Manchester's celebrated music venue New Century has just reopened following a sensitive retrofit by architects Sheppard Robson. Working with interior designers Sheila Bird Studio, the practice spearheaded an extensive revamp for the iconic nightlife destination, which had lain mostly vacant for years. Now, forming part of Manchester’s city-centre NOMA regeneration project, the modernist architecture of the 1,000-capacity venue is back in action.
New Century revived
New Century was originally built in 1963 for the Cooperative Wholesale Society, as part of GS Hay and Gordon Tait's New Century House complex (which included an adjacent high rise). Now, the somewhat Miesian plinth structure, which is Grade II listed, has been rebranded 'New Century' and will operate autonomously.
As well as the music venue, the building now houses spaces for Access Creative College, which trains young people for the creative industries, and a food hall.
Ongoing works on the surrounding urban realm allowed for improved pedestrian links to the structure. At the same time, the architects focused on the careful repair and stabilisation of the original curtain walling frame and glazing to the upper floor in collaboration with structural engineer Healey Consulting and contractor Russell WHBO.
The refresh respects the structure's original footprint, paying special attention to cleaning and repairs of the building fabric, in order to bring it back to its former glory – while ensuring the venue adheres to 21st-century standards. In-situ murals by artists Alan Boyson and Steven Sykes have also been restored, linking the interiors back to their initial intention.
'Through careful and minimal intervention at New Century, we have been able to bring a challenging building back to life. Though the scheme has three distinct uses, fortifying the links between them has resulted in a symbiotic relationship – it’s great to see the natural relationship between the creative college and the venue hall and how they benefit from each other,' says Richmal Wigglesworth, associate partner at Sheppard Robson.
-
Patricia Urquiola reveals an imaginative inner world in ‘Meta-Morphosa’From hybrid creatures and marine motifs to experimental materials and textiles, Meta-Morphosa presents a concentrated view of Patricia Urquiola’s recent work
-
A hot pink carousel just touched down in the Swiss Alps, thanks to Carsten HöllerAt Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, the artist transformed a familiar childhood carousel into a meditation on time and being
-
These illuminating interviews tell the story of 2025 in style, from Rick Owens to runway magicExploring themes of creativity, resilience and facing fashion’s future, a series of intriguing conversations from the style pages of Wallpaper* in 2025
-
Arbour House is a north London home that lies low but punches highArbour House by Andrei Saltykov is a low-lying Crouch End home with a striking roof structure that sets it apart
-
A former agricultural building is transformed into a minimal rural home by Bindloss DawesZero-carbon design meets adaptive re-use in the Tractor Shed, a stripped-back house in a country village by Somerset architects Bindloss Dawes
-
RIBA House of the Year 2025 is a ‘rare mixture of sensitivity and boldness’Topping the list of seven shortlisted homes, Izat Arundell’s Hebridean self-build – named Caochan na Creige – is announced as the RIBA House of the Year 2025
-
In addition to brutalist buildings, Alison Smithson designed some of the most creative Christmas cards we've seenThe architect’s collection of season’s greetings is on show at the Roca London Gallery, just in time for the holidays
-
In South Wales, a remote coastal farmhouse flaunts its modern revamp, primed for hostingA farmhouse perched on the Gower Peninsula, Delfyd Farm reveals its ground-floor refresh by architecture studio Rural Office, which created a cosy home with breathtaking views
-
A revived public space in Aberdeen is named Scotland’s building of the yearAberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens by Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design and LDA Design wins the 2025 Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award
-
A refreshed 1950s apartment in East London allows for moments of discoveryWith this 1950s apartment redesign, London-based architects Studio Naama wanted to create a residence which reflects the fun and individual nature of the clients
-
In this Cotswolds home, drama meets minimalismCotswolds home Hiaven house, with interiors designed by McLaren Excell, is a perfect blend of contemporary chic and calm, countryside drama
