Refurb of Central Hall Manchester approved

Sat on the corner of Oldham Street and Dale Street, the social justice centre is due a refresh – and a 4,000 sq ft rooftop extension.

The board of trustees of Central Hall Manchester has received planning permission for their alterations to the 47,400 sq ft building in the city’s Northern Quarter. This includes reconfiguring the facility’s internal layout, introducing a glazed internal atrium with a nearly 50-foot living wall, and refreshing its entrance.

Other changes include energy efficiency improvements and the installation of air-source heat pumps. The building’s offices and coworking area are also due a facelift. Stonework will be repaired, windows replaced, and shopfronts replaced.

The new rooftop pavilion and outdoor terrace will grow the building’s event space capacity as well.

OMI Architects had led on the design of the revamped Central Hall. Credit: OMI Architects

The four-storey Central Hall sits within the city’s Stevenson Square Conservation Area. Its façade dates back to 1886, while most of the remainder of the building was added after 1941.

OMI Architects has been leading the design of the renovated Central Hall. The architecture firm recently received a B-Corp certification.

Aaron Coey, associate director at OMI, stated that the studio had been working on the Central Hall project for several years – including observing it in operation as a social justice hub.

“Seeing this in action became foundational to our design approach,” Coey said.

“The proposals place ‘welcome for all’ at the core,” he continued.

“This is expressed in numerous ways, from the transformation of the street frontages, shopfronts, and entrances, the creation of an open entrance foyer, cafe, and dramatic top-lit atrium, through to the positioning of new circulation to provide equal access and improved legibility for all.”

Coey added: “The project will knit all levels of accommodation together whilst the upgrade of the main hall and the new rooftop pavilion will transform the potential of the building and expand opportunities for welcoming new visitors.”

On the programme of works: replacing the shopfronts on the ground floor. Credit: OMI Architects

Reverand Ian Rutherford, city centre minister within Central Hall Manchester’s ministry team and a member of the board of trustees, said of the building: “The Methodist Church has had a longstanding presence in this location.  Over the years we have established strong relationships with the local Manchester community and charity partners. Today, our building is a much loved, seven-day-a-week hub for social justice.”

He added: “It’s been great working with OMI and our design team to create the vision for the future of the building.  The scale of our ambition is demonstrated in the transformational approach we have developed. The project will ensure Central Hall is a sustainable base to serve the needs of the church and the wider Manchester and Greater Manchester community for the decades to come.”

The rooftop extension is one of the most notable changes to the building. Credit: OMI Architects

In addition to OMI, the project team includes E3P, John Turners, GIA, Chambers Conservation, GTech Surveys, and Crookes Walker Consulting. DP Squared, a DeSimone company, rounds out the list.

You can peruse the application by searching reference number 140449/FO/2024 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.