moberly hall demo still going along, parts of the lower block have been removed.

mmu business school has several diggers on site still and looks to be all action. hoardings have been extended and replaced recently.

just got a view of mmu business school from a high vantage point- oh my it is a hive of activity. there are about 29 container crates/ work cabins!! something like 5 excavators, a queu of dumper trucks and low loaders, cement mixer, dozens of workmen, piling rig, pile cages and a lot more. i think it could do with its own thread started. :)

i'll try to get a pic from the up one of the nearby buildings soon. you can't really see much activity from ground level as it's all fenced off.

Tender for the Refectory/Moberly Tower, new 'Learning Commons' building:
2010/S 30-042809 (http://www.publictenders.net/tender/47926)

Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:

Learning commons new build project.

Short description of the contract or purchase(s):

The University is looking to appoint a suitably qualified contractor to undertake the design, construction and fit-out of a proposed multi-purpose study facility which will accommodate over 1 000 learning spaces within a mixture of open plan learning areas and a variety of group learning rooms.

The Gross Internal Floor area of the proposed building is approximately 5 800 sq.m. of which 4 600 sq.m. will be accommodated within an existing concrete frame which has been retained, following the demolition/strip out of the existing building.

Estimated value excluding VAT: 12 500 000 GBP.

http://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=4970

Does anyone have a copy of an overall masterplan for the University Campus? Presumably they're working to one.

The little square outside University Place looks like it's been designed for a new building to go on its south side on the green opposite the Museum and north of Brunswick Street and I wondered if this is right.

Does anyone have a copy of an overall masterplan for the University Campus? Presumably they're working to one.

The little square outside University Place looks like it's been designed for a new building to go on its south side on the green opposite the Museum and north of Brunswick Street and I wondered if this is right.

Here? http://www.estates.manchester.ac.uk/BusinessUnits/Capital/CampusMap.jpg May be out of date. Don't think it is.

Also. http://www.estates.manchester.ac.uk/BusinessUnits/Capital/Majorprojects.asp

David Ottewell

NWDA’s £4m nuclear investment in Manchester

22nd February, 2010


The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is to invest £4.4million towards a £16million nuclear research centre in Manchester.

The announcement was made by Lord Mandelson today.

The Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology (C-NET), based an Manchester University, will build links with industry and support research and development in the nuclear sector.

It will create 22 new jobs and is expected to be worth more than £20million to the local economy.

NWDA chair Robert Hough said the money would help ensure the north west was ‘equipped with the skills’ to capitalise on a ‘key growth sector’.

And Phil Woolas – minister for the north west – said: “Nuclear power provides reliable, cost-effective and low carbon energy, and will play a vital role, alongside renewable and clean coal, in a secure energy mix for the future.”

It does seem odd that all this should be happening in Manchester – which declared itself the world’s first ‘nuclear-free city’ in 1980 thanks to the campaigning efforts of the late Bill Risby.

Nonetheless, both Labour and the Conservatives seem committed to nuclear energy being part of Britain’s future - and I suppose there is a difference between researching and producing nuclear power.

moberly hall demo still going along, parts of the lower block have been removed.

mmu business school has several diggers on site still and looks to be all action. hoardings have been extended and replaced recently.

You can see my demolition pictures from the Moberly tower site here: http://davidoates.visualsociety.com/2009/12/25/demolition/

Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley Fields campus in Hulme has been awarded grants worth £18.5m.

The campus, on a site once occupied by the Manchester Crescents high rise flats, has received £10m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce), and a £8.5m grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Manchester City Council has also formally transferred land worth a further £10m to the university to ensure the move.

Professor John Brooks, vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The Birley Fields campus brings higher education right into the heart of the community, raising educational aspiration, boosting local business and providing new opportunities to access university knowledge and resources.”

The campus, projected to cost £150m in total, will house 6,000 staff and students in education, health and social care programmes and research, and could create more than 300 jobs and add £29.2m to the economies of Hulme and Moss Side.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA said: “The Birley Fields project will transform the way education is delivered in the region. The campus will be a true community affair with world class modern facilities to encourage opportunities for learning, create new jobs and improve the overall perception of the area.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The confidence shown in this project by funding bodies, despite the current difficult economic climate, underlines its potential to deliver enormous benefits in terms of jobs, educational opportunities and community facilities."

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20100325/FREE/100329917

Again from the current Cube exhib, Sheppard Robsons learning commons build:

http://i41.tinypic.com/24ccf0w.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/1zps5ko.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/1621yte.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/icmrnb.jpg

Does anyone know what's going behind it?

Thanks NQ, I've not been back to CUBE since I stopped working in the city centre.

I'm glad to see the square at the rear being reinstated. There are some cracking buildings there which deserve a suitable setting. The new building I understand will be an office block.

It seems relatively small and almost pointless in the greater scheme of things. I feel certain that this amount of office space could have been accommeodated elsewhere on the University land and hope that it doesn't detract from the larger said square, that has been created.

I heard a rumour that the there was going to be a bridge linking the new learning facility with the library.

Looking at these plans though, maybe this is for the next phase where the spare land at the back of the new build will be?

I heard a rumour that the there was going to be a bridge linking the new learning facility with the library.

Looking at these plans though, maybe this is for the next phase where the spare land at the back of the new build will be?

No bridge so far as I know. Open space becomes popular when the pennies get tight. ;)

Don't know if this the appropriate thread or not but...
"New £3m visitor centre for Jodrell Bank Observatory"
won planning permission.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8697251.stm

^^yes it's appropriate. See how it goes, might need a thread of its own. A surprising development I must say given that JB has been gradually fading away in recent years

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47435000/jpg/_47435477_jbplanetpavillion.jpg
from the BBC

No bridge so far as I know. Open space becomes popular when the pennies get tight. ;)
Probably not correct. It wasn't the most reliable source that old me.:)

New app,
093418/FO/2010/C1 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=L3SG12BC00300&searchtype=WEEKLY)
Chatham Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cavendish Street, Manchester. M15 6BR

Reconfiguration and refurbishment of Chatham Tower including re cladding and replacement of glazing, refurbishment of a retained plinth to the east of Chatham Tower, demolition of the existing undercroft and replacement with a new academic building together with access, servicing, public realm boundary treatments and associated works

Ground broken on latest uni building

28 Jun 2010

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6585/chemicalengineeringbuil.jpg

Contractor Galliford Try has started construction of the new 123,500 sq ft Chemical Engineering Building for Manchester University.

