Co-op Live

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

  • Typologies

    Arenas

  • Services

    Architecture, Brand Activation, Wayfinding, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Oak View Group’s ambition to introduce a new breed of world-class venue, one that draws together the cutting-edge use of technology, sustainability and multifunctionality, is encapsulated within Co-op Live, in Manchester, U.K.

The state-of-the-art venue will enable Manchester to host more events, including a broader range of music, sports and entertainment, and support East Manchester’s ongoing regeneration.

Developed following extensive consultation with local people, companies and organizations, the venue will be the largest-capacity indoor arena in the U.K., but also the most sustainable and energy efficient. Sustainability has been at the heart of the design process and the venue has been specifically designed to support Manchester’s Zero Carbon 2038 commitments. It will incorporate a suite of cutting-edge sustainability features to create an inclusive, low carbon and low waste venue, with a target of sending zero operational waste to landfill.

  • Introducing a new breed of world-class arenas
  • Introducing a new breed of world-class arenas
  • Introducing a new breed of world-class arenas

This new venue will redefine the traditional arena model, offering all fans the best possible event experience. Inspired by Manchester’s role as a leading global center for music, sport and live entertainment, the transformer-like bowl will bring fans closer to the stage than at any comparable venue in Europe, as well as incorporating bespoke standing spaces throughout the venue, rather than only on the floor area. As well as global artists, Co-op Live can also be reconfigured for a range of events and opportunities to support a year-round event program.

“This ground-breaking venue will set new benchmarks in sustainable arena design, as well as creating an experience and form that sits perfectly within Manchester’s architectural context and vibrant community. We are delighted to be working with Oak View Group on its exciting vision for East Manchester”.

Declan Sharkey / Populous Senior Principal and Project Architect

Populous’ designs envisage a cutting-edge venue that also provides both a physical and emotional center for the Eastlands community. Designed in response to the Manchester and Eastlands urban environments, the bold contemporary form complements the public realm and combines aesthetic beauty with a recognizable and identifiable profile that will be globally recognized as being inspired by contemporary Manchester. The cutting-edge LED’s integrated into the facade will also create a seamless aesthetic between event and non-event modes, day and night.

This design approach extends to the spaces outside the building. Next to the venue there will be a new canal-side space with food and drink offerings that will be available for the public to enjoy on both event days and non-event days. The inclusive hard- and soft-landscaped routes to the venue will also help to create an exciting approach experience for audiences and the local community.

Project Team
Connect with the designers

Nicholas Reynolds