DTZ outlines £9m Printworks refurb
The owner of the 385,000 sq ft leisure complex in Manchester city centre has submitted plans for a £9m refurbishment, the first major investment in the site since it launched 20 years ago.
DTZ bought the Printworks in 2017 for £108m from Land Securities. The multi-let building includes a Vue cinema, Wagamama, Wetherspoons, Eden, and Hard Rock Cafe.
The refurbishment includes work on the historic facade, as well as the addition of digital signage, and improved entrances.
As part of the venue’s bid to increase interaction with its visitors, central to the project will be a 13,000 sq ft full-span digital ceiling screen, which DTZ said will be the largest in Europe. This will be used to control ambience, lighting and sound and display tailored content.
DTZ Investors said it plans to continue to diversify its tenant mix away from a predominantly late-night offer, “to fully reposition Printworks as the premier destination for both daytime and night-time entertainment in Manchester”.
Over the summer, plans were revealed for a 20,000-capacity arena at Manchester’s Eastlands. Several city centre businesses have been vocal objectors, including DTZ, due to fear a competitor to the nearby Manchester Arena could draw footfall away from central entertainment venues.
Ben Haller of DTZ Investors, said: “Our business has embraced the challenges of successful placemaking and we are deploying a variety of approaches throughout our portfolio. This refurbishment at Printworks will create an unrivalled interactive and immersive experience as a crucial element of our strategy, and operational changes will expand on existing community links alongside a new ambitious events and gaming programme. Printworks will offer our domestic and international customers with the quality and authenticity which they expect from social interaction whether with family or friends.”
Recent lettings have included Treetop Adventure Golf, Escape Reality, and Tenpin bowling, due to open in early 2020.
Refurbishment is due to begin in spring 2020; Printworks is set to remain open and trading throughout.