The £30m project will be built in two phases and is part of the university's £650m estates redevelopment programme. The £16m first phase of the new building is due for completion in the autumn of 2011 on the corner of Booth Street East and Upper Brook Street.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6585/chemicalengineeringbuil.jpg

The chemical engineering department at the university has 650 undergraduates and 130 taught masters students and this number is due to increase.

Prof Mike Sutcliffe, head of the school, said: "As one of a small group of elite chemical engineering departments within the UK, it is vital we have the facilities to match.

"Our broad research base in which engineers and scientists work seamlessly together enables us to study the design, operation and integration of different complex systems - particularly industrial, biological, and instrumentation - and apply chemical engineering in a 21st century context."

The new building was designed by Manchester-based architects Halliday Meecham. The practice has had 30 commissions in four years from Manchester University.

The rest of the project team is made up of quantity surveyors Gleeds, M&E consultants Jacobs Engineering UK, structural engineers WYG Engineering, project managers Davis Langdon, CDM Coordinators KOK and acoustic engineers Sandy Brown.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/6528-ground-broken-on-latest-uni-building.html

Why does the new refectory building look like it's hanging over the road??

Why does the new refectory building look like it's hanging over the road??

'Cos it will!

Birley Fields will go ahead, says MMU

11 Aug 2010, 10:46

Manchester Metropolitan University said work on its Hulme campus project will continue apace despite the withdrawal of funding from the North West Development Agency.

The NWDA had pledged £8.5m towards the £150m project but the grant funding was cancelled along with support for 100 other projects on 26 July.

A spokeswoman for MMU said the project team for the new campus was considering options such as reducing the scale of later phases or finding cost savings from the current design. The Hulme campus received £10m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and land worth £10m from Manchester City Council. The campus was designed by John McAslan & Partners and masterplanned by Drivers Jonas.

The update came as MMU confirmed the appointment of advisors on elements of the campus. Cost consultancy Gardiner & Theobald LLP will advise on the new 235,000 sq ft building for the Institute of Education and the Faculty of Health, Psychology & Social Care.

MMU also announced the appointment of engineers Ove Arup & Partners and quantity surveyors Turner & Townsend LLP on the new £25m arts and design building on the All Saints campus. The project involves the refurbishment of an existing building, the demolition of another building of 45,000 sq ft and a new build of 81,000 sq ft designed by Fielden Clegg Bradley. The art and design studios are funded solely by MMU.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/6873-birley-fields-will-go-ahead-says-mmu.html

App for the learning commons build,
093798/FO/2010/C1 (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=L5WCJTBC6K000&searchtype=WEEKLY)
The University Of Manchester , Burlington Street, Manchester. M15 6HR

Erection of a 4 storey building including a raised ground floor and retained structural frame to provide a Learning Commons general study facility.

little excerpt from the D+A...

2.04 Phasing

The original brief and design for the Learning Commons proposed a significantly larger development of the site. However due to changes in the economic climate, the implementation of the final desired capacity by the means of one single phase or contract proved unviable.

The University at this point commissioned the design team to undertake a study to provide a first phase development to an agreed target capacity of 1,000 users, which while being a complete facility on its own could in future be increased without compromising the setting or general concept of the previous design.

The current application therefore outlines this proposed initial phase, which as this report will demonstrate responds to brief and context successfully and sets out the criteria for a future phase to bring the project to full capacity. This capacity is to be informed by the success of the first phase of the project.

4.04 Future Development

As previously mentioned, it is envisaged that a future phase, outside the scope of the current submission, will increase the overall capacity of the Learning Commons accommodation. This phase is anticipated to sit on the area between the current proposal and JRUL, allowing for the retention of a well proportioned south facing green public space.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2cpre3o.jpg

The connection between both phases takes place via a tempered atrium along the axis, connecting the Quad and the Samuel Alexander [Arts] building. This enclosed street would provide a common entrance to both phases of the development as well as a spill out area throughout the year, increasing the variety of available types of learning spaces provided.

and a few CGIs in this,
http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/selecteddoc.aspx?093798-dai-0001.pdf

The next phase of the University of Manchester's estates strategy has been approved by the governors this week. Over the next ten years they are continuing to concentrate departments around the south campus, gradually freeing up the North campus for (presumably) private development. Although it does say that the Faraday buildings are being vacated to allow the construction of 1900 student bedrooms. Another snippet is that Whitworth Park residences are to be converted into high tech academic facilities. It will be interesting to see how all this progresses...

I've not actually read through the whole document yet, but you can see it here (http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=8186).

(I think it should work externally :dunno: )

University of Manchester's 2010 -2020 Estates Strategy is out. It details the pretty obvious move away from the former UMIST campus (North Campus) and consolidation of teaching facilities on the South Campus. This is old news really.

What is more interesting is the plans to turn the North Campus into a student village. Lovers of the Faraday building should cover their eyes as the site appears to be earmarked for 1900 student bedrooms (subject to a private developer stepping up).

Note that there are 520 rooms in the build on New Wakefield Street, 724 in Parkway Gate (Ian Simpson's by the Manc Way) and 1056 rooms in Owens Park. 1900 would be a series of very substantial buildings. See here for the site of Faraday. I presume both the tower and low rise element has it's days numbered. http://www.disabledgo.info/Education/manchester_map_05.asp?TownID=153&Code=

I'd be more disappointed to loose MSS but it's only a matter of time until that goes too.

