Allied London creates more Spinningfields space

ALLIED London, developer of Manchester’s Spinningfields complex, has revealed plans to bring forward a further 100,000 sq ft of space at the site.

Its proposals include the long-anticipated overhaul of Manchester House into 50,000 sq ft of new commercial space and a new shopping street, The Avenue North, containing ten new retail and restaurant units.

Manchester House will be renamed Tower 12. The bulk of the building is being refurbished to provide new office space, while Allied London said there is “potential for the lower levels to be used for leisure purposes”, reflecting a model used elsewhere in Spinningfields.

The retail units will be based around a new shopping street creating an enhanced route which cuts through Manchester House (which will be renamed Tower 12) to Bridge St. New glass bridges will be installed along the route, which creates a new shopping area linking on to House of Fraser and King St.

The Avenue North will run at a 90-degree angle to the existing Avenue retail units and will have a cedarwood finish.

Knutsford-based Living Ventures is also set to open its third outlet, The Oast House, at Spinningfields next week, following on from its Alchemist and Australasia venues.

The Oast House will serve real ale, champagne and wine and serve food from an outdoor barbeque 365 days a year. It has been designed by Paul Danson Imagineering to contradict its surrounding, and contains an old tin roof, limestone pointing and a red brick exterior with a mix of antique and reclaimed furniture inside.

A pop-up village will also open next to The Oast House next month, offering small units of between 140 sq ft-300 sq ft to fashion and food retailers.

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: “We are one of very few developers prepared to start development at the current time and we continue to have full confidence in our Spinningfields development and its continuing evolution.

“This current phase is all about working to create a place and destination that will benefit Manchester.”