Mecanoo unveils latest theatre image
Mecanoo Architects has released this new image of the proposed Oldham Coliseum & Heritage Centre ahead of the submission of a planning application on behalf of the council and theatre.
The Union Street scheme will bring cultural assets together at one linked town centre site. The Dutch architecture practice has designed two theatre auditoria of 550 and 100 seats, a heritage centre, galleries, archives, public research rooms, foyers, bars and meeting spaces.
The new image shows the proposed front elevation of the modern new-build Coliseum Theatre and how it would look alongside the grade 2-listed former Oldham Library & Art Gallery, which will become a new Heritage Centre.
The development is close to Oldham Central Metrolink stop and would link to Gallery Oldham, Library and Lifelong Learning centre.
The planning application is expected to be submitted this week as a pre-condition for a second round bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £4m. A separate bid to Arts Council England for £5m was submitted earlier this year. Decisions on both are expected in spring 2015.
Subject to funding and planning approval construction could start on site in 2016.
Mecanoo Architects has been based in Manchester since 2011 after winning the HOME Cultural Facility, First Street and the NOMA Angel Square public realm competitions that year. Locally, their current work includes the £200m University of Manchester Engineering Campus due for completion in 2019.
