The Sharp Project

[b4mmy]

Impressive

[LNGCats]

The opposite of a vanity project.

Most excellent news, solid, high quality jobs including training.

Ticks all the boxes including being new high technology.

[Lookin Up]

Fantastic news !!
Well done to all those involved.

Now for 'Project Tomorrow' ..................................

[LNGCats]

Is this but going to be project tomorrow?

[nitindb]

Originally Posted by Lookin Up

Fantastic news !!
Well done to all those involved.

Now for 'Project Tomorrow' ..................................

That MEN news report had the following comment at the end:-

A BIG welcome to Manchester Guys, looking forward to working with you. A FAB example of what goes on behind the scenes in Manchester to encourage companies to our fair city.
Atul

This Atul Bansal is the same person involved with 'Project Tomorrow'. Don't know what to make of that, but there you go. Perhaps EON Reality together with a few other technology companies are collaborating on some kind of Virtual Reality + Augmented Reality + Virtual Meeting type of project.

[Lookin Up]

Two separate things surely??

EON based at No1 Central Park
Project Tomorrow - leased a number of buildings around the city region but not at Central Park.

Project Tomorrow is also a consortium - think this has been made clear from the start.

So.......more to look forward to. Exciting stuff huh?

[LNGCats]

I am hoping EON do not have a dependency on 3D television or cinema becoming popular for them to be a successful company.

[hulmeman2]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...orld-franchise

Sharp Project model could be a world franchise
October 05, 2012



From left, Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, Sue Woodward OBE, director of The Sharp Project, Dan Lejerskar, chairman of EON and Mats W Johansson, CEO of EON


The Sharp Project digital media hub could be franchised around the world, city leaders have revealed.

And bosses of the creative complex, in Newton Heath, told the M.E.N they aim to open a city centre branch within the next year.

The Sharp Project is already home to 50 media companies and yesterday announced American 3D imaging giant EON Virtual will open its European headquarters there, creating an initial wave of 240 jobs.

EON will move into One Central Square, which will form part of a an extension to the £16.5m council-owned hub.

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese confirmed the expansion plan will also involve the transformation of a third site at the former Fujitsu Tower, in Wenlock Way, Gorton, in the coming months.

He added it is hoped that will be followed by the launch of a city centre creative cluster, also under the Sharp Project banner.

Sue Woodward, director of the scheme, created on the site of the former Sharp Electronics factory, told the M.E.N she was actively looking at locations that could fit the bill.

She added she and the city council were considering a model that would see the Sharp Project brand exported and similar digital media centres opened around the world under the same banner.

She said: “There are lots of people from all over the place who come here, from the likes of India, Mexico and the US, who ask me 'how do we get one of these?'

“The Sharp Project is an asset to the city and the council owns the brand so it should be able to split that brand and do something like that with it."

The concept of the Sharp Project centres around offering affordable space for companies operating in the creative sector that provide services that complement each other.

The idea is that tenants will end up working on projects together, helping each other grow, then moving into larger space within the complex as they do, making way for others.

On opening a city centre Sharp Project, Sir Richard said: “We are within a matter of months of finalising proposals for the expansion of the Sharp Project into the former Fujitsu Tower in Gorton and they we are probably going to extend into other parts of the city, starting with the city centre.

“Whether we call it Sharp City Centre or Sharp Plus or whatever, we will have to decide but the point is Sharp as a concept is something that can easily be replicated and I think we will have a lot more of Sharp in Manchester.”

[nitindb]

Originally Posted by LNGCats

I am hoping EON do not have a dependency on 3D television or cinema becoming popular for them to be a successful company.

From what I gather, their work is centered around visualising things for education, engineers, biologist, physicists, architects and other 'serious' disciplines. Consumer retail and entertainment is just a small part of what they do.

They've been going since 1999 and are expanding, most likely, due to their success. They seem to be in it for the long haul and claim to be at the forefront of 3d visualisation and VR rather than waiting for anything.

Their mission statement:-

Empower people to experience more by illuminating their minds with Virtual Reality, enabling them understand faster, remember longer and decide better.

So looks like education and research is a big chunk of what they want to do.

[jrb]

EON Reality website.

