Partners update £400m Mayfield offices on sustainability
It has been three years since the first 320,000 sq ft of workspace at the Manchester project was approved. Various changes to cut carbon have now been implemented to bring the buildings in line with market expectations.
The Mayfield Partnership – LandsecU+I, Manchester City Council, LCR, and TfGM – has submitted an updated planning application for the £400m first phase of the wider £1.5bn scheme.
Expectations around sustainability credentials have soared in the three years since the plans were first approved, prompting a refresh of the original proposals.
The Poulton and The Republic – the first two office buildings planned for Mayfield – have been reworked with a target of 600kg of CO 2/ sq m “making them two of the most sustainable new office buildings in the city”, according to the partners.
Bennetts Associates designed The Poulton, a 76,000 sq ft building, and Morris+Company is behind the 244,000 sq ft Republic.
In addition, the developers are aiming for a 5.5-star NABERS rating across both buildings.
As well as the office blocks, changing trends have also prompted a rethink of the planned multistorey car park.
Designed by Studio Egret West, the 450-space car park has been remodelled as a “multi-use building”, according to partners.
The updated plans feature 400 bicycle spaces, more EV charging points, and around 100 fewer car parking spaces than previously planned.
The car park has been designed with flexibility in mind so that it can be repurposed as demand for car parking decreases. It will also feature ground floor cafés, bars, restaurants and event spaces.
Three acres of public spaces – in addition to the £23m Mayfield Park, which opened last year – also form part of the updated plans.
“Our updated proposals for a cleaner, greener and future-focused Mayfield phase one embrace the profound changes we’ve seen in recent years to the way we work, travel, and how highly we now value wellness and nature,” said Laura Percy, development director at LandsecU+I.
“Future occupiers at Mayfield will be drawn by the stunning views across the park, ecology, biodiversity and peaceful green space literally on their doorsteps, and a vision and commitment from the Mayfield Partnership that this place is a truly world-class urban neighbourhood long into the future.”
Subject to planning approval for the greener versions of the buildings, LandsecU+I still expects to make a start on site later this year.
The reduction in car parking space is good news however it should be underground which could have increased the public realm space.
By Anonymous
Well , that actually look good. Can they actually start building it now, Mayfield is in a great place for all of those civil servants stepping off the train in the future.
By Anonymous
People will still drive to work when these are under construction and when occupied by workers, the only environmentally way is no construction at all and work from home
By Jon Greening
Another day, another update on Mayfield.
By Elephant
Good to see bike spaces, the disconnect between investment in cycle infrastructure and having nowhere to put the bikes (unless you’re fortunate to have an office with storage) never made sense.
By Anonymous
Yeah Jon, good point. This is a development board though so kind of the wrong audience.
By Anonymous
Really great to see a target being set in public for carbon per unit area, and great to see it getting reported too; thank you Dan Whelan. I am interested to see how quickly embodied carbon and energy use intensity become headline metrics.
By Interested
In response to Jon. Absolutely nonsensical to suggest not building this project! It creates jobs and helps Manchester grow which in turn allows people to progress via income up the housing ladder and have families! Green initiatives have been factored in! Are you a luddite?!
By Manc
Wow so insightful, thanks Jon.
By Anonymous