RESTORING A HISTORIC CONSERVATION FACILITY

Client: Manchester City Council

Conlon Construction refurbished the Queens Park Conservation Studios, part of the Manchester Art Gallery, for Manchester City Council, delivering a full building upgrade to provide functional storage facilities fit for long-term use.

This project is part of a significant programme of work, undertaken by the gallery, to secure the long-term preservation and usefulness of the city’s nationally designated collections. Specifically the conservation facility needed to be brought up to modern operational standards. 

The Challenge

The Queens Park Conservation Studios building required extensive refurbishment across multiple floors, alongside a full upgrade of its mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems, to meet current safety and access requirements.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered a comprehensive refurbishment of the building, including:

• Full refurbishment of the basement
• Making good of internal surfaces throughout
• Replacement and upgrade of mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems
• Upgraded building controls
• Minor partitional demolition to improve layout
• Rectification of long-standing gallery roof issues
• Improved public access throughout the building

The Outcome

Queens Park Conservation Studios now has the infrastructure it needs to function properly – protecting its collections and playing a key role in securing the long-term preservation and usefulness of the city’s nationally designated collection.

Our Social Value Impact

• More than £5.69m in Social Local Economic Value delivered through the project. 
• 80% local labour, with the workforce sourced from within 30 miles of the site. 
• 62 apprenticeship weeks delivered across four apprentices, supporting skills development through the project. 
• A two-week work placement provided, creating practical experience within the industry. 
• Charitable donations totalling £400 made to the Ukraine Welcome Fund and Manchester’s Booth Centre homeless charity. 
• Tree planting undertaken in association with the Woodland Trust. 
• Bird boxes made by Men in Sheds and donated to Queens Park. 
• 10 volunteer hours delivered in support of the local community. 
• Achieved a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 44/45.