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Xscape (building)
Encyclopedia
Xscape buildings are large, strikingly designed and unusually shaped buildings. Typically they contain a real snow indoor ski slope
, leisure facilities and related shops. There are currently three members of the chain, located in Central Milton Keynes
and Castleford
both in England
, and in Braehead
, Scotland
.
The Milton Keynes
Xscape 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, making it the second tallest building in Milton Keynes after Mellish Court in Bletchley. Inside the Xscape can be found 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, sometimes mistaken for lifts or part of the cooling system: they are actually just stairs. This and the Xscape at Castleford were designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.
Located directly behind the Xscape building is a large square-shaped structure which houses an indoor skydiving centre named 'Airkix'.
Location: 52.041°N 0.749°W
The Castleford
Xscape near Wakefield
, West Yorkshire
is built in a similar style to the Braehead one however it is of note that the many angular parts of the building, especially when seen from behind do form a shape similar to that of the Milton Keynes Xscape. The Castleford Xscape opened in October 2003 and has a 5500 square metres (59,202 sq ft) roof.
The Castleford
Xscape was a major development for what was before, an averaged 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
, Glasshoughton in particular, on the map.
The Xscape at Castleford
contains many shops, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment facilities including a bowling alley, multi screen cinema, laser tag, crazy golf and amusements.
Xscape Castleford is sometimes marketed as Xscape Leeds
.
Xscape began construction in 2005 and was opened in March 2006 with its main use to teach people how to ski or snowboard. It is shaped differently, more like a conventional building but with the ski slope using a sloped cuboid structure projecting out the roof. This Xscape features a wide variety of entertainment including; the indoor Ski Slope, Soccer Circus, Rock Climbing, Sky Park, Odeon Cinemas
, Bowling, Fan Drop, Robocoaster (the only Robocoaster in the UK), Mini Golf, Lazer Station and the 'Fun Station'. The Complex also has a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and bars.
The "Snozone", or indoor snow slope, is 200m for the main slope with an additional smaller slope exclusively for use by learners taking lessons. For the beginner, this is ideal as you are on a quieter slope with others of your own level and fully supervised. On the main slope, two gentle "Poma" or button lifts give a drag tow to the top and can be exited either at the top or halfway down. Rope tows are used on the beginners slope.
Skiers and boarders are fully provided for with complimentary hire equipment, although the more advanced typically will have their own equipment. Sledging and an ice slide are provided for those who just wish a little bit of fun.
Lessons can be booked for both boarding and skiing. Beginners start on the exclusive teaching slope before moving to the main slope. Initially only half of the main slope will be used before one advances to using the full slope. Once passed at the ability to ski or board from the full length of the slope, the pupil is allowed full access as they are demeed to have reached recreational level.
Clothing can be hired for a nominal charge, but gloves must be either purchased unless provided by the attendee.
In March 2006, weeks before the complex was scheduled to open, the roof of screen seven of the Odeon Cinemas
fell in and required extensive re-building.
The mini-golf (which is housed below the cinema) opened in July 2006. The Odeon Cinema opened on October 19, 2007, 18 months later than planned. "Stardust" was the first film shown at the cinema. The cinema is fitted with Real D (also known as Disney Digital 3D technology) in Screen 7 with Screen 1 being the largest of the Cinemas screens. The Odeon Cinema held the Scottish Pink Carpet Premiere of Universal Pictures film "Wild Child" on July 30, 2008. Both stars of the film Emma Roberts (Poppy) and Alex Pettyfer (Freddie) attended, with positive opinions to the Cinema and the Xscape's facilities.
Indoor ski slope
Indoor ski slopes are found in several countries, proving a climate controlled environment can be maintained in which snow can be manufactured using a snow cannon, enabling skiing and snowboarding to take place year-round.-Notable mentions:...
, leisure facilities and related shops. There are currently three members of the chain, located in Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes is the central business district of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England and a civil parish in its own right.The district is approximately 2.5 km long by 1 km wide and occupies some of the highest land in Milton Keynes...
and Castleford
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
both in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and in Braehead
Braehead
Braehead is a commercial development located at the former site of Braehead Power Station in Renfrew on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire. It is particularly notable for its large shopping centre, arena and leisure facilities....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
Xscape opened in 2000 and is a major feature on the skyline of Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes
Central Milton Keynes is the central business district of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England and a civil parish in its own right.The district is approximately 2.5 km long by 1 km wide and occupies some of the highest land in Milton Keynes...
as seen from the east. The Xscape is 44 metres high, making it the second tallest building in Milton Keynes after Mellish Court in Bletchley. Inside the Xscape can be found 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, sometimes mistaken for lifts or part of the cooling system: they are actually just stairs. This and the Xscape at Castleford were designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.
