Work is expected to start late this spring on a pioneering “customisable” office block in the heart of Manchester’s business district.
Initially unveiled as a concept at MIPIM, the international real estate show, in 2012 the nine-storey Cotton Building is the first in a new wave of highly flexible commercial schemes proposed for the city. Aimed primarily at the rapidly expanding technology, media and telecommunications sector it will offer tailor-made space and facilities for any size of business.
“This will be the first building of its kind in the UK,” explained Michael Ingall, chief executive officer at developer Allied London. “We are leading a new trend that many aspiring developers are chasing. The Cotton Building will deliver the ultimate in flexible workspace and further strengthens what the Spinningfields area has to offer.”
Designed by architect Cartwright Pickard and described as “innovative and nimble” the project has a total of 160,000sq ft, offering basic 20,000sq ft spaces allowing each tenant to customise their partition walls, lighting and furniture etc within the structure’s own computer controlled ecosystem. There will also be more than 30,000sq ft of public amenity space and features, including a climbing wall and a ride-in bicycle ramp allowing commuters to cycle to the building from the road. The reception and foyer area will be open to the public and offer a gym, cafés, bars and restaurants.
“This structure represents the evolution of Spinningfields and workspace in Manchester,” Ingall added. “We are going to create a unique product in the market that effectively combines work and play. This is not something that has been done in the city and we envision this to be the catalyst for future similar developments.”
The projects planning application was lodged by Deloitte Real Estate and passed unanimously by the city council. “It’s great news that the Cotton Building plans have been passed without exception,” commented John Cooper, director of DRE’s planning team. “Spinningfields is the ideal location to launch such an exciting new concept in real estate and we’re pleased to have been a facilitator of what is sure to be an extremely successful scheme.”
Just before Christmas Allied London announced that it had sold two of its Spinningfields properties in separate deals for a combined total of more than £30m. No.1 Hardman Street has been snapped up by Charles Street Buildings Group while Tower 12 has been purchased by CBRE Global Investors.
Tower 12 was completely let within three months of completion. The five-storey No. 1 Hardman Street is still under construction and is expected to be occupied by Mediacom in 2014.
“We’ve continued to successfully invest in and develop Spinningfields during the economic downturn and while small, these latest developments have been great additions, cleverly and effectively executed,” said Ingall. “We are now ready for the next stage in the business district’s evolution with the development of the Cotton Building on a speculative basis.”
