Greengate Office Block Gets Green Light

Plans to revamp the area where the city centre meets Salford have been given the go-ahead as Salford City Council approved plans for a new business centre adjacent to Victoria station. 

Embankment Greengate, which will house a 200,000 sq ft office building and a 445 space multi-storey car park, is a joint venture between Ask Developments and Network Rail on the northern bank of the River Irwell, currently used as a car park.

“The continued strength of the occupier market in the city centre and the lack of new Grade A space means now is the right time to be planning speculative development." 

The first phase of the development will be the office building, dubbed 101 Embankment, which will be available for occupation in Spring 2014. Work has already begun on the public realm, with public spaces slated to open next Spring.

The number of people using Manchester Victoria is set to double by 2019, according to Network Rail. Director of property David Biggs said: “Network Rail’s plans for investment at the station will help stimulate the requirement for high-quality commercial office space in the heart of the city.” 

Alan Burke, director at Ask Developments, said: “The continued strength of the occupier market in the city centre and the lack of new Grade A space likely to be available in 2013/14 gives both Salford City Council and ourselves the confidence that now is the right time to be planning speculative development.

“We are working closely with Salford City Council and Network Rail to deliver our joint ambitions for this landmark site.”