Vita and Ask get ball rolling on next First Street phase 

A mixed-use scheme featuring offices and student accommodation on one of the few remaining development plots within the Manchester district is the subject of a public consultation. 

Ask Real Estate and Vita Group are in the early stages of drawing up plans for plot 10 at First Street – located between River Street, Newcastle Street and Hulme Street – with a vision for the creation of two buildings up to 17 storeys being developed. 

The developers’ plan for plot 10 is to deliver “an exciting mix of new workspace, leisure opportunities and high-quality student accommodation,” they said. 

Ask plans to create a “next generation sustainable office space” with the aim of achieving a 5.5 NABERS rating. 

Earlier this year, Ask won approval for a 130,000 sq ft office building on a neighbouring plot that is pre-let to the Government Property Agency, which plans to create a civil service hub for 2,500 staff relocating from Piccadilly Gate and Whitehall in 2025. 

The First Street GPA deal is the largest Manchester letting of 2022 so far. Credit: via planning documents

“Building on a great year so far, with the Government Property Agency announcement, we’re delighted to unveil our vision for Plot 10,” said John Hughes, managing director of Ask Real Estate. 

“The mix of workspace, leisure and residential will continue our drive to create a welcoming and dynamic community at First Street.” 

Accompanying the new office building, the plot 10 vision includes Vita Group’s new House of Social student accommodation brand, which includes a ground-floor food hall and 600 student bedrooms. 

The plot 10 building will be Vita’s second at First Street. The company’s first, a 279-apartment block, completed in 2015. 

Max Bielby, chief operating officer for Vita Group, added: “Our existing development at First Street has been hugely successful and consistently ranks highly in terms of resident satisfaction and wellbeing.  

“Our new House of Social concept at Plot 10 will take this a step further, building a real sense of community through a welcoming food hall which will be open to all, as well as student accommodation which focuses on high-quality shared spaces to encourage friendship and collaboration”. 

Jon Matthews Architects is designing the office portion of the scheme and Tim Groom Architects is designed the residential element. Deloitte is advising on planning.

View the public consultation here.