In years to come they intend to bulldoze Whitworth Park, which would be a shame. It's one of a dying breed of old skool halls of residence with a layout that encourages mixing rather than locking student away in 4 bed flats.

Estates Strategy 2010 - 2020

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=8186

...

The next phase will see a number of buildings become vacant:

Faraday and Faraday UG – to allow the construction of 1900 student bedrooms
Maths & Social Sciences
Moffat
Morton
In the longer term, we also envisage the closure of the residences at Whitworth Park, which will be converted into hi-tech academic facilities.

apologies if this has been posted b4

http://www.ourstudioltd.com/images/projects/various/osVisualisation01.jpg

Nope, haven't seen that one before, does look to have changed since that was done though, those zig-zag beams under the cantilever don't look to be part of the final version.

It's taking them a while to approve that app, I guess they are backtracking on a slightly bigger scheme.

Up for Sale: Umist's Sackville Street building

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1404905_shabby_and_surplus_to_requirements_umist_campus_to_be_sold_off

‘Shabby’ and surplus to requirements: Umist campus to be sold off
Yakub Qureshi
January 11, 2011

Up for Sale: Umist's Sackville Street building
Manchester University is pressing ahead with plans to sell off the former Umist campus.

Officials say they were left with too many classrooms after the 40,000-student uni was formed by the merger of the University of Manchester and Umist in 2004.

The university is now seeking to close down and sell the former Umist site, admitting it is now ‘less vibrant’ than the main Oxford Road campus.

Its new estates strategy outlines plans to sell the buildings on Upper Brook Street, Sackville Street, and Altrincham Street to private buyers.

Students and staff will move to new lecture halls and laboratories on or near Oxford Road. Most of the Umist buildings date back to the 1950s and 60s and are in a poor condition, the report says.

Some have already been sold to developers, and officials are trying to vacate the entire district.

Six buildings – including the Faraday, Moffat, and Morton tower blocks – have been put on the market.

The Faraday building, currently used by chemistry students, is set to be turned into a 1,900-room student living block. Talks with private developers are now taking place.

More buildings will be put up for sale over the next year.

The report states: “The schools are, in the main, occupying buildings with significant problems in respect of condition, functionality and space.”

It adds: “The gradual move away from the north campus has left residual management problems resulting in that part of the campus feeling less vibrant than those areas south of the Mancunian Way.”

In the southern campus, the 1970s-built Whitworth Park halls of residence will be turned into academic space.

With 40,000 students, Manchester University is the largest higher education institution in Britain after the Open University.

It has already invested £400m on new buildings, including the £65m flagship University Place and a student common room named in memory of former vice-chancellor Alan Gilbert who died last year.

Managers have also spent close to £7m on refurbishing buildings so that they comply with disability access laws,
as well as backing a £12m overhaul of the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Not sure who would buy Sackville Street? It's riddled with asbestos and features a network of pipes for conveying liquid nitrogen to its various labs (which are themselves probably polluted with dangerous chemicals and radiation). It's not going to be cheap to convert into a hotel.

Sounds like a job for Britannia Hotels. :okay:

Not sure who would buy Sackville Street? It's riddled with asbestos and features a network of pipes for conveying liquid nitrogen to its various labs (which are themselves probably polluted with dangerous chemicals and radiation). It's not going to be cheap to convert into a hotel.

Sounds perfect for student accommodation.......do I win anything for that joke?

Yes you'll find it in the front yard of a student house on Talbot Road, Ladybarn.

Maybe the Universitt of Salford could buy it so they have a Manchester presence. No doubt Tesco will just turn into a Tesco.

Not sure there would even be a demand for a hotel that size the matrket is already satuated. It will probably just end up becoming another London Road Fire Station.

"Installation of Green Roofs" approved at MMU All Saints building...

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LDJ675BC06N00&searchtype=WEEKLY

University pushes ahead with UMIST student village

21st February 2011

By James Graham - Business Correspondent

THE University of Manchester is pushing ahead with plans to create a student village on the site of the former UMIST campus south of the city centre.

It has published a tender document seeking a developer to build accommodation for 2,000 students on the site of the Faraday buildings in Sackville Street.

The plans follow the publication of the university's estate strategy in October which signalled a sell-off of land and buildings north of the Mancunian way as it seeks to consolidate teaching around Oxford Road.

The university is looking to sell a 125-year leasehold interest in the two Faraday sites which sit either side of Sackville Street close to the Mancunian Way.

It is keen to transfer the construction and operational risk but is considering an income guarantee on a around a quarter of the bedrooms, for up to 15 years.

"It is anticipated that the total number of bedrooms with the benefit of the guarantee and the duration of the occupancy agreement will be identified during the dialogue phase," states the document.

"It is currently envisaged that the successful partner will be responsible for delivering all on site management, cleaning, security, grounds maintenance, building maintenance and life cycle management. The successful partner will also be required to share in the responsibility for providing pastoral care to students occupying accommodation under the University guarantee."

The Faraday buildings were built in 1967 and inherited by the university following its 2004 merger with UMIST. They were designed by Harry Fairhurst, of the Manchester firm of HS Fairhust & Son and housed the school of chemistry.

The building features a mural by Hans Tisdall titled The Alchemist's Elements which is celebrated by the 20th Century Society and the Manchester Modernist Society.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/

It's about time something was done around there. It's an eyesore.

Think this should be in the other thread. Can't be arsed looking for it. Docs are up.

