MAG Developments, the property arm of Manchester Airports Group, will formerly launch the hunt for a development partner for its £650m Airport City scheme in Manchester in the new year.
MAG is seeking a development partner to help bring forward the 150-acre scheme, adjacent to Manchester Airport, which will comprise more than 4m sq ft of business space over a 15-year period. It will include offices, sheds, hotels, plus shops and leisure facilities.
MAG will invite expressions of interest in early 2012.
In addition, the firm’s managing director, John Atkins, has been appointed as director of Airport City, to lead on all aspects of the project.
Airport City was named in March as one of the government’s new enterprise zones.
Charlie Cornish, chief executive of the Manchester Airports Group, said: “As the project starts to accelerate as we enter the first year of site development, it is vital we have the right people in place to take us forward. Airport City is a long-term project that will take shape over the next 10 to 15 years and we have huge ambitions for the opportunity and the potential it harnesses for the North.”
Atkins said: “Next year will be significant as we look to secure planning permission and bring the project to market.”
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
