13/2
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/130208/IMG_1923%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/130208/IMG_1922%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/130208/IMG_1927%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/130208/IMG_1926%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/130208/IMG_1977%20copy.jpg

please tell me thats something being taken down :|

nope. it's something being taken UP :)

please tell me thats something being taken down :|

Ferge it's the old BT building , its been stripped down and having a few extra floors . dont worry it'll look great when finished .

Thanks Sleepyone for the images :D

Heres how it should look when they have finished.

Edit - was this

http://i10.tinypic.com/455ussw.jpg

Now this

http://i11.tinypic.com/4pwi0x4.jpg

Isn't the top one what its supposed to look after the extention and with the new atrium?

It sounds like they've redesigned it again, which is a shame becuase the bottom render looks very 'business park' i.e dated and generally prety shit. And where's the biggest atrium in the city gone? That was supposed to be its major selling point.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg270/SteKnight/140208001.jpg?t=1203068023

That's some strip back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture007.jpg

Isn't the top one what its supposed to look after the extention and with the new atrium?

It sounds like they've redesigned it again, which is a shame becuase the bottom render looks very 'business park' i.e dated and generally prety shit. And where's the biggest atrium in the city gone? That was supposed to be its major selling point.

tbh that second one looks more like something on canary wharf. i can't remember its name but it looks like a complete copy (a good thing :))

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture074.jpg

Are there any specific plans for the arches and green area in front of the grand island redevelopment?

Yes...water features

Should have read this:

It will include the complete re-modelling of 15 acres of public land, creating more than 12 fully-serviced development ‘plots’ – totalling 2.5m sq ft of mixed-use floor space - and two stunning public squares, one which will adjoin the BT building and the other which will anchor the new quarter at its southern end close to the Mancunian Way.

Also planned is a dramatic new water-feature based leisure and retail playground, opening up the arches on Whitworth Street West and creating a new city street running from south to north along the viaduct.

http://www.askdevelopments.com/projects/details/10787

Credit http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/400x264.453125/mar_08/pnw__1205418384_The_Boulevard_March_081.jpg

MIPIM 2008: Ask rebrands Central Spine as First Street
13 March 2008, 14:21

Rachael Tinniswood

Ask Developments has relaunched Central Spine as First Street, Manchester, and has unveiled images of the pedestrianised boulevard at its heart.

The 18m wide, 300m long boulevard is claimed to be the first major new pedestrianised thoroughfare in the city for many decades and will connect the community of Hulme through the Mancunian Way to the Hacienda site on Whitworth Street West.

The 20-acre mixed use scheme will also include five new public squares, the first of which will be developed and open in summer 2009; the first BREEAM rated 'Excellent' post-construction office building in the city, offering 180,000 sq ft of space; and the first Green Wall in the UK -a tourist attraction which, at 30m by 11m will be Europe's largest vertical garden.

Located on the southern edge of the city, First Street Manchester, which has an end value of £750m, will span across 20 acres and will include 1.8m sq ft of offices, around 1,500 homes and 350,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.

Ken Knott, chief executive at Ask Developments said: "We are very excited about First Street, which we are confident will become a favourite destination for Mancunians and visitors alike. Our vision is for a dramatic new quarter to extend the heart of this great global city from the historic railway viaduct to the Mancunian Way.

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council said: "We welcome the energy and innovation which characterises this new vibrant initiative by Ask. Our continued capacity to deliver growth will depend upon bringing forward exciting new quarters such as this and we have every confidence that in working with Ask, the area will become a major part of an increasingly successful regional centre."

The promotional video is now up on the website

http://www.nomoregreydays.com/

Couple of towers there by the looks of it! Brill!

Some caps from the video

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6051/logovj9.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2596/masterplanny3.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8333/firstst1ig3.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/737/firstst2mi3.jpg
^^Showing the Green Walls on what looks like the Grand Island office now under reconstruction^^

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1606/firstst3az7.jpg

Green Scheme to be new First Street

Chris Barry

13/ 3/2008

DEVELOPER Ask today took the wraps off a new destination for Manchester, as it revealed plans for a £750m green scheme called First Street.

Chief executive Ken Knott unveiled the project before a packed audience at the Manchester stand at the MIPIM exhibition in Cannes.

First Street is the new brand and vision for Central Spine. The first phase of the 20-acre First Street will be completed by next summer at a cost of £115m, Mr Knott said.

The centrepiece will be a major new pedestrian area, as wide as Deansgate, stretching from Hulme to the Hacienda site on Whitworth Street West.

