Castlefield Bowl, Manchester

13 Jan

Written By Lauri

Client Central Manchester Development Corporation
Location Castlefield, Manchester, UK (Staffordshire Wharf)
Year 1993

Central Manchester Development Corporation commissioned an outdoor events plaza in the regenerated canal area of Castlefield, Manchester, UK. The original competition-winning design by planning and architectural consultancy DEGW was refined and engineered by Rudi and his design team to provide a wind and snow loaded structure, ‘flying’ over stepped seating. The semi-cantilever framework incorporates lighting and sound.

“The Arena covers an area of 37,800 square ft (3,500 square m), accommodating 15,000 people with seating for 450 under the sweeping white canopy of what John Glester called the grandstand. The designers took advantage cleverly of the natural topography of the site and built the steeped seating area into the solid rock of the escarpment. It was opened in late 1993 at a cost of about £2M.”

- The Production of Urban Public Space: A Lefebvrian Analysis of Castlefield, Manchester, Dr Michael E Leary-Owhin MRTPI, FHEA, FRSA

Engineers : Anthony Hunt Associates (Stephen Morley).

Castlefield Bowl has played host to Arcade Fire, Blink 182, Crowded House, Kaiser Chiefs, James, Kylie Minogue, Lewis Capaldi, Noel Gallagher, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Rag'n'Bone Man, The Courteeners and The Verve, among others.