Realty’s vision for BBC site unveiled

REALTY Estates is to submit its outline plans for an 800,000 sq ft mixed use development at the BBC’s former Manchester HQ at Oxford Road next month.

As revealed to TheBusinessDesk.com last year , the Manchester-based developer is planning a mixed-use scheme on the site involving commercial, leisure, offices, residential and retail elements.

The site includes a hotel, supermarkets and residential accommodation both for students and the open market. It also has a supermarket, non-food retail and a new civic space which can be used for exhibitions, broadcast events and cultural performances.

Architecture firm Fielden Clegg Bradley has been appointed to develop the masterplan for the site alongside Alex Meitlis Architects. DPP has been appointed as planning consultant, Cheetham & Mortimer will advise on the retail and leisure elements of the scheme, GVA/RGA Consulting will advise on the hotel and Jones Lang LaSalle will market the student and residential accommodation. New Economy and consultant Adroit Economics have also worked with the firm on assessing market demand.

Realty Estates’ head of developments Shahram Sakhdari said: “We have been working with our team and the City Council to develop an exciting scheme that represents a statement of confidence in the Oxford Road area, which is shared by the marketplace.

“Initial discussions with the city council have been extremely positive and we look forward to working with them and other stakeholders prior to submitting a planning application in due course.

“This is a deliverable scheme, and we look forward to major investment, regeneration and substantial employment creation for local people.”

Dr. Alexander Roy, head of research at New Economy said: “Not only is the former BBC site of great interest to the city, but due to its iconic location, this development could enable it to become the flagship gateway between the city centre and its knowledge base.”

Mark Aylward, planning director at DPP, said: “This is a hugely important regeneration scheme in a location identified by the city council as a key growth corridor for Manchester.

“Quality design is critical to delivering a major investment which will become a landmark on the Oxford Road frontage, and the realisation of several hundred new jobs and much improved street scene and public realm will drive forward the council’s long term aspiration for Oxford Road.”

Consent for demolition of the existing buildings was granted last month and work is due to start on site by July.