Plans have been unveiled for a new development called Enterprise City Campus in central Manchester which could employ up to 15,000 media and tech workers.
The former Astley and Byrom house building is to be re-adapted, refurbished and re-named ABC, with a focus on film, TV, media and tech companies.
Michael Ingall, chief executive of developers Allied London, described “a new idea – a concept building referred to as Enterprise City campus, a 500k sq ft integrated series of buildings that could be a new tech and media campus for Manchester.”
He added: “At this stage it’s only a concept but could lead to a significant extension of Enterprise City – it’s the difference between 10 and 15,000 workers.
“The building if developed would be an extension of Enterprise city and be adjacent to the new Factory arts centre, and replace a part of the Trinity Islands development, deliberately designed for modern Industry and have a real purpose focussed on inward investment for enterprising businesses.
“Diversity is at the heart of our Enterprise city brand and it’s driving a tech, media and creative agenda at St Johns that includes a wide range of commercial uses, especially those around TV and film making.
“The ABC Buildings, once restored to their 60s ethos and enhanced with an advanced tech infrastructure, will make powerful additions to our Enterprise City vision”.
Enterprise City is part of the £1.35bn St John’s development off Quay Street in central Manchester.
Allied London have already started construction and will launch the ABC buildings complex in late summer, with key anchor tenants taking workspace at that time.
The collection of sixties buildings has been empty for nearly 10 years and were earmarked for demolition by the former owners.
The Enterprise City Campus is being designed by architects Child Graddon Lewis.
CGL director Paul Graddon added: “Imagine waking up in the morning and looking out over stunning views of Manchester from your Trinity Islands apartment, going down to the gym, picking up your coffee to then walk along the river bank, into one of the most exciting and well-connected workspaces in the City.
“The addition of Enterprise City Campus, to what is already one of the most forward-thinking regeneration schemes in the UK, creates another brilliant opportunity for Manchester and its residents.
“CGL is thrilled to be a part of it and this is made even more significant due to its location just next door to Trinity Islands.”
