Opened on 5 July 2002, the long awaited Imperial War Museum North is situated on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal on the Trafford wharfside of Salford Quays about 2 miles from city centre Manchester. It is located diametrically opposite the Lowry Centre on the Salford side, to which it is linked by the dramatic Lowry Footbridge across the Ship Canal.
The building is an attraction in itself, and is expected to be visited by around 400,000 visitors a year. It is an inspired concept of internationally renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, who also designed the adjoining Lowry Footbridge.