The University of Salford has revealed a £15m plan to redevelop Maxwell Hall as part of the £800m Salford Crescent masterplan .
The redevelopment of the university’s Maxwell Hall will feature a large auditorium, with the aim of it becoming a 'cultural hub' for Greater Manchester attracting high calibre acts to help put Salford back on the music venue map.
The university, which is leading the Salford Crescent redevelopment with Salford Council, said it will be investing a 'large amount' of capital in the project.
However, matched funding will need to be raised for part of the estimated £15m project costs and the university will work with partners to ensure the scheme goes ahead, it added.
University of Salford COO Huw Williams said: “Maxwell Hall has a long and distinguished history of attracting a broad range of acts and talent from across the UK and we want to build on that.
"We are also aiming to attract high profile conferences and events.”
The university hopes the venue will enable industry collaboration in the cultural sector, as well as provide an opportunity for students to work in event management, hospitality, front-of-house, sales and marketing, sound production, set design, performance and broadcasting.
Mr Williams added: “We are committed to bringing Maxwell Hall back to life, to create a vibrant space for the benefit of the whole community as well as our students.
“As the centre-piece of our campus and given its proximity to the A6, the Salford Crescent Masterplan has identified the need to retain and redevelop Maxwell Hall as a cultural and performance venue, for both students and the general public, as well as creating new spaces for conferences, events, short courses and executive education.”
Architects Flanagan Lawrence, who has been involved with several high profile cultural projects, including the regeneration of Sunderland’s Fire Station Auditorium, has been appointed to develop the final designs.
Director at Flanagan Lawrence Jason Flanagan added: “Maxwell Hall has a great history as a music venue and we are excited to be a part of the University of Salford’s vision for its future redevelopment.”