Part full and part outline application for the construction of a new university campus, comprising of: A) Full application for the erection of a five storey academic building providing 24,900sqm of gross floor area; a 37 space surface car park; a four storey 318 space multi-storey car park; a part single/part two storey energy centre; associated landscaping works and pedestrian/cycle routes and creation of a new public open space. B) Outline application for the erection of five mixed use blocks comprising of a maximum of 1,200 student bed spaces and a maximum of 4,600sqm of gross floor area for commercial (Classes A1 to A5), office (Class B1) and non-residential (Class D1) and leisure (Class D2) uses; 20 surface car parking spaces; associated landscaping works and pedestrian/cycle routes and creation of a new public open space. Land Adjacent To: Stretford Road, Old Birley Street, Princess Road And Bonsall Street Hulme Manchester M15
Ref. No: 095557/FO/2011/S1 | Received: Fri 18 Feb 2011 | Validated: Wed 23 Feb 2011 | Status: Application Pending Consideration
http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=LGYOFDBC09D00

From the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/10/uk-universities-league-table)

The world's leading thinkers regard the UK as having better universities than any other country apart from the US, a league table shows.

A total of 13,388 highly respected academics in 131 countries were asked to rate the world's universities according to how good they thought their research and teaching were.

The results, published by Times Higher Education magazine, reveal that UK universities are second only to those in the US when it comes to reputation. While the US has 45 institutions in the top 100, the UK has 12. Japan came third with five universities in the top 100.

Harvard was placed first, followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge University came third, Oxford sixth and Imperial College London 11th. University College London (UCL) took 19th place.

Only academics who had published more than 50 research papers and had worked in universities for more than 16 years were asked to take part in the survey.

There are several other league tables of the world's universities, but this one is the first to go purely on reputation. Universities are likely to use these rankings, among others, to judge how much they should charge in tuition fees.

article continues... (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/10/uk-universities-league-table)


Top 100 (https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AonYZs4MzlZbdEVfN3d1ejhQTnZlSW1SWnpVcml1Ymc&hl=en)

68 - University of Manchester - up from 87 in 2010

^^That's all well and good but the guardian ranks Manchester as 51st in 2011, which, as many would agree is pretty poor considering its age and research expertise. There's a fair few new universities in that list that are on the up like Plymouth and Robert Gordon. Man Met a pretty shocking 104st. Salford 100th. Now either students have a low satisfaction level, teachings poor or something else. No hate.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/datablog/2010/jun/15/university-tables-spreadsheet

The one sleepy posted was in the world, not the UK. It is seventh in the UK on that list. That poll, of "13,388 highly respected academics", is much more creditable than some formula "independent consultancy firm Intelligent Metrix" put together. 51st in the UK? As if.

The one sleepy posted was in the world, not the UK. It is seventh in the UK on that list. That poll, of "13,388 highly respected academics", is much more creditable than some formula "independent consultancy firm Intelligent Metrix" put together. 51st in the UK? As if.

Well I'd be worried if I was running UofM as it doesn't place in the top 25 in any of the British newspaper rankings this year. Certainly the league tables I looked at when applying to my university. Don't even think a world ranking existed in 2002.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-complete-university-guide-league-table-20102011-1976038.html
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php

Obviously I'd be more concerned about individual subject rankings.

I found this from an older article though which might explain its poor scores domestically as opposed to its research ability internationally.

Meanwhile, other universities that failed to do well in the domestic rankings have shone much brighter on the international stage. The University of Manchester, for instance, ranks 26th in our national table — held back by poor scores for the student experience measured by the annual national student survey — but it has managed to replicate this position precisely in the world rankings, while ranking eighth in Europe. This places it above six of the UK’s top ten (St Andrews, Warwick, Durham, York, LSE and Bristol).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/article6866395.ece

Interesting to find out why.

apologies if this has been posted b4

http://www.ourstudioltd.com/images/projects/various/osVisualisation01.jpg


Building site will be a seat of learning

March 22, 2011

Construction work has begun on a £12m learning centre on Oxford Road, Manchester.

Wates Construction has stared on the Learning Commons development for the University Of Manchester.

The building will house computing facilities for students and will replace the old refectory and Moberly Tower buildings, which were partially demolished earlier this year.

Rupert Goddard, associate partner at Manchester architect Sheppard Robson and design director on the project, said: "With its dynamic and innovative design, we hope the Learning Commons will reflect the university’s values, acting as a symbol of its ambitious agenda for the future. The building will also contribute towards reinforcing the importance of the Manchester Corridor as the backbone of the city’s knowledge economy."

Construction will be completed by May next year.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/commercial_property/s/1411426_building_site_will_be_a_seat_of_learning

University of Manchester 'reluctantly' decides to charge students maximum fees of £9,000 a year

March 23, 2011

The University of Manchester has decided to charge fees of £9,000 a year from 2012.

The charge is the maximum allowed under the government's controversial new funding system.

Manchester is the eighth university to announce it will charge the full amount but said the decision was a 'reluctant' one.

Bosses said the move is necessary for the future of the university.

Manchester university's President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “The university's board of governors agreed to the headline fee of £9,000 very reluctantly, but we believe that this is necessary to ensure and improve the quality of teaching and the wider experience that we offer to all of our students, and it reflects the value of a Manchester degree in the employment market.”

The university said large numbers of poorer students will qualify for financial support of up to £3,000 a year.

Around 30pc of the additional fee income will be spent on activities to support poorer students.

The fees increase is subject to approval by the government's Office for Fair Access.

Yesterday Essex university also announced plans to charge maximum fees, amid fears that a funding black hole will be created by soaring demand for student loans.

Ministers had claimed that universities charging full fees would be the exception rather than the rule.

Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Imperial, Exeter and Surrey have also opted for the full £9,000 fee.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/education/s/1413588_university_of_manchester_reluctantly_decides_to_charge_students_maximum_fees_of_9000_a_year

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/commercial_property/s/1411426_building_site_will_be_a_seat_of_learning

Has the cladding/design of the building changed? The MEN hasn't got a very good track record as we know. Could be an old image?

