Manchester City Council has selected Ask Developments’ Number One First Street as the location for its temporary office requirement, while the three-year £175m refurbishment of Manchester’s town hall complex takes place.
The Council’s 1,400 staff will occupy 140,000 sq ft of the building from January 2010 until the end of December 2012, leaving 40,000 sq ft available for additional occupiers.
Number One First Street was chosen after a rigorous evaluation process, with the Council’s decision reflecting the quality of the office space and its ability to enable improved customer services. Its location was also a key consideration, being close to the G-Mex Metrolink stop, between Oxford Road and Deansgate rail stations and within easy walking distance of the Town Hall.
The Council’s fit-out of Number One First Street is expected to commence in October with the relocation taking place in early 2010.
John Hughes, Director at Ask Developments, said; “We are delighted with this decision, which is extremely positive news for First Street. The Number One building is the first phase of this major redevelopment which is set to transform this important area of the city centre.
“The quality and flexibility of the office space and its proximity to public transport and the Town Hall proved to be a perfect fit for the City Council’s requirements during their temporary relocation. The building recently earned a prestigious environmental award, setting the standard for future phases of development both at First Street and in Manchester.”
Damian Masters, Director at GVA Grimley, agents for the City Council, said: “We have been working very closely with the City Council on a very thorough and detailed evaluation process. “GVA Grimley looks forward to continuing to work with the Council on this important regeneration project for the City.”
Located on the southern edge of the city, First Street Manchester will span across 20 acres and will include 1.8m sq ft of offices, around 1,500 homes and 350,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.
The scheme includes the first major new pedestrianised thoroughfare in the city for many decades. First Street Manchester will be an amazing 18m wide, 300m long boulevard connecting the community of Hulme through the Mancunian Way to the Hacienda site on Whitworth Street West.
First Street is part of Corridor Manchester, which represents the most important opportunity for economic growth in the City region today. Corridor Manchester is the first partnership of its kind in the UK. It brings together Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to build on the partners’ investments in the Corridor – the 243H Oxford Road area of Manchester – and to generate further economic growth and investment.
The aim is to increase the number of high value jobs, improve public realm, retail offer and transport infrastructure; attract innovative and knowledge to the area by providing excellent facilities and space; engage local residents and develop the strong cultural offering.
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For further media information please contact Kat Atakuru or Caty Cartwright at SKV Communications on 0161 838 7770 or e-mail Katherine.atakuru@skvcommunications.co.uk