It will also feature the city's first `green wall' on the side of the old BT building at Grand Central, which is being redeveloped. The development will also include shops, offices, homes and a play area.

Manchester architects BDP has been hired to redesign the building and incorporate the green wall, which will be 30m tall and 11m wide and comprise lush vegetation.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1040718_green_scheme_to_be_new_first_street

Another screen shot from the video:

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/Firststreet.jpg

Now ok that is simply another shopping mall/centre with the words First Street superimposed over rather than a render (pretty sure anyway, in contrast to a render) but they can't really be planning a retail destination that big there can they? I wouldn't object but it doesn't seem to be pointed to anywhere else.

If a small shopping centre was built, it could help anchor the area though and it is the opposite end of the city centre from the Arndale and most of the shopping centre, could survive.

Btw wasn't this originally the Great Jackson Street masterplan (or something similar)? The site barely touches Great Jackson Street according to the pictures shown.

No Vivo is the Great Jackson Street masterplan. This is the old central spine one.

No Vivo is the Great Jackson Street masterplan. This is the old central spine one.

Oops my mistake, got mixed up. Thanks

I do believe Ask are trying to create a smaller version of this world famous street. Shame they can't create the same weather as well.

http://www.sandiego.edu/lawabroad/images/aire6.jpg

Go on, put me out of my misery. What famous street is that?

It's La Ramblas in Barcelona ,,

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1606/firstst3az7.jpg
Great^ are they moving that monstrosity from Piccadilly Gardens?!

Are they going to drape it in a Rainbow(gay) flag like in that second screen cap from flange?

Strange

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1606/firstst3az7.jpg
Great^ are they moving that monstrosity from Piccadilly Gardens?!

Is that not the refurbed BT building?

If not, why do people always get hung up on early renders?

that must be BT (i can't guarantee but look at it..)

that 'monstrosity' on piccadilly gardens is great architecture, i think, just shouldn't be built there. if anything, nothing should. but particularly not a building of that style or quantum. that was the site of a chapel that got bombed.

Why bother? when so many other developments are being unearthed around mcr.

not very impressive by any standard.

what

It is the BT building. 2nd design though.

The green wall gimmick might make it a little less 'business park' but I still preferred the original and I hope they are sticking with the 'largest atrium in the [city/country/universe (delete as appropriate)]'.

I quite like the 'First Street' branding, actually. Got a nice ring to it and it sounds pretty cool, sparking visions of NYC and the grid patterns in my head.

So it looks like they are going to be looking at incorporating lots more of these 'tallest green wall, biggest atrium, fittest bird in a render' type 'firsts'. Could be a bit naff but people sometimes like naff things (the trafford centre, for example, which incidentaly I do like).

It's La Ramblas in Barcelona ,,

Hope they don't re-create the crime.

Hope they don't re-create the crime.

I was once scrolling down Las Ramblas with a mate in the early hours, and a very dodgy looking local shuffled up towards me and simply queried what I heard as 'Tennis coach?' - I quite sensibly refused.

But I wasn't sure if he was enquiring as to whether I was indeed a tennis coach and perhaps he was after a very late/early lesson, or whether he was wondering if I was interested in his services to improve my game.

My mate suggested I may have misheard...

Manchester’s Central Spine is reborn with upmarket shops

14.03.08

After losing BBC to Salford, Ask launches revamped First Street with new retail quarter

By Laura Chesters

Ask Developments is to BUILD an upmarket retail quarter as part of a relaunch of its Central Spine scheme in Manchester.

Originally planned as an office scheme in a bid to attract the BBC’s relocation from London, the renamed First Street will still include 1.8m sq ft of offices and 1m sq ft of housing and now up to 500,000 sq ft of high-end furnishings and homeware retail.

Ask is still working up plans for the size and massing of the shops and has appointed retail adviser Lunson Mitchenall and architect Benoy.

It is looking at schemes in Ireland and Paris as a blueprint for a retail destination that would be the first of its kind in the UK.

Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask, said: ‘We do not want to compete with the city centre retail experience. It very much needs to be a destination for retail, which will add to the dynamic of the city.

‘Research has shown Manchester city centre lacks high-end furnishing and homewares shops.’

Central Spine’s retail element was confined to the space beneath office blocks rather than a specific quarter.

The rethink on the retail element was borne out of research compiled by Manchester City Council on the city centre’s retail strategy. Ask will create a retail and leisure hub at the south of the site that will link into the office element to the north with a new street and public squares.

