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.

Xscape Milton Keynes

Xscape Milton Keynes seen from across Secklow Gate

Xscape Milton Keynes (52°02′29″N 0°44′56″W / 52.0414°N 0.7489°W / 52.0414; -0.7489) 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, it is the only one of its kind in the UK.[3]

Xscape Yorkshire

Xscape in Glasshoughton, Castleford

Xscape Yorkshire (53°42′37″N 1°20′30″W / 53.7103°N 1.3418°W / 53.7103; -1.3418) 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.

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

Main article: Braehead Soar

Xscape formerly had a centre in Renfrew. It was sold to Intu Properties.

References

  1. ↑ "Xscape Building, Milton Keynes - SkyscraperPage.com". Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  2. ↑ FaulknerBrowns Architects – see Home, then Millenium
  3. ↑ "4DX Now At Milton Keynes". Cinewold Cinemas. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Xscape Ski Slope & Retail Development". Caswell Engineering Services. 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
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