New Century Hall transformation

Russell WBHO recently completed an extensive refurbishment of the Grade II listed building, ensuring its original heritage features were retained and restored.

The project was designed and overseen by award-winning architect Sheppard Robson. Manchester-based Sheila Bird Studios has now been appointed to develop the branding, storytelling and interiors for the building which is set to open Summer 2022. 

New Century Hall is the latest development to complete at NOMA, the 20-acre mixed-use neighbourhood in central Manchester.

NOMA will provide 2.5 million sq. ft. of both new-build and renovated office space at various price points, situated alongside new homes and public realm as well as retail and leisure opportunities.

NOMA is managed by the international business of Federated Hermes on behalf of an institutional investor. MEPC is the development and asset manager for the regeneration project.

Stephen Bradley, director – investment management at the international business of Federated Hermes, said: “The blend of uses planned at New Century Hall will see the building emerge as a destination in its own right and a key driver of footfall and activity within the NOMA neighbourhood.

“We worked closely with the new occupiers on the redesign to deliver revamped New Century Hall that worked well with their requirements, while ensuring the building’s heritage was still protected.

“Once opened, we fully expect the reimagined New Century Hall will see the venue once again become a firm fixture in people’s diaries and a staple of Manchester’s social scene.”

Rebranded to “New Century”, the new multi-use social hub will build on the venue’s rich musical legacy to create an extraordinary new live music and events hall for Manchester.

With a flexible layout and capacity of 800+ the Hall will be a unique multipurpose event space for emerging talent and global touring artists alike, as well as a venue for comedy, performance, conferences and community events.

On the ground floor of New Century will be the kitchens. The 8000 sq ft New Century Kitchen will host five independent food operators alongside more permanent “New Century” pizza and coffee concepts. A vibrant menu of the best independent food from the most talented and exciting kitchens will sit alongside local beers, wines, a creative cocktail menu and artisan coffees, teas, juices and smoothies. New Century Kitchen will spill outside onto Sadler’s Yard for al fresco dining, drinking and regular events.

The basement at New Century will be home to one of the UK’s most exciting education providers, Access Creative College. An established national college (that counts Ed Sheeran as one of its alumni and a Patron), ACC specialises in kickstarting careers in the creative industry.

With a successful music, games, media and computing college already in Manchester on Oxford Road and Hulme Street, New Century will be home to the college’s third site in the city with degree-level courses in music, games and computing delivered by the innovative educational providers, DBS Institute. The state-of-the-art creative campus will include a media centre, production pods and the opportunity to experience work in a live venue within the same building.

New Century forms a key part of the listed estate at the NOMA neighbourhood, which includes a collection of 20th century buildings across a range of architectural styles, all of which are being sensitively restored and repurposed to create modern work and retail space by Russell WBHO.

Other buildings in the listed estate include:

• Dantzic, a Grade II listed commercial building refurbished into 45,000 sq. ft. of contemporary workspace that is the new Manchester headquarters of global architecture, design, planning and engineering firm IBI Group

• Hanover, a Grade II listed former drapery warehouse currently occupied by Amazon, WeWork and Deloitte

• Old Bank, a Grade II listed former bank branch set to be redeveloped to provide over 97,000 sq. ft. of office space and 6,700 sq. ft. of mixed ground-floor space

• Redfern, a Grade II listed Dutch Modernist icon transformed into 25,000 sq. ft. of office space and 8,500 sq. ft. of mixed ground-floor space that is now home to the Ministry of Justice

Workman undertakes property and estate management across NOMA. Colliers and JLL are retained office agents. Lyons Thompson Letts and Colliers are retained retail and leisure agents.