Bruntwood picked to deliver £60m MBS upgrade

DEVELOPER Bruntwood has been confirmed as development partner for a £60m project to upgrade Manchester University’s Business School.

The plans, which were first revealed by TheBusinessDesk.com in March, involve the construction of a new, external hotel and conference centre, replacing the one currently within the business school building.

A new executive education centre will also be built, while new teaching and administrative space will also be delivered.

The design by Manchester-based architect BDP, involves the removal of the footbridge currently above Oxford Road at its junction with Both Street and the replacement of the University Precinct shopping centre.

The project will be delivered in several phases, with construction scheduled to begin on the first phase next year – the new hotel and conference centre.

Professor Michael Luger, Dean of Manchester Business School, said: “We are delighted to be working with Bruntwood on what will be a flagship investment for the city of Manchester.

“It’s our aim that the new Manchester Business School will become a landmark gateway to Corridor Manchester, at the heart of the city’s knowledge-led economy.

“Our ethos is about applying original thinking to make positive change and the new building, funded in part through pledges in excess of £2m from alumni of the School and local philanthropists, echoes this philosophy – both in its design and function.

“As we move towards our goal of becoming a truly world-class business school the hotel and conference centre will provide an excellent base from which to explore Manchester and it will play a key role in attracting inward development to the city.”

Colin Sinclair, director of special projects at Bruntwood, said: “Bruntwood is delighted to have been chosen to redevelop Manchester Business School and is looking forward to working with the University of Manchester and MBS to deliver a world class facility at the very heart of The Corridor”.