Odeon makes way for £45m offices

December 19, 2006

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The Odeon Cinema , Oxford Street

MANCHESTER'S landmark Odeon cinema is to be demolished and replaced with a é45m 14-storey office block capable of accommodating 2,000 workers.

The developer promises a building to outshine the old picture house. It is expected to be completed by 2009.

The seven-screen Oxford Street cinema closed in September 2004 after 74 years but the building is occasionally still used as a church. It started life as The Paramount in October, 1930, and was renamed the Odeon in 1939.

The new office building will meet growing demand for new headquarters-sized buildings in the city centre, says property consultants WHR, which is advising the developers, Manchester & Metropolitan Properties.

Mike Hawkins, a WHR director, said: "Nothing of this scale or quality is currently in the development and planning pipeline to satisfy forecast demand from international as well as national occupiers who will require a high-specification, high-performance building in a prominent position in the city.

"Following consultation with the appropriate bodies, we believe we have achieved the right solution for this site, which lies on the boundary of two conservation areas at the end of Oxford Street and adjoining St Peter's Square.

"The new building will prove to be a flagship development for Manchester in securing inward investment opportunities."

The scheme has been designed by archited Squire & Partners, whose senior partner Michael Squire said: "The design is intended to capture the spirit of robust Mancunian architecture, and will draw on its context while producing a refined, contemporary landmark."

What are your views on the scheme? Have your say.

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phil, withington (19/12/2006 at 09:51)

the new building will be awful compared to what is there now. we need to preserve historic buildings like these - you cant bring them back once theyre gone

anon, Didsbury (19/12/2006 at 10:41)

I head that they were going to be turning this into a new music venue?.....

Phil, Manc (19/12/2006 at 10:49)

I'n not suprised they didn't show the render of the new building, on this article. Its vile! Surely they will not let it through planning.

Have a look at it on here:
http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/y/s/50_p05_landmark_manchester2.jpg

Joe Hardy, Firswood,Manchester (19/12/2006 at 12:42)

Great news - another unneccessary,unwanted permanantly empty office block of the tall and trashy type.
Given that Manchester City Centre is now a candidate for the filming of 'Escape from New York 2',has NO parking facilities an overcrowded tram system of the sardine type and is log jammed with empty buses all day long spewing out chocking fumes this is just what we need.

MM, Manc (19/12/2006 at 13:07)

I'm afraid you're right Phil, ""The design is intended to capture the spirit of robust Mancunian architecture, and will draw on its context while producing a refined, contemporary landmark." certainly doen't seem to be what I can see from the image on your link. Just another bland glass and steel box with little or no respect or interpretation of the surrounding area. And certainly not an attempt to improve on the existing structure.

I don't think it will be too long before one Mancunian city street is at all distinguishable from the next.

How can the council be so blase when making the decisions that mean bildings such as the Odeon are gone for good?! Their policy on planning in the city centre has seen a frighteningly large number of great buildings that gave this city it's identlty gone for good. We're begining to look like a branch of Ikea.

Chris, Altrincham (19/12/2006 at 13:18)

Get a protest rocking!

save the Odeon!!!

Robin Hoodie, Eccles (19/12/2006 at 13:36)

Another dreadful decision from M/cr councillors!! I guess this shows that hard cash will always be more profitable than heritage to these people.

CRG, Ardwick (19/12/2006 at 14:15)

Moan moan moan moan moan, is that all you people ever come on here to do. If that link a few comments beneath me is the genuine proposed building then whats the problem? Manchester is a dull urban mess at the minute. This will modernise things a bit more. Its called progress.

Chris, Altrincham (19/12/2006 at 14:31)

Let's knock the library down aswell, that's old pile of junk has it's day ;)

CRG, Ardwick (19/12/2006 at 14:41)

Well im as proud as anyone to be from Manchester but just cos a building is old does that mean we should just keep it intact as an obstacle for building a brighter future, both figuratively and literally. If it is going to be replaced by a modern building that will inevitably produce many jobs then so be it.
That area of Mcr is an eyesore as it is, why not aim for a fully modernised area rather than the dull and dreary place it currently is. And lets face it the Odeon isnt exactly a thing of beauty anyway is it?

Vincent, Manchester (19/12/2006 at 14:42)

Wow great, another glass and steel office block.

Mr. Sarcasm, M/CR (19/12/2006 at 14:50)

Well, they were gonna build it from twigs and cardboard but apparently that wouldnt be strong enough.

