Spinningfields, Spinningfields
What is Spinningfields?
Spinningfields is Manchester’s purpose-built central business district, developed in the 2000s by Allied London as part of the city’s post-1996 regeneration plan. Located west of Deansgate and bordered by the River Irwell, Bridge Street, and Quay Street, it transformed a once-industrial zone into a sleek commercial, residential, and leisure hub oai_citation:0‡Wikipedia.
The area features around 20 buildings spanning over three million square feet, including landmark structures like the Manchester Civil Justice Centre (nicknamed the “filing cabinet” for its cantilevered design), the futuristic No. 1 Spinningfields (a 92 m office tower), and the innovative 1 The Avenue, known for its diagonal steel diagrid cantilever oai_citation:1‡Wikipedia. It also hosts upscale bars, restaurants, public spaces like Hardman Square, and even residential apartments overlooking the river oai_citation:2‡orlandoreid.co.uk.
Why Shoot Here?
- Contemporary architecture: Slick glass towers, angular façades, and striking cantilevered structures make this a playground for modern architectural photography.
- Urban contrast: Great for pairing sleek modern forms with heritage backdrops like the nearby John Rylands Library.
- Reflections and light: The glass façades and riverside setting offer dynamic play with light, reflections, and geometric patterns—especially at sunrise or blue hour.
- Vibrant street life: Populate your shots with polished pedestrian scenes, riverside strolling, or dinner-goers in alfresco dining settings.
- Best times to visit:
- Golden hour for warm tones on façades.
- Blue hour/night for dramatic reflections and city lighting.
- Composition ideas:
- Shoot low-angle across Hardman Square with imposing architecture above.
- Frame the Civil Justice Centre’s unique angles against softer reflective surfaces.
- Capture symmetry in 1 The Avenue’s cantilever or the geometry of No. 1 Spinningfields.
Further Information
- Wikipedia – Spinningfields — overview of its development, buildings, and regeneration history oai_citation:3‡Wikipedia oai_citation:4‡The Sun
- Wikipedia – Manchester Civil Justice Centre — architecture and significance of the landmark “filing cabinet” building oai_citation:5‡Wikipedia
- Wikipedia – No. 1 Spinningfields — details on the 92 m office tower and its planning history oai_citation:6‡Wikipedia
- Visit Manchester – Spinningfields — leisure amenities, dining, and urban life in the district oai_citation:7‡Visit Manchester