Place North West.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/402x261.13790322581/mar_11/pnw__1300813443_Learning_Commons_building_on_O.jpg

Wates starts Manchester university building22 Mar 2011, 17:06

Wates Construction has started on the £12m Learning Commons building on Oxford Road for The University of Manchester.
The building will provide students with new learning space, IT facilities, and support services.
Designed by architecture practice Sheppard Robson, the property will replace the university's former Refectory and Moberly Tower buildings, which were partially demolished earlier this year.
The new building will be flanked by Oxford Road, Lime Grove and Burlington Street.
John Shannon, business unit director for Wates Construction, said: "This is set to be a world-class building which will be of huge benefit to the university and its students, whilst also contributing to the ongoing regeneration of the Oxford Road corridor. We see the higher education sector as the core of our business and we can bring our experience of successfully working in and around live campus environments to The University of Manchester."
Construction of the Learning Commons building is set to complete in May 2012. Wates said the build programme will also include improvements to the surrounding public realm.

That render was put up by man med, dont think it was ever confirmed if it was a new design or just one of the proposals they had done.

That render was put up by man med, dont think it was ever confirmed if it was a new design or just one of the proposals they had done.

Thanks for clarifying Flange.

That render was put up by man med, dont think it was ever confirmed if it was a new design or just one of the proposals they had done.

Thanks for clarifying Flange.

I'm pretty sure Man Med has got the right image; the one with the red pillars. I drove past a few days ago and i'm 90% that the same image is on the hoardings.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6615/screen20110325173857.jpg

29 Mar 2011, 10:05


The £75m first phase of Salford University's new-look campus will feature a refurbished and extended Chapman Building and a new arts building.

A later phase will see a £30m student halls of residence overlooking Peel Park to be delivered by a private developer.

Next year, work will begin on a series of public spaces at Chapman Square and Station Square near to Salford Crescent Station, including outdoor lecture theatres, performance areas and quieter external meeting places where staff, students and members of the public can come together in an informal setting.

Companies already involved in the development include:

■Turley Associates, planning advisors
■Davis Langdon, project and programme manager
■Arcadis, cost manager on Chapman Building
■Appleyard & Trew, cost manager on rest of projects
■Stride Treglown, architect on Arts Building
■Fairhurst Design Group, architect on Chapman Building

Dr Adrian Graves, the university's deputy vice-chancellor, said: "Our campus plan is an incredibly exciting development in the life of the university. Our plans will forever transform the campus and give our students access to outstanding facilities and an experience of unparalleled quality."

A series of briefings are currently underway to inform local residents of the university's plans and how they will benefit the community.

For more information about the University's Campus Plan and to give your feedback on the proposals go to www.campusplan.salford.ac.uk

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/315x200/mar_11/pnw__1301389072_Salford_University_plans2.jpg

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/8674-salford-uni-to-begin-redevelopment-later-this-year.html

Another pic:

http://campusplan.salford.ac.uk/__data/assets/image/0020/21854/banner2.jpg

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6615/screen20110325173857.jpg

The render on the hordings and other posters around campus show a different image to both this and the one posted by flange. Very confusing

The render on the hordings and other posters around campus show a different image to both this and the one posted by flange. Very confusing

Is it this one.

http://www.aaprojects.co.uk/images/case/he/UoM_LCP.jpg

Jodrell Bank chosen as base for largest radio telescope
Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire has been selected as the headquarters for a £1.3bn project to build the world's biggest radio telescope.


source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12947435

Not expected to be completed till 2024 but this is great news, did anyone know anything about it? Came completely out of left field to me.

The site already has very high data capacity from a British project to combine several telescopes in real time, that and the University links is probably why it was chosen for the UK location (that or our government was the second highest contributor was probably why we got the HQ in the UK).

A little construction timeline animation for the A&D build,

http://www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/newspaces/video

'See a live view of the site on our Webcam (coming soon)'

Planning app for Salford uni's new Arts Building is in:

http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=LKYWSENP5Y000

Plenty of pics in the docs, see page 4 of the below:

http://iclipseweb.salford.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/08221549.pdf

^^
http://i56.tinypic.com/nt5r4.jpg
Architects: Stride Treglown (http://www.stridetreglown.co.uk)

Where's this going? I went through the docs but wasn't able to find an exact address ...

Looks like its coming along quite well:

http://i52.tinypic.com/2vd5it3.jpg

A good third post Alex! The MMU Art Building looks like it will start rising soon. There's been lots of activity.

Where's this going? I went through the docs but wasn't able to find an exact address ...
smack bang in the middle of Salford Uni's main (Peel Park) campus

Oh good, good for the Chapel Street redevelopment then?

Saw a crane going up in the Uni area , not sure what development its for though , its behind the new MMU building next to the Mancunian Way

Update on the new development at Manchester Uni

Apparently called the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons(?)
This is from round the back looking back towards Oxford Road
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1127.jpg

It will eventually look like this
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1128.jpg

Lot's of public realm works happening round the back too

Three cheers for Slow Burn. Great updates today on the ongoing projects!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the project below (Alan Gilbert Learning Commons) affects the area at the rear. I'm hoping that it will create a square as the exisitng older building are fairly impressive.

Today.

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/5163/picture420.jpg

Albert Gilbert Learning Commons. Shot of new structure that's been built at the back of the retained former building. Lot's of public realm work going on behind this too.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1186.jpg?t=1311420361

South side of the retained structure has also been painted white

New £75m MMU Business School

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1189.jpg?t=1311420425

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1190.jpg?t=1311420443

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1191.jpg?t=1311420464

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1192.jpg?t=1311420483

Anyone know if this will be ready for start of new academic year?

University of Manchester's School of Chemical Engineering

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1257.jpg?t=1311420617

Cracking updates, Slow Burn. The Business School makes me :drool:

Not exactly significant progress made on the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons at university of Manchester but thought I'd share a picture from today for those who don't pass it every day like I do.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1264.jpg

University of Manchester's School of Chemical Engineering building taken today.

Booth Street East / Upper Brook Street

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1266.jpg

Retaining the original structure of the podium turned out to be a bit of a disaster. It was supposed to save money but they kept finding concrete cancer all over it and had to fix it up. It would have been much quicker and easier to flatten in and rebuild it with steel.

It's probably ended up costing more too, but I guess it depends on the contracts.

