The Sharp Project, Manchester

Client: Manchester City Council

Role: Architectural and Masterplanning

PRP was novated to Bramall Construction to convert the former ¼ million sqft. complex Sharp warehouse into a new centre for digital content production that provides affordable and flexible space with an easy in/easy out ethos.

The Sharp Project is about Manchester playing its role in nurturing the digital entrepreneurs of the future.  It is bringing together talented starters, young entrepreneurs and established professionals to develop and prototype their ideas by providing space with huge connectivity to the digital world.

The design utilises the dramatic space of the warehouse to create state of the art facilities including a new administration suite, cafe, winter garden and studio spaces. PRP proposed and created innovative starter offices by designing a fully fitted out prototype converted recycled shipping container. The use of these creatively meets the easy in/out office requirement.

The building was handed over to Manchester City Council in July 2011 to general acclaim.

Additionally enabling integration of the highest level of ICT as The Sharp factory will be connected to the Internet Exchange facilities within Manchester Science Park and Technopark in the Oxford Road corridor, the only significant facility of its kind outside London, which provides a unique market advantage to production companies with strengths in the development, production, and post-production, of CGiI and VFX content.