2024-05-04T10:38:12-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/149986398/oma-gets-permission-to-move-forward-with-major-manchester-project Nicholas Korody 2017-01-13T13:33:00-05:00 >2024-01-23T19:16:08-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2g/2gmeg1rjolhq4cze.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>OMA has moved one step closer to securing its first major public project in the UK: the Factory, a proposed &pound;110M arts center for Manchester, was just given the go-ahead by city councillors.&nbsp;</p><p>On a site that once housed the Granada Studios, the Factory is intended to significantly boost Manchester&rsquo;s cultural capital. It&rsquo;s an integral part of a larger project, which received a pledge of &pound;78M worth of public money back in 2014 and will provide some 2,400 new homes, three hotels, as well as a commercial space.</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/av/avilkdt7fdwhsu2c.jpg"></p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/pl/pl43ex4ib9rzmyfi.jpg"></p><p>The 12,077 square meter Factory will comprise a massive, 7,000 capacity glass cube intended to house performances, experimental productions, and other cultural events. The rendering shows a large, irregular form adjoining the cube.</p><p>OMA beat out Zaha Hadid and Rafael Vi&ntilde;oly, among other big name firms, to secure the commission.&nbsp;</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/qi/qimr2xl7urhd628x.jpg"></p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/kw/kwic66jvmrqthp9s.jpg"></p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/0w/0wtws8qlfwsutrkg.jpg"></p>