University of Manchester's School of Chemical Engineering building taken today.

Booth Street East / Upper Brook Street

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1266.jpg

Rank

Rank

Maybe. I think it's ok though.

PNW.

Manchester scores highly in two global leagues

6 Sep 2011, 09:57


Manchester is a better place to live than London and produces some of the most employable graduates in the world, according to two separate surveys.

Manchester University comes fourth in the world when ranked by employers, behind Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge, according to a report by education network Quacquarelli Symonds . Manchester is equal in its fourth spot with Warwick, London School of Economics, Melbourne, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale, Stanford and Berkeley.

Overall, Manchester is ranked 29th best university in the world according to the league table, which assesses academic reputation, graduate employability, research, and the number of staff for each student. In the top 200 are Liverpool University at 123 and Lancaster, 153.

Cambridge was named best university in the world for the second year running, ahead of Harvard, MIT, Yale and Oxford, respectively.In a separate study by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Manchester was placed 42nd most 'livable city' in the world, ahead of London in 53rd.

The regular EIU guide scores cities against numerous criteria including political and social stability, crime rates, healthcare, culture and infrastructure.

Vancouver was replaced after a decade at the top by Melbourne at number one and the Austrian capital Vienna in second place.

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings?utm_campaign=wur2011&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=Guardian

Allan Gilbert Learning Commons - the steel now in place for the over-hang at the front. Also the realm works round the back are a huge improvement

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1380.jpg

Brought to my attention by my dearest Girlfriend.(who works at Manchester University) Thank you. :)

GqGnC41Wobs

Looks suspiciously like overspill for the Library. Much better than the former building.

Looks like a good building and a huge improvement on it's predecessor, whilst retaining the original concrete frame.

Bruntwood picked to deliver £60m MBS upgrade

31st October 2011

By Mike Fahy - Assistant Editor

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/assets/_files/cached/img/310x238/oct_11/businessdesk__1320048862_MBS_new_campus.jpg?access=604T027T840

DEVELOPER Bruntwood has been confirmed as development partner for a £60m project to upgrade Manchester University's Business School.

The plans, which were first revealed by TheBusinessDesk.com in March, involve the construction of a new, external hotel and conference centre, replacing the one currently within the business school building.

A new executive education centre will also be built, while new teaching and administrative space will also be delivered.

The design by Manchester-based architect BDP, involves the removal of the footbridge currently above Oxford Road at its junction with Both Street and the replacement of the University Precinct shopping centre.

The project will be delivered in several phases, with construction scheduled to begin on the first phase next year - the new hotel and conference centre.

Professor Michael Luger, Dean of Manchester Business School, said: “We are delighted to be working with Bruntwood on what will be a flagship investment for the city of Manchester.

"It’s our aim that the new Manchester Business School will become a landmark gateway to Corridor Manchester, at the heart of the city’s knowledge-led economy.

"Our ethos is about applying original thinking to make positive change and the new building, funded in part through pledges in excess of £2m from alumni of the School and local philanthropists, echoes this philosophy – both in its design and function.

“As we move towards our goal of becoming a truly world-class business school the hotel and conference centre will provide an excellent base from which to explore Manchester and it will play a key role in attracting inward development to the city.”

Colin Sinclair, director of special projects at Bruntwood, said: "Bruntwood is delighted to have been chosen to redevelop Manchester Business School and is looking forward to working with the University of Manchester and MBS to deliver a world class facility at the very heart of The Corridor".

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/


Hotel at heart of £60m Manchester Business School development

October 31, 2011

The University of Manchester and commercial property landlord, Bruntwood have joined forces to deliver a £60m new hotel and teaching facilities for Manchester Business School.

The project will create a new hotel, conference venue, and executive education centre in the strategically important Oxford Road Corridor, will be delivered in several phases, with construction scheduled to begin next year.

The new scheme, which will also create new jobs in the city, will provide Manchester Business School with new facilities to service its growing student population, as well as the demand in its leadership and management programmes it delivers for companies including Tesco, BAE and BT.

The first phase will see the development of a new four star hotel and conference centre. The hotel will provide a base for the numerous overseas visitors to the business school, as well as adding to the high end hotel market in and around Manchester.

The second and third phases will provide new teaching and administrative homes for the school’s MBA programme and the final phase will include a resources and learning centre.

Professor Michael Luger, dean of Manchester Business School said: "We are delighted to be working with Bruntwood on what will be a flagship investment for the city of Manchester.

"It’s our aim that the new Manchester Business School will become a landmark gateway to Corridor Manchester, at the heart of the city’s knowledge-led economy.

"Our ethos is about applying original thinking to make positive change and the new building, funded in part through pledges in excess of £2m from alumni of the School and local philanthropists, echoes this philosophy – both in its design and function.

"As we move towards our goal of becoming a truly world-class business school the hotel and conference centre will provide an excellent base from which to explore Manchester and it will play a key role in attracting inward development to the city."

Colin Sinclair, director of special projects at Manchester-based Bruntwood, which has over 100 office buildings across the region including City Tower, Portland Tower, Dalton House and Marsland House in Sale, added: "Bruntwood is delighted to have been chosen to redevelop Manchester Business School and is looking forward to working with the University of Manchester and MBS to deliver a world class facility at the very heart of The Corridor".

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1463437_hotel-at-heart-of-60m-manchester-business-school-development

Good news about the bridge going, should really open up Vistas down Oxford Rd.

This ones coming together. Especially liking the landscaping so far and the way the square is coming together at the back (sorry it's the old camera phone again, but you get the idea):

What it will look like:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/Uni5.jpg

Front:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/UniFront.jpg

Side:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/UniSide.jpg

Other side, that really makes it a square IMO:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/Uni.jpg

Couldn't resist whilst I was there. Love it around here yet it's seldom seen by so many visitors and residents of the city:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/UniOld.jpg

Just been looking back at the plans for MBS. As a recent alumni the development will make a major improvement to that end of the uni. I always found the precinct very dingy and due to the amount of vacant premises - not a true utilisation of the space.

