Property round-up: Prospect Dev NW; Vault Youth Zone; Victoria Building; Caddick; Circle Square; Manchester School of Art
Work has started on the construction of 11 new business units at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.
Prospect Development NW has started construction at Plot 109, between Lancaster House and Lockheed Court on Amy Johnson Way.
Once complete, the 1.8 acre site will include warehousing and office space, ranging from 190 sq m to 400 sq m. Construction of the land is set to complete in autumn next year.
Four of the units are already sold, with the remaining units becoming available for sale early next year. Construction is expected to complete later next year.
In addition, the site will provide parking for 60 cars, including electric vehicle charge points, bicycle storage and motorcycle parking. The site will also have a range of landscaping fronting Amy Johnson Way, including trees and shrubbery.
The development is the latest in a line of private and public sector developments on the business park since it was granted Enterprise Zone status in 2016.
More than 200,000 sq ft of new accommodation has been developed since 2016, with another 176,500 sq ft refurbished. In total the Enterprise Zone is home to in excess of 200 companies and around 4,000 jobs.
A new £18.5m road is expected to open in 2025, creating additional land for commercial development, as well as providing a second access road.
Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Economy, said: “Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is becoming one of the North West’s premier business destinations, supporting thousands of jobs for people on the Fylde Coast.
“Our commitment to invest in infrastructure, such as the new road, is creating an environment where the private sector is also investing in new business units, creating space for more companies to start and grow, and creating more jobs, boosting our local economy and making Blackpool better.”
The Enterprise Zone is a 25-year project between Blackpool Council and Fylde Council to attract quality jobs to the area for local people, with Blackpool Council so far committing up to £54m in infrastructure costs, along with support from a £7.5m grant from the Government towards building the new road.
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Tim Jacques
The construction of Vault Youth Zone in Preston has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the steel frame, marking the end of an eventful 2024 for the charity.
Located in Preston’s Harris Quarter, opposite the bus station, the development promises to become a transformational space for young people in the city.
The Youth Zone is being developed by national charity, OnSide, which has 15 similar centres across the country.
With the steel frame in place, the next phase of construction will see the building’s structure further developed, including the installation of brickwork, concrete, windows, and the roof in the coming weeks and months. The project is on track for completion in the late summer of 2025, with an opening planned for later in the year.
Vault Youth Zone CEO, Tim Jacques, said: “The completion of the steel frame is a visible and exciting milestone for us as we close a remarkable year for the charity. Over the coming weeks, the public will see the vision for Vault taking tangible shape.”
The project’s development has been made possible through partnerships with Preston City Council, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s Youth Investment Fund, and Preston’s Towns Fund Investment Programme, along with support from private sector contributions.
Cllr Nweeda Khan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice, said: “This project is a cornerstone of our reimagined Harris Quarter, and alongside the Harris Museum and Animate, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for everyone in Preston.”
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The restoration of the iconic Victoria Building in Blackburn has reached another significant milestone, marking the completion of the highest point in its refurbishment with a celebratory topping out ceremony.
The transformation is being delivered in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), BAM UK and Ireland and Mott MacDonald, revitalising the landmark building, part of Blackburn College, enhancing its role in the heart of Blackburn’s Learning Quarter.
The event highlighted the progress of the multimillion-pound investment, aimed at preserving the building’s historic character while equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities.
When completed, the revitalised Victoria Building will serve as a hub for education, innovation, and community engagement. Its redevelopment is a crucial step in Blackburn College’s efforts to support learners, businesses, and the wider community.
Dr Fazal Dad, Principal and Chief Executive of Blackburn College, said: “The Victoria Building holds immense significance for both Blackburn College and our local community. This project is about more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about preserving heritage, creating opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of learners and professionals.”
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Mark Wright, left, and Ian Guildford, Construction Manager at Caddick Construction Group.
Caddick is celebrating a milestone in the delivery of a 42,594 sq ft speculative industrial and logistics development, Ark 42 at Trafford Park Road, with the steel frame structure now complete.
Appointed by Trebor Developments, on behalf of The Prudential Assurance Company and M and G Real Estate, Caddick is delivering a BREEAM Excellent two-storey development, due for occupancy in spring 2025.
As building work progresses, Caddick will now move on to the roofing and cladding to create a 34,670 sq ft warehouse with 10m eaves. Work also includes the construction of two storeys of Cat A office space occupying 7,923 sq ft of the building, and parking provision with EV charging.
The project adds to Caddick’s growing portfolio of projects across Trafford, which also includes Bruntwood and Trafford Council’s transformation of Stretford Mall and Glenbrook’s new £45m 199-home high rise development, Lumina Village, at the 12-acre former Kellogg’s site in Trafford Park.
Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, said: “As our pipeline of projects in the Trafford area continues to develop, taking a step back to celebrate this milestone at Trafford Park gives us the opportunity to reflect on the brilliant work taking place in Manchester. It’s thanks to our dedicated team and high quality supply chain that we are able to deliver Ark 42 to programme for our valued client, Trebor Developments, and we look forward to seeing this build come to life in the New Year.”
Mark Wright, Partner of Trebor Developments, said: “It’s great to see construction of our Ark 42 scheme progressing very well. With the steel frame now complete, the building enjoys an excellent profile on this prominent site.”
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Circle Square
Circle Square, Manchester’s innovative new neighbourhood, is celebrating a record year of new arrivals with 10 hospitality, retail and leisure operators joining the destination in 2024.
The eight acre Circle Square site, which includes one of the city’s largest green spaces, Symphony Park, has seen increased investment from owners Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group resulting in the destination now being home to 23 independent hospitality and leisure brands including four national operators.
The joint venture agreed terms and successfully opened more than 33,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space over the past 12 months. All of this comes in addition to 25,000 sq ft of commercial lettings completed by the Bruntwood SciTech team in 2024 including Avalere Health’s move to the campus. 2025 will see further investment into the site with the £87m No.3 Circle Square due to open next spring, which will include space for further retail and hospitality brands.
December will see Circle Square close the year with the arrival of Doug’s, the Norwegian smash burger brand.
MeatWorks is an independent, modern steakhouse serving classic steaks, bold small plates and big burgers. The brand is planning to open at Symphony Gardens at Circle Square in early January.
Other hospitality brands to join the destination this year include Detroit Slims – a new quick service pizza concept from the team behind hospitality industry pioneers Diecast, Ramona and The Firehouse. The city’s first Detroit Slims opened in October serving up more than 10,000 pizzas during the opening week.
Hand-crafted pasta kitchen, Onda, also opened its first permanent venue at Circle Square in June.
The Circle Square community has been bolstered by two new leisure operators in 2024 with Restart Pilates providing a reformer pilates experience; the second site for the female-founded, Manchester-based independent business. National gym and fitness franchise, Jetts Gym opened in August transforming the large, underground 7,000 sq ft unit into a 24/7 access gym and fitness club.
2024 also saw UK-wide grab and go bagel brand, Bagel Factory, join the Circle Square neighbourhood in August, and independent self service beer, wine and pizza bar Tap House – the city’s only ‘pour your own pint’ experience – opened up in July.
Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail and Leisure for Bruntwood SciTech, said: “It’s been a phenomenal year for Circle Square and we’re delighted to have added such an exciting mix of hospitality and leisure pioneers to the neighbourhood.”
Max Bielby, from Vita Group, said: “With even more to come in 2025 it’s exciting to see the neighbourhood flourish”
Paddy Brown, founder of Onda, said: “Where to open and picking the right location was a big decision for us and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s gone here.”
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The iconic Grade II-listed Grosvenor West Building, home to Manchester Metropolitan University’s renowned Manchester School of Art, has completed an extensive refurbishment, spearheaded by lead contractor, Conlon Construction and architect, Cassidy + Ashton.
The renovation of the 143-year-old building on Oxford Road forms part of an ongoing programme of works by the university aimed at enhancing the campus. In addition to refurbishing several existing facilities, the programme involves replacing outdated properties with newly-constructed buildings as well as creating a new and improved external landscape.
Works also included enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, upgrading and replacing internal heating and lighting systems, and maintaining, enhancing and reintroducing the original heritage assets.
The project was guided by sustainable regeneration principles, as care was taken to use existing materials whenever possible.
The project also championed a local social value legacy, with apprentices contributing 248 weeks of work as part of their training, and a strong representation of North West-based suppliers, 43% of whom are located within 30 miles of the university, and 92% within 60 miles.
Prof Martyn Evans, Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor of arts and humanities, said: “The redevelopment of Grosvenor West, following a two-year renovation, has transformed this historic building – the original home of the School of Art, where renowned artist LS Lowry once studied. Now reopened to colleagues and students, it stands as a testament to our rich artistic heritage.
“Our investment in state-of-the-art facilities, combined with the restoration of iconic spaces like Grosvenor West, reaffirms our commitment to inspiring the next generation of artists, makers, and innovators.”
Conlon Construction’s commercial director, Darren Lee, said: “It has been an honour to contribute to yet another outstanding project for Manchester Metropolitan University.”
Simon Barlow, associate architect at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are proud to have tirelessly worked over the past four years on this important project in conjunction with a vast team of dedicated and talented people.”
