Townhall Transformation

Manchester

At the very heart of the city, Manchester’s Grade 1 listed Town Hall is a much-loved landmark, where Manchester gathers at important times to honour and celebrate, to welcome visitors and to do business. It’s where Manchester hosts civic guests, international delegations, Mancunian weddings and special events. It’s where Manchester celebrate those who’ve been awarded the Freedom of the City. But – having opened in 1877– the building was showing its age, so the council started a major update to this architectural masterpiece to protect and improve it for Manchester and the nation, and lovingly restore it. Manchester Town Hall was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1877 and is a Victorian, neo-Gothic building which sits in the heart of Manchester. The £330m project aims to transform the town hall back to its former civic glory and involves the repair of internal and external deficits, while renewing building services and improving accessibility and visitor experience. This includes replacing the entire wiring and plumbing throughout the building and adding modern facilities, including communication links, which will make the building far more functional, sustainable and easier to maintain. Seven carried out Energy modelling analysis scenarios to develop a low energy strategy via passive and active measures that were sensitive to the Grade 1 status.