The north and the south of the site will be linked with a 300 metre long and 18 metre wide street through the scheme.

The new First Street name and branding were unveiled this week at MIPIM.

The retail and leisure elements will be the second and third phases. Ask is also looking to extend to the existing Deansgate Lock area in the city to form part of the new scheme and include bars and restaurants.

The first phase is a 180,000 sq ft office building scheduled for completion in December, for which Ask has achieved an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating.

The scheme also comprises a 30 metre high ‘Green’ wall the largest in Europe as part of its plan to become a sustainable office scheme.

The scheme lost out to Peel Holdings’ Media City at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester for the BBC requirement last May.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=36&storycode=3108694

Not that there is really much new info on this other than the relaunch, but I actually really like the emphasis they seem to be placing on the street scape and the public spaces, rather than on statement architecture. I think on this site, with all its potential to link currently disconnected areas of the city together, that will actually be more important than the buildings themselves. Obviously some great buildings will be needed too, and I for one quite like the refurb of grand island, including the green wall! (which when done well, there is a famous french guy who has done a lot in Paris, can be stunning)

Not very good quality pic, but hey.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg270/SteKnight/GrandIsland170308.jpg?t=1205777139

2/4/08 from gmex metro stop
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/02_04_2008.jpg

Taken by me at about 9am this morning from Oxford road station. Camera phone btw.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-0034.jpg

Oh also on my travels I saw LOADS of new cladding/glass to the left of the building on pallets. It mostly looked like Green tinted glass, all flat. Looked quite nice. Didn't get a pic was on the train.

http://www.ahd-imaging.com/projects/1ststreet/images/1st_st_cam02.jpg

http://www.ahd-imaging.com/projects/1ststreet/images/1st_st_cam01.jpg

http://www.ahd-imaging.com/projects/1ststreet/images/Internal_atrium.jpg

I'm liking the second image there with the G-Mex (I know.... Manchester Central) looming large at the end.

Also it looks as though there will be a plaza in front of Grand Central- I think we knew this, but a nice reminder.

(cheers ManMed)

The green wonderwall
Paul R Taylor
13/ 5/2008

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/364.$plit/C_71_article_1049269_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?12%2F05%2F2008%2013%3A39%3A05%3A346

A GARDNER with a head for heights is going to be needed for an amazing vertical garden of tropical plants being planned for the side of a Manchester building.

The 100ft green wall - the first of its kind in Britain and the largest in Europe - is to be laid out up the side of the former BT building and will be visible from the Mancunian Way.

It will be transformed as part of Ask Development's £750m Central Spine project, a 20-acre mixed-use scheme on the southern edge of the city centre.

This new computer-generated image shows the scale of the vertical garden, which will cover 1,000sq ft, be 100ft high and feature up to 150 different species of plants.

Manchester architects BDP have redesigned the BT building and hope to recruit French botanist Patrick Blanc. He planted a similar, but smaller green wall at the controversial Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

Hypodronics

Gavin Elliot, director at BDP Architects, said: "We plan to use a hydroponics system, with two layers of felt with recycled rainwater running in between.

"Various plants can be grown out of the top layer of felt, and fed with nutrition which is added to the water.

"The green wall will be visually stunning and will also change the micro climate in the surrounding square. It will scrub the air in a way, catching pollution and converting carbon dioxide to oxygen."

Plans for Central Spine include 1.8m sq ft of offices, 1,500 homes and 350,000sq ft of retail and leisure space.

There will be five new public squares and the first major new pedestrian thoroughfare in the city for decades. First Street will be a 300m long tree-lined boulevard connecting Hulme to Whitworth Street West.

Work began earlier this year, including transforming the seven-storey BT building, building a public square, multi-storey car park and 150 shops.

Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask Developments, said: "Our vision is for a dramatic new quarter to extend the heart of this great global city."



http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1049269_the_green_wonderwall

The green wonderwall
Paul R Taylor
13/ 5/2008

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/364.$plit/C_71_article_1049269_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?12%2F05%2F2008%2013%3A39%3A05%3A346

A GARDNER with a head for heights is going to be needed for an amazing vertical garden of tropical plants being planned for the side of a Manchester building.

The 100ft green wall - the first of its kind in Britain and the largest in Europe - is to be laid out up the side of the former BT building and will be visible from the Mancunian Way.

It will be transformed as part of Ask Development's £750m Central Spine project, a 20-acre mixed-use scheme on the southern edge of the city centre.

