139 expressions of interest were received at the first stage with ten practices longlisted to attend interviews with the jury panel. Interviews were held on the 29 & 30 July following which the jury panel selected five practices to go through to the design phase of the competition.

The five shortlisted practices (in alphabetical order) are:-

• Amanda Levete Architects
• Edward Cullinan Architects
• Haworth Tompkins
• MUMA
• Stanton Williams

The shortlisted practices now have until mid September 2009 to work on their concept designs. A public exhibition of the schemes will then be held at the Whitworth Art Gallery followed by final presentations to the jury panel and selection of a winner in early November.