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Crunch Time For Allied London's £1bn Granada Masterplan
Council to consider ambitious plans for the new 'St John's Quarter' at Old Granada Studios
IT'S CRUNCH time for Allied London's hugely ambitious £1bn plans for ITV's former Granada Studios site on Quay Street, as the developer puts their regeneration framework before the Manchester City Council Executive today (Weds 29 Oct).
If plans are given the go ahead, the first phase could begin on-site in 2015, with the final phase delivered in 2021-22.
“Our plans have been developed to open up a key part of the city that has largely been cut off to the public for decades."
The site was purchased in the summer of 2013 for £26.5m by Manchester Quays Limited, a joint venture between Allied London and Manchester City Council.
In August 2014 Allied London chief Michael Ingall unveiled the developer's grand plans (by Ian Simpson Architects) for the 13.5 acre Old Granada Studios site.
The area was to become a new city centre 'neighbourhood'. Lead by residential developments St John's would be transformed into a 'modern village with commerical uses'.
Old Granada Studios
Conceptual designs for 'The Village'
The vision is based around a two-tier development concept; 'The Village' and 'The Sky'.
'The Village' will consist of a weave of narrow streets and 'intimate' low-rise townhouses and five to seven storey buildings incorporating work, studio, retail and leisure space combined with residential units on top featuring terraced gardens. The work and studio space will be aimed at media, creative and tech industries.
'The Sky' will be a series of 20 to 30-storey tower blocks that will 'float over the Village' and provide views across the city. The taller buildings will be located to the west of the site by the River Irwell.
More recently, Allied London have unveiled plans for The Manchester Grande, a new 200-suite hotel and entertainment complex for Granada's former HQ office block and studios. The hotel will include four restaurants, a multitude of bars, a top-floor members club and use of the former studio space for entertainment purposes.
Plans to go before the council also include a second 'corporate four-star' hotel and two to three dedicated arts and culture buildings.
The regeneration framework indicates that buildings to be retained include: the Bonded Warehouse, Granada HQ building and studios, and Breeze Studio whilst Granada Gardens will be retained for public use.
Tours around the former Coronation Street set will continue until the end of 2015, before the area is incorporated into the developments.
Initial plans for the site did include a multi-story car park, however, following a number of objections, there will now be no multi-storey car park on site.
Manchester Grande Hotel complex
Plans submitted to the Council's Executive include:
- 4m sq. ft. of high-quality new and refurbished mixed-use development.
- 2,500 – 3,000 new residential units, comprising a variety of townhouses, penthouse apartments, live-work units and high-rise living.
- 500 of these to be potentially brought forward on the Core Site as a Private Rented Community.
- 500 – 600,000 sq. ft. workspace, mostly in low-rise studio space aimed at creative new industries, incorporating space for start-ups, incubators and collaborative working.
- 80,000 sq. ft. of this via refurbishment of the Bonded Warehouse.
- 300 – 400,000 sq. ft. of new leisure, including reuse of certain existing entertainment and studio buildings.
- 2 new hotels: a corporate 4-star offer and the refurbished HQ building as a new event hotel and entertainment destination.
- High quality public realm throughout the site incorporating existing and new green spaces and important connectivity to MOSI, Spinningfields, Deansgate and the River Irwell through interlinking public spaces.
Old Granada Studios
Granada HQ building to become Manchester Grande
Ingall said:
“Our plans have been developed to open up a key part of the city that has largely been cut off to the public for decades.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Manchester: for the families that want to live in the city, the exciting start-up tech and digital businesses starting to flourish, with Manchester voted top of the start–up cities index, and change the balance of the economy and the visitors, who want a unique base to enjoy and share in the city’s culture and heritage.
“This is a key step in bringing our plans to life and an important part of our wider plans for the City which includes the further development of Hello Workspace at Old Granada Studios and the market launch of The Cotton Building in Spinningfields. We’re excited by the progress to date and inspired by the future potential.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "St John's has the potential to become an important new city centre neighbourhood, combining residential and work space with green space, heritage assets and leisure and entertainment facilities which should make it an attraction in its own right.
“This framework will underpin the development of an exciting new area which will complement the wider regeneration of the city centre."
