Factory International’s new c. €277m Aviva Studios, situated in the heart of the new St John's neighbourhood in Manchester, has been opened for public use. The state-of-the-art venue was built by Laing O'Rourke and is being operated by Factory International, the organization behind Manchester International Festival.
Made up of a 21-metre-high warehouse and a flexible hall space, the venue has a capacity of up to 7,000 people standing. The warehouse is taller than four double-decker buses stacked on top of each other and just under the length of a Boeing 747 aeroplane.
The venue spans across 13,285m2 and is expected to host a diverse range of events throughout the year, including major exhibitions, concerts, intimate performances, and immersive experiences. The Office for Metropolitan Architecture-designed building is made up of large, open, and flexible spaces that can be constantly reconfigured. This means that artists can explore and experiment to create large-scale works of art not seen anywhere else in the world.
John McGrath, artistic director and chief executive of Factory International, said: “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.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “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.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, added: “Aviva Studios is set to make a huge difference to the social, economic, and cultural life of people across Greater Manchester and the North, as well as attracting national and international visitors to the city. This extraordinary building will allow Factory International to build on its international reputation for developing and delivering world-class artistic activity and will enable young people to forge a career in the arts.”
