Member Article

Initial phase of Manchester’s £500m First Street scheme completes

The initial phase of the £500m First Street scheme has achieved practical completion this week and two retail occupiers have also been announced.

The Manchester regeneration development, which occupies a prominent position marking the southern gateway into the city, has been delivered in partnership between Manchester City Council and Ask Property Developments.

Sainsbury and Pizza Express have this week confirmed as scheme tenants alongside a raft of independent leisure and retail operators which are likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

Scheme construction has been led by main contractor Carillion, with Wates Construction responsible for the creation of HOME, Manchester’s new contemporary theatre for film, art and theatre.

Ask’s managing director, John Hughes said: “Achieving practical completion is a milestone which the whole team can be very proud to reach.

“Ask and Manchester City Council had an ambitious vision to deliver a new neighbourhood for the southern side of the City and the realisation of that vision is the development of this world-class cultural and business quarter.

“The fact that such prominent firms have chosen Number One First Street as the ideal place to relocate their business underlines the high standard of this scheme.

“With the launch of both the new Melia INNSIDE Hotel and Q-Park, as well as the strength of retail enquiries, it really is shaping up to become the best space to work, live and play in the City.”

Phase one of First Street also includes Number One First Street, the 180,000 sq ft Grade A BREEAM Excellent office development.

Companies which now occupy the building include: Engineering service provider Jacobs; Digital marketing consultancy Amaze; Media publishing company Auto Trader; Ford Credit Europe and Gazprom.

The next phase of development will include a second Grade A office building and is likely to start at the end of this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .