Developer and architect win major Manchester scheme

Bruntwood has been named preferred developer and Sheppard Robson appointed architect for a mixed-use development around Manchester’s Oxford Road Station.

Network Rail and Manchester City Council have been searching for a developer since summer 2014 for the scheme, which also includes the potential for improvements to the Grade II listed Oxford Road Station.

Bruntwood chief executive Chris Oglesby said the site offers “remarkable scope” for a mixed-use development. He added that the firm is interested in the impact the development will have on enhancing an area where it is already working on various sites, including the £750m redevelopment of the former BBC site, Circle Square with Select property.

Tony O’Brien, partner at Sheppard Robson, said the firm was delighted to work on the project, adding the scheme of this pivotal gateway into the centre of Manchester is a “key part” of the growing success of the Corridor.

A statement from the development partners said: “Bruntwood, Network Rail and the council are aligned to ensure that the redevelopment of this scheme and the Northern Hub proposals are developed strategically to both improve access to, and increase capacity of, the station.”