If the 'St John's Quarter' strategy is approved at the Executive meeting a period of formal consultation will take place.
Granada Site
Granada Plans
Granada Plans
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Self serving advertorial promoting the commercial interests of company you benefit from.David Blake is a joke as journalist,totally lacking any moral integrity.
OH NOOOO!! Anyone would think that Man Con is a blog/lifestyle website, rather than a bastion of investigative reporting like you seem to expect it to be.
Poppycock. Moral integrity? This publication has been the only one to tackle Allied London on the issue of Coronation Street...
As positive as ever in your comments David. This is a straight-up news piece. Nothing more.
When Leese is quoted praising this development already,what's the point off this sham show of democracy?.A council controlled entirely by one party whose leader has already spoken to say his view,is not going to reject it.So the headline suggesting s crunch decision is wide of the mark,the decision has already been taken.Whether the developers have good plans and good track record,does not take away from the fact that there is no real accountability here,to what the people of Manchester might think.
anon, or David as the editor seems to know who you are, you are a fuckw*t.
"does not take away from the fact that there is no real accountability here, to what the people of Manchester might think." Except of course for the fact that all our Labour Councillors, the people's representatives, were democratically elected. You sound like a sore loser.
that outrageous personal attack lacks any integrity, and takes away from any point you might have. Grow up lad. Gordo not much better, though at least provoked.
It's hardly crunch time,given the the council and these developers close relationship.Its obvious these plans will sail through,with a council of yes men and women,who do the leadership bidding.
More pictures of what they propose would be a welcome addition if available? The one's used seem vague and hard to decipher.
There's a few images at the bottom that give a rough idea of layout - but released images haven't given away any detailed designs as yet.
Council members are meant to declare a conflict of interest.Perhaps you should do so if have a commercial relationship with the developers seeking permission from tge council.Dont see how can be totally objective if office on Granada site.
ManCon please can you stop Anonymous posters? They are so tiresome
Afraid not Rink
Aww poor Rink :(
But why? Is there a secret reason? It's like talking to a bunch of identical strangers. Annoying identical strangers
Editor - you said not long ago you were working on a fix. What happened? Do you not retain the services of a decent web developer?
Welcome to the internet.
"Tours around the former Coronation Street set will continue until the end of 2015, before the area is incorporated into the developments." does incorporated mean smashed to pieces?
Twenty to thirty tower blocks that 'float ' over the village.This is nonsense.Tower blocks don't float in the sky.It means the supposed 'village ' is nothing of the sort,it will have shadow of thirty enormous tower blocks casting a permanent shadow across it.Is there are current area of the city centre that has 30 tower blocks on it?.
The blocks are on the west, so will only cast a shadow later in the day. It's a super masterplan. There isn't even room for 30 tower blocks. The site isn't that big...
Read the article again FFS. Nowhere does it say there are 30 tower blocks
The plans you show on this explanation of the development don't show convenienttly 30 tower blocks?.We deserve to see the true plans with these enormous buildings on it,not hidden.The plans we are seeing are hiding the true scale of this development.
David, the series of towers will be 'a series of twenty to thirty storey tower blocks'. There will not be 20 to 30 separate towers. Please read more carefully. If you continue to post streams of rants on this article we'll be forced to remove your comments in line with our Rant Policy: www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/…/Rant-And-Comment-Policy-Manchester-Confidential…
keep him on, he's a fuckw*t
That's subjective Gordo, but as you know, it's 'fact' that you have a criminal record. Perhaps it's wise not to slag people off on here eh?
Get rid. This guy is complete cock
The word plan has been used in the article and quotes, but this is not yet a planning application so expect details at a later date. At present this is just a framework: an outline. On the whole I think it's pretty good and retains much of what is valued on the site, eg the garden and the 60s building. Keeping the Corrie set would be a plus for me, but I doubt Granada would relinquish control.
I'm sure some agreement can be made with regards to the Corrie set. We must do everything we can to keep it. As far as I can see it's the most popular attraction we have in Manchester. To knock it down would be a massive mistake.
I'd have thought the two football clubs are the biggest attractions in Manchester.
Football stadiums and arenas aren't classed as tourist attractions.
