist of 9 has been released for a new high-profile art space planned in Manchester. The £110 million project, known as "The Factory" (after the city's influential Factory Records), will feature an "ultra-flexible" arts venue that can transform from a 2,200-seat theater into an open 5,000-capacity space that will accommodate a wide range of art forms and performances. It will also serve as the new home of the Manchester International Festival (MIF).
"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," said Manchester City Council (MCC) executive member Rosa Battle.
The 9 shortlisted practices are:
- Rafael Viñoly Architects
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Bennetts Associates
- Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)
- Zaha Hadid Architecture
- SimpsonHaugh and Partners
- Grimshaw Architects
- Mecanoo International
- Haworth Tompkins Limited
The Factory is expected to be built on the former Granada Studios site in downtown Manchester by 2019.
