THING OF THE WEEK
TOUGH BRIEF… Reid Architects’ striking gold building for The Alchemist at MediaCity has got people talking. And it’s been a headscratcher for the design team. Finding somewhere for the bins was tough on such a visible plot. Answer: they’ll be tucked under an overhanging bit of roof, not least because James Whittaker of Peel, Reid’s client, lives in a tower block overlooking the bar, thus even the roof had to look pretty. Who doesn’t like a challenge, though eh?
MAN FOR THE JOB… Congratulations to the newly appointed mayor of Cheshire East, Cllr Arthur Moran, the member for Nantwich North & West. Given the propensity for senior figures at the council to find themselves suspended and under investigation in recent years, the council might well require the mayor’s skills – he is a retired magistrate.
CULTURE FLOCK… Murmurations: the #MakeChester talks, is set to run for a second year. Designed to inspire business, culture and place-making in Chester, this one-day event on Friday 23 June will be the first community get-together held at the new Storyhouse cultural venue which opened its doors earlier this month. Speakers include BBC4 presenter Sheila Dillon; founder of three-day festival, The Good Life Experience, Charlie Gladstone; and founding editor of regeneration magazine New Start, Julian Dobson, among others. The speakers will share ideas, experience and expertise on creating meaningful change in communities, place-making and bringing entrepreneurial ideas to life. Tickets are available here: www.storyhouse.com/event/murmurations
DEVELOPERS’ PASTIMES: PART ONE… Glenbrook’s Guy Butler demonstrating it doesn’t pay to cut corners when protecting one’s assets. Wait for the action after 20 seconds…
Our #rallycar was out this weekend; Guy is promising to make similar prompt recoveries in the office. @BTRDARally @MSportLtd @DMACK_Tyres pic.twitter.com/nvvU4WrN7v
— Glenbrook (@Glenbrookprop) May 14, 2017
DEVELOPERS’ PASTIMES: PART TWO… Chris McGoff of McGoff & Byrne practising his latest negotiating technique before inviting subcontractors to bid for work on his next block of apartments.
BellsGym regular @ChrisMcGoffManc on the bags! Only took him 2 years to get this far 😳🍀 pic.twitter.com/yByvoJFGOd
— Bells Gym (@Bells_Gym) May 8, 2017
