The Lowry

Salford, UK

Ant Clausen Photography

The Lowry is set in Salford’s derelict docklands on the banks of the Manchester Shipping Canal, just one and a half miles from Manchester city center. Since opening in 2000, this international landmark has received much attention for its striking design and wide range of performing and visual arts facilities.

94%

of income from box office sales, commercial activities, and fundraising

96,000

theatre audience count for December 2019 alone

534

jobs supported by The Lowry

Sponsored by Salford’s visionary city council and funded in large part by revenue from the National Lottery, The Lowry is named after one of Salford’s favorite sons: LS Lowry, the artist—known for his 20th century industrial landscapes. The Lowry contains the Lowry Galleries, restaurants, and retail outlets, an interactive Artworks Gallery for children, a 1,730-seat Lyric Theatre for touring opera, ballet, and musicals, and an adaptable courtyard theatre, which can seat between 280 and 473 depending on its configuration.

Richard Jones, courtesy of The Lowry

owner:

The Lowry Trust and Salford City Council

architect:

Michael Wilford and Partners

acoustician:

Sandy Brown Associates

users:

Touring performances, national and regional groups

spaces:

1,730-seat multipurpose theatre
473-seat flexible theatre

construction type:

New construction

theatre type:

Arts & cultural centers

services:

Feasibility study and design brief, concept design, theatre planning, and theatre equipment design and specification

completion:

2000

Richard Jones, courtesy of The Lowry

Percy Dean, courtesy of The Lowry

Ben Blackall, courtesy of The Lowry

The Lowry

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