Bruntwood, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, has been selected as preferred bidder for AstraZeneca’s 400-acre Alderley Park biochemical site.
The deal is subject to funding from GMPVF.
Telereal Trillium, Bruntwood and a private consortium set up by Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave were shortlisted for the 1.5m sq ft site, where AstraZeneca is to cease its research and development activities by 2016, as revealed by Estates Gazette in December.
The Cartner-Musgrave consortium is backed by Palmer Capital, and owns Discovery Park in Kent.
There is no set asking price for the site, with bids being weighted heavily towards job creation and maintaining the scientific legacy of the site.
It is understood that more than 12 expressions of interest were received and a shortlist compiled, with a winning bidder expected to be chosen in the new year.
AstraZeneca, which has occupied the site for around 40 years, are creating a £330m global hub in Cambridge, consolidating staff from London as well as Cheshire. The pharmaceutical giant will retain a presence on the site, thought to consist of around 100,000 sq ft of space for 700 non-research employees.
Cheshire east council, Manchester city council and Manchester University are part of a task force working on the sale with AstraZeneca.
Jones Lang LaSalle is advising the vendor, and declined to comment.
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
