The Chetham's School of Music Extension

This building was designed to incorporate the Chetham's Music School, the Academic School, an outreach centre, a 400-seat concert hall and a 100-seat recital hall. It sits on the site of a former car park which itself was created on a vacant lot left following the demolition of railway company offices. This is the first stage of a project that will provide the school with 21st Century facilities. The next stage will involve the demolition of the former Palatine Hotel and a number of other modifications that will improve access to the medieval Chetham's Hospital and Library.

Stephenson Bell, the aerchitect, says of the project that, "Our brief was to create a unique contemporary new building for the musical and academic teaching facilities, providing a state-of-the-art environment which will be a fitting platform for the students." ... "The building itself will, alongside ongoing regeneration in Central Manchester, provide an iconic opportunity for the educational and cultural standing of Manchester to consolidate its position on the international scene."

The extension is linked to the rest of the school by way of cor-ten footbridge.

Below is the Carole Nash Hall.

The images below were taken in April of 2012

*************
Below are a series of images tracking the construction phase of the building.

In October of 2009 excavation began for the new extension to Chetham's School on Hunt's Bank.

******

The photographs below were taken in January 2010

On the far side of the building site you can see the entrances to the Victoria Tunnels that have been "Bricked-in". These tunnels were used as air-raid shelters during WWII.