Manchester Central Convention Complex
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, and was granted Grade II* listed building status in 1963.
| Manchester Central Convention Complex | |
|---|---|
| Former names | Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (1986–2006) |
| General information | |
| Status | Grade II* |
| Architectural style | 19th-century railway terminus, cast iron and red brick |
| Location | Manchester City Centre |
| Address | Windmill Street Petersfield Manchester Greater Manchester M2 3GX England |
| Coordinates | 53.476°N 2.247°W |
| Construction started | 1982 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Opened | 21 March 1986 |
| Renovated | 2008–09 |
| Cost | £20 million |
| Renovation cost | £30 million |
| Owner | Manchester City Council |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Other dimensions | Arch span: 210 feet (64 m) Hall length: 550 feet (168 m) long |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | 2-storey brick building with single-span segmental iron and glass arched roof |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | EGS Design |
| Main contractor | Alfred McAlpine |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Stephenson Bell |
| Website | |
| Venue website | |
| Manchester Central Convention Complex | |
|---|---|
| Operator | Manchester Central Convention Complex Ltd. |
| Banquet/ballroom | 1,200 (Exchange Hall) |
Theatre seating | 10,900 (Central Hall) 804 (Exchange Auditorium) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 17,776.71 m2 (191,346.9 sq ft) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 11,834.56 m2 (127,386.1 sq ft) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 2,820.15 m2 (30,355.8 sq ft) |
| Public transit access | St Peter's Square Deansgate-Castlefield Deansgate Manchester Oxford Road |
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, part of a network of temporary NHS Nightingale Hospitals.