Member Article

Manchester City football club owners announce investment in £1 billion Council housing plan

Manchester City Council and Abu Dhabi United Group, the privately owned investment company which also owns Manchester City Football Club, have announced a major new partnership to accelerate the growth of East Manchester neighbourhoods with over 830 new homes.

The plan will need to raise £1 billion in the next 10 years and may need further investors to build the homes.

The partnership will see, as Phase One of the programme, the provision of more than 830 homes in Ancoats and New Islington, bringing significant impetus to both areas and helping to complete their redevelopment.

The predominantly privately rented homes will strengthen Manchester’s economic growth trajectory by providing much needed residential units, helping the city achieve its Residential Growth Strategy to build tens of thousands of new homes by 2027.

The multi phased Manchester Life initiative, foresees investment of up to £1 billion over the next 10 years, with provision for further multiple investors. It will expand the residential market on the eastern fringe of the city, providing a platform for the delivery of more than 6,000 new homes.

Manchester Life Development Company, a joint venture between the two partners will be established to oversee the development.

Following the completion and approval of Phase One development plans, construction work is expected to begin next year.

All of the land which is required for Phase One of Manchester Life has been assembled, allowing immediate progress.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Today’s announcement adds another commercial dimension to the already significant investment made by Manchester City Council and ADUG in East Manchester, and in doing so progresses the regeneration story which began in the 1990’s and was accelerated by the 2002 Commonwealth Games and ADUG’s recent development of the Etihad Campus.

“The planned transformation of the eastern edge of the City Centre is the single biggest residential investment Manchester has seen for a generation.

“Building thousands of quality new homes will be a fundamental part of our growth story and will deliver significant socioeconomic impact.

“We look forward to working with Abu Dhabi United Group to create a world class exemplar of regeneration.”

Speaking on behalf of the Abu Dhabi United Group, board director, Marty Edelman said, “ADUG, through Manchester City Football Club, has come to know Manchester City Council’s vision for regeneration and its ability to deliver major initiatives effectively.

“Given Abu Dhabi United Group’s existing long term commitment to Manchester and the Council’s economic growth plan, it was a logical decision to look at ways to create a commercial partnership with the city to deliver its wider residential strategy.

“We are effectively investing in the opportunities and positive circumstances created by our joint investments to date. We are extremely proud of the resulting Manchester Life joint initiative that will complete the transformation of the Ancoats and New Islington areas”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .