Xscape (building)
Xscape buildings are large, strikingly designed and unusually shaped buildings. They are named after the company that developed them, X-Leisure, which is now part of Land Securities. Typically they contain a real snow indoor ski slope, leisure facilities and related shops. There are currently two members of the chain, located in Central Milton Keynes and Yorkshire (both in England) and a former member (that was sold) in Braehead, Scotland.
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Xscape Milton Keynes
Xscape Milton Keynes (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.) opened in 2000 and is a major feature on the skyline of Central Milton Keynes as seen from the east. The Xscape is 44 metres high,[1] making it the second tallest building in Milton Keynes after Mellish Court in Bletchley. Xscape Milton Keynes features a 170m long real-snow ski slope, a 16-screen cinema, a number of shops and restaurants and a climbing wall. An interesting point is the two large funnels on the front of the building are sometimes mistaken for lifts or part of the cooling system; in fact they are stairs.
Xscape Milton Keynes and Xscape Yorkshire were designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.[2]
Located directly behind the Xscape building is a large square structure that houses an indoor skydiving centre named 'Airkix'.
The cinema features 4DX, a type of '4D' cinema which shows full-length films. As of August 2015[update], it is the only one of its kind in the UK.[3]
Xscape Yorkshire
Xscape Yorkshire (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.) in Castleford, West Yorkshire is built in a similar style to Xscape Braehead – the many angular parts of the building (particularly when seen from behind) form a shape similar to that of Xscape Milton Keynes. Xscape Yorkshire opened in October 2003 and has a 5,500 square metres (59,202 sq ft) roof.
Xscape Yorkshire was a major development for what was before, an average sized town in West Yorkshire and is situated next to Junction 32, a popular outlet mall formerly known as Freeport. The two combined have really put Castleford on the map.
Xscape Yorkshire contains many shops, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment facilities including a bowling alley, multi screen cinema, laser tag, crazy golf and amusements. The cinema is one of only seven cineworlds in the UK which has D-Box motion seating. It utilises complex ventilation technology.[4]
Xscape Braehead Renfrew
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Xscape formerly had a centre in Renfrew. It was sold to Intu Properties.
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ FaulknerBrowns Architects – see Home, then Millenium
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Xscape Yorkshire
- Xscape Milton Keynes
- Snozone – Direct link for the indoor snow slopes
- Photographs of the opening day of Xscape in 2006, Braehead near Glasgow
- UK Snowboard club article on Xscape MK
- X-Leisure company website
- Xscape project details – Clyde Waterfront Regeneration
- Review of Xscape Castleford