Who cares what they're "classed" as, they bring people in
They are classed as tourist attractions though aren't they?
As does the Corrie tour Rink, must be around 400,000 now.
No chance it's 400,000
Well it was reported it had exceed 300,000 weeks ago, so there is every chance.
Marketing Manchester visitor stats don't include stadiums and arenas. The top 10 only includes "accredited multi-purpose venues" (their words).
Bin the Corrie Set.
Yeah let's get rid of the most popular tourist attraction in Manchester. Brilliant idea.
It's not the most popular tourist attraction though is it?
What is then? Name me an attraction that you have to pay to enter that gets more visitors. And before you say Old Trafford or the Arena, they aren't deemed as tourist attractions. If you don't believe me do some research on the subject.
Your nan's house.
Titter
Where does the money from the Corrie tour go? Does it stay in Manchester?
Of course Old Trafford is a tourist attraction.
If it attracts tourists it's a tourist attraction.
NOPE.
The money goes to ITV London of course
And all the employees are from London and local pubs, bars and other attractions that the visitors use before and after the tour are all based in London too?
Pubs and bars were doing quite well in Manchester before this "attraction" opened, thank you very much. And how many people does the place employ? 20? Wooh, big time employer
I'd imagine they are doing better now though. No idea how many jobs there is thanks to this "attraction" as you call it?! Does the " " imply that this isn't an attraction in your humble opinion?
A great plan. Let's see it delivered.
Are they keeping the vaguely modern triangular building on Quay street? It's the one with the clock
The 30s thing? I think it goes.
Calum...30s thing!!!....It's a beautiful Deco clock.......If it goes can I have it?
That's 88 - 100 Quay street
The new regeneration framework is really exciting and councillors and residents secured crucial wins - retaining and opening up the Granada garden to public use, a clearer commitment to more green space, having the taller buildings along the river, saving the historic buildings and a greater focus on a family friendly neighbourhood. We're really pleased that officers and the executive endorsed these changes and thank all the residents who engaged in the consultation.
I think 'secured' is rather an overstatement given that - as Joan has pointed out above - no actual plans have been made yet.
Kevin's up for re-election next May and he loves a bit of spin. It should be remembered that this is the 2nd proposal for this site. The first one was awful and (amongst other things) included the removal of the Granada garden as well as no guarantees for the bonded warehouse, which surprisingly isn't listed. The first proposal was endorsed by officers and executive also.
Bore off Peel. You are always overstating your position. You are not even on the Planning Committee. Are those Councillors all on here congratulating themselves with the unnamed leads you have omitted to mention and thereby implying your success in somehow 'securing' this? Come the inevitable 2015 election nonsense, please tone it down and be more like your colleagues who do not desperately overstate and clamour to promote their role in EVERY Manchester success story. It is laughable but much more than that it is most tiresome.
Also over priced properties that the average mancunian can't afford so will be sold to overseas investors. More social housing needs to be built. Local people will not benefit from this.
Sure I read a story on here a while ago about 6000 properties being built in East Manchester in a billion pound deal?
Well it's something for the "average Mancunian" to aspire to then isn't it. For Christ's sake, if every new building was "affordable housing" the place would be a sorry mess. I also don't see why there should be affordable housing in Central Manchester. It's prime Real Estate and if places to live are too expensive for those on even modest incomes. I don't see why those on low incomes should be able to live there. That's what the suburbs are for
Comma, not full stop between "income" and "I"
East Manchester? How ghastly.
+1, Rinky.
With yer Rinky.....I was in London last month and couldn't find any affordable housing in South Kensington.....I would go on but I worry I might start to sound like 'David'
Working for a national housebuilder, I can advise that even though Councils insist, as part of their S106 planning approvals, that affordable housing should be provided, the housing associations are very picky about what they'll take. Leaving the housebuilder with plots they cannot sell. So simply saying there should be more affordable housing is not as straight forward as you may think.
Thank god not everyone wants to build for the 'average mancunian'. Less social housing please, what a horror it would be to have low quality, cheap social housing in the heart of our city. Stick such rubbish elsewhere.
Last Anon, you speak from a position of pure ignorance. Do one you fucknuckle snob.
