MSP vision updated to cater for incoming R&D firm

The Greenheys Building at Manchester Science Park could be demolished and replaced with a 133,000 sq ft facility, part of which would be occupied by an “internationally significant” anchor tenant. 

Manchester City Council is proposing to update the MSP Strategic Regeneration Framework, with plans for a six-storey, new-build research and development facility in the works. 

Three floors would be for the proposed occupier, with the other three earmarked for SMEs, according to a report to the city council’s executive. 

“The addendum [to the SRF] responds to the opportunity that has arisen for a proposed relocation of an internationally significant health research resource to Manchester Science Park,” the report states.

The name of the occupier has not been disclosed and Bruntwood Scitech, which owns MSP, declined to comment on the identity of the company. 

The executive report states that the prospective tenant has “direct support from the University of Manchester” and that “UoM researchers are now the most significant users of the proposed occupants in the North of England”. 

Manchester City Council declined to comment and the University of Manchester was contacted for comment.

At present, MSP comprises 320,000 sq ft of office and lab space and is 97% let. The complex generates £3bn GVA a year, according to the council. 

The Greenheys redevelopment would be the latest phase of MSP to come forward. Earlier this year, work completed on the 91,000 sq ft Base Building.

The MSP SRF is one of three strategies that Manchester City Council is planning to refresh.

The others are Central Retail Park – earmarked for a 1.25m sq ft commercial development anchored by a government department – and East Village Central, a proposed mixed-use development on the site of the former Presbar foundry and Stocktons furniture store.

All three will be discussed at the city council’s executive committee meeting this Thursday (15 December).