At its recent Annual Award Cemony, The Manchester Civic Society made a number of presentations recognising significant developments in the City. The Manchester Renaissance Award was shared by the Northern Quarter Association Public Art Scheme and Manchester Millennium with the City Council for the rebuilding of the City Centre following the 1996 bomb explosion. The Northern Quarter Association was founded in 1993, with an artist in residence appointed. In the last three years some 34 works of art have been produced using funds from the Lottery and Europe.
Quay bar in Castlefield won the Victorian City Award which celebrates a modern development, building on Manchester’s established architectural and urban design character. Judges described the design by Stephenson Bell as “Uncompromisingly contemporary to its age but makes the best use of its location, using strong and robust materials to reflect the industrial heritage of its setting”.
The Manchester Shop Window Award went to 76 King Street, a scheme by Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams. Originally designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of Manchester Town Hall, the former Stock Exchange has been converted into shops and offices, with the retail units occupied by DKNY and Jigsaw.
The Manchester Phoenix Award for the successful restoration of a building or area went to the Bright Eyes Child Care Activity Centre on Demesne Road in Whalley Range. The former YMCA sports club provides 33 jobs and 15 training opportunities and offers child care for almost 200 children. Also receiving commendations were 109 Princess Street, Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, the Malmaison Hotel and CUBE on Portland Street.
The Spirit of Manchester Award was presented to Jim Ramsbottom for his work in the Castlefield area. He was praised as the man with the vision to realise the potential of the area, which has won wide acclaim for its rejuvenation. Ramsbottom set up both the Mark Addy pub on the River Irwell and Dukes 92 in Castlefield and has subsequently been responsible for he modernisation of a series of buildings in Castlefield including merchants Warehouse