Manchester Central Convention Complex

Manchester Central Convention Complex
Former namesGreater Manchester Exhibition Centre (1986–2006)
General information
StatusGrade II*[1]
Architectural style19th-century railway terminus, cast iron and red brick
LocationManchester City Centre
AddressWindmill Street
Petersfield, Manchester
Greater Manchester M2 3GX
England[2][3][4][5]
Coordinates53°28′34″N 2°14′49″W / 53.476°N 2.247°W / 53.476; -2.247
Construction started1982
Completed1986
Opened21 March 1986
Renovated2008–09
Cost£20 million (1986)
Renovation cost£30 million
OwnerManchester City Council
Height90 feet (27 m)
Dimensions
Other dimensionsArch span: 210 feet (64 m)
Hall length: 550 feet (168 m) long
Technical details
Structural system2-storey brick building with single-span segmental iron and glass arched roof
Design and construction
Architecture firmEGS Design
Main contractorAlfred McAlpine
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameG MEX
Designated18 December 1963
Reference no.1270514
Renovating team
Renovating firmStephenson Bell
Website
Venue website
Manchester Central Convention Complex
OperatorManchester Central Convention Complex Ltd.
Banquet/ballroom1,200 (Exchange Hall)
Theatre seating
10,900[6] (Central Hall)
804 (Exchange Auditorium)
Enclosed space
 • Total space17,776.71 m2 (191,346.9 sq ft)
 • Exhibit hall floor11,834.56 m2 (127,386.1 sq ft)
 • Breakout/meeting2,820.15 m2 (30,355.8 sq ft)
Public transit accessManchester Metrolink St Peter's Square
Manchester Metrolink Deansgate-Castlefield
National Rail Deansgate
National Rail Manchester Oxford Road

Manchester Central Convention Complex (commonly known as Manchester Central or GMEX (Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre)) is an exhibition and conference centre converted from the former Manchester Central railway station in Manchester, England. The building has a distinctive arched roof with a span of 64 metres (210 ft) – the second-largest railway station roof span in the United Kingdom,[7] and was granted Grade II* listed building status in 1963.

After 89 years as a railway terminus, it closed to passengers in May 1969. It was renovated as an exhibition centre formerly known as the G-Mex Centre in 1982 and was Manchester's primary music concert venue until the construction of the Manchester Arena. After renovation the venue reverted to its former name Manchester Central in 2007.

From April 2020 until March 2021, the complex became a temporary field hospital for non-critical COVID-19 patients,[8] part of a network of temporary NHS Nightingale Hospitals.[9]

  1. ^ Historic England. "G-Mex (1270514)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Manchester Central". Manchester Central. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Manchester Central - Manchester". Visit Manchester. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Petersfield". Visit Manchester. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Petersfield Manchester". Visit North West. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Central Hall 1 & 2 Combined". Manchester Central. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Manchester Central Station (G-Mex) roof". Engineering Timelines. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Official opening takes place for NHS Nightingale Hospital North West". itv.com. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020. The facility will provide oxygen therapy and general medical care for people with Covid-19 who do not need critical care.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).