The Printworks was originally one of Europe’s biggest newspaper plants, being the Manchester Evening Chronicle headquarters, since 1929.
Later known as Maxwell House, where the newspaper tycoon produced his papers. The Grade II listed building stood derelict since 1988 and sustained significant damage on the periphery from the IRA bombing of Manchester in 1996.
The go-ahead was given for a £150M development, which saw the reincarnation of the building into an entertainment complex of bars, shops and a multi-screen cinema.
Bagnall Demolition worked on the first phase of the project, carrying out major asbestos removal prior to starting the complex demolition of the rear of the building.
Restraints were attached to the perimeter in order to ensure the stability of the façade.
Careful consideration had to be given to the public and also other construction works, which were being carried out in close proximity as a result of the IRA bomb.
High specification hoardings and signs were used for additional security.
The Printworks has been refurbished into one of Europe’s largest entertainment complexes, which covers some 350,000 square feet of floor space.
It contains an exciting mixture of 36 cafés and bars, 16 restaurants of various ethnic cuisines, a health complex, and Manchester’s first IMAX cinema, alongside 20 screens at the development known as “The Filmworks”.