Plans lodged for 350,000 sq ft MediaCity office
Peel Media’s proposals for the £110m building mark the first significant development since Landsec acquired a 75% stake in the Salford Quays complex for £426m last year.
Designed by Sheppard Robson, the 350,000 sq ft office would be constructed on a site at MediaCity that already has consent for a 117,000 sq ft commercial scheme.
The revised plans will supersede the earlier proposals and also include 15,000 sq ft of leisure and independent retail space on the ground floor, as well as a 283-capacity bike hub.
The building’s façade will feature green balconies on every other level as well as an outdoor terrace. The exterior will also feature aluminium panelling, chosen because it will be less carbon intensive in the design and construction phase, according to Peel.
The developer, which retains a 25% stake at MediaCity, hopes the building will achieve a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ rating.
Subject to planning approval, work could start on site in summer 2023.
“These revised plans will bring a striking, new and sustainable building to MediaCity, which will be one of the largest grade A office buildings in Manchester,” said Stephen Wild, managing director at MediaCity.
“A considerable area within the development will cater for SMEs within our flexible workspace offer Arrive as well as larger office floor plates for businesses with a greater space requirement. Its design, spec and feel will very much reflect the innovative and cutting-edge immersive industries we will be targeting as we move into the next phase of MediaCity’s evolution.”
The scheme forms part of Landsec’s plan to invest £400m at MediaCity in the medium term.
Mark Allan, chief executive of Landsec, said: “MediaCity is a unique destination, currently unrivalled in the UK for its breadth of offering, from global content creation and innovation, to waterside living and leisure.
“Mixed-use developments such as this, with a clear sense of place, are becoming an increasingly important ingredient in the fabric of our cities. This next step in MediaCity’s evolution demonstrates our commitment to Salford and the vibrancy of the office market in Greater Manchester.”
It’s not one of life’s lookers is it. It’s definitely got the Media City look to it.
By Andrew
@ Andrew.
Whilst I agree there are some shocking developments around Media City, this isn’t one of them. This looks nice actually.
Going forward they definitely need much bolder and higher quality stuff though.
By Anonymous
It is somewhat ironic that a place that is meant to be a hub of creativity is itself so incredibly soulless!!
By Jeff
Planning Consent for this was originally 2016….so out of 8 buildings in the Consented proposal we’ve seen one part built pretty ordinary resi building and an Appilication for a office….in 6 years. No wonder L&G jumped ship…look at what Bruntwood have done with L&G in a matter of a few years. Let’s all agree with Andrew, it really is lowest common denominator stuff.
By anonymous
@ it’s not soulless though is it Jeff? I note that you usually comment on Liverpool stories.
By Anonymous
Souless.? Lots of jobs, including the BBC , many people, bars and restaurants, huge amounts of investment and and transport infrastructure and much more incoming. A lot yet to be done of course but developing nicely. Manchester’s dockhands in other words and a nice alternative to the city centre. You must be thinking of somewhere that has very little of all of this. Liverpool for instance has a nice waterfront but outside that ?.needs money badly.
By Anonymous
Not too keen, but at least there are balconies !!
By MrP
Designed by accountants
..
By Cheggers
It does look a bit cheap. One would expect that the rent is similarly discounted on city centre rents.
By Anonymous
I like this, more new money and there is something about being by the water.
By Mary