Construction, infrastructure and design business Morgan Sindall plc has started work on a £23 million building at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

The new space will be used by Manchester School of Art, which provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate art, design, media and architectural courses.

To make way for the new state of the art building, a 1970s structure on the corner of Cavendish Street and Higher Chatham Street was recently demolished. The new building will boast teaching space, new workshops, a roof garden and impressive vertical gallery.


The adjoining Chatham Tower will be retained and refurbished, and connected to a new adjacent seven-storey gallery. The old structure will be clad in black horizontal stripes set against a vertical finish, resulting in a striking monochrome building. The work is due to complete in summer 2012.

Morgan Sindall completed work on MMU's design and technology workshops last year.

Jim Morgan, Morgan Sindall Area Director for Manchester said: "This is a hugely significant project for the university and we’re delighted to be working with the Manchester Metropolitan team again. These new facilities will really enhance the provision for creative students at the university."

Morgan Sindall was awarded the contract following a four-way single-stage design and building tender process.

(CD/GK)