Airport City plots two more offices as development gathers pace

Airport City has revealed plans for two speculatively-developed office buildings totalling 184,000 sq ft and a 1,500-space multi-storey car park, designed by architect 5plus, as development at the site begins to ramp up.

The two six-storey offices, clad with glass and steel, sit on plots E2 and E3 at Airport City and feature 92,000 sq ft of space each. These are being developed sequentially on a speculative basis which Airport City said was in response to “likely future occupier demand” and a lack of available Grade A office space in the city region.

These are likely to be ready for occupation by 2021, subject to planning consent, and also feature ground floor spaces including co-working, cafes, restaurants, and gyms. The building on plot E2 will be developed first.

On a neighbouring plot, a multi-storey car park providing 1,497 spaces over eight levels is also proposed. Clad in anodised aluminium panels, this building will also feature commercial units at ground floor level.

Also featured in the application is extensive public realm along with an extension to the previously-approved pedestrian footbridge and cycleway over the M56 spur road, which is intended to provide better connections between Wythenshawe and the airport.

The bridge extension will provide a ‘landing area’ into the new office district along with a direct link to the multi-storey car park.

The three buildings sit near The Hut Group’s proposed campus

BCEGI is the appointed construction partner for Airport City and a member of the Airport City joint venture alongside Manchester Airports Group and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, but it is understood there will be a competitive tender process for each of the buildings.

The three buildings follow hot on the heels of The Hut Group’s confirmation it would be building a new 1m sq ft campus at Airport City, set to include offices and studio space for 10,000 people over two sites.

Adam White, director of commercial and business development at MAG Property and Airport City JV Partner, said: “We anticipate a major surge in occupier demand at Airport City, following the recent landmark announcement with The Hut Group, which will help to deliver a critical mass of up to 10,000 people.

“Airport City will bridge the market between Manchester city centre, the wider GM conurbation and Cheshire, complementing their offer with strong car parking ratios, up to 9 trains an hour to city centre and a significant price differential.

“With the approved plans for a new hotel district set to deliver in the region of 1,200 new beds by 2021, we’re taking major steps forward towards making the years of hard work invested in this ambitious project become a reality – creating a new commercial business hub, with its benefits set to be felt across the wider region.”

The footbridge and cycleway will be extended as part of the application

Phil Doyle, director of 5plus Architects said: “This is a pivotal moment in the history of Airport City. The hard yards put in by everyone involved over the last few years on the project has already delivered some significant investment in infrastructure and priming the site for the buildings to come.

“Our masterplan has proved flexible enough to meet the demands of the redevelopment of T2 and major occupier led interest and the ebb and flow of the economy in general.

“With the imminent delivery of the first office building, multi-storey car park and, crucially, the footbridge and public realm that step change in place making and perceptions is about to be realised. We’re tremendously excited and looking forward to delivering these buildings and the next stage of the transformation of Airport City.”