News Time-Lapse Manchester
Time-lapse photography of Manchester offers a unique perspective on the vibrant cityscape and the dynamic rhythm of life within it. Situated in the northwest of England, Manchester is known for its rich industrial heritage, diverse culture, and thriving urban environment. At Time-Lapse Systems we work extensively in Manchester city centre, and the surrounding areas, working on a vast variety of projects in almost every genre including, construction, demolition, work for local authorities, education facilities and healthcare projects to name a few. From the iconic landmarks of the city centre to the bustling markets, restaurants, shops and bars, each one of our frames capture a different aspect of Manchester’s multifaceted identity. Our time-lapse photography of Manchester also serves as a valuable tool for documenting the city’s growth and development. As new buildings rise and old ones are demolished, time-lapse sequences provide a visual record of the changing urban landscape, offering insights into the changing shape of the city.
In this article, we reflect on some of the projects that we have captured in Manchester, showing our ability to install in even the most challenging conditions. Unlike many other time-lapse providers, we DO NOT use much inferior, off-the-shelf/ third-party camera systems. We capture with pro DSLRs and pro lenses at TRUE 6K as standard. We are one of only a couple of European providers who build, bespoke and control our own systems (equipment & software) and are true, full, end-to-end specialists. Plus, our custom equipment and methods mean we can fully, remotely micro-manage capture for unrivalled quality which can be seen in the examples below.
Our Town Hall Project
A significant project is in progress at Manchester Town Hall, known as the ‘Our Town Hall’ project. This Grade I listed building is undergoing major restoration works to improve its efficiency, reduce its carbon footprint, and enhance public access while preserving its historical significance. We are documenting each stage of this renovation of one of Manchester’s most important iconic buildings. The restoration is necessary due to issues with its foundations, an outdated heating system, plumbing and ventilation problems, and failing drains. The project aims to equip this important civic building with modern technologies and services while maintaining its historical character.
Manchester Ship Canal
The Manchester Ship Canal is one of the UK’s most vibrant trading hubs stretching over 36 miles long. Running from the Mersey Estuary into the heart of Manchester, this seaway supports a range of industries handling and storing vast amounts of cargo every year. It opened in 1894 and was once the the third busiest port in the UK. We were capturing an extensive ‘clean-up operation’ of the waterway which used a 140 tonne tunnel boring machine to dig a 700m tunnel which will help to link tanks with newly fitted screening units. Additionally, the project saw the modernisation of existing sewers.
Angel Square, Manchester
We have been documenting the construction of 4 Angel Gardens in the heart of Manchester City Centre. This 200,000 sq ft mixed-use contemporary office space and residential building is in the heart of NOMA’s thriving business district. The building has been constructed with sustainability in mind and has gained a 5 Star NABERS rating, an outstanding BREEAM design review rating and a Fitwel 2 Star rating. This project combines the best of the world’s sustainability design, health and wellbeing knowledge to create a building that is truly spectacular.
Manchester New Bailey
We time-lapsed the development of the New Bailey project in Manchester. This 125,000 sq ft state-of-the-art office build holds an ‘excellent’ BREEAM quality rating and features an intelligent lighting control system, cycle storage, lockers and shower facilities, reserved parking and a high-functioning energy performance certification. This build in the heart of the city often hosts pop-up community events on it’s pristine outdoor area making it a perfect after work spot coupled with the build’s proximity to a range of transport links.
Leonardo Hotel, Piccadilly Manchester.
The Leonardo Hotel is situated on Great Bridgewater Street in the city centre. This four star, modern hotel features trendy eclectic interiors and a restaurant and bar. The hotel offers 265 bedrooms including a range of executive and superior rooms and is in close proximity to Oxford Road train station, Manchester Art Gallery and the Convention Centre. We documented the construction of this city-centre hotel, showing the story of the site’s transformation for our client Capital & Centric.
125 Deansgate
125 Deansgate is a new office building situated in the heart of the city centre and within close proximity to a variety of public transport links such as Piccadilly Station Metrolink. It is situated between St Peter’s Square and Spinningfields and stands on a prominent site near to Eliot House and John Rylands Library, both iconic architectural buildings of note in Manchester. This 12 storey 117,000 sq ft building has a range of flexible office spaces and meeting rooms as-well as modern communal areas. The exterior facade of the building uses traditional terracotta characteristic of many historical buildings of Manchester, whilst utilising modern methods of construction. 125 Deansgate has ornate fluted detailing and scalloped piers to add depth and texture to the building’s elevations. We captured the entirety of this £70 million re-development including demolition and foundation works as-well as the full construction process of this column free office block.
M56 Thorley Bridge
We have time-lapsed the installation of a new £5.5 million bridge linking Davenport Green with Manchester Airport. The M56 Thorley Lane bridge weighs 1,500 tonnes and measures 90 metres, it is wider than the previously demolished weight restricted bridge, allowing lorries to use this route. Installation on this project required meticulous planning to ensure the minimum of disruption to the public on this busy road. We work extensively for infrastructure projects and our team have the skills and accreditations to ensure each project is captured safely and efficiently.
The Alchemist
We captured the construction of one of Manchester’s most well-known bars, The Alchemist. We work extensively all over the country documenting the internal fit-out of restaurants and bars, showing the story of their construction. Luxurious bronze-hued interiors and wall windows offer patrons the opportunity to take in incredible water views as-well as being absorbed in the brand’s mystical atmosphere which is inspired by an old-age apothecary.
Tenpin The Printworks
We have worked for Tenpin on a number of locations all over the United Kingdom including this project at the Printworks in Manchester. We documented the full refit and transformation of a 50,000 sq ft space including bowling lanes, a bar area, private karaoke rooms, American pool and an amusement arcade which are split between two levels. We have captured a number of commercial fit-outs and we have worked with a number of commercial interior specialists and interior designers to document the full fit-out of commercial and residential spaces. Our work has helped our clients with marketing and communications so that they can show interested parties the nuances of the design process.
Manchester’s vibrant culture and booming economy make it a hub for construction activity, and we are proud to play a role in documenting the city’s growth. At Time-Lapse Systems we are proud to have captured Manchester’s transformation with unrivalled expertise and our clients use our specialised photography and time-lapse services to document their projects for a host of site-monitoring, marketing and communication needs. We work extensively in Manchester and welcome enquiries on any project for any duration.
If you would like to hear more about our work in Manchester please get in touch, we offer a range of filming services and always try to be price competitive whilst never compromising on quality.