Printworks

After 20 years at the centre of Manchester’s nightlife, Printworks seized the opportunity to innovate, refreshing its mix of tenants and creating an experience to meet the expectations of today’s consumers. DTZ Investors chose a tailored refurbishment strategy in combination with investment in a distinctive digital experience that has transformed the face of the leisure experience in Manchester and the UK. Refurbishing a historic building always has its challenges. Printworks is a landmark building with a strong architectural presence in the city’s historic core.

Externally, there was a need to ensure a sympathetic restoration of the heritage façade whilst also delivering state of the art digital signage. The challenge internally, was to incorporate high-quality materials and create a digital experience without it appearing as a “patchwork”. The principal challenge was ensuring that all these elements work together allowing the building to transform its personality from day to night. Following extensive analysis of entertainment destinations around the world, the decision was taken to invest in a market-leading digital experience resulting in the creation of Europe’s largest digital ceiling. The installation of the digital ceiling was a first for UK leisure and covers an incredible 1000m² providing immersive, free entertainment, complemented further by gaming and interactive screens. The venue remained open 20 hours a day and tenants traded throughout the refurbishment. The LED ceiling, a UK first, had to meet strict fire standards and underwent a rigorous R&D process to develop the world’s first LED module built to meet the BS EN 13501-1 classification.

High-profile press launches at completion reached a staggering total audience of 949 million. The venue now attracts attention from major brands keen to work with this unique space and technology. Over 20 organisations worked together, requiring close co-operation and communication especially whilst the site remained open. Already a mainstay of the Manchester leisure scene Printworks was primarily known as a nighttime venue. Maximising public engagement during refurbishment, a public art competition was held resulting in the creation of Manchester’s largest piece of public art, a mural covering an impressive 210m².

Led by a team of judges including legendary DJ Fatboy Slim, local artist Alex Sylt was selected and commissioned to create this vast artwork. The mural, which towers above the central space, is known as “Flowers”. The artwork is a celebration of Manchester's past and present with the suffragette movement, LGBTQ+ community, iconic sport and music elements are all featured. A refurbishment rather than new build approach preserved and enhanced an important heritage asset for future generations whilst minimising the environmental footprint.

While the transformation has predominantly been digital, considerable effort was made to minimise electrical consumption. Investment in LED lighting across all areas, including back-of-house, has resulted in a lower kWh consumption compared to levels prior to the refurbishment. The project had an economic impact of £18m in the Northwest and despite global searches resulted in local suppliers wherever possible, including screen providers Adi TV and the Main Contractor John Turners.