Plans unveiled for 500,000 sq ft of offices at Sister
Consultation has opened on the first new-build projects within Bruntwood SciTech and the University of Manchester’s £1.7bn innovation district, with buildings of 12 and 20 storeys proposed.
Sister was rebranded from ID Manchester last year and represents Bruntwood SciTech and the University of Manchester’s drive to make the university’s former North campus (also historically known as UMIST) and its surrounds a crucible of scientific innovation.
Allies and Morrison is the architect for the pair of buildings, to be located between London Road and Altrincham Street.
Billed as a “flagship commercial office development”, they will feature flexible workspace, community and leisure spaces and a new public square for events and activities. The two buildings will be joined by a central atrium.
A strategic regeneration framework was adopted for Sister by Manchester City Council in December 2023. The Renold Building was last year reworked as an innovation hub, becoming the first Sister development on its reopening in September.
Zone C sits at the edge of the campus close to Piccadilly and Mayfield. Credit: consultation boards
Over 15 years, Sister as a whole is also to see 1,500 new homes and nine acres of public open space developed.
In addition, said the developer, the phase will also breathe new life into key heritage assets, including the grade two-listed Hollaway Wall and viaduct arches.
In the arches, retail and leisure opportunities will be opened up, alongside community uses.
This area will also deliver new pedestrianised access on Altrincham Street, improving walking and cycling routes connecting Piccadilly Station and Mayfield Park to the Oxford Road Corridor. Landscape architect SLA is working on the project.
Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between the developer, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, said that interspersed throughout the area, there will be new planting, ample seating and green spaces to promote biodiversity and wellbeing for local residents.
In all, the Sister project aims to transform the university’s former North campus into a 4m sq ft globally competitive innovation district, helping to elevate Manchester’s position as a national centre for science and technology.
As it launches this next phase, Sister is encouraging the public to share views and attend in-person consultation events running from today up to Sunday 9 March.
- View the consultation here: Sister Manchester consultation
Sam Darby, development director for Sister and Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Following the successful opening of the Renold Innovation Hub last autumn, we’re really excited to now be getting underway with the next stage of our ambitious plans. Zone C marks a significant part of the site and will truly change the face of the neighbourhood moving forward.
“That’s why we want to hear from as many local people as possible to understand what they would like to see from our plans and how we can create a place that not only benefits the wider city region through job creation and opportunity, but also creates a vibrant neighbourhood where people want to live and socialise as well.
“Our consultation period has been designed to be accessible and we’re hoping to hear from a real cross section of the local community to make our plans truly inclusive.”
Darby concluded: “Our plans are ambitious, but also sensitive to the area and its heritage. Through this next phase we want to create a place that provides opportunity, promotes innovation and brings the community together. Sister is a place for everyone and we’re looking forward to continuing our work with the public to make sure it continues to deliver.”
The proposals as viewed from London Road, looking west. Credit: via Citypress
Sister? Are they for real?
By Ricky Fatton
Will be sad to see the demolition of Barnes Wallis Building and Wright Robinson and replacement with another bland generic development.
By Dom
Had high hopes for this area having more radical designs. I don’t think it’s bad but I don’t think it’s a single bit interesting enough. This is Manchester FFS!
By Anonymous
Manchester has a huge problem delivering original designs. Something with a WOW effect. This is yet a another nothing bland building.
By John
Change the name. It is ridiculous. I know we do things differently here, apparently but for Godsake when are we going to start dignifying our districts and buildings ? Anaconda Cut? Viadux? Pretentious and provincial, is an understatement.
By Elephant
Offices/prison.
That won’t date well.
By Katie
Looks amazing, will breathe life into this area and ensure a great future for this area of Manchester
By Anonymous
The project is really coming to life, as a local resident it’s great to see the investment into this currently run down but perfectly located area
By Alice
Plans to ‘re-imagine’ the Grade II listed Hollaway Wall, actually mean to cut out sections and lay flat around a third of the wall. This is a sculpture for God’s sake – would they clip the wings off the Angel of the North, or cut a slice out of a Henry Moore? Cultural vandalism!
By Anonymous
Sadly seems to be lacking in the one thing it is trying to pitch for – innovation. I could understand the need to increase density on the site of the Moffat Building, but they appear to be constructing an entirely new podium and tower more or less on the footprint and same height of the existing one of Barnes Wallis!? Why not try and reuse this structure and adapt/extend? Particularly as it references ‘sustainability’, the site’s iconic silhouettes, storied history and wanting to have ‘a sense of place’ while removing all those unique features. And don’t get me started on the “square”. Why all that additional earth and the removal of the elegant stairs and replace it with something that will be fundamentally a ramp and stairs rather than true landscape? Couldn’t they provide accessibility through the use of the podium structure’s supposedly publicly open “central foyer” and make use of the stairs and lifts, allowing them to do something that would require a lot less earth movement?!? And despite their document stating they are aiming at “conserving and enhancing the most important heritage assets…”, the Hollaway Wall looks like is more or less going the way of the Berlin Wall…
By Anonymous
The dismembering of a Grade II listed artwork. The only threat to it is the developer. Shameful.
By Anonymous