Kier begins new Manchester Metropolitan SODA building

The construction and property development company Kier have now commenced the construction of the new School of Digital Arts (SODA) building on Higher Chatham Street in North Manchester on behalf of the Manchester Metropolitan University.

The new SODA building has come with a cost of £35M and will measure at a height of five-storeys, containing state-of-the-art filming and production studios as well as animation and game designing equipment, with construction scheduled to reach completion in the spring of 2020.

The Managing Director at Kier Regional Building North West, Peter Commins stated: “This hugely important project is a key part of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Estates Masterplan and we are thrilled to mark the commencement of work on site.

“Throughout the build we will be engaging with the city of Manchester workforce to create 10 apprenticeship opportunities and we will also be creating 100 local jobs on this project. Upon completion, this state-of-the-art facility will bring creative, digital, technology and business assets together to house a number of subjects under one roof.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Malcolm Press commented: “SODA combines Manchester Metropolitan’s excellence in the arts with our expertise in technology. The creative and digital industries are growing, here in Manchester, nationally and internationally, creating urgent demand for new skills and knowledge. SODA will prepare our students to be the next generation of creative talent, ready to succeed in these new roles.

“It will give Manchester a unique centre, unmatched anywhere in the country in its scope and ambition. SODA will sit alongside our School of Art and Manchester Writing School, forming a world-class centre for creativity, working with industry to develop skills, nurture innovation and enhance economic success.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham added: “SODA is a big step towards fulfilling our ambition for Greater Manchester to be the UK’s leading digital city-region. We are already a centre for creativity, and when you bring tech and creativity together as we will in this great new School, we are getting closer towards it.

“It is a sign of our confidence in the next generation of young people’s talent. What we hope is that thousands of young people from here and from further afield come through this new School. We’ll ensure that they can turn that creativity into their future career.”

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

The post Kier begins new Manchester Metropolitan SODA building appeared first on UK Construction Online.