EON Reality Opens New European Hub in The Sharp Project’s Second Phase

Irvine, Calif., October 4, 2012 – EON Reality, the world's leading interactive 3D solutions provider for businesses and education, is expanding its European operation by opening a new global interactive research and development centre at One Central Park in Central Park in Manchester. This will form an extension to The Sharp Project, Manchester’s digital and production complex in Newton Heath, creating more than 240 new jobs over the next three years.

The US based company has agreed terms and will sign a 10 year lease with Manchester City Council on 10, 000 sq ft (930 sq m) of space with ambitions to grow considerably over the next five years.

EON Reality see mutual benefits in becoming neighbours with Manchester College, who will remain in the building. The rest of the building will, over time, accommodate start-up digital businesses, existing businesses within The Sharp Project seeking to expand and larger digital businesses seeking to locate near The Sharp Project.

EON Reality’s Manchester centre will be its European HQ and will offer interactive and digital media technology solutions, training and professional services. The global interactive research and development centre will provide access to state of the art interactive 3D technologies including a virtual reality showroom, training room, project room, development lab, and 3D classroom infrastructure, creating a centre of excellence in Manchester and attracting customers from all over Europe.

It is a fact that digital technology is transforming the way that content is distributed and consumed and EON Reality have recognised that the UK is short of people with the right digital skills, so they are also setting up an Entrepreneurial Coding School. The school will deliver a comprehensive programme aimed at developing Manchester’s workforce with interactive and 3D technology skills including coding, design and development, training 500 students over 5 years in digital skills.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This is great for Manchester. Not only will EON Reality’s new base create 240 new jobs but it will offer training for thousands of young people in the increasingly marketable skill of computer coding. This is yet another example of the public and private sector working together to drive forward our ambition of Manchester becoming a global digital city by 2020.”


Mats W. Johansson, Co-Founder, President and CEO of EON Reality adds: “EON Reality's mission is to empower people around the world to experience more by illuminating their minds with interactive and immersive experiences - enabling them to understand faster, remember longer and make better decisions. “

Dan Lejerskar, Co-Founder and Chairman of EON Reality, who chose Manchester as the European HQ explains why: “Manchester is the original technology city – they invented the computer and have been improving it ever since, designing, programming, creating content and sharing ideas. Manchester is the home of the UK's international Internet Exchange and the North West has the second largest creative cluster not only in the UK but in the whole of Europe. No other city in Europe has invested as much in its digital media and content operations - with billions being spent on creating a global hub for creative industries - just like EON Reality's European Centre. Manchester is perfectly placed to be the UK’s digital city and a prominent player in the technology sector in Europe so it makes total sense to be located here.”

Sue Woodward, Director of The Sharp Project said: “This partnership with EON Reality is another string to Manchester’s technology bow and will enhance our status further on the global map for this rapidly expanding sector. It is extremely pleasing to learn that The Sharp Project’s high profile in the States was a major factor in EON Reality seeking to examine Manchester as a possible base. They want to make Manchester the centre for the creation of 3D content in Europe.


Creating a cluster of blue chip and start-up tech businesses here in the region will without doubt attract more to follow, forming a thriving hub where talented youngsters can train and carve out careers and be part of the technological revolution. Based on previous experience in other territories, at least ten new successful companies could be established on the back of EON Reality’s presence in the city.”

Tim Newns, Chief Executive of MIDAS, Manchester inward investment agency concludes: “Manchester is a very attractive home for the digital sector and we are receiving unprecedented interest from digital and tech companies right now. The pace of growth in this sector is highlighted by the speed of EON Reality who first approached Manchester in April and aim to open in January - creating hundreds of direct new jobs and bringing customers and partners from all over the world to this city.”

For more information on The Sharp Project, visit www.thesharpproject.co.uk. For more information on EON Reality visit www.eonreality.com.

Follow The Sharp Project on Twitter @sharpproject. For further information contact Roz Hughes on 07967 800395 or email press@thesharpproject.co.uk

About The Sharp Project
The Sharp Project is home to over 50 digital entrepreneurs and production companies specialising in digital content production, digital media and TV and film production. It’s based in a 200,000 sq ft refurbished warehouse previously occupied by electronics company Sharp, It offers flexible office, production and event space at affordable prices.
The £16.5million profit-for-purpose development is owned by Manchester City Council.
Completed in June 2011, it was funded by Manchester City Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund.
For more information on the facilities offered at The Sharp Project visit www.thesharpproject.co.uk or follow @sharpproject for news and up-dates.

