Electronics company Siemens has announced it has selected Kier Property as its preferred development partner for its 20-acre Princes Road site in south Manchester.
Kier will now enter detailed negotiations with Siemens over the future of the site.
Kier, Siemens and Manchester city council will work on plans for a mixed-use scheme for the land, anchored by a new 100,000 sq ft office building for Siemens. The existing Sir William Siemens House at the site will be refurbished.
The rest of the site will be developed in phases to provide new offices, hotel and residential space. The development partners will target the science industries with the aim of forging links with the region’s universities.
Siemens and the council recently secured Regional Growth Fund support to aid delivery of the wider development.
Juergen Maier, managing director of Siemens Industry in the UK & Ireland, said: “The development will create a real focal point for the city and also help in attracting new business and engineering skills to the North West.”
Adam White, associate director at Jones Lang LaSalle, which advises Siemens, added: “Kier has promoted a vision which, over time, will see this strategically important gateway site transformed into a ‘best in class’ scheme. Its strong financial position will ensure the scheme is able to gather early momentum.”
James Nicholson, senior development manager at Kier Property, said: “We are committed to delivering a scheme of the highest quality and one which complements and adds to Manchester’s innovation and technology focus.”
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
