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Work Began in 81'
Peter Saville had seen Kelly’s work on the boutique Boy in London and was impressed by his industrial aesthetic. When Factory Records and New Order were planning the Haçienda in Manchester, Saville recommended Kelly for the job. Tony Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records, and Rob Gretton, New Order’s manager, approved the choice, leading to Kelly’s involvement in creating the club’s now-iconic industrial design.
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Pinpointing The Location
Before becoming the legendary Haçienda nightclub it was a run-down yacht warehouse. Being an old industrial space, it fitted with the city’s history of warehouses and factories, but it was in a fairly neglected state when Factory Records and New Order acquired it.
The space was large, open, and had high ceilings, making it suitable for a nightclub. However, it wasn’t originally designed for public entertainment, so Kelly had to completely transform it.
The Iconic Pillars
Ben Kelly's iconic use of the black and yellow hazard stripes in the Haçienda was a deliberate design choice to reflect the club’s industrial, urban aesthetic and to create a sense of energy and movement within the space. However, it was also to warn the partygoers about these pillars being in the way due to them being dotted around in random areas such as the dancefloor. This infamous design is still used around Manchester to date.
The Hacienda Opened in 82'
Constructing the Haçienda in Manchester was overrun with challenges. Factory Records and New Order financed the club on their own, despite lacking any experience in nightclub management. Since the building was originally a warehouse, it needed a complete overhaul. Kelly envisioned an ambitious design for the space, featuring industrial elements such as hazard-striped flooring, concrete, and metal railings. The Haçienda officially opened its doors on May 21, 1982.
According to Peter Hook, bassist of New Order and co-owner of the Haçienda, the initial budget for the club was approximately £70,000
The final construction cost escalated to £344,000 in 1981. This amount is roughly equivalent to £3 million today.
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Source: vice.com
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