Manchester has been crowned UK Design Capital of the Year. Judges at the Architect of the Year Awards
Widely recognised for its design maturity, Manchester is home to strong local practices and trusted planners, who enable thoughtful, high-quality projects.
The city is delivering well-designed public realm and development across its core as well as local neighbourhoods, combining civic confidence with a progressive planning culture.
It is consistently cited as a national leader in design delivery.
The judges said: “The judges were particularly impressed by the way Manchester has built on its strong historic urban character, with public and private sectors working effectively together to deliver design-led regeneration and cultural investment.”
The well-worn story of Factory Records and the “Madchester” music scene of the 1980s and 1990s remains central to its global image, but it was the post-bomb masterplan led by Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Richard Leese that set Manchester on a path towards civic renewal.
