ECF submits plans for latest New Bailey office
The consortium delivering the Salford mixed-use project is seeking consent for a 12-storey, 113,000 sq ft office block designed by Make Architects.
The latest office scheme at New Bailey from English Cities Fund would be built on plot A3 of New Bailey, next to the NCP car park on the corner of Trinity Way and Irwell Street.
The plot is currently occupied by site offices for contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, which is building several other offices at New Bailey.
For its latest proposal, ECF envisages a distinctive planted facade that would create “a strong visual connection to local green spaces as well as…helping with carbon absorption in the city centre and improving general air quality,” according to the planning statement prepared by consultancy Avison Young.
The ground floor is earmarked for retail or leisure uses.
ECF comprises Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England. In 2016, the consortium won consent for a 33-storey apartment block comprising 236 units on plot A3, however it has now opted to deliver a commercial scheme at the site “on the basis that the office market is presently performing well at the New Bailey”, Avison Young said.
Leon Guyett, development director at The English Cities Fund, said: “Despite the unprecedented times that we find ourselves in, we’re still seeing a demand for high-quality office space in the Greater Manchester region. At The English Cities Fund, together with our partners, we’re committed to building back better in a bid to delivering tangible sustainability outputs, as the city region drives to be net zero.”
Make Architects designed the 12-storey block
The application comes after ECF tied up a 175,000 sq ft pre-let agreement deal with communications giant BT at the recently approved Four New Bailey.
Other offices brought forward under the masterplan include the 125,000 sq ft One New Bailey, the majority of which is let to law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and the 188,000 sq ft Two New Bailey, 50,000 sq ft of which is pre-let to law firm Eversheds.
Both One New Bailey and Two New Bailey are complete, and Three New Bailey, pre-let to HMRC, is nearing completion with Bowmer + Kirkland on site as the main contractor.
Three and Four New Bailey were both designed by Make, the architect behind the latest development.
Chroma is the project manager for the latest proposal and Re-Form is landscape architect.
Cushman and Wakefield and JLL are the joint lettings agents for New Bailey.
Interesting. I always liked buildings that had living walls. Though from my experience they tend to work better in countries which have better climates. That said, if well maintained, it could work here. I look forward to seeing this one grow
By EOD
This looks great, I’m sceptical if it will actually look like that when built but kudos to them if they pull it off.
By Jon P
The new proposed additions to New Bailey have been impressive of late and this (The Hanging Gardens of Salford?) looks to be the icing on the cake.
Looking closely at the planters, is it a mixture of trough planters and vertical walls?
Hope to see this scheme reach fruition.
By Steve Webberley
Nice facade and a nice addition to the area. Hopefully the plants will survive the cold and wet Manchester climate.
By Meeseeks
Much more of this please
By Bob
Good to see the continuing commitment to development, all of which will help to ensure the long term survival and flourishing of the city centre. I am convinced that the demand for the city centre lifestyle will survive all this as well. I am working from home and the isolation from colleagues and increasing detachment from the day-to-day functioning of the office, and the buzz of the city environment, is not in the best interests of either employer or employee.
By Observer
Looks lovely and a great statement building as you come in to the city centre. Dread to think what the service charge bill will be on the maintenance of the greenery though!
By Steve
New Bailey is turning into an impressive new business district for the city centre. Nice scheme, I hope it goes ahead.
By Manc Man
Hopefully the first of many similar buildings – some more green space and some more trees around the city would be good to see also.
By Ian Dowie
Let’s hope the end result reflects the CGI, if so this will be a cracker!
By Oscar
I am a big fan of vertical gardening. It would be great to see four or so buildings supporting vertical green spaces and a green space in the centre. It should be possible to see vegetation 360 degrees. I haven’t seen this done anywhere yet. A few more of these would support a company whose purpose is to maintain the greenery at a reasonable price. I know this phenomenon started in Paris and has been adopted around the world. There are some extreme examples in the tropics such as Singapore, but the planting should be indigenous species and suitable for the climate. I am completely fascinated with this.
By Robert Fuller
New Bailey really is turning into a great complement to Spinningfields and the St Johns district as they both develop. This part of the city centre is going to be incredibly vibrant once we get through the worst of the current [situation].
By Nve
The UK’s maritime climate actually helps these kinds of living walls, which otherwise can suffer in heat and drought. I’m a bit skeptical about the green credentials unless they are kept watered using rainwater e.g. from the roof. In any case, they provide an interesting feature, often great for invertebrates and birds too. Just please don’t replace them after a few months with plastic plants like they’ve done at The Ivy in Spinningfields – it looks so tacky, best not have them at all as it’s the epitome of greenwashing.
By no plastic