About The European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk

About MIDAS
MIDAS is Manchester’s investment and development agency and its role is to attract new investment and employment to the city region.
It drives the global business marketing of Manchester as a world-class location for business and delivers an extensive package of expert, free and confidential advice for location consultants and potential investors. MIDAS provides aftercare to recent investors and works closely with those foreign-owned companies already located in the Manchester City Region, creating new jobs and increasing productivity.
Working in partnership with the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester, MIDAS provides services such as relocation support, assistance in finding property solutions and advice on recruitment and training as well as assistance with securing grants.
In 2011-12, across 70 successful projects, MIDAS supported the creation of 3,114 jobs and also assisted in the safeguarding of 460 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs supported to 3,574.
Of the 70 projects, 36 were Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), from markets including North America (42%); Asia-Pacific - including China and India (36%); Europe (19%); and the Middle East (3%).
For more information on MIDAS please visit www.investinmanchester.com. Follow MIDAS on Twitter: @Midas_MCR

About EON Reality
EON Reality, Inc. is the world's leading interactive 3D solutions provider for businesses and education based on Virtual Reality technology. EON Reality provides state-of-the-art 3D display technology for immersive and stereoscopic viewing, from portable tablet PCs and glass free stereo display systems to curved-screen and immersive rooms consisting of multi-channel projection walls. The technology foundation for developing interactive digital content includes importing the most common 3D animation formats into EON's authoring software and creating modules and applications that can be viewed on various display systems. EON’s technology solutions enable all organizations to more effectively visually communicate, collaborate and accelerate knowledge transfer.

Industry leaders, including Atlas Copco, Bechtel, Boeing, Bombardier, Hon, Intel, Lexus, Lufthansa –Teknik, Lowell Manufacturing, Peterbilt, Samsung, Siemens Medical, Suzuki, Tobyhanna Army Depot, Toyota and Whirlpool use EON solutions to enhance the interactive user experience to effectively increase sales, better communicate product functionality and decrease the cost of service, training and technical support. Educational institutions and organizations who have adopted EON’s solutions include: the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (located on the campus of the Florence-Darlington Technical College), Honolulu Community College, Old Dominion University, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Discovery World Museum, Oklahoma City Community College, Concord University, Texas State Technical College - Waco, El Paso Community College, University of Alabama, University of Hawaii, University of Kentucky, Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Republic Polytechnic (Singapore) and Ngee Ann Secondary School (Singapore).

For further information, visit www.eonreality.com.

[Pablo Diablo]

EON did a little demo last week for current Sharp tenants. Didn't go myself (limited spaces) but a few from my office did - they were demoing CAVEs which were apparently amazing!

[jrb]

Place North West.

EON Reality picks Sheila Bird for 3D visuals centre



Atul Bansal and his team at interior designer Sheila Bird Group have been appointed by the US tech firm to design and project manage its new European interactive research and development centre at One Central Park, Manchester.

The centre is due to open in January 2013, offering access to 3D technologies, a virtual reality showroom, development lab and 3D classroom infrastructure.

Ken Swain, managing director of EON Reality, said: "Manchester is the most important creative cluster in the UK, possibly Europe, and has a huge creative culture with the right infrastructure supporting it, it has the fastest internet gateway outside of London, as well as having a reputation for a reliable and creative workforce that just gets it and are not afraid to be different.

"It was therefore vital for us to choose the right design team that understood our very special needs and vision for the space. When we first met The Sheila Bird Group and explained what we were after, we were amazed at how they instantly got what we wanted. Their ability to understand and push forward the brief has enabled us to achieve so much more with the space than we had expected. Selecting the Sheila Bird Group was not about numbers; it was about a unique understanding of each other's strengths and how we could combine them to create something that is unique in the UK and contributes towards Manchester becoming Europe's leading 'Digital City' by 2020. We want EON Reality to becoming a significant part of Manchester's creative and digital footprint and this new centre will do just that."

