Threadneedle sews up Airport City consent
The investor and asset manager has been granted permission by Manchester City Council to build three units totalling 85,000 sq ft on the corner of Avro Way and Pinfold Lane within the World Freight Terminal.
Under Colombia Threadneedle’s plans, the former SkyChefs production facility that currently occupies the five-acre site would be demolished.
The trio of new-build units would measure 36,000 sq ft, 27,000 sq ft and 21,000 sq ft.
The increased capacity will also help to serve the booming e-commerce market across the North West and beyond, according to the investor.
“We have ambitious plans for the World Freight Terminal and are pleased to be able to bring much-needed warehousing to the region,” said Samantha Hadland, senior asset manager at Columbia Threadneedle.
“Gaining planning approval for the site is a major milestone for us in our journey towards creating a high-quality, sustainable portfolio of logistics assets.”
Architect RPS and planning consultant Avison Young advised on the plans with JLL and Knight Frank retained as joint letting agents.
Robert Kos, director of industrial and logistics at JLL, said: “Demand for well-located, good quality industrial space has been strong across Greater Manchester for several years now and we see no signs of that slowing down.”
Sam Royle, Knight Frank, added: “When finished, the properties will offer a high specification, versatile freight forwarding and logistics space, designed specifically to enable efficient and rapid transit of goods directly to and from the airport and the wider motorway network.”
Columbia Threadneedle bought the from Manchester Airports Group in 2020 as part of a wider £380m portfolio acquisition.
SkyChef, which occupied the unit earmarked for demolition, is part of air services provider Dnata, which has relocated operations into a newly constructed £30m hub next door. That project was developed by MAG Property.
In 2019, a joint venture between Dnata and Sky Chefs named Alpha LSG signed up for a 102,500 sq ft unit at the nearby Icon development, being brought forward by Stoford and TPG Real Estate.
