MIPIM | THING OF THE WEEK

BEST DRESSED… In a welcome departure from the obligatory MIPIM uniform of blue suit and gilet, one exhibitor donned traditional Polish mining attire for the duration of the expo. Speaking to Place North West, he said the idea behind the outfit was to highlight Silesia’s mining legacy and shine a light on how the local government are attempting to address one of the area’s biggest social issues – the decline of the industry.

---

PRICY… There is no getting away from it, Cannes is a pricy place. Two sparkling waters for an eye-watering €17 at Le Majestic is testament to that. However, while the hotels and bars can result in a bruised wallet, Savills’ cafe on Rue de Serbes provides a welcome tonic. The consultancy hires the place out for the week and leaves the tab open for property professionals looking for a spot to have a meeting. Thanks for the coffee, Savills.

---

WEST’S WORLD… Anyone who did not see David West’s rambunctious presentation on Holt Town this week missed a trick. The co-founder of Studio Egret West, the firm appointed to draw up a vision for the post-industrial Manchester wasteland, bounced his way energetically through his vision for Holt Town. He is clearly passionate, and hopes that one day the transformation of the area might result in the creation of a play a la Standing at the Sky’s Edge, the musical about love and loss set in a Sheffield council estate. If that happens, the producers should cast West in the leading role.

---

AILEEN’S DRUM… Aileen Jones has had a busy week. Liverpool City Region’s head of investment well and truly got her steps in, appearing on countless panels to extol the virtues of the city region’s life sciences scene. On each of the panels, she voiced frustrations around a lack of power to make the changes required for growth. The words ‘sustainable single settlement’ tripped off Jones’ tongue with ease but will they enter into the ears of those in Whitehall?

---

LIFT OFF… One can’t help but think lift manufacturer OTIS missed a trick at MIPIM this year. Located across the way from the Manchester stand, OTIS’s stand was, disappointingly, laid out across a single level. A sliding doors moment.

---

CANNES NOT… The message from Manchester City Council this week was loud and clear: the city centre is not done. It’s a neat line that is crying out for a ‘but’ at the end as the authority turns its attention more and more to emerging areas like Strangeways and Wythenshawe. The line could also easily be applied to Cannes, which is most definitely not done. For the third consecutive year, delegates have been forced to navigate a never-ending obstacle course of bollards, fences, and diggers. Cannes town centre is not done, and many wonder if it ever will be.

Place North West MIPIM 2024 coverage is sponsored by Together.