This new computer-generated image shows the scale of the vertical garden, which will cover 1,000sq ft, be 100ft high and feature up to 150 different species of plants.

Manchester architects BDP have redesigned the BT building and hope to recruit French botanist Patrick Blanc. He planted a similar, but smaller green wall at the controversial Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

Hypodronics

Gavin Elliot, director at BDP Architects, said: "We plan to use a hydroponics system, with two layers of felt with recycled rainwater running in between.

"Various plants can be grown out of the top layer of felt, and fed with nutrition which is added to the water.

"The green wall will be visually stunning and will also change the micro climate in the surrounding square. It will scrub the air in a way, catching pollution and converting carbon dioxide to oxygen."

Plans for Central Spine include 1.8m sq ft of offices, 1,500 homes and 350,000sq ft of retail and leisure space.

There will be five new public squares and the first major new pedestrian thoroughfare in the city for decades. First Street will be a 300m long tree-lined boulevard connecting Hulme to Whitworth Street West.

Work began earlier this year, including transforming the seven-storey BT building, building a public square, multi-storey car park and 150 shops.

Ken Knott, chief executive of Ask Developments, said: "Our vision is for a dramatic new quarter to extend the heart of this great global city."



http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1049269_the_green_wonderwall

Glazing is now being put into place on some sides of the building.

dancing bananas

Page 35 M.E.N Today, First Street exhibition @ The Macdonald Hotel, Thurs 15th May, 12-2pm. Free.

Page 35 M.E.N Today, First Street exhibition @ The Macdonald Hotel, Thurs 15th May, 12-2pm. Free.

That'll be worth it to have a gander at the McDonald. Cheers Chogmook.

Page 35 M.E.N Today, First Street exhibition @ The Macdonald Hotel, Thurs 15th May, 12-2pm. Free.

would love to go but have an exam friday morning

Have a lunch break in between revising!

actually that's a good idea. i'll probably be revising in the central library for a bit anyway. i'm sure i will have 10 mins to pop in and out.

Manchester architects BDP have redesigned the BT building and hope to recruit French botanist Patrick Blanc. He planted a similar, but smaller green wall at the controversial Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

This the fella Architecty mentioned in glowing terms on the First Street thread? Excellent news if so.

In theory, it sounds great, I hope it looks better than that render though once complete

went past this on the train today, looks quite a beast

so does anyone know if BT are moving back in when the work's completed? If not where are they based in the city centre now, if they still have a presence?

BT have moved to Chapel Street. Grand Island (or First Street as we are supposed to call it now) is back on the market again.

Well I say BT have moved to Chapel Street. As I understand it BT are big time into homeworking. So many staff work from the back bedroom for at least a chunk of the week. Other jobs were spread around smaller offices in Stockport and other neighbouring towns.

Page 35 M.E.N Today, First Street exhibition @ The Macdonald Hotel, Thurs 15th May, 12-2pm. Free.

I just popped down at lunch, but it seemed to be far from the 'free wander in and look' exhibit that I had imagined. There was a guest list and a dining area full of delegates having business lunch. Quite amusing really. Had I arrived at noon, I may have been able to get free lunch!

They were giving packs to guests, one of which I was able to obvtain, with a couple of CD Roms and a brochure with updated images of Greengate, another Ask development. I neither have scanning facilities nor will be able to access the CD Rom at work, so if somebody else would like to peruse them, they're more than welcome to these.

I work on Oxford St, so PM me if you're interested on a first come first serve basis.

Cheers.

The First Street holding page has been updated with a bit more information. G is kindly sending me the brochure and information he picked up at the First Street exhibition. As soon as they arrive I will scan them and post them. Cheers G.

I'm loving the sound (and renders) of the 18 meter wide, 300 meter long tree lined boulevard.

The scheme demonstrates innovation and good design in a high quality urban environment that blends business and pleasure in an employee focused and sustainable environment.

Strategically situated to the southern centre of Manchester's traditional city core, the location offers outstanding prominence coupled with excellent public transport access.

The city council endorsed 3 million square foot masterplan is centred around an 18 meter wide, 300 meter long tree lined boulevard which is unique to both Manchester and Great Britain. Providing an exciting mix of uses from cafes, retail, public art and garden space, Manchester's First 'Street' will engage employees, residents and visitors alike.

