A historic Manchester mill is being offered up as a massive new canvas to add to the city’s flourishing street art scene. Developers Capital&Centric are looking to commission a talented artist to create a striking, permanent mural at Neptune Mill in the city’s Piccadilly East neighbourhood. And it’s a pretty big one too, as the design will need to cover part of the five-storey 19th century building.
Artists are encouraged to submit an interest in the paid commission for the five-storey brick canvas – with the developers looking for a bold, impactful design that will turn the heads of Manchester’s passionate art seekers and become a fixture in the city. The Neptune Mill developers are looking for an artist to create a unique mural design that will take over the entire west side wall of the mill, as well as the tower rising above it and a smaller spot, to be painted before the doors open to occupiers this summer.
Work on the 19th century building on Chapeltown Street is currently underway in order to restore and repurpose the mill into 22,000 sq ft of creative workspaces. The new offices will retain the building’s original charm and features (think exposed brick, timber beams, huge windows and cast iron columns) and match with bold contemporary elements, with one floor becoming Capital&Centric’s new HQ. The mill will also include a new courtyard featuring plenty of greenery, outdoor seating as well as ground floor coffee shop.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Manchester’s street art scene is thriving, bringing colour and creativity to the city’s streets. Increasingly, some of the pieces are connected to brands and only available for a short spell for people to marvel at. We want to hand over Neptune Mill to a talented artist to paint the piece they’ve always wanted to deliver, creating a permanent fixture on Manchester’s scene.
“The piece will mark the start of the building’s next chapter as a five-storey hub for businesses that want a creative, beautiful base. The on-site coffee shop and new courtyard will be really cool spaces where people can spend time and meet like-minded neighbouring businesses. Work on site’s progressing well and the first occupiers will be able to move in and call Neptune home this summer.”
The hunt for an artist looks to build on the successful Mancunian Art Spray in 2019, which saw the neighbouring Baird Street Car Park turn into an incredible street art gallery for charitable causes. Those interested in the paid-for street art commission, or looking to enquire about new workspaces and coffee shop are encouraged to contact Capital&Centric directly.