Chris, Altrincham (19/12/2006 at 15:06)

CRG: it's got a lot more character than that stupid building around the corner that looks like a child has built out of lego.

CRG, Ardwick (19/12/2006 at 15:32)

Chris: Im not sure which building you are referring to im afraid, but making buildings out of lego sounds like a good idea to me. Which also suggests i possibly shouldnt be commenting on this article. I can see where youre coming from but Manchester is a thriving major city centre and eventually these buildings are going to be everywhere anyway. So say the Apollo were to stay in the midst of that development - surely it would become an inconvenience in itself. An old building in a modern Manchester. And as the generations progress people arent going to realise the historical value of it anyway. It will just beceme "that scruffy old building that doesnt fit in".

Keith Hunt, Marple (19/12/2006 at 16:01)

What is Chris of Altrincham going on about ¿¿" Save the Odeon! What for? The building could not accommodate modern cinema facilities and it is a sad shell of yesteryear quite frankly. There is nothing left worth preserving. This new building looks a whole lot better to me. Hope the planners agree.

Chris, Altrincham (19/12/2006 at 16:01)

CRG: Why not convert the building? Fair enough, there should be new development but we don't want to see everything replaced. Look at my town, Altrincham. It's been heavily redeveloped in recent years. Some of it is impressive but it's lost it's identity in the process.

Erin, Manchester (19/12/2006 at 16:04)

Why is another Manchester landmark being torn down to makeway for office space?! Why not take note of the redevelopment of the Halle or the old Jaguar Salesroom in Rushholme and use the current building in its design?
What we don't need is another bland office building in the heart of Manchester.

Phil, Manc (19/12/2006 at 16:11)

If the Odeon has to go, then so be it. Its had plenty of time for someone to recycle the shell in another incarnation. But to replace it with that?! I don't think so! It looks like something out of a small town business park. Back to the drawing board.

Ian Reynolds, Blackley (19/12/2006 at 16:26)

The truth is that the Odeon has become a red-herring. I remember the cinema in its pomp: for my brother and I, it was a 'treat' venue to be visited at Christmas or birthdays.

But the place has lain empty and forlorn for years. I expect that the council has made very attempt and offered every co-operation to any developer willing to take on such a magnificent and inflexible structure. There have been no takers.

Manchester is engaged in an international battle to attract the inward investment of international businesses in specific sectors. The efforts of MIDAS and other organisations are being rewarded by the creation of new, sustainable employment. The city needs all the high quality office space it can get and it needs to maintain a pipeline of new activity.

Architecturally, I would argue that Allied London's 'Spinnigfields' development and Argent's Piccadilly are positive additions to our portfolio of buildings. Much rather another of those than the shell of something that can only accommodate memories.

Matthew, Leeds (19/12/2006 at 17:46)

More office space!
This will go with all the other empty blocks around the city.

Manchester needs to embrace its architectural heritage before it becomes all mirrors and lego towers.

EG, Manchester (19/12/2006 at 20:04)

I agree with CRG of Ardwick. This new building will replace an obsolete former cinema with no original features left inside or out. If it brings new jobs and investment to this city, then I applaud it. It's part of the new Manchester. If that doesn't happen, then we are left with a boarded up old cinema with limited use to the city. No new jobs and no new investment.

Daniel, Manchester (19/12/2006 at 20:48)

What a shame that this important Manchester landmark is being demolished. It's a disgrace that developers can just do what they want, especially when it impacts so much on the city that we all live in and share. I am sure that there must be other viable uses for the building as it stands.

Tony Cockcroft, Stockport (19/12/2006 at 20:55)

Although it is a shame that the once great Manchester Odeon in Oxford Street is now a shadow of its former self with nothing original left remaining, I don't see the point in prolonging its agony. You cannot put back what time has ripped out to make this building acceptable to modern cinemagoing audiences. Cinema has moved on. It is now time for this site to move on. Let's see a new building with a new future take its place.

TC Stockport

David Wild, Rochdale (19/12/2006 at 23:30)

I have some happy memories of the 'Odeon' - seeing Del Shannon in the 60's and some memorable concerts on the WurliTzer organ (including Reginald Dixon). I agree with the suggestion of forming a "Save The Odeon" protest, once these historic buildings are gone there is no bringing them back. Gladly the WurlliTzer didn't meet with the same fate, it now has a second lease of life in the ballroom of Stockport Town Hall.

Oscar Dwyer, Manc (20/12/2006 at 11:44)

Odd Developments Enhance Our Nation.

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