Muse lands development brief for £500m Wythenshawe Civic regeneration project

Developer Muse has been named as the delivery and investment partner for the £500m regeneration of Wythenshawe in south Manchester.

Phil Marsden, Managing Director for Muse – North West, said his team will work closely with Manchester City Council, other local partners and the local community, to “deliver against an ambitious and bold strategy.” 

Called Wythenshawe Civic, the project was put out for tender in October 2023.

The agreement is another boost for Muse, which is also working on sizeable projects in Salford, St Helens and Oldham, and is the lead developer on the Stockport Mayoral Development Zone.

Acknowledging some of the social problems in an area often referred to as the biggest council estate in Europe, Marsden said his team has engaged closely with the community and listened to local people.

“We will work with, and build on, what already makes Wythenshawe special. We are committed to addressing the challenges and seek to change perceptions. There is so much to be excited about,” Marsden said. 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, noted the track record of Muse referring to a “wealth of experience in transformational and sustainable development projects” but also noted that the wider aims of the project.

“Regeneration is about much more than buildings, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, deliver secure and affordable housing, tackle deprivation, strengthen community and create opportunity for the people of Wythenshawe. 

Bev Craig (Credit LabourList)

“In the meantime, we are still progressing initial investment at the Civic – including the new public square, culture hub and food hall as a statement of intent around our ambition for Wythenshawe.” 

The appointment of Muse will help accelerate the long-term programme of regeneration that will see a new public square, new shops, net zero carbon commercial space, community and cultural space and more than 1,750 new homes – including significant affordable housing – over the next 10 years.  

The joint venture partnership has set an ambition to deliver the UK’s first Positive Energy District (PED) in Wythenshawe. By delivering highly energy efficient buildings – along with native trees, urban allotments, and roof gardens – achieving PED status at Civic is part of a clear roadmap to achieving net zero carbon and greatly improving local biodiversity. 

The total investment cost is expected to exceed £500m with the initial development work commencing as early as 2025.  

Kickstarting the investment, the Council was awarded a £20m grant through the Levelling Up (LUF) programme, which will be complemented by a further £11.9m from the Council to deliver a cultural and creative hub, food hall, co-working and employment space, and initial investment in new public realm.  

The procurement exercise was managed on behalf of the Council by Savills and DWF.