Dutch firm chosen to design £110m Factory development

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), a Rotterdam-based architecture practice, has been awarded a contract to deliver designs for The Factory Manchester, a multi-million pound arts centre.

The project, which will be OMA’s first significant UK public building, hopes to play major role in driving the economy and culture of the North.

OMA’s founder, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, said: “I am delighted that we have won the competition to design The Factory and look forward to realising this radical arts building for Manchester.

“It is wonderful to participate in the longstanding renaissance of the city, and particularly the Festival, where real experimentation is expected.”

In its Spending Review released today (November 25), the Government pledged to provide funding of £9m a year for The Factory Manchester from 2018/19.

With an overall budget of up to £110m, The Factory Manchester was targeted in the 2014 Autumn Statement when the Government committed £78m as part of its vision for a Northern Powerhouse.

Chancellor George Osborne said of the project: “One of the biggest economic investments we can make in our nation is in our extraordinary arts heritage.

“That’s why, as part of our package for the Northern Powerhouse, we have backed The Factory with significant investment because we know it will provide an outstanding new arts venue to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds for generations to come.”

The Factory forms part of property investment firm Allied London’s new St John’s neighbourhood, which is being developed on the former Granada TV Studios site in partnership with Manchester City Council.

Allied London’s chief executive, Michael Ingall, said: “We are delighted to be playing our part in such a wide-reaching community and cultural project.

“We were delighted to see the quality of responses from the design teams but particularly pleased with the choice of architect, having studied several important projects designed by OMA over recent years.”

This 15-acre neighbourhood will form a new community comprising residential property, workspace, food and drink businesses, hotels and green space.

According to Manchester City Council, the Factory could add almost £140m to the local economy within a decade, creating the equivalent of close to 2,500 jobs.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of the city council, commented: “The importance of The Factory cannot be overstated. It will be of international significance, the cultural anchor for the next phase of economic and cultural regeneration in Manchester, Greater Manchester and beyond.

“It will help power Manchester and the wider region towards becoming a genuine cultural and economic counterbalance to London, as well as being a place where inspirational art is created.”

Construction is expected to start next year, with completion due in 2019.