The works comprised the erection of a 5-storey building with an additional basement; which provides an educational centre for the church specifically targeted at meeting the needs to Manchester’s university students and local youth community groups. The building provides a wide range of accommodation including chapel, baptism pool, teaching areas, mission and administrative offices and recreational space. The building is located in Manchester city centre just off Oxford Road, on a constrained site next to the renowned Manchester Aquatic Centre. The building is constructed of a steel frame with complex piled foundations re-designed during construction due to the discovery of a huge subterranean cavern straddling the site. The external facade is high quality stonework, structural glazing, masonry, render and zinc cladding. In addition, the project features a decorative glass lift and enclosure with ‘wrap-around’ structural glazed balustrading. Throughout the building, high quality material and finishes were incorporated. The building was designed to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. Our practice was commissioned to provide architectural and structural engineering services to implement the works, which were successfully completed despite the complexities that arose. Finlason Partnership Architects regularly work on schemes in Manchester City Centre.