Printworks unveils £21m refurbishment, with centrepiece digital ceiling screen
A £21m refurbishment of Manchester’s Printworks leisure scheme has been revealed today (March 20), including its centrepiece, a new 1,000 sq m digital ceiling screen – the largest in Europe – covering the scheme’s internal streets.
Site owner, DTZ Investors, said it was responding to evolving leisure trends with the creation of the unique technology-led experiences.
There has been significant investment both inside and out, with the customer experience at its heart.
Pic – Jason Lock
The digital ceiling screen displays extraordinary bespoke creative content and special effects from day to night.
It is complemented further by a giant interactive gaming screen as well as other new features around Printworks which will engage consumers and support tenant trade.
Other changes include newly designed gateway entrances and public realm upgrades, adding to the sense of arrival as well as aesthetic enhancements to the period façade.
Community engagement, in the form of a city-wide art competition, has resulted in the installation of a giant 210 sq m piece of public art by Alex Sylt. Alex was chosen by the people of Manchester in a public vote, as well as a panel of expert judges including Norman Cook, aka musician and DJ Fatboy Slim.
DTZ Investors is keen to deliver its other strategic objective to diversify the tenant-mix toward a balance between daytime family-led use and night-time wet-led entertainment.
Since DTZ acquired the scheme in 2017, Vue has re-geared its flagship cinema, including Europe’s second largest IMAX screen, on a new 20-year term and invested £6m into a full refurbishment. New tenants have been secured including Tenpin, Treetop Golf and Boom Battle Bar, plus a deal has now been signed with Spider Entertainment for a new immersive concept. Further announcements are likely with other occupiers soon.
The refurbishment project has created 50 jobs and has contributed a positive wider economic contribution in the North West of circa £18m.
Pic – Jason Lock
The building, a non-designated heritage asset, has also undergone significant enhancements including specialist Sto glass cladding on its interior walls to further enhance the immersive experience, alongside the introduction of gateway entrances and major improvements to the public realm and the building’s external façade.
Ben Haller, from DTZ Investors, said: “This transformation is without precedent and is a game changer for the UK leisure sector.
“We’ve created something unique at Printworks which will continue to entertain domestic and international visitors for years to come. This has only been possible due to the dedication and commitment from a large professional team, overcoming many challenges through the last five years from inception to delivery.
“Advancements in technology have enabled us to innovate and strengthen the Printworks brand to ensure it remains at the forefront of UK leisure.”
The showstopping 1,000 sq m digital screen is a bespoke installation by Preston-based venue transformation specialists, ADI, which worked with Manchester animation studio Flipbook to create more than 100 pieces of unique and extraordinary media content.
The screen itself is one of the most unique pieces of media architecture in the world and is installed high above Printworks’ streets and central courtyard. It features LED modules designed to meet the BS EN13501-1 fire safety standard, the first time this has ever been achieved for a digital screen.
