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Markets
Buildings & places
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Location
Manchester
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Client
Manchester City Council
Sarah Seasman
Associate Director, Warrington, United Kingdom contact form
Manchester Town Hall is, a much loved Grade 1 listed landmark in the city, Built in 1877, it is one of the finest examples of Victorian Neo Gothic architecture in the UK. The largest building in Albert Square, its imposing façade speaks with the authority of a long and distinguished history.
Behind the scenes however, much is in need of repair and refurbishment. We are at the heart of this endeavour, an integral part of this £324m project working with a wider team to bring this important building and public square back to its former glory.
Back in 2015 we completed the original year-long asset condition and digital survey (BIM). The survey met NRM3 and SFG20 standards and provided a digital database of information. This data, combined with a stakeholder engagement exercise, enabled robust data collection including an operational strategy review and space utilisation studies. Using this wealth of information, we worked with the council to properly understand the extent of what was needed. In 2017 we were appointed as cost consultants and contract administrators across an eight-year programme.
The overlying objectives are to secure the long-term future of the town hall and Albert Square. These include restoring and celebrating this significant heritage asset, improving the buildings accessibility and making it a great place for people to work and visit. The project also aims to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and operational costs as well as delivering economic and social value for Manchester.
One of the more complex challenges awaiting the team was the fact that typical construction approaches were not appropriate due to the scale, complexity and the heritage significance of the project. A Management Contract approach was therefore chosen to minimize the down time for Manchester City Council’s flagship physical asset. This approach also facilitates the use of specialist heritage suppliers and smaller local suppliers, enhancing both quality and social value.
We have primarily worked to maximize value by spending on restoration of heritage rather than new construction – fixing what we already have. One of the key issues for the project team and especially AtkinsRéalis, under this challenging form of procurement, was improving cost certainty. Always crucially aware of this area, we have developed innovative new approaches to strengthening cost certainty in order to drive and monitor improved outturn forecasting. We worked closely with the client facilities management team so our life cycle cost engineers could capture past building performance. Thanks to this fuller picture, we are able to tailor our expertise to the specifics of this historic building. The building speaks and we listen, giving back to the people of Manchester.
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The project is approximately 40% of the way through its construction phase, with a further 2.5 years until Completion. It is a challenging and complex project, undertaken under a form of contract that is not widely used in the UK. The team is incredibly dedicated to its task, and is constantly striving to achieve best value for its client.
Paul Candelent
Project Director
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