Kings Cross masterplanner picked to draw up vision for £4.2bn Trafford Wharfside
Allies and Morrison, which counts what is often cited as the exemplar for urban regeneration among its projects, has been appointed to lead a team to craft an overarching vision for almost 400 acres around Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Consultants were put on alert earlier this year for the opportunity to pitch for the job, which will form the basis of what is arguably the highest profile regeneration project in the country.
Allies and Morrison, which drew up plans for the 66-acre Kings Cross regeneration for Argent, has been awarded a £150,000 contract to draw up the masterplan.
The ambition is to deliver 17,000 homes in the area around Old Trafford.
Oxford Economics recently said the land around the ageing football ground could generate more than £7bn for UK plc and £4.2bn locally. The plan is for around 15,000 homes as part of a wider mixed-use development.
To be given particular attention is the waterfront opposite MediaCity, Trafford Council said.
The architect-led consortium, which also includes SLA landscape, Civic and JLL, was appointed following a tender exercise. It will work with Trafford Council alongside Manchester United Football Club, GMCA, a proposed Mayoral Development Corporation and other partners. The goal is for the masterplan to be completed early next year.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “Old Trafford regeneration is one of the biggest growth opportunities in the country and will be fantastic for our borough. New homes, new neighbourhoods, new businesses, new jobs, new green spaces and new community facilities – all within walking distance of public transport.
“A lot of publicity has been about Manchester United’s new stadium – this regeneration will complement those plans, and our master plan will be central to shaping the future of this area. We are delighted to be starting the master planning in earnest and look forward to working with the project team to deliver a comprehensive vision for the neighbourhood.”
Paul Eaton, partner at Allies and Morrison, added: “Trafford Wharfside has been recognised for some time as a focus for regeneration in the city, with the potential to become a thriving new neighbourhood.
“Our team will shape a proposal for the area that realises this exciting potential; a sustainable, deliverable vision that integrates new homes and employment with sport, supporting Trafford’s aspirations and ambitions for the future.
“This is a huge opportunity for Trafford, for the city and for our Manchester studio. We are delighted with this appointment and look forward to working with the council and its partners.”
Manchester United plans to build a new stadium costing in the region of £2bn next to its existing ground, which will act as a catalyst for the wider Wharfside regeneration.
Allies and Morrison’s masterplan will build on an existing framework for the area; some 212 acres of Wharfside were the subject of a masterplan recently drawn up by Hawkins\Brown, Avison Young, LDA Design, and Civic.
The updated masterplan that will sit above that document and cover 372 acres is now required to fully take advantage of the area’s regeneration potential, Trafford Council has said.
The earlier masterplan set out plans for around 5,000 homes while the new one will map out a vision for three times that.
Allies and Morrison’s other large scale regeneration projects include the 35-acre Barbican renewal in London and Bruntwood SciTech’s £1.7bn Sister scheme in Manchester.