Located directly behind the Xscape building is a large square-shaped structure which houses an indoor skydiving centre named 'Airkix'.
Location: 52.041°N 0.749°W
Castleford
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
Xscape near Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
is built in a similar style to the Braehead one however it is of note that the many angular parts of the building, especially when seen from behind do form a shape similar to that of the Milton Keynes Xscape. The Castleford Xscape opened in October 2003 and has a 5500 square metres (59,202 sq ft) roof.
The Castleford
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
Xscape was a major development for what was before, an averaged 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
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
, Glasshoughton in particular, on the map.
The Xscape at Castleford
Castleford
Castleford is the largest of the "five towns" district in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is near Pontefract, and has a population of 37,525 according to the 2001 Census, but has seen a rise in recent years and is now around 45-50,000. To the north...
contains many shops, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment facilities including a bowling alley, multi screen cinema, laser tag, crazy golf and amusements.
Xscape Castleford is sometimes marketed as Xscape Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
Braehead
The BraeheadBraehead
Braehead is a commercial development located at the former site of Braehead Power Station in Renfrew on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire. It is particularly notable for its large shopping centre, arena and leisure facilities....
Xscape began construction in 2005 and was opened in March 2006 with its main use to teach people how to ski or snowboard. It is shaped differently, more like a conventional building but with the ski slope using a sloped cuboid structure projecting out the roof. This Xscape features a wide variety of entertainment including; the indoor Ski Slope, Soccer Circus, Rock Climbing, Sky Park, Odeon Cinemas
Odeon Cinemas
Odeon Cinemas is a British chain of cinemas, one of the largest in Europe. It is owned by Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group whose ultimate parent is Terra Firma Capital Partners.-History:Odeon Cinemas was created in 1928 by Oscar Deutsch...
, Bowling, Fan Drop, Robocoaster (the only Robocoaster in the UK), Mini Golf, Lazer Station and the 'Fun Station'. The Complex also has a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and bars.
The "Snozone", or indoor snow slope, is 200m for the main slope with an additional smaller slope exclusively for use by learners taking lessons. For the beginner, this is ideal as you are on a quieter slope with others of your own level and fully supervised. On the main slope, two gentle "Poma" or button lifts give a drag tow to the top and can be exited either at the top or halfway down. Rope tows are used on the beginners slope.
Skiers and boarders are fully provided for with complimentary hire equipment, although the more advanced typically will have their own equipment. Sledging and an ice slide are provided for those who just wish a little bit of fun.
Lessons can be booked for both boarding and skiing. Beginners start on the exclusive teaching slope before moving to the main slope. Initially only half of the main slope will be used before one advances to using the full slope. Once passed at the ability to ski or board from the full length of the slope, the pupil is allowed full access as they are demeed to have reached recreational level.
Clothing can be hired for a nominal charge, but gloves must be either purchased unless provided by the attendee.
In March 2006, weeks before the complex was scheduled to open, the roof of screen seven of the Odeon Cinemas
Odeon Cinemas
Odeon Cinemas is a British chain of cinemas, one of the largest in Europe. It is owned by Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group whose ultimate parent is Terra Firma Capital Partners.-History:Odeon Cinemas was created in 1928 by Oscar Deutsch...
fell in and required extensive re-building.
The mini-golf (which is housed below the cinema) opened in July 2006. The Odeon Cinema opened on October 19, 2007, 18 months later than planned. "Stardust" was the first film shown at the cinema. The cinema is fitted with Real D (also known as Disney Digital 3D technology) in Screen 7 with Screen 1 being the largest of the Cinemas screens. The Odeon Cinema held the Scottish Pink Carpet Premiere of Universal Pictures film "Wild Child" on July 30, 2008. Both stars of the film Emma Roberts (Poppy) and Alex Pettyfer (Freddie) attended, with positive opinions to the Cinema and the Xscape's facilities.