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Glenbrook Media City

News Time-lapse at MediaCityUK for Glenbrook Property

13 September 2021 Daniel Curtis

We have just completed the first full year of time-lapse capture at Glenbrook’s £70 million residential development at MediaCityUK, and the progress has been remarkable.

This two-block, 231,000 sq ft development- designed by leading architects Sheppard Robson- is one of the most significant new residential projects in Greater Manchester. Situated at the heart of the 200-acre MediaCityUK site, the scheme will deliver 280 apartments across two buildings, connected by a single-storey glazed walkway, and includes 3,000 sq ft of commercial floor space for retail or restaurant use.

Our work as a specialist time-lapse provider has enabled Glenbrook, Bowmer + Kirkland, and the wider project team to monitor progress remotely and showcase the build as it takes shape. As the development approaches completion in 2022, our cameras continue to document every stage of the process, from groundworks through to the final interior fit-out.

A Prime Location for Construction Time-Lapse

Our familiarity with MediaCityUK made it possible to identify the best vantage point for capturing the development in its entirety. We have previously provided time-lapse services for several other projects in the area, including the construction of the popular canal-side venue The Alchemist at Salford Quays.

This experience allowed us to position our equipment strategically, ensuring a clear, uninterrupted view of the entire site. By doing so, we have been able to deliver a complete visual record of works for Glenbrook, from the earliest site preparation in September 2020 through to the installation of multiple storeys and façade elements as the two towers have risen.

Documenting Major Milestones with Time-Lapse Construction

Our time-lapse construction videos provide an invaluable way to record and communicate the progress of a major development project. Over the last 12 months, we have captured the full sequence of construction activities at Plot D3, including:

  • Extensive Groundworks: Documenting excavation, piling, and foundation works provided a detailed record of the early phase of construction.

  • Rising Structures: As the 14-storey and 17-storey buildings began to take shape, our time-lapse cameras captured every floor as it was installed.

  • Connection of Towers: We are also capturing the moment when the two blocks are connected by the striking single-storey glazed walkway- a key architectural feature of the project.

  • Commercial Space Fit-Out: The 3,000 sq ft of commercial space for retail or restaurant use is being documented as it is developed.

This detailed capture is not just visually striking; it also provides an accurate and shareable record of construction progress for stakeholders, investors, and the wider public.

 

Enabling Remote Project Monitoring with iRis 4.0

One of the key benefits of our time-lapse services is remote monitoring. Our secure viewing platform, iRis 4.0, allows all project partners to log in and view site progress in real time, from anywhere in the world.

This has proved especially valuable over the past year, with team members working remotely or from multiple locations. With instant access to high-quality stills and live images, everyone involved in the scheme- including Glenbrook, Latimer, Bowmer + Kirkland, and MediaCityUK-  has been able to stay informed and make decisions based on the very latest site data.

Remote viewing is not only efficient but also reduces the need for unnecessary site visits, saving time and improving health and safety by minimising foot traffic on site.

Building on Previous Success with Glenbrook

This is not the first time we have worked with Glenbrook. Our relationship goes back several years, including our work on Trilogy, Glenbrook’s award-winning 232-apartment residential development in Castlefield.

For Trilogy, we provided a complete time-lapse construction solution, from initial installation through to the delivery of a fully edited video that showcased the entire build from start to finish. This video has been widely used for marketing and promotional purposes, as well as for investor updates.

Our proven track record with Glenbrook was a key factor in being chosen as the time-lapse provider for this latest MediaCityUK project.

Creating Valuable Visual Assets

The time-lapse still images and edited videos we produce are used well beyond project monitoring. They play a crucial role in marketing, PR, and stakeholder engagement.

For Glenbrook and its partners, these visuals help to build public awareness of the development and generate interest in the apartments ahead of completion. Our time-lapse videos are regularly shared across social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook, and have been used in presentations, press releases, and internal reports.

By providing a compelling visual narrative of the construction journey, time-lapse content helps developers demonstrate their capabilities, attract future investment, and showcase their projects to prospective residents and commercial tenants.

Supporting the Growth of MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK is one of the most dynamic regeneration projects in the UK, transforming Salford Quays into a thriving hub for business, media, and residential living.

Over the past decade, we have documented several key developments on the site. Each project has contributed to the area’s rapid growth and reputation as a world-class destination for innovation and culture.

Our continued involvement in these projects highlights the value of time-lapse construction in communicating the story of urban regeneration. By visually recording these changes, we help developers, stakeholders, and the public see the scale and pace of transformation.

Why Choose a Professional Time-Lapse Provider

Choosing a specialist time-lapse provider ensures that every stage of a construction project is captured with clarity, consistency, and technical precision. Our service includes:

  • Expert Site Assessment: Identifying the best camera locations to capture the full scope of works.

  • Secure Remote Access: Allowing stakeholders to monitor progress in real time through our iRis 4.0 platform.

  • Professional Editing: Producing high-quality time-lapse videos that can be used for presentations, marketing campaigns, and social media.

  • Technical Reliability: Ensuring cameras operate continuously, even in challenging weather conditions.

For complex, multi-phase projects like Glenbrook’s MediaCityUK development, this comprehensive approach is essential to provide a complete and accurate record of progress.

 

As we enter the second year of capture, the development is moving towards its final stages. Internal fit-out works are underway, and the scheme remains on track for completion in 2022.

We look forward to continuing to document the build until the first residents move in, creating a final time-lapse video that tells the full story of this significant development from start to finish.

Our ongoing partnership with Glenbrook and MediaCityUK is a testament to the value of professional time-lapse construction services in supporting communication, marketing, and project management for major developments.

Time-lapse construction provides far more than just a visual record- it is a powerful tool for project management, stakeholder engagement, and marketing. Our work at Glenbrook’s £70 million MediaCityUK development demonstrates how professional time-lapse services can add value throughout the lifecycle of a project.

As one of the leading time-lapse providers in the UK, we are proud to support this landmark scheme and to play a role in capturing the ongoing transformation of MediaCityUK.

 

 

 

If you would like to hear more about our services, please get in touch.

Glenbrook Media City
0333 016 5252 [email protected]

Time-Lapse Systems are a part of Hideaway Media Ltd (est. 2007). World leader in the provision of bespoke time-lapse capture and site monitoring solutions. UK and Worldwide.