Britain’s largest cultural venue since the Tate Modern officially opens today in Manchester.
The 13,350-square-metre Aviva Studios, home to Factory International, will house two large performance spaces, with a versatile structure that includes disappearing seating and a mobile roof.
Built on the former site of Granada TV’s studios, the venue houses a vast flexible performance space dubbed ‘The Warehouse’, as well as a smaller space known as ‘The Hall’.
Taller than four double-decker buses, and nearly as long as a Boeing 747 aeroplane, The Warehouse will have space to accommodate 5,000 people. The Hall will accommodate 1,600 seated, or 2000 standing.
Opening tonight, Aviva Studios will host the world premiere of Free Your Mind – a “large scale interactive” reimagining of The Matrix, directed by Trainspotting’s Danny Boyle.
Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Today is a landmark moment for culture not just in Manchester but the North of England and indeed the UK as a whole.
“This internationally-important venue, extraordinary in its scale and ambition, will open up a world of possibilities for people in this city – inspiring creativity and nurturing careers in the arts.”
The project is the brainchild of Dutch architect Ellen van Loom, from the Rotterdam-based Office for Metropolitan Architecture.
Versatility is at the heart of the design: The Hall’s theatre-style seating folds away into the walls and floor, while The Warehouse features a full-height, movable, soundproof wall to divide the space.
“Most performing areas nowadays are designed fairly traditional with your fixed seating area. There is very little flexibility in those spaces,” van Loom told CNN.
“The walls are always in the way, because every artist wants to expand the sides or the back. That made us think, ‘Okay, of course you have to make some walls, but let’s put them where they are obstructing as little as possible.’”
The building’s completion is likely to come as a relief for those involved with the project. Covid, economic conditions, and delays saw costs soar from a predicted £110million to £211million, prompting Manchester City Council to sell naming rights to cover costs.
The venue is predicted to create 1500 local jobs, and to add £1.1billion to Manchester’s economy over 10 years. Factory International will also provide opportunities for local artists to use the space, with guidance from industry experts.
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “I’m so excited and proud to be welcoming audiences to the official opening of our magnificent new home.
“At every stage in imagining and building this extraordinary space, we have focused on creating new possibilities – for artists to let their imaginations fly, for citizens of Manchester and the world to meet and dream, and for people of all ages and backgrounds to build skills and gain experience.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “From dance and theatre to concerts and exhibitions, there will be something for everyone at this state-of-the-art new venue, which was made possible through nearly £100 million of government funding.
“Aviva Studios will maximise the potential of the creative industries in Manchester and beyond, creating opportunities for local talent and bringing more world-class culture to the city.”
Featured image: Aviva Studios. Photo by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of OMA and Factory International
