Name change for Allied’s Cotton Building

Developer Allied London has rebranded its 160,000 sq ft office development currently on site in Spinningfields, from Cotton Building to XYZ.

The scheme, which is being built to the rear of the development between the RBS back-office and the Civil Justice Centre, was first unveiled in MIPIM 2013 and was named i+, targeted at telecoms, media and technology tenants. The scheme was then rebranded as the Cotton Building when a planning application was submitted to Manchester City Council in November 2013.

The third iteration of the property brand was launched yesterday evening at an event at the People's History Museum to around 200 agents and business stakeholders.

Presenting XYZ, Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: "We recognised very early on in the development process that successful modern businesses, the 'XYZ Generation', had three clear requirements. These three factors; structure, culture and dynamic, shaped all of the thinking on the XYZ concept.

"We believe that this is the only building of its type being delivered in this country, and it's happening in Manchester.

"We offer choice and we celebrate change. Our focus and delivery on user need means that there is a clear and vital differentiation between XYZ and all competitors. Certainly locally and nationally and arguably, globally.''

The block is being speculatively developed with £10m Evergreen funding matched by £10m of private sector investment by Allied London

XYZ will total 160,000 sq ft with 20,000 sq ft floorplates, alongside 30,000 sq ft of public amenity space for tenants including a bike park, climbing wall, leisure facilities and start-up and co-working space.

The concept of the building is to provide blank offices for tenants to customise, with lighting and heating elements to partition walls and furniture.

The building was designed by Cartwright Pickard, advised by planners at Deloitte Real Estate.