Member Article

Permission granted for £50 million project at Manchester Business School

Planning permission has been granted for the second phase of the £50 million redevelopment of Manchester Business School (MBS).

The 200,000 sq ft refurbishment of MBS facilities falls under this phase and will create significantly improved teaching and administrative accommodation, a new Learning Library and Enterprise Zone.

The plans also include a 40,500 sq ft retail and leisure space, specifically designed to host a mix of high quality brands and amenities.

The approved plans will create up to 15 units ranging in size from 1,000 sq ft to 8,000 sq ft, with double-height glazed frontages onto Oxford Road.

The variety of units will create a mixed offer of retail, food and leisure for students, staff and visitors to the University and Business School, the significant working population on and around Oxford Road and the local residents.

Additionally phase two includes the removal of a link bridge across Oxford Road to improve views and light levels in the area.

Public realm improvements will enhance the area for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

The retail and leisure space will complement the new 326-room hotel and enhanced Manchester Business School Executive Education Centre.

Both are being developed as part of phase one, which was granted planning consent in April 2013 with construction starting on-site later this month.

Works on the retail redevelopment will begin in 2015, with the development set to open in mid-2016. The wider scheme of MBS refurbishment works will be completed in phases with the final phase due for completion in early 2018.

Tushingham Moore has been appointed by Bruntwood and The University of Manchester as the leasing agents for the scheme.

Director of estates and facilities at The University of Manchester, Diana Hampson said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for phase two and that our shared vision will be realised.

“This is a landmark development in Manchester and a key asset in the Oxford Road Corridor.

“This development forms part of the University’s ten-year, £1 billion Campus Masterplan to create some of the most modern campus facilities in the world.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .