Accolades for The Lowry
The Lowry, National Landmark Millennium Project for The Arts, has succeeded in winning a whole range of awards including the ultimate accolade, Building of the Year from the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust (June 2001).
Building of the Year
Awarded the prestigious Building of the Year on its architectural merits, as well as its profound social significance, Lord St. John of Fawsley, Chairman of the RFACT described The Lowry as a "joy to see and fun to go into as well as user-friendly, welcoming and bright".
RIBA Award
During architecture week (23 June 2001) the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced that The Lowry had received a RIBA Award for Architecture. This means that The Lowry is automatically short-listed for the RIBA Stirling Prize, Britain's most prestigious architectural prize. This is awarded annually in October to the architects of the building that has made the greatest impact upon British architecture in the past year.
Quote re architecture awards
Property and Construction Director, Steve Thorncroft, comments: "We are thrilled to win these high profile awards. It is a testimony to the success of The Lowry Project and an honour for all those involved especially the architects, Michael Wilford & Partners, the rest of the design and construction team, and the staff and Trustees of The Lowry. These awards recognise the architectural significance of the building as well as its impact on the social, economic and physical regeneration of Salford Quays. Over one million visitors and enormous investment have already been attracted to the area as a result of The Lowry which is set for a terrific future".
Theatre awards
The Lowry won the special Manchester Evening News Horniman Award for Outstanding Services to Theatre and converted 4 of its 13 nominations in 7 categories to awards for theatre events which included Best Dance, Best Opera, Best Visiting Production and Best Actress in a visiting Production. -more- Accolodes for The Lowry/page 2 of 3
Tourism Award
The North West Tourist Board awarded The Lowry Visitor Attraction of the Year 2000. The British Guild of Travel Writers Highly Commended The Lowry for its Silver Unicorn Award 2000 for the Best Tourism Project in the UK at attracting tourists and benefiting the local community and environment.
CBE
Felicity Goodey, Chairman of The Lowry was honoured with a CBE for her services towards the regeneration of Salford Quays. Instantly recognisable from her work on TV, she has worked for most BBC national news and current affairs programmes on TV and Radio 4. She brought a variety of experience to The Lowry from her diversity of other roles including directorships of a media and communications group, the North West Development Agency and Manchester 2002 Ltd (Commonwealth Games). Felicity comments: "The Lowry has marked the Millennium in style. Local Salford residents tell us that we are firmly embedded in their community. National critics say we rival the Guggenheim in Bilbao. We owe it all to our tremendous team and our many supporters."
Construction awards
The Lowry was selected as the overall, national winner of the Celebrating Construction Achievement Award, as well as the regional winner for the North West. It has also received a Merit Award from The Institution of Civil Engineers, NW Association; an Honor Award from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and a Commendation for the Structural Steel Design Award.
City Life
Manchester's magazine, City Life gave the accolades of Best New Building and Best New Arrival to The Lowry whilst the artist Liam Spencer whose sell-out show was part of the opening season of exhibitions at The Lowry Galleries was runner up to Badly Drawn Boy as Mancunian of the Year.
More Accolades
Rt. Hon Chris Smith, MP and The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in 2000 said "The Lowry will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of Salford Quays and in doing so, fully recognise the changing needs of the local environment. It will enhance the lives of local people in so many ways. I wish The Lowry a glorious future." Accolades for The Lowry/page 3 of 3
Round-up
During its opening few months, The Lowry enjoyed various sell-out theatre shows, forged links with local communities, attracted international companies to enjoy its conferencing facilities, won various awards and was officially opened by The Queen. The Lowry's conferencing facilities continue to generate interest from national and international companies ranging from pharmaceutical industries to universities and showbiz parties. The Lowry's stunning architecture has also generated interest from recording companies & TV companies keen to use the building as a location.
The Lowry's reputation has grown extensively as visitors flock to the building to enjoy its magnificent architecture, its dramatic setting, wide-ranging theatre programme, exhibitions, conference facilities, bars, shops and restaurant. The stimulating environment of The Lowry encourages the curatorial and education team to develop the building as a context for the promotion of interest in design and architecture. Steve Thorncroft continues: "The Lowry is a much talked about building as much for its architecture as for what goes on in the building. This 'talked about' factor is key to growing our audiences further and building regular theatre-goers and repeat visits which in turn are the key to the long term success of the project".
Notes to editors: The Lowry's awards to date;
Celebrating Construction Achievement Award Regional & National Winner
Silver Unicorn Award 2000 - Highly commended - British Guild of Travel Writers
Best New Building - City Life magazine
Best New Arrival - City Life magazine
Best Newcomer - Hi-Life Diners Club Restaurant of the Year awards
Best Visiting Production - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards
Best Actress in a VP - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards
Best Dance - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards
Best Opera - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards
Outstanding Services to Theatre - Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards
Merit Awards - Institution of Civil Engineers, NW Association
Honor Award - United States Institute for Theatre Technology
Structural Steel - Design Award Commendation
Building of the Year - Royal Fine Art Commission Trust
RIBA Award - Royal Institute of British Architects
Visitor Attraction of the Year 2000 Posted on Friday, 20 July 2001 under Press Theatre Press