Airport City Manchester, 5plus Architects, Development, Project, News, Design, Image

Manchester Airport City

Enterprise Zone Development, England – design by 5plus Architects

2 Jun 2011

Airport City Manchester

Masterplanning team selected for UK’s first Airport City

Design: 5plus Architects

Airport City, the major Enterprise Zone development project at Manchester Airport, has selected its professional consultancy team to lead the design and evolution of the opportunity through to masterplan delivery, with the scheme due on site in 2012.

MAG Developments, the property arm of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), has announced that Drivers Jonas Deloitte and Jones Lang LaSalle will lead on the planning and commercial delivery of the masterplan project.

Canadian firm Urban Strategies Inc who worked on the initial stages of developing the proposal have been retained and will be supported by Manchester-based practice 5plus Architects. Additionally, Altrincham-based Planit will design landscape and public realm areas while AECOM and Davis Langdon have been chosen to advise on transportation, energy, utilities, sustainability and cost consultancy.

John Atkins, MD of MAG Developments, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce a high quality team of professionals to develop the masterplan for Airport City, containing a mix of international design standing and local creative architectural talent. This will not be one development but a place-making project over a 10 to 15 year period. It is imperative that we ensure that Airport City is of the highest quality and international standing, whilst having a tone and feel that is unique to Manchester.”

MAG Developments have confirmed that design work is now underway and occupier enquiries are already being received; and infrastructure will commence in 2012.

Phil Doyle, Director of 5plus Architects, said: “We’re naturally delighted to have been chosen in a competitive situation, particularly having had a previous relationship with the company through our work on the new Escape Lounge in Terminal 1 and the Pier B refurbishment programme. We put the concept of place making at the heart of what we do and the new Airport City project will give us a chance to deliver a future vision for Manchester.”

Simon Bedford, head of the economic development team at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, said: “Airport City is now moving into the delivery stage. Drivers Jonas Deloitte is pleased to continue its association with the project as it moves from concept through to more detailed feasibility. The enterprise zone designation will, we believe, accelerate the development programme and begin the transformation of the Airport City site.”

Businesses that are expected to want to locate at Airport City include; logistics, freight forwarders, advanced manufacturers, those seeking high quality office accommodation, research and development, health related uses to build on the proximity to Wythenshawe Hospital as a centre of excellence, plus visitor accommodation, hotels and leisure uses to support the delivery of Airport City.

Bob Dyson, Chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle Northwest commented: “We have been involved for some years in helping to shape the Airport City concept. It is a model which recognises that an airport can do so much more than perform its aeronautical function. It can evolve into an integrated business district in it own right providing a comprehensive range of commercial facilities, services and revenue streams. This evolution utilises surrounding undeveloped land and harnesses real estate opportunities in order to create a business, tourist, and leisure ‘destination’. All my colleagues and I at Jones Lang LaSalle are proud to be involved in bringing Airport City into being.”

The Enterprise Zones are expected to benefit from a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period, while all business rate growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be shared and retained by the local area, to ensure that Enterprise Zone growth is reinvested in Greater Manchester.

Joe Berridge of USI said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue the relationship we’ve built up with Manchester having worked on the transformation of Manchester city centre after the IRA bomb in 1996. Having worked in cities across the USA and on major schemes in New York and Detroit we can see the potential of Airport City and want to see those plans brought to fruition.”

Businesses looking to locate at Airport City can register an interest via: www.manchesterairportez.co.uk

Airport City Manchester image / information received 020611

Manchester Airport : Terminal 1 – extract below

9 Dec 2009

Manchester Airport Terminal 1

MANCHESTER AIRPORT WINS GOLD AT BCSC AWARDS

Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport designed by Aedas has won best out-of-town retail scheme and the Gold Award at the British Council of Shopping Centre’s (BCSC) 2009 Awards.

So why is an airport winning a retail award?

Dawn Wadsworth, Associate Director at Aedas, explains: “The T1 experience revives the glamour of air travel. Through careful design of the departure lounge and the elements within it we have minimised queuing, increased dwell time through the retail lounge, and maximised revenue opportunities for Manchester Airport.”

This £34 million project simplifies the departures process at T1 by providing a new 14 lane Central Search Zone (CSZ) reducing passenger processing time and thereby allowing more time to take full advantage of T1s expanded and improved retail offering.

The new airside retail provision designed by Aedas on the departures level gives the airport a retail frontage of around 550 linear metres and includes a new restaurant and dining experience for the travelling public with the range of bars, cafes and restaurants overlooking the airfield. For many of the big brand names attracted, this expansion is their first venture into an airport environment.

T1 is one of the UK’s largest airside shopping and catering facilities.

The BCSE Gold Awards Jury said: “This innovative delivery of a new retail and catering trail through the airport has led to a significant growth in sales and customer satisfaction. The sharp design in the mall areas has cleverly linked the overall retail offer, showing understanding how the customer reacts as they enter the building and their differing moods at different points of their journey.

“The catering and retail are first class; the design and attention to detail are clever and sometimes subliminal.”

The exclusive Gold Awards are leading accolades within the shopping centre and retail destination industry. They are designed to reward excellence in retail-led developments and recognise projects that generate improvements in the quality of the built environment; the awards also recognise stores and operations within that environment.

Commenting on this year’s awards, BCSC Chief Executive, Michael Green said: “Our 2009 winners are an exceptional example of the innovative design and quality needed to deliver exciting, inspirational developments.”

Neil Varnham, Chairman of the BCSC Gold Awards Jury and Director of Cadena, said: “This year’s entries have shown us some of the most inspiring retail property solutions of the decade and we are proud to present the 2009 Gold Awards to our industry’s most original and dedicated designers and developers.

Manchester Airport Terminal i Retail Award image / information from Aedas

Location: Manchester Airport, Manchester, Northwest England, UK