As HOME takes shape, Andrew Anderson turns to project architect Ernst ter Horst for a progress report…
While birds have taken flight for warmer climes and mammals are hunkering down for hibernation, there’s no such respite for the builders at HOME this winter. Luckily for them, though, HOME now has walls and windows that offer some protection from the elements – a far cry from the skeletal structure that stood at the site at this time last year. “We’re into the last few phases,” says Project Architect Ernst ter Horst. “Fitting the ceilings, getting the glaze on the exterior. It’s all hands on deck.”
While you might think that the biggest challenge is erecting the building, Ernst says now is the trickiest time. “You’ve got to consider all sorts of aspects, and if one thing is late that has a massive knock-on effect.” The devil, or at least the difficulty, is in the detail as handrails, carpets and fixtures are all fitted. The builders have also recently removed the supports from the massive central cantilever. “Fortunately, it didn’t crack when we did that,” he says, half-joking.
It’s not only HOME that’s busily developing. Nearby, the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop is being expanded. The new platform, footbridge and stairs here are part of a £10.8m effort to improve the city centre’s connectivity. “We’ll have more frequent services, more flexibility…it will just be easier to get to HOME,” says Joel Sawyer of Transport For Greater Manchester. On top of that, a new 208-bed Innside hotel (from the Meliá Hotels International chain) is under construction at First Street North, which will only add to the footfall around the area.
All of this now seems very near as the HOME team prepare for one final push, knowing they’ll be rewarded with something very special very soon. “It’s a massive challenge,” says Ernst, “but we’re finally starting to see it as a building – not a construction site.”