A larger render of the one Chog posted. Nice wide open boulevards and sqaures. The perfect location to put a giant screen.

http://www.propertyweek.com/Pictures/460xAny/w/l/a/CMYK_First_Steet.jpg

am I right in thinking what will become the boulevard runs from the arch facing the axis plot through to what becomes newcastle street?

I'm really looking forward to seeing this develop.

am I right in thinking what will become the boulevard runs from the arch facing the axis plot through to what becomes newcastle street?

I'm really looking forward to seeing this develop.

i can see hacienda apartments and gmex in the distance of the render jerb posted so my guess is the boulevard will be where you say it is monkey rat. i just measured it on google earth and that comes to just over 300 metres taken from hulme street/ newcastle street to the whitworth street west/ medlock street junction.

view of grand island about 30 seconds in
4obyaU442CI

This render was taken off the CD GShutty kindly sent me from the First Street exhibition. I'm quite happy to take more pictures of the renders via my TFT screen, but if anyone can tell me how I can save the contents of the DVD onto my hard drive and upload them via photobucket I will do so. If it can't be done, I will gladly forward the DVD on to someone who can do it, so all the forum can see it. (It's more of a powerpoint presentation than a movie. You have to press enter to go to the next piece of information or render)

Note the large tower next to Whitworth Street. (conditional on the credit crunch easing, the economy picking up and unconfirmed stories appearing in construction magazines)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3857/picture418xnh1.jpg

PS. I did try my usual screen grab, but it wasn't having it.

jrb; it`s quite easy to get a snapshot of the screen into a JPEG; I`ll PM you.

jrb; it`s quite easy to get a snapshot of the screen into a JPEG; I`ll PM you.

Thanks Marni. :)

I'll post the other renders/images over the coming days.

Good work JRB. Glad you got it and thanks for the images.

I wonder what the 3 blakced out towers to the left of Beetham are?:lol:

Good work JRB. Glad you got it and thanks for the images.

I wonder what the 3 blakced out towers to the left of Beetham are?:lol:

Ask have just saved me a job. Full cd/movie is available on the First Street holding page.

http://www.nomoregreydays.com/

On the video that jrb posted you can see that when it gets to the retail plans for the First Street it clearly marks Waitrose as a tennant in one of the units and it could be a possiblity that they open at First Street as we know that they are wanting to open in the city centre.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/1572/waitrose1fm6.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5826/waitrose2tb9.jpg

Not just about First Street, but it's mentioned twice.

From Crains.

Ask Developments shareholder pours in £20m
By Simon Binns


Ask Developments, a Manchester based developer, has announced that existing shareholder Morgan Stanley Real Estate has made a further capital injection of £20m into the company, taking its total commitment to over £40m.

The money will allow Ask to continue with its portfolio of projects and “secure an immediate commitment to over 500,000 sq ft of commercial and retail floor space unlocking an end value of over £175m from the schemes in Urmston and Bury town centres and the substantial first phase at Ask's flagship First Street project in Manchester City Centre (formerly known as Central Spine),” according to a statement.

Ken Knott, Ask Developments chief executive, said: "This is an important vote of confidence in the company in what are currently challenging economic conditions and it is testimony to the inherent quality of our portfolio and its capacity to deliver excellent returns.”

A spokesman for Ask confirmed that the money was a further investment in the company and not specifically for the First Street site.

From PW.

Morgan Stanley's cash boost for Manchester's Ask
16:47 | 28.05.08
By David Doyle

Morgan Stanley Real Estate has injected £20m of cash into Manchester–based Ask Developments.

Morgan Stanley already owns a 25% stake in Ask and the latest boost increases its commitment to £40m.

Ask said the money would be pumped into schemes in Urmston and Bury town centres and its First Street project in Manchester.

The developments, which have a predicted end value of £175m, cover 500,000 sq ft of commercial and retail floor space.

Vote of confidence

Ask chief executive Ken Knott said the money was an ‘important vote of confidence’ for the company in difficult market conditions.

At First Street, a 180,000 sq ft office development, £20m will be spent on delivering a 60ft wide boulevard.

At Urmston Town Centre, near Manchester, Ask is developing 175,000 sq ft of apartments, leisure facilities and shops.

In Bury the developer is constructing 40,000 sq ft of offices, a 46,000 sq ft medical facility, a 110-bed hotel and apartments.

Hmmm. Mixed signasl from this article. Not quite sure what to make of it.

From Crains.

