Urbis, Manchester, England

Urbis is an exhibition centre located in central Manchester, England. The centre features changing exhibitions on the subject of city life, alongside talks, gigs and other events.

The building opened in 2002 as part of the redevelopment of the area around Exchange Square known as the Millennium Quarter.

The design and shape of the building can be compared with the Flatiron Building in New York.

The exhibition centre is set across five floors. Hosting temporary exhibitions that run from between three to five months. Each October, the entire building is given over to Manchester Fashion Weekend, an offshoot of a similar event in London.

Urbis also contains a cafe, a shop, rooms for corporate hire and a restaurant and bar, on the fifth and sixth floors.

Architect : Ian Simpson