Manchester launches design competition for 20-acre regen

8/07/10 1:10 pm By Nick Johnstone

Manchester City Council and the Co-operative Group have launched a design competition to masterplan a 20-acre regeneration site in the city centre.

The winner will design public spaces across the site, including a main central square in front of the Co-op’s 325,000 sq ft HQ, which is under construction.

The group currently occupies nine buildings in the vicinity of Victoria Station, and the city council recently backed proposals to redevelop the site between Dantzic Street and Corporation Street, which combines historic buildings, industrial property and open land.

Lynda Shillaw, managing director of the Co-operative estates, said: “We want the area to enjoy an international reputation for having raised the bar for environmentally sustainable commercial development and this competition offers the winning team a fantastic opportunity to create exceptional public realm.

“The regeneration of the site will begin with a new purpose built head office for the Co-operative Group which will be completed in summer 2012 to highest possible environmental construction standards.”

Manchester council leader Richard Leese said: “This important 20-acre site stands at the northern gateway to the city centre and will play a central role in its ongoing regeneration, through the creation of a very high quality new commercial quarter. The council and the Co-operative Group share a commitment to delivering exemplary standards in both sustainable development and urban design.”

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