"EON Reality and Sheila Bird Group are now challenging each other to get the best out of the brief and space. It is fair to say that the design process is changing EON Reality 's plans for the new centre of excellence and innovation and this is so exiting.

Bansal added: "We are thrilled to have been appointed on what is a really inspiring project for us and for the whole of Manchester. EON Reality's choice to base its HQ in the city is testament to the growing reputation we are carving out as a digital capital, with our incredible pool of raw talent being acknowledged globally. We really are pushing the boundaries with this design and as Ken says, challenging the way the company approaches work so that its staff and clients can benefit from, and most of all enjoy and learn from the space."

[jrb]

Exec Report.

Summary

This report seeks approval from the Executive to progress the further expansion of The Sharp Project onto part of the former Fujitsu Works complex at Wenlock Way, West Gorton.

This development will build on the developments at the former Sharp
building on Oldham Road and the acquisition of the One Central Park building on Central Park.

The focus for the development at the former Fujitsu Works complex will
be the creation of a Drama Hub consisting of drama production stages, production offices, offices for companies relating to drama production and also the creation of flexible space for either a private sector led data centre facility or further production stage facilities.

The report seeks the Executives approval for an ERDF bid to finance the project which will be made on the 14th December 2012 and the investment of City Council resources. It also seeks approval for expenditure on preliminary fees from the Capital Fund in order to develop the scheme and the ERDF bid.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_do...est_Gorton.pdf

[hulmeman2]

Originally Posted by jrb

Exec Report.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/north...-_Daily_E-mail

£10m plan unveiled for new Sharp Project
3rd December 2012


MANCHESTER City Council is planning to commit £10.6m to developing the next phase of the Sharp Project at a former Fujitsu site in West Gorton.

Council chiefs have previously stated their intention to expand the media hub and hope to convert the 100,000 sq ft site into a base for drama production and a private sector-led data centre facility, which they believe will create nearly 500 jobs.

The financing of the project will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on December 5, when the only other business is the issue of 900 potential job cuts at the authority as it seeks to save £30m.

The council wants to contribute £6.1m from its capital fund to the new Sharp Project, and pull in £4m from a European Regional Development Fund grant. A further £500,000, to cover enabling works at the site, will come from the Homes and Communities Agency.

It also wants to contribute £125,000 for initial designs and £600,000 to help cover running costs in the first three years.

Initial plans suggest 35,000 sq ft of drama production stages; 9,000 sq ft of dressing rooms and production offices; 20,000 sq ft of managed workspace; 21,000 sq ft of more drama space or data centres; 11,500 sq ft of workshop and storage; and a 10,000 sq ft canteen.

Sharp Project director Sue Woodward said: "The Sharp Project has been hosting dramas since 2009, even before refurbishment work had started on the building. Since then we've had countless production companies knocking at our door - including many of the big names in the sector.

"Dramas like Fresh Meat and Mount Pleasant are being recommissioned so there is no free space. We hate turning business away. As demand is so high, it's a no brainer to take this successful formula and recreate it elsewhere in Manchester. The facilities at Fujitsu would be ideal."

The report states: "The scheme will bring significant economic benefits to West Gorton and East Manchester. Based on the success seen at The Sharp Project, the new complex will have the potential to provide 475 full time equivalent jobs when fully operational.

"The city council will work closely with The Sharp Project management team and Sharp Futures, Manchester College and other education and training providers including the local Job Centre Plus office, to ensure that jobs are made accessible to local residents.

"The proposed development of the facilities in West Gorton also offers the opportunity to reinforce the value of “The Sharp Project” brand and to forge new partnerships and develop franchise opportunities both in the UK and internationally."

[hulmeman2]

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co...gital-Breakout

Fujitsu Tower In Digital Breakout

Sharp Project Inspires Gorton Expansion With Production Stages And Prop Stores And More



Published yesterday morning at 10:06*AM.

THE CITY COUNCIL plans to further expand the successful Sharp Project, Manchester's digital and production complex, providing further opportunities for the region's television and film production industry with the potential to create up to 500 new jobs.

These latest proposals have the potential to cement the Manchester City Region's reputation as the UK's creative industry capital and will help us attract major production companies from both the UK and overseas.**

The plans would see a multi-million pound transformation of the Manchester City Council-owned former Fujitsu Tower in Gorton into a purpose-built drama hub, with the creation of brand new production stages over 35,000 sq ft, as well as nearly 10,000 sq ft of space for production offices, dressing rooms, prop storage and make-up. In addition there will be flexible space available to support the city's digital sector.*

Currently the Sharp Project's production stages at the Newton Heath facility are fully let and work has had to be turned away, including interest from national and international drama production firms.*

This expansion will help meet that demand, with the potential to create hundreds of jobs, many of which will be available to local people.*

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "These latest proposals have the potential to cement the Manchester City Region's reputation as the UK's creative industry capital and will help us attract major production companies from both the UK and overseas.*

"We estimate that up to 475 jobs could be created at this new site alone, which is fantastic news for the local community. And as well as creating opportunities for them at the expanded Sharp Project, it will also help drive the wider regeneration of the West Gorton area, which in turn will attract more businesses and create even more jobs."*

In addition to the new production stages, a new 22,000 sq ft data centre facilities could also be created at the site. This will help Manchester meet the increasing demand for data centre and IT facilities in the city due to Manchester's growing digital media sector.*

This latest proposal for development in Gorton follows the acquisition of the One Central Park building on Central Park where leading global 3D firm Eon Reality is to base its European headquarters and an expansion at the original building to attract more start-up digital firms along with the creation of a new hi-tech green-screen facility.*

Currently the Sharp Project facility on Oldham Road, Newton Heath offers facilities, which includes four production stages, three new green screen stages (Spring 2013), high-quality office space, converted shipping containers for start-up firms and a music and recording studio.

[nq]

Good to see a related app going in (even if it is just for a little bit of demo).

101390/DEM/2013/N2 | Prior notification application of proposed demolition of Block E and F (Junction Bennett Street and Kniveton Road) with associated plantroom ( Block G) on Fujitsu Campus, West Gorton



Please state the reasons why demolition needs to take place:
To enable future development of the computer hall and workshops blocks as a Drama Hub.

Edit: Missed this app for alterations to the elevations of the 'Computer Block', approved in December, gives some details as to layout & setup.

100959/FO/2012/N2 | Proposed elevational alterations to existing building including new steps, platforms and canopies and the re-roofing of part of the existing roof

For reference,


http://binged.it/13VK18c




.

[jrb]

May have already been posted.

If not, watch the video. Interesting.

VFX Tech News - Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Technology (by EON Reality)

from VFX Plus6 days ago

An interesting video courtesy of EON Reality, Manchester.

Demonstrates the potential of 'immersive VR' and the future for 3D content and its manipulation (and consumption by 'end users').

Interestingly, EON Reality have opened a new 'Coding School' that will both recruit and train individuals interested in a career in this field. This may be of interest to VFX graduates / those with a passion for 3D.

www.eonreality.com/manchesteres.html

They will employ 50% of the first 100 students to enrol on their programme - which is great news!

Video courtesy of EON Reality

[pixeldude]

Just stumbled across this thread. I've been a tenant at The Sharp Project since July 2012, and I've got nothing but the best to say about the place.

I've never experienced such a great community of hard-working & talented people, and the whole feel of the place is simply amazing.

It doesn't really feel like work - its actually a pleasure going in every single day. Even though there's a few companies who do similar things, new leads and work often gets passed around, and everyone goes out of their way to help each other out.

But you've really got to experience it first-hand to get an idea of what it's really like. When you first walk into the central campus its awe-inspiring.

I really couldn't think of a better place to start or build a business, and now after hearing that there are potentially more sites around the UK who might be following the blueprint - if you ever get a chance to get an office or work there, I'd jump at the opportunity straight away!

The Sharp Project is like MediaCity's little brother - but with a much closer and tight-knit community aspect, and definitely as much talent!

[Pablo Diablo]

Sharp really is a great place to work! I've been with a company there since October 2011 and I've seen it grow into this wonderful little community

Pixeldude, from your name I think I may have an idea of who you are

[pixeldude]

Hey Pablo,

You must have been here right at the start then? Bet it was a lot different back then

And you're probably right about my name! Which biz are you from? PM me if you don't wanna say