Building briefs: MMU’s £23m Art & Design building tops out; Uni travelodge opens; and more
A TOPPING out ceremony has been completed at Manchester Metropolitan University’s new £23m Art & Design Faculty building, which is set to complete by the end of the year.
The ceremony marked the overall completion of the building’s reinforced concrete superstructure, including the insertion of the floors and erection of the walls, columns and the roof slab. It was attended by representatives from contractor Morgan Sindall and the university.
Jim Morgan, Morgan Sindall area director for Manchester, said: “Our team has been delighted to be part of this hugely significant project for the university.
“This innovative, striking building will provide a stimulating learning environment for creative students and will boast teaching space, new workshops, a roof garden and an impressive seven storey gallery.”
The building will provide a new base for the Manchester School of Art, which offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate art, design, media and architectural courses.
To make way for the state of the art project, a 1970s building on the corner of Cavendish Street and Higher Chatham Street in the inner-city district of Chorlton was demolished. The adjoining Chatham Tower has been retained and is in the process of being refurbished and connected to the new adjacent seven-storey gallery.
Morgan Sindall was awarded the contract in March 2011.
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A NEW Travelodge hotel has opened on Upper Brook Street, Manchester, close to the MRI hospital.
The 104-bed hotel comprising double and family rooms following the radical increase in capacity at the hospital. The hotel was built to standards provided by Traveloedge by contractor Pochin for hospital developer Braidwater. It was designed by architects Pozzoni.
The scheme goes beyond the suggested BREEAM rating of ‘Good’ by integrating sustainable measures such as an attenuation system which reduces rain water run-off, use of pre-made modular bed and bathrooms to reduce construction waste and a linked zone access system to deactivate energy systems in unused areas of the hotel.
Some 20 local jobs have been created following the opening.
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MACCLESFIELD-based Metro Rod has been selected alongside sister firm H20 Water Services on a £100m repair and maintenance contract by Thames Water.
A recent change to water industry legislation means UK water companies have adopted more than 220,000 kilometres of sewers which were previously under private ownership.
Metro Rod franchisees in the area will help to deliver the eight-year contract to maintain and repair this network once the contract goes live in August 2012.
Metro Rod managing director Mike Walker said: “This deal underlines the company’s position at the forefront of the sector and is a glowing endorsement of the innovation and technical ability which helps us to deliver a top quality service for our clients.”
Metro Rod is part of Yorkshire-based EnServe Group, which is owned by European private equity firm Cinven.
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CLAREMONT Group Interiors has passed the half way mark of its 16-week fitout of Weightmans’ new 94,000 sq ft Liverpool office.
The office, in Bruntwood’s Plaza building at 100 Old Hall Street, is due for completion in June and spans three storeys, including two large, open-plan floor plates and a glazed atrium reception.
Claremont Group Interiors is delivering category A and B fit-out to the ground floor reception and client suite, as well as category B works to the first and second floors. Furniture and audio-visual solutions will also be provided for the office, which includes a boardroom, eight client meeting rooms, 10 quiet rooms and two communications rooms. The new office will be home to more than 550 lawyers and support staff.
Tim Frankland, joint managing director of Claremont Group Interiors said: “As well as being Liverpool’s largest letting last year, Weightmans move to 100 Old Hall Street is also one of our biggest contract wins too.
David Lewis, head of Weightmans’ Liverpool office said: “This office isn’t just about giving us a new, purpose-design working environment; it’s also about cultural integration as we bring together our teams from India Buildings and Dury House.”
