Award winning developer Allied London has applied for planning permission to build an innovative ten-storey commercial building in Spinningfields.
The application, which was submitted by Deloitte Real Estate, outlines the plans for a new corporate building that Allied London initially launched at international property expo, MIPIM, in 2012 as i+. Newly renamed, ‘The Cotton Building’ will allow tenants to completely customise their space, from lighting and heating elements to partition walls and furniture. The building is specifically aimed at the fast expanding TMT (technology, media and telecommunications) sector and Allied London has already identified several potential occupiers from the technology world. Cartwright Pickard has been appointed as architect.
Michael Ingall, CEO of Allied London said: “We have been spending valuable time designing the model since we launched the concept, and are now in a position to deliver what wild be one of Manchester’s and in fact our, most exciting buildings.
“The workspace market has changed and evolved significantly in the last three years and we needed to develop property to reflect this. We knew what we wanted to achieve with this building and have worked closely with the architects and planning team to ensure that what we have is the most innovative and fit for purpose building that will help put Manchester on the map as a TMT frontrunner.
“The property world needs to adapt to the needs of fast emerging businesses and we’re not just talking about lease structures. There is a real need to evolve the commercial real estate concept in order to support both fledgling and mature businesses and provide the right environment for them to flourish. Service, amenity and environment together with sustainability needs to be considered far more carefully than any time before.”
The building will feature a unique public environment, which includes subterranean parking for several cars along with a bike park and indoor gardens. The primary access route is by bicycle, via a ramp from street level.
John Cooper, director in the planning team at Deloitte Real Estate said: “Allied London’s new building will add another type of product to the successful Spinningfields estate, further promoting the strength of the area as a prime business district. It’s an exciting concept that brings work and play together and is something that no one has developed in this city. Allied London is at an advantage as it has already developed the necessary infrastructure around the building and wider estate to support the new model.
“Spinningfields is a prime location for TMT businesses as it has the fastest internet speeds recorded in the city through the service provided by Metronet.”
The lower floors of The Cotton Building will provide communal workspace, co-location facilities, a gym with wellbeing centre, café, bar and restaurants, a bicycle park with its own entrance, climbing wall, and a series of building and service concierges, aiming to provide essential support for start-ups and small businesses to established corporates.
Ingall added: “The Cotton Building will provide a graduated offer to create an eco-system of its own, with a fluid workspace culture at the heart. We will be seeking to join up with Manchester’s universities to encourage graduates with bright ideas to use The Cotton Building as their first port of call to start their business. We’ll also be looking to support SMEs, who can move up the building as their business grows. The large floorplates of the top storeys provide exceptional space for large corporates, creating an environment that will promote ideas sharing and collaborative working.”
The building will be managed by i+, Allied London’s new property management service developed with Capital Properties. Allied London is developing properties in Manchester, Leeds and London specifically aimed at the TMT sector. Utilising the ease of connectivity provided by rail links, Allied London aims to promote a ‘golden triangle’ – an interconnected creative community that shares ideas and space across the country.
