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Brick types - Manchester Red
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Location - Manchester
Hanson Building Products has supplied over 1,000,000 bricks for the construction of Barton Square, the massive second phase £70 million development of The Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester. Designed to extend and enhance the unique shopping experience provided by this popular retail location, Barton Square opened in April 2008 and attracted over 500,000 shoppers in its first three months of operation.
Located at Junctions 9 and 10 of the M60, The Trafford Centre houses 235 stores, 55 restaurants, and the UK’s largest Odeon featuring giant screens and over 4000 seats for over 100 performances a day. The Centre also includes leisure facilities such as Namco bowling and Laser Quest – all under one roof.
Clearly, any additional phase at The Trafford Centre would have to make a major contribution in extending this successful mix of shopping, entertainment and special events. From fashion shows and book signings to pop concerts and film premieres, The Trafford Centre has brought an exciting, modern venue to a region steeped in history and heritage.
Maintaining the all-under-one-roof policy, Barton Square is linked to the original Trafford Centre by a spectacular glazed bridge. Housing some of the biggest names in homewares, Barton Square extends the Centre’s unique design with its opulent architecture and dramatic water features.
Just as Manchester was a major force during the Industrial Revolution, The Trafford Centre continues to boost the reputation of this thriving metropolis as an appealing place to live, work and play in the 21st century.
The striking design of The Trafford Centre, and its new addition Barton Square, combines a recognition of and respect for the past with the pace and dynamism of contemporary urban living. The project was designed by architects Leach Rhodes and built by Bovis, working with specialist brick contractor Irvine Whitlock.
Reflecting Manchester’s history as one of the original mill towns, Hanson’s Manchester Red wire cut extruded facing bricks were specified. These bricks have been used for many years by planners across the north-west to reflect and maintain the heritage of the Manchester area.
With Manchester Red bricks having been used on the original Trafford Centre, their use on Barton Square presents a mirror image, albeit in a slightly different design. Used in conjunction with large, pre-cast concrete units, the brickwork also offers a highly effective contrast between the look of old and new. Additionally, the rich red/orange hues lend a solid, weathered look to reinforce the heritage aspect.
Barton Square at The Trafford Centre is a contemporary project designed with heritage, as well as sustainability, in mind: the bricks are manufactured at Swillington in Yorkshire, just 45 minutes from the site.
