Favourites emerge as contenders jockey for Amazon

No8 First Street and Hanover at NOMA have been tipped as the top contenders in the race to land the online retail giant’s prized Manchester requirement.

It has been revealed that Amazon is searching for up to 70,000 sq ft in the city centre. Construction at No8, the next major element of First Street, is due to be completed by contractor Carillion in November.

Ask is managing development on behalf of Patrizia and Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund. The architect is Fletcher Priest.

On completion, the building will offer 173,000 sq ft, of which Gazprom has taken 51,500 sq ft, comprising the top two floors. Also in the frame here is engineering consultancy WSP, which is said to be close to agreeing heads of terms on 60,000 sq ft. Should this deal be completed, it would leave slightly more than 60,000 sq ft free.

Savills and GVA are agents on the scheme.

JLL is agent on Hanover, which is part of the NOMA estate being delivered by the Co-op Group and Hermes Investment Management. In February, Russells Construction was appointed to deliver the redevelopment of the former warehouse building, situated in Corporation Street.

Along with 91,000 sq ft of office space, there is 18,000 sq ft of retail at the scheme, on which Stephenson Studio and Sheppard Robson are architects.

One St Peter’s Square, where around 80,000 sq ft remains to be let, has been floated as an option for Amazon, but it is thought that the occupier’s preference is for a base less established as a corporate location.

All parties were approached for comment.