This June, Allied London will launch Campfield, a new creative tech campus that promises to “change the workspace landscape in Manchester” and help businesses scale and succeed.
Located in the vibrant St. John’s neighbourhood, and located on the site of what locals have for many years known as “those pretty but derelict buildings next to MoSI” the 130,000 sq ft “mega campus” spans three buildings, including two iconic Victorian market halls, and will be managed by Department, a leader in flexible workspaces. Campfield is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, providing world-class facilities for businesses in the creative and tech sectors.
The development will be a “dynamic destination that blends professional life with social and cultural experiences, from morning coffee to late-night events.” With cutting-edge design and emphasis on flexibility, Campfield aims to become a catalyst for Manchester’s creative and tech ecosystem, elevating the city as a global hub for innovation and attracting top talent from across the world.
With support from Manchester City Council’s Culture in the City project, Campfield joins landmarks like Aviva Studios, Bonded Warehouse and Manchester Goods Yard in the new St. John’s district. The campus will also host the Exchange programme, a growth programme designed to support both start-ups and scale-ready businesses, allowing them to accelerate their capabilities and take them to the next level.
The development will be split into several key sections:
Department at Campfield
At the heart of Campfield is award-winning Department. Department will deliver the full operational infrastructure of the campus, offering a range of cutting-edge facilities tailored to tech and creative businesses. Founded in 2020, Department quickly became a market leader in the sector, with over 250 businesses and a 97% occupancy rate across locations in Manchester and Leeds, including Department Bonded Warehouse, the Globe Building and Department XYZ.
Department will bring its signature blend of flexible workspaces to the development, offering a range of private offices, creative studios and coworking areas, as well as workshops, mixed media studios and meeting rooms. As with all Department buildings, members will enjoy access to premium amenities, fitness spaces and exclusive partner benefits.
Exchange
The mega campus will also house Exchange, one of the UK’s most successful tech accelerators. Exchange is dedicated to helping businesses succeed by providing critical resources, coaching and a collaborative community. Specialising in creative tech, cultural advancements and content production, Exchange has supported over 1,000 individuals and 200 businesses, securing more than £15 million in funding and raising £78 million globally. Now in its ninth cohort, Exchange’s move to Campfield will expand its support to include both start-ups and growth enterprises in deep tech.
Campfield Studios
Campfield Studios is the smaller of the two listed former market halls and will contain a series of creative and media studios, along with production spaces and a dramatic central atrium which can be hired for creative happenings, film and TV shoots, events, exhibitions, product launches, as well as groundbreaking virtual production.
Castlefield House
Castlefield House is envisioned as a dynamic media workspace and hospitality hub, offering a Bauhaus-inspired design tailored for media and tech companies. Currently home to media post-production businesses, the building is set to attract larger media organisations as it continues to evolve. The building will feature a spacious courtyard café, creating a vibrant work/social space, with contemporary studio facilities that front onto Liverpool Road.
Campfield House
Campfield House will be the city’s newest destination for socialising and entertainment, opening its doors to all. The café will serve up artisanal coffee and light bites, while the event space will host talks, performances and exhibitions under the building’s iconic glass roof. Located on the mezzanine floor, the Campfield House Bar will be a design-led hangout that comes alive in the evenings with an extensive wine list and a menu of world class cocktails. At weekends, the campus will transform with vibrant craft markets and food stalls, welcoming all to experience the dynamic energy of the reimagined heritage buildings. Campfield House will officially open to the public in June.
Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: “Campfield will provide creative, tech and media businesses with the infrastructure and facilities they need to grow and develop. Importantly, it will once again be open for social gatherings and for the public to enjoy. The project will see these historically significant buildings given a new life and fully equipped to play an integral part in the next generation of artistic and creative output from the city’s new creative district.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Campfield is a much-loved historic site that has sat empty and underutilised for so long. We’ve been supporting this project from the start, bringing these important heritage buildings brought back into active use, supporting the city’s ongoing growth and boosting employment opportunities in some of the city’s key emerging sectors. Manchester’s reputation is growing globally as a leader in the creative, tech and media industries, and this new hub is another example of creating a supportive ecosystem where businesses can start-up, scale-up and thrive. It’s great to see this scheme come to life, bringing a renewed energy to Campfield.”
Abigail Gunning, Operational Director of Department, added: “Department Campfield will offer thoughtfully designed, service-led workspaces that enable businesses to succeed. The new campus represents our commitment to providing amenity-rich environments where people feel fulfilled, and businesses can attract the best talent. We’re excited to continue growing our community and support businesses shaping the future of Manchester’s creative and tech landscape.”
