The Factory is a £130.6 million multi-disciplinary arts venue currently being constructed on the former site of Granada Studios, in the St John’s Quarter of Manchester (formerly the site of the Starlight Theatre), being developed by Manchester Quays Ltd (MQL), a development partnership between Allied London and Manchester City Council, and is to be the permanent home of the Manchester International Festival. It has been claimed that the name comes from Factory Records, the independent record label founded by Tony Wilson.
The building will cover 13,300 square metres, offering uniquely flexible spaces, including an auditorium with a capacity of up to 1,600 people, and a larger space – the warehouse – with a capacity of up to 5,000 people. The auditorium and warehouse will be able to present events simultaneously, but they will also be able to be combined. The warehouse space will also be able to be divided into two spaces. The scheme also includes the restoration and reuse of the northern brick arched portion of the Grade II-listed Colonnaded Railway Viaduct and a public realm to the north and west of the Factory building.
McCrory Brickwork are responsible for the basement blockwork.
Project Team
