Kier appoints Sheppard Robson on Siemens

Architects Sheppard Robson have been appointed by Kier Property to develop plans for the new development at Siemens 20-acre Princess Road site in Didsbury, South Manchester.

Kier Property was selected earlier this year as preferred developer for the high profile scheme. Sheppard Robson will work together with Kier Property, Siemens and Manchester City Council to bring forward the mixed-use scheme, which will be aimed at science and innovation occupiers.

To be developed in phases, the scheme will be anchored by a new 100,000 sq ft office building for use by Siemens. There will also be speculative offices, a hotel, and residential elements. The existing Sir William Siemens House will be refurbished.

Tony O'Brien, partner and design director of Sheppard Robson, said: "The vision for the technology park is to be best in class, forging links with the region's universities and knowledge-based businesses in the low carbon sector. In line with this focus, we will work with the development team to design a scheme that is highly sustainable and supports Siemens' low carbon vision.

"Sheppard Robson is already working with Siemens in Abu Dhabi, designing its new headquarters in Masdar City, which was recently awarded a 2012 MIPIM AR Future Projects Award. We are pleased to be bringing our expertise in this field to South Manchester to create a state of the art sustainable science and technology destination that will attract new business and skills to the area."

James Nicholson, senior development manager at Kier Property, added: "The Siemens project is an opportunity to build on Manchester's growing innovation and technology offering in order to make Manchester an example of best practice to other cities in the UK and beyond. Sheppard Robson's experience in this sector is second to none and we look forward to working together to deliver a scheme of the highest quality."