Manchester fires starting gun on Hulme resi opportunity

The city council is looking to offload a 2.75-acre development site on the corner of Greenheys Lane West and Old Birley Street.

CBRE has been appointed to market the site, which was previously earmarked for an extension of UKFast’s headquarters but is now destined to be redeveloped into homes.

Lawrence Jones, UKFast’s disgraced founder, agreed a deal with Manchester City Council to acquire the plot of land opposite the firm’s Birley Fields campus in 2019.

The deal was agreed just before Jones stepped down from the company amid the sexual misconduct allegations that eventually saw him jailed for 15 years.

Kieran McLaughlin, senior director in CBRE’s UK development and residential team, said: “We are anticipating strong market interest from developers looking to capitalise on the ongoing regeneration of Hulme, an area home to many of the city’s families and young professionals.

The site’s long-leasehold is up for grabs and offers subject to planning will be accepted up until 30 July.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said the site presents a “great opportunity” for residential-led regeneration.

“The development of the site should have community at its heart, so alongside residential accommodation we want to see great public space and commercial opportunities as well,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing ambitious proposals to bring the potential of this site to reality, creating a highly sustainable development of renown that will complement and enhance the Hulme neighbourhood.”

The disposal forms part of Manchester City Council’s ongoing estate strategy, which generated £23.3m in capital receipts in the 2023/24 financial year.

Another site MCC wants to sell is the Church Street car park in the Northern Quarter. The procurement process for this opportunity is ongoing.