Urban regeneration company New East Manchester and Manchester council are seeking a partner to develop a £300m scheme on the site of the city’s defunct supercasino.
Developers are being asked to submit leisure-led proposals for the 38-acre site at Sportcity, next to the City of Manchester stadium.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, said: “This currently vacant site offers the opportunity to develop a visitor attraction that will be both nationally and internationally significant in a prime location just 1.5 miles east of the city centre.”
He added that the proposals should “show the intention to deliver the highest standards of architecture, design and public realm”.
The supercasino was killed off by the government earlier this year, after Manchester had been selected as preferred location by the independent Casino Advisory Panel in January 2007.
Manchester council threatened legal action against the government but subsequently backed down after negotiations with Downing Street.
The developer will be expected to finance the entire cost of the project.
The scheme is backed by English Partnerships and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
david.quinn@rbi.co.uk
