Manchester’s New Century Hall, which once played host to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, will re-open as a live music venue and arts space this summer.
The project, which has cost £10 million, will be spread over three floors and is set to retain many of the Grade II-listed building’s original features.
The 800-plus capacity concert venue will feature the original sprung dancefloor, contrasted with a newly-installed ‘disco ceiling’ lighting installation above the crowd, all flanked by vintage wooden panelling.
On the ground floor will be the 10,000 sq ft New Century Kitchens, which will feature space for five different food operators and 300 people sitting down, as well as a central bar and entertainment space.
Located on the corner of Corporation Street and Miller Street, between Victoria Station and Shudehill, the venue will also take advantage of the Sadler’s Yard square adjacent to it, with outside dining and drinking space.
The venue was iconic in the mid-to-late 1960s, not only playing host to Hendrix and the Stones, but also to the likes of Tina Turner, the Troggs, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Small Faces and local Chorlton band The Bee Gees.
The transformation of the building is part of an £800 million, long-in-gestation development of the so-called NOMA area of the city, the 20 acres around the Angel Square HQ of the Co-op, which owns the New Century Hall.
The estate also comprises the Hanover Building, Federation House and Hotel Indigo.
As well as the live venue and food hall, there will also be premises for the Access Creative College, a third location in the city for the national college which provides degree level courses in music, games and computing.
The state-of-the-art creative campus will include a media centre, production pods and the opportunity to experience work in a live venue, all within the same building.