VC and scourge of informal retail, Juan Brooks of MMU has redeclared war on the fruit and veg stall and butty van next to All Saints park.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bananastall/

Best,
Slip

MUN.

Click on the link for more news.

Manchester to recruit more than 100 academic stars

23 Nov 2011

The University of Manchester is making a £20m strategic investment to appoint more than 100 new academic staff to help achieve its ambitious goals for research and education.

All of the new staff will be expected to contribute to teaching and research, covering a wide range of disciplines.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “This year the University has met all of its financial targets, we are in a strong position and we are now at the point where we can invest in staff. We believe these new positions are essential to improve the experience of our students, my number one priority at the moment, as well as enhancing our research. “

The University of Manchester already has many world-leading scholars, including three Nobel Prize winners, on its staff, and these new posts will help the University to build upon its proud record of achievement and ambitious vision for the future.

The University is also investing heavily in existing staff, thanks to a new investment fund for career development. ‘Investing in Success - Developing Staff Potential’ is open to staff in any area of the University to apply for funding of up to £15,000 each for an idea that they believe can bring value to the University.

In addition, the University has launched the President’s Doctoral Scholarship Awards, which aim to support 100 new PhD scholarships in any discipline. The scheme aims to attract the very best PhD students and will be supported by £2.5 million of investment over the next four years.

There is also a significant investment in undergraduate education, to enhance the student experience through investments in both people and infrastructure. £10m is being spent on learning space improvements alongside the opening of the £24m Alan Gilbert Learning Commons in the summer of 2012.

Additional priorities for student experience investment include developing the Manchester Learning Environment to encompass student online communication and e-learning developments such as mobile and distance learning; to improve student employability and work experience opportunities through investing in placements, studentships and further development of volunteering and co-curricula activities; and to support the continued development of the University College.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell said: “The investments in new posts, the scheme for existing staff and the new PhD scholarships, as well as enhanced support for the student experience, will help to make Manchester one of the most exciting universities in the world, and provide the best learning environment for our students.

“While we must continue to be rigorous in cost savings and income generation, the time is right to invest in our core goals, and most specifically in improving the student experience and enhancing our research profile.”

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/

Allan Gilbert Learning Commons

From the back
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1410.jpg

Side
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1411.jpg

Front
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/100_1412.jpg

And MMU Business School, All Saint. Thought this would have been finished by now tbh.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00087.jpg

The MMU Business School and Studen Hub is due to open in September 2012.

Here is a great photo of the building from MMU's website.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3673/mmubusiness.jpg

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/

Also the Arts Building is due to be completed in September 2012. Here is a new render of the building from MMU's website again.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2050/mmuarts.jpg

I agree Flange, that MMU pic is awesome! Really is a fantastic building

Is there no thread for the new arts building? Seems it deserves its own thread considering the size. Anyone want to do the honours? And great pictures all round slowburn, one of the best updates I've ever seen. Shows there's still loads going on and it kind of disproves the scare mongering from the BBC. Top stuff. :)

I thought the business school would be finished now. When I'm say in the library and look inside, it seems pretty finished but I suppose it's all the snagging now and moving in. Although they haven't finished all the landscaping and that seems to be taking a while. I think this is a fantastic building. Maybe MMUs student hub will be more iconic even than UoMs learning commons.

Does this have its own thread? I couldn't find it. Anyway, it looks better, with a more prominent perspective on the over-hang from a little further up Oxford Rd, but as I was on double yellows to snap this photo, this will have to do:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/McrUni.jpg

I noticed tonight that there's a video screen installed on the Capitol Theatre building on Oxford Road. The screen is facing town and is showing old video footage of Manchester. I noticed whilst going past on the bus. Looked great

DELETED

MMU Art and Design block
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00206.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00207.jpg

MMU Business School

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00205.jpg

Nearly Ready

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00204.jpg

Alan Gilbert Learning Commons
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00203.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00202.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00201.jpg

MMU Art and Design block
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00206.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00207.jpg

Also. http://www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/newspaces/video/ (watch the construction flythrough)

And. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmuvisualresources/6846606665/

Don't know if you also want to whack them pics in these two threads slowburn? Good pics all round again. :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1004915
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1479590

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/

Another interesting talk. Part of the Manchester Histories Festival (http://www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk/whatson/guide/default.aspx?d=all)

Computers and Computing in Manchester

http://www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk/pictures/mhf2012/Events/~EDfjiij4/pollard-lonsdale-turing.gif

The whole world knows Manchester as a symbol of the industrial age: but what about its role in the age of information? There’s a local rumour that the computer was “invented here”: in reality, of course, the world-changing collection of ideas and technologies behind “the computer” couldn’t have been invented in any one place.

Yet Manchester really did have a defining role in how computers were designed and promoted, in the years after the Second World War, as the expertise of former code-breaking and radar “boffins” at the University collided with the region’s traditional strength in manufacturing industry. Alan Turing – whose centenary we commemorate this year – made a series of unique contributions when he stopped designing computers, and started thinking deeply about how they could be used. Computers could play tunes, play chess, and even play at being in love: but what if they could do more than simply playing?

This talk by Dr James Sumner, from The University of Manchester, gives a whistle-stop tour of these iconic developments and their eventful legacy. Manchester has been home to the world’s most powerful computer (briefly); to the national advisory centre planned to stoke the “white heat” of computing technology; to the unglamorous industrial underside of the home computer revolution; and to the 1990s vision of the “virtual city”.

Dates
Sat 3 Mar 2012 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Download this event to your calendar

Venue
Friends' Meeting House
6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS
See venue map and information

http://www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk/whatson/computersandcomputing

Manchester University News.

Multimillion-pound health bonanza for Manchester

01 Mar 2012

Manchester researchers are celebrating after securing £12.5 million of Government funding for clinical research in the city.



