Public consultation announced on plans for Bruntwood SciTech’s No.3 Circle Square
A public exhibition and consultation will outline plans for No.3 Circle Square, the latest building being brought forward by Bruntwood SciTech in Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor innovation district.
The event, on May 11, is aimed at city centre residents, local businesses and other key stakeholders, ahead of the formal planning application being submitted this June.
The proposed 264,000 sq ft No.3 Circle Square, which has an estimated development value of £87m, will offer office space over 14 storeys. Both No.1 and No.2 Circle Square are now at full occupancy.
The ground floor will combine a welcome area with retail and leisure amenities that open out onto Symphony Gardens – a new landscaped green space opposite Symphony Park. Cycle and shower facilities to encourage green travel and a top floor communal lounge and event space which opens out onto a roof terrace are also included within the design.
Members of the scheme’s development team will be on hand to provide insight, and capture feedback on the proposals, at the consultation at No.1 Circle Square, from 3pm to 7pm, on May 11. Those unable to attend the event can see the proposals online at www.circlesquaremanchester.com.
The newest development within the Circle Square tech cluster will pay homage to the area’s Victorian and Edwardian architecture thanks to a high quality red brick design by Bridge Architects, and will overlook Symphony Gardens.
Sustainability is also being carefully considered in the design and construction plans, with materials to be selected to reduce the environmental impact of the building. Bruntwood SciTech is intending on No.3 Circle Square achieving net zero embodied carbon during construction, BREEAM Excellent status, a NABERS 5 Star rating and an EPC A rating once operational.
Bruntwood SciTech is a 50:50 joint venture between Manchester property company Bruntwood and Legal & General. Bradley Topps, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “This is a significant milestone as we realise the ultimate vision for Circle Square which has, from conception, been to create a must-see and must-be-in destination that would bolster Manchester’s knowledge economy. With No.1 and No.2 now fully occupied, this vision is firmly taking shape.
“We believe these plans will complement and build on the existing success of Circle Square and provide a further boost to what is already a hotbed of science and technology excellence along the Oxford Road Corridor.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our plans for No.3 Circle Square and starting the conversation with the public about our design and intention for this important next stage of Circle Square.”
Circle Square is part of Bruntwood SciTech’s UK-wide network of innovation districts and has been specifically designed to accommodate high growth digital and tech businesses.
Following planning approval, works for No.3 Circle Square are expected to start this autumn, with practical completion in December 2024.
Partners appointed for the project include Bridge Architects, Landscape architect Planit, structural engineering firm, Curtins, M+E engineer, Crookes Walker Consulting, and principal designer and QS, Richard Boothroyd and Associates.
