Planners give £750m Circle Square development thumbs up

THE first phase of the £750m Circle Square redevelopment of the former BBC site on Oxford Road, Manchester has received planning consent.

Designed by 5plus Architects, it will provide 716 high quality serviced apartments in two distinctive blocks with generous ground and mezzanine floor amenity space for residents.

The scheme for Select Property Group will be the second generation of Select’s Vita Student brand.

5plus associate director Rhys Westacott said: “These buildings will play a key role in the long term success of this area creating a place for bold and brilliant people to live and interact with each other and the city.

“We worked with Select designing the first new build Vita Student at First Street, Manchester, which has been a tremendous success and voted the UK’s most luxurious student accommodation. We are delighted that our buildings will be the first ones to be delivered here.”

Construction is expected to commence this month.
 
The two buildings, one 12 storey, the second ranging from 13 to 17 storeys, will be surrounded by seating and landscaped public realm to enhance the location adjacent to the River Medlock.
 
The higher block will also provide retail and start-up commercial space at ground and mezzanine floor.
 
The  redevelopment of the site is a 10-year project being carried out by Bruntwood in partnership with Select.

Select Property chief executive Mark Stott said: “The approval is a major milestone in our joint venture partnership with Bruntwood and for the Vita Student brand. We are looking forward to expanding our award-winning Vita Student offering to a second Manchester site, which will be ready for the September 2017 academic year.”

Bruntwood chief executive Chris Oglesby added: “Bruntwood and Select Property Group share a long term commitment and desire to create an exceptional and extraordinary new community at Circle Square.

 “Traditionally, creating such a significant new district would take a decade to deliver. By working collaboratively and in cooperation, we have already been able to dramatically reduce this timeline, such that, a new community of c. 1.42m sq. ft. of floorspace will be delivered in the next 3 and a half years.

“Circle Square offers an unmatched location, state-of-the-art facilities and superb outdoor spaces for the unique and diverse variety of people who will be living and working there.”