Three leading hospital trusts, working closely with The University of Manchester, have been awarded the money to carry out research into many of the major diseases and illnesses that affect the population of Greater Manchester and the wider North West.

The three Clinical Research Facilities that will receive funding are:
•Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, alongside other Greater Manchester Trust partners, will use £5.5 million funding to support studies for people with diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, depression, addiction, and diabetes.
•The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, which will use the £4.5million funding to support early-stage trials of treatments for people with cancer.
•University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, which will use the £2.5million funding to support early-stage trials of treatments for people with lung diseases such as asthma, fungal infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and also food allergies.

Researchers believe the success of these bids reflects the scale of expertise in conducting clinical trials in Manchester’s NHS organisations and The University of Manchester, which collectively form MAHSC (Manchester Academic Health Science Centre).

MAHSC Director Professor Ian Jacobs, Dean and Vice President of the University’s Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, said the announcement represented a “Red Letter Day” for Manchester and further enhanced the reputation of the city as a leading international centre for healthcare and health science.

He said: “An extraordinary level of collaborative joint working has been achieved which makes it possible to conduct trials of the highest quality, on a large scale in a broad range of health areas, including cancer, respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and inflammatory disorders. This funding will lead to new healthcare innovations that will be rapidly applied for the benefit of our population through the MAHSC partnership.”

NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts with clinical research facilities submitted bids for the funding, which were judged by a panel of UK experts in both medical research and in running clinical research facilities. Winning bids were selected on the basis of the quality and volume of world-class medical research they support, as well as other criteria including the strength of their partnerships with universities and industry.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “These important awards build on the great strengths across the University and its partner NHS Trusts and span our research from basic discovery through to patient benefit."

Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley said: “Both public and patients think it’s important that the NHS should support research into new treatments, and we agree. That’s why we’re investing over £100m in research facilities, nurses and technicians to help make the NHS a world-class place to do research.

“These researchers will push forward the boundaries of what is possible. These are the people and the labs where the very best new treatments will be developed for a huge range of conditions - from cancer to diabetes and heart disease. NHS patients are the ones who will see the benefit of their work.”

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department of Health added: “These are very exciting times for clinical research in the UK, and this funding is a reflection of the commitment we have to supporting world-class experimental medicine.

“The Clinical Research Facilities will play a key role in supporting advances in treatments for a wide variety of diseases and supporting collaboration with industry. Thousands of people will benefit right across the country.”

Ends

From the MEN....
Manchester and Cheshire Construction wins £1m Manchester Museum refurb

Buillding firm Manchester and Cheshire Construction has landed a £1m contract to refurbish the Ancient Worlds galleries at The Manchester Museum.

Work will start next month and is due for completion in September. The galleries, featuring the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Rome and Greece, are due to re-open in October.

The contract is the latest listed building refurbishment for the Salford-based company, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with record* turnover of £5.6m.

It has recently completed projects at Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery and the Orangery at Tatton Park, Cheshire.

The museum, on Oxford Road, is located at the University of Manchester.

Chris Purcell, business development manager at Manchester and Cheshire, said the galleries contract was the firm's first under the university's new construction framework.

Other contractors for the Ancient Worlds revamp include Greater Manchester companies such as architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, project manager AA Projects, of Sale, and quantity surveyors Appleyard and Trew, also of Sale.

Mr Purcell said: “We were able to break into this sector through our work for the university on the previous framework, as they have a large number of listed buildings. We used this experience to build up our reputation and now have an excellent portfolio of listed building and conservation projects.

“We are delighted to be involved in the refurbishment of a building we all know and love.

“I remember going to the museum as a child and being terrified of the giant spider crab, and I now enjoy taking my own two sons there. It's great to be involved in the building on a professional basis.”


http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1488345_manchester-and-cheshire-construction-wins-1m-manchester-museum-refurb

Coloured glass slats are starting to go in the front now:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IMAG0650.jpg

PNW.

DTZ to help university dispose of surplus sites

29 Mar 2012, 18:04


DTZ has been appointed by Manchester Metropolitan University following a competitive tender to advise on the future of a number of sites which are surplus to requirements.

As a £350m investment in new campus facilities nears completion, the university is consolidating all of its educational provision into two locations in Manchester and Cheshire.

DTZ will provide strategic advice to the university on future potential uses and the approach that the university should follow to sell the sites.

The Manchester provision will include the current All Saints Campus on Oxford Road and the planned new Birley Fields campus in Hulme. As a result the university will be vacating a number of its current sites on a phased basis over the next few years. Sites that will become surplus will include the Aytoun Street campus in Manchester city centre, the Didsbury campus, the Elizabeth Gaskell site and the Hollings site in Fallowfield, as well as much of the university's site at Alsager in Cheshire.

Ryan Keyworth, deputy director of finance at MMU, said: "The process of rationalising the estate is an important step for the university. Now is the right time to develop our plans for the future of the surplus assets."

John Keyes, lead director on the contract at DTZ, said: "We are very pleased to be advising the university in this important and exciting role. The surplus sites are important assets for the university but also important assets for the local community and it will be vital that appropriate uses are found for the future."

Yesterday
http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/YLAup/DSC00737.jpg

I like that. Reminds me of the coloured glass on the front of the MMU building opposite the student union building.

I think its similar to the new Business School building proposed.

Seems to have been being refurbed for ages, but it's getting there:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IMAG0824.jpg

Lovely sunshine helping to highlight the coloured glass panels:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IMAG0825.jpg

Cheers gshutty. What's the progress being made on the art and design building up the road?

Cheers gshutty. What's the progress being made on the art and design building up the road?

SLOW! At least it seems that way, though it's probably just the essential (boring) stuff that's happening, as opposed to shiny exteriors now that it has topped out. The jury is still out on this one for me. i'll look to grab a pic.

i'll look to grab a pic.

Cheers! Also if you happen to pass by the student developments around whitworth park I'd really appreciate a pic! I would myself but I'm not in Manc at the minute and your updates are much appreciated. Keep up the good work!