Too many council estates in Manchester already.
Manchester is going to run out of quarters soon enough. It will have to be a fifth.
Can we stop with this tired smart-arse reply. Quarter. Noun: a part of a town or city having a particular character or use. Bore off.
Full of comedians on here, innit
Could the City Council not reduce Allied London's s106 payment in return for Allied London selling the Corrie set to the neighbouring Science and Industry Museum for a low fee. The set could then become the centrepiece of a wider MOSI display on Manchester's creative industries.
MOSI don't want it. www.digitalspy.co.uk/…/coronation-street-set-plans-ruled-out-by-museum.html…
Don't want it or can't afford it at a juncture when museum funding is much reduced?
Their response is pretty clearly the former.
Allied don't own the rights to corrie. Itv do.
get it pushed through and built while the local and national economy is good. Too many developments where lost when the country last fell into the recession.
Very true. Someone talks sense at last. Shocker!!
There's another buy to let boom that's going to end in tears. And unsustainable communities (sic). But let's not worry, units are built, boxes are ticked, and feathers are preened.
you're right! so let's do nothing!
Doh. Nothing is being done. That is the point.
MCC are a partner in this development , having found a few million quid down the back of the sofa to help buy the site whilst cutting jobs and services, so i am sure, therefore, that there will be no conflict of interest that influences the safe passage of the planning application for this scheme. I am in no doubt the rigour and transparency that the planning department and Council Executive has become well know for in recent times will be once again be shown throughout the process. Doubles all round!
Which shows they are being shrewd with their money. Cutting unnecessary waste and looking towards and investing in the future. It's what any sensible housekeeper would do
Like libraries,street cleaning and services.But buying another airport and being involved in property development is fine.From a council that been one that been banging on about austerity for years.
You have to aim higher than the basics. You also shouldn't keep all of your eggs in one basket. It would be no good keeping libraries open that no one uses anymore whist curtailing ambition. I'm not exactly Labour's greatest fan but I do think they want Manchester to succeed. Sometimes I wish they'd go further and be more bold
I agree that street cleaning needs more money throwing at it though
Sixtwo Architects submitted a listing application for the Corrie set early this year. After they were disillusioned with the 12 early proposals that showed no reference to a worldwide known monument (the st). English Heritage recently turned down the application, citing technicalities as to why it couldn't be listed. There's a chance these could be questioned, as parts of the set are now over 30 years old. It would be a crime if this went...
Laughable. Sixtwo should recognise architectural or historical merit but clearly don't. Do they contribute anything to Manchester other than cringe worthy architectural chitter chatter? Cornonation St is a set, just a set. Just because it is old, doesn't make it good. Coronation street is elsewhere now. Perhaps Sixtwo should concentrate a bit more on their own designs or maybe they don't have enough work on hence time to write these statements. Who would pay to run it anyway? Or maintain it? You Nick? The taxpayer? Not mine. Well done English Heritage for throwing this application out.
Six two are better than what Spinningfields got.What have Allied London contributed to Manchester exactly in terms of building of merit?.The Avenue the supposed Bond Street of the North has been a total failure,with hardly any retailers left.The bars and restaurant are identikit, and are totally crap compared to other cities. But the council loves them and has helped them considerably with money.
Spinningfields is a roaring success as a development and The Avenue is going through a changeable period. There are some good restaurants there - Australasia is great for a start. It also has the best entrance to a restaurant ever and that is very important to me, ha. And what other cities are you talking about? Liverpool? Leeds? Pah! Don't make me laugh. Name the cities and the restaurants you are talking about or shush
Manchester has few recognised landmarks. This is an internationally recognised element of Manchester and The North. There would be numerous ways to make it work. A bespoke hotel would work well. Even keeping a small element would be a great nod to the area's past. Sixtwo wrote the statement to try protect Manchester's heritage.
The set was built in the 1980s. And is a set. Like a theatre set. They are not real buildings. Therefore a dubious notion of heritage by any definition, surely?
Even if just a veneer, its cultural importance is off the scale, and I would like to think it could be incorporated into such a huge development.
Could we not have something here named after Tony Wilson?.Since he did after all work here.
Bernstein and Plowright should be at the head of that queue.