Manchester Jewish Museum named among UK's best buildings

The redevelopment of Manchester Jewish Museum has been named one of the best 30 buildings in the UK at a prestigious architecture awards. The new museum, which opened in 2021, is clad in perforated Corten steel and comprises a gallery space, archive, learning space, and visitor amenities adjoining a fully renovated Grade II*-listed former synagogue.

It has made the list announced annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The RIBA awards are considered one of the most prestigious in recognising the best new buildings across the country.

Manchester Jewish Museum, on Cheetham Hill Road, makes the top 30 alongside the likes of The Kit Kat Club theatre venue in London, the Brick House housing development in Birmingham and the Laidlaw Music Centre in Fife, Scotland. The museum is now in the running to win the RIBA Stirling Prize - awarded to the UK's best building - which will be announced at a ceremony in Manchester in October.

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The museum and adjoining synagogue has been praised by the RIBA panel for blending the old and and new and "producing a place rich in detail and delight". They say it "both serves and celebrates the local Jewish community".

The museum was able to double in size following the £6m redevelopment of the site, which fully opened in 2021. It includes a new gallery, café, shop and learning studio and kitchen as well as complete restoration of the stunning Spanish and Portuguese synagogue that it adjoins.

The full award listing for Manchester Jewish Museum says: "On arrival, the street is rather typical of a semi-industrial and retail-focused area. This means that the façade of the 1874 Grade II*-listed Spanish and