Manchester Central Library reopens

Manchester Central Library reopened to the public on 22 March after a £50m refurbishment that saw it closed for three and a half years.

BDP’s environmental engineers, acoustic consultants and lighting designers, with Laing O’Rourke and Ryder Architecture, have brought the Grade II* listed building up to modern environmental standards.

BDP’s vision from the outset was to set a new standard for environmental performance and carbon emissions in historic buildings, and change the misconception that this is too difficult to achieve. The approach to energy and water conservation, comfort and sustainability in operation has provided a massive contribution to the project achieving BREEAM Excellent, a rare achievement for listed buildings of this scale.

Built in 1934 the building, by E Vincent Harris, has restored heritage features such as the domed reading room, alongside new digital features including a media lounge. The main interventions are the introduction of a vertical circulation core for the first time, and displaying 70% of the library’s books compared to 30% previously.

Councillor Rosa Battle, executive member for culture and leisure, said the refurbishment was "spectacular."

The redevelopment is part of the wider Town Hall Complex transformation programme which includes the refurbishment of the town hall extension building, also by Harris, that separates the library from the main Victorian town hall. A glass link building will connect the library to the extension and extensive improvements will be made to the public spaces around the complex.