Lead architect appointed for £7m Cathedral scheme
THE lead architect for the £7m development of the west end of Manchester Cathedral is to be Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
Manchester-based property consultant Dooley Associates, acting on behalf of the Cathedral, had invited proposals through the OJEU for the position and the key element of the scheme totalling £15m.
The shortlisting panel included Manchester City Council and Historic England, while the contenders were BDP, Buttress Architects, Purcell and Richard Griffiths Architects alongside Feilden Clegg Bradley.
The chosen architect will now work with the Cathedral to develop the design toward a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to be submitted this year.
Dooley Associates managing director Brendan Dooley said: “The response to the tender for the Cathedral West End project was phenomenal and following detailed interviews with five practices, the panel selected Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as one of two practices that stood head and shoulders above the rest.
“The panel concluded that Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’s innovative yet pragmatic approach was the best and most deliverable solution for this high profile and sensitive site.”
Manchester Cathedral director of fundraising and development Anthony O’Connor said: “The Cathedral has embarked on its largest building intervention in its history with a planned completion on its 600-year anniversary in 2021.
“It is great, that thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and partners, several projects are already on site.”
Dooley Associates was appointed by Manchester Cathedral in January 2014 to work as project manager and quantity surveyor to co-ordinate and control more than 17 packages of work involving cost planning, procurement and delivery of projects, the largest of which is the west end development at £7m.
The appointment also includes 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.
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios opened a new Manchester office in 2015.
