First Street expansion tipped for sign-off

Three sites are to be added to Manchester’s First Street development framework, providing scope for more than 1m sq ft of commercial space, including an office tower at Little Peter Street. 

Following a ten-week public consultation, Manchester City Council’s executive committee is due to approve the addition of the three sites this Friday. 

The sites, located to the west of Medlock Road and First Street, comprise 1.6 acres on Little Peter Street – owned by the council and operated as a car park by NCP – a four-storey office building at One City Road, and the 1.8-acre Premier Inn site on Medlock Road. 

A “high-quality, landmark development” is proposed for the Little Peter Street site, according to the planning consultant, Deloitte. 

The primary use of the site is expected to be commercial office development, providing large-floorplate office accommodation, as at other First Street projects. 

The sites are located to the west of Medlock Street

Alternatively, the site could accommodate a smaller footprint tower, potentially for residential or hotel use, according to Deloitte. 

The One City Road site, owned by construction firm Marshall CDP, is earmarked for a commercially-led development comprising two buildings. 

The site could be redeveloped to include an area of public realm connecting the Little Peter Street site and Tony Wilson Place. 

A commercially-led, mixed-use scheme is proposed for the Premier Inn site but, as at Little Peter Street, Deloitte suggests that the site could accommodate a large-footprint office building or taller buildings either for residential or hotel use. 

The First Street estate stretches over 20 acres and is being redeveloped by Ask Real Estate.

In April, Ask’s latest First Street scheme, a 400,000 sq ft office, was approved. This followed the completion of No8 First Street, a 170,000 sq ft office, last August.