Search for lead architect of £15m Cathedral scheme

ARCHITECTURAL practices are being asked to tender to be the lead on the ambitious £15m Manchester Cathedral development project.

On behalf of Manchester Cathedral, Manchester-based property consultant Dooley Associates is asking practices to submit proposals for a specific element of the project – namely the £7m West End Design Competition.

Dooley has been appointed by Manchester Cathedral to work as project manager and quantity surveyor to co-ordinate and control 17 plus projects of work which will involve cost planning, procurement and delivery of projects, including the installation of the new 14-tonne organ on the medieval screen and a new lighting and sound installation being developed with Manchester design consultants BDP.

The search for a lead architect for the West End section of the scheme comes as Manchester Cathedral embarks on a Stage One Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid for an extension to the west end of the building.

Practices will be asked to produce a design which is aspirational and symbolic and that will both preserve and enhance the heritage and character of the Cathedral’s existing west façade, and help the Cathedral to become a more recognisable symbol within the intention of creating a medieval tourist and cultural quarter for the city.

Aspects of the designs should include provision for public access to the top of the tower, including viewing arrangements and possible exhibition space at the base of the tower.

There should also be high quality retail space with flexibility of layout, to be combined with provision for storage of stock and office space.

Also required is a multi-purpose learning and meeting spaces, offering a range of attendance numbers between 6 and 35, in at least two venues.

The return date for design proposals is October with the appointment of the chosen consultant expected in November 2015.

Dooley Associates managing director Brendan Dooley said: “Our work with the Cathedral has been fantastic and kept our Heritage and Conservation division busy since 2013.

“The OJEU notice for lead architect is just one, although very important, element of the overall project and we’re hoping to get some really inspiring submissions.”