PLANNING | Enterprise City and Toyoko Inn lead Manchester agenda

Allied London’s proposals to replace an eight-storey hotel with a nine-storey office at Enterprise City, along with the 22-storey Toyoko Inn near Piccadilly, will both go before Manchester’s planning committee next week.

The updated planning application, submitted by Allied London late last year, refers to Building 2 in the St John’s masterplan.

The site of the former Globe & Simpson properties was previously earmarked for an eight-storey hotel, but under the updated plans shown in the image above, will feature a nine-storey 100,000 sq ft office.

According to the accompanying planning statement by Deloitte, this move has been made to accommodate “the requirements of a major confirmed occupier,” and is aimed to be part of a wider Manchester “tech-hub” at Enterprise City and St John’s; however sources close to the project said a tenant for Building 2 was yet to be confirmed.

The office has been designed to act as a “hub of operations” with a single tenant in mind. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the project will be delivered by main contractor Lendlease, which is one of the construction partners for St John’s.

According to the architect, the building is designed to house a workforce of around 700 staff and is “best placed as an ideal location for an HQ building for any technological, digital, creative, and innovative office occupant”. The architect also said the tenant would be a “new major office let for the city”. Lendlease is likely to act as contractor in its role as construction partner for St John’s.

Manchester’s planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval at next week’s meeting, with the planners’ report arguing: “The application would modify an extant planning permission, and would be consistent with regeneration priorities for St. John’s. The proposal would bring the site back into a long-term, viable and active use. It would bring jobs to the area and support the construction sector.”

Also on the agenda is the 22-storey Toyoko Inn, which was due to be decided at December’s committee, although was ultimately deferred to allow more time for consultation.

The scheme, designed by Stephenson Studio, will again be discussed by the committee next week with a recommendation to approve.

The hotel will Toyoko’s first in the UK and features around 350 bedrooms. The existing Union Bank building, which has been vacant since 2006, will be refurbished to link to the new-build element of the scheme.

The site is bound by Gore Street and Chatham Street, and sits in front of the Waldorf pub and Indemnity House, across Piccadilly from the ABode hotel and B Lounge pub.

Recommending the project for approval, Manchester City Council planning officers said: “The building would not adversely impact on the character and fabric of the listed building, setting of the adjacent listed buildings or the adjacent conservation area.

“It would help to re-vitalise the area and would enhance the city’s historic landscape. The scheme would add activity and vitality and re-integrate the site into its urban context, reinforcing the character of the streetscape.”

GVA How is the planner for the project.

Toyoko Hotel

Toyoko submitted a revised application for the proposals in 2017

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Allied London Manchester Planning = Perfect union. An approval is guaranteed!

By Cheshire boy

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