Allied London launches Hello House

Allied London has announced it will convert one of the office buildings vacated by ITV Granada into a 16,000 sq ft media centre when it takes control of the Old Granada Studios site in Manchester on 1 June.

The developer said it intends to introduce "substantial media, technology and innovation propositions to the area".

The office building will become a dedicated media industry workspace branded Hello House. Allied London will relocate Quay House tenants to the building; Echo PR, Manchester Confidential, Journey9, in addition to newcomers, a radio station and two media start-ups.

Other proposals for the 13-acre area off Quay Street include pop-up shops, bars and restaurants, 'lab kitchens' and markets. There will also be spaces for music and theatre performances and film screenings.

A planning application is currently with Manchester City Council for the development of Quay House into One Spinningfields, a 260,000 sq ft building designed by Ian Simpson Architects.

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: "We have been supporting a number of young start-up and early growth media companies in Spinningfields, which we are now going to relocate into Hello House, creating a hub for PR, marketing and media companies. More importantly, we aim to establish a media, tech and innovation proposition at Old Granada that we will nurture and support. We hope that this will become embedded in our long-term development plans.

"The initial building will include places to meet, chat, hold events, talks and launches, together with collision areas, which have been designed to allow businesses to interact and work together. It will include a media roof bar and social club designed for press launches and events, which may be opened to the public at weekends."