Siemens plans offices, homes and healthcare at Didsbury HQ

ENGINEERING group Siemens has drawn up new plans for its Manchester headquarters site, adding housing, a private hospital and three office blocks.

A masterplan for the 20-acre site in Didsbury says the proposals have the potential to deliver up to 1,850 jobs on top of those already employed.

They involve the refurbishment of the existing Sir William Siemens House, retaining the renewable energy centre, adding a 90-room private hospital, 90 houses on six acres, and building three office blocks totalling 140,000 sq ft.

The hospital will be operated by Spire which will move from its existing Manchester base in Whalley Range.

The Siemens business on Princess Road has a £1.5bn turnover, employs 930 people and is a major engineering and technology centre.

The German group drew up plans three years ago based around a Regional Growth Fund grant for a “sustainable technology hub”. It chose not to proceed but now wants to pursue its interest in sustainable technology by building on its reputation for offshore wind technology at the site, as well as electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainable building technologies and healthcare.

The masterplan will go before Manchester City Council’s executive next week. A report prepared ahead of the meeting said: “The proposal to invest in Sir William Siemens House and expand the commercial development opportunities on the Princess Road Campus will create a series of interlinked facilities with Siemens at it’s heart, driving research and other activities which are generated by Siemens activities.

“Siemens commitment to the site and the proposed upgrade of Sir William Siemens House will provide the potential to deliver substantial additional economic benefits including: attracting suppliers of Siemens who wish to co-locate and collaborate more closely with the Company; and strengthened opportunities and incentives for collaborative research and development with the City’s universities.”

Site director Juergen Maier said: “For over 25 years, Siemens has been a major contributor to Greater Manchester’s economy and a committed partner in seeking to make a positive social impact within Didsbury. Sir William Siemens House, our iconic white building on Princess Parkway, is a popular landmark and our businesses based on the campus provide high value direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of people from across the City Region and beyond.

“We are developing our Princess Parkway campus and are able to facilitate the creation of a major mixed use scheme including a new private hospital with one of the  market leaders Spire Healthcare, offices and family housing. Such development will enable us to make a significant investment into upgrading Sir William Siemens House, so that it continues to be fit for purpose.”
 
“The co-location of Siemens businesses alongside a new state of the art private hospital will drive agglomeration within the City Region’s high tech, healthcare and other growth sectors.”

The masterplan has been drawn up by architect Stephen George and Partners. Siemens is being advised by JLL.