Question: Where are occupiers for Ask's First Street scheme?
Shopping and public realm element on hold until tenant is found
By Simon Binns

http://ckimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CK&Date=20080609&Category=FREE&ArtNo=364302946&Ref=AR&maxw=300

The pressure is on Ask Developments to secure pre-lets on its 20-acre First Street development after financial backer Morgan Stanley increased its investment in the company to £40m.

Plans for the shopping and public realm aspect of the scheme — which would have created 500,000 sq ft of retail space and a £30m boulevard — have been put on hold until a tenant is found for a substantial part of the office element, a former BT building now being redeveloped.

Ask has gutted and is now extending the office block, close to the junction of Albion Street and Whitworth Street, and says the work will create “175,000 sq ft of Grade A office space with an investment value of £35m”.

“Our main focus is on First Street and getting the BT building let,” said Ask director John Hughes. “Ideally, we'd want to pre-let somewhere near 80,000 sq ft to allow the rest of the scheme to progress.

“We've already had discussions with some big national financial services companies. In the next 12 months, we'd want to be able to announce a sizeable let.”

Discussions


Hughes ruled the Co-operative Group out, although several people familiar with the situation say the developer has held discussions with an international bank whose requirement could be more than 100,000 sq ft.

Morgan Stanley, which has a US market capitalisation of $1.1bn, bought into Ask Investments Ltd via its real estate fund (MSREF) in August 2006, taking a 26.7 per cent stake for £12m, with a pledge for a further £10m of capital.

In addition, it set up a £350m joint venture vehicle “to pursue property development and property investment”.

Ask Investments owns 20 per cent of this vehicle, MSREF the remaining 80 per cent. It is this joint venture that is primarily driving First Street.

Morgan Stanley made another £20m capital injection into Ask last month. Ken Knott, Ask Developments' chief executive, said it was “an important vote of confidence in challenging economic conditions”.

One Manchester-based property professional said that Ask needed to capitalise quickly on the current strong occupier demand for office space.

“They've been very careful not to commit to anything beyond the first office building, but they need to get somebody signed up soon,” he said. “It's a big scheme backed by a big funder, so it should survive. But for the amount of money Morgan Stanley has committed, it will want to see some results.” At the time MSREF bought into Ask, the commercial property market was buoyant. Accounts filed by Ask Property Developments and Ask Investments for the year to March, 2006, showed losses of £1.6m and £2.1m respectively, but directors said they were “satisfied” with the performance of the business and pointed to “two significant developments with public sector partners” that would have a cumulative end value of £90m.

Ask also renewed its rolling credit facility with the Co-operative Bank, actually increasing it from £13.5m to £23m to “advance projects during the speculative phase...prior to securing specific debt funding for a given project”.

The latest accounts for Ask Developments and Ask Investments have been overdue since January. Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Cool they are putting in a Waitrose.. bought time there was a decent sized supermarket around this area.

Has this all gone into planning yet? If so, can someone point me towards the planning app?

Cheers!

If You Build It, They Will Come.

tuesday.

i've over exposed the first two to show the glass can behind the scaffolding.
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4898%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4901%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4895%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4912%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4913%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4924%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4928%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4931%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4934%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4936%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4939%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4949%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_06_12/grand%20island%20-%20central%20spine%20-%20first%20street%20-%20ASK%20developments/IMG_4945%20copy.jpg

"developer has held discussions with an international bank"

"Morgan Stanley made another £20m capital injection into Ask last month."

If only they were the "international bank" Ask were in talks with...

a build financed by your own future tenant. heh... :)

Didn't RBS finance Spinningfields after buying out Deutsche Bank, or am I wrong on that one?

CB Richard Ellis named agent on No. 1 First Street

By Simon Binns

CB Richard Ellis has been appointed as the second agent on Ask Developments’ 180,000 sq ft No. 1 First Street in Manchester.

Savills is already appointed on the scheme, due to be completed in December. No. 1 First Street offers floorplates of 25,000 sq ft.

John Ogden, director of office agency at CBRE, said: “This landmark building marks the beginning of a brand new vision for the area and the overall masterplan comprises over 20 acres of prime mixed-use development land.”

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/FREE/740079579/1026

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/


Ask picks CBRE for First Street
22 July 2008, 14:55

Michael Hunt

Ask Developments has appointed CB Richard Ellis to lease the 180,000 sq ft No 1 First Street in Manchester city centre.

CB Richard Ellis was instructed to work alongside Savills on the letting of the grade A office building, due to be completed in December.

The overall First Street development will comprise 1.5m sq ft of office space, 1m sq ft of residential space and 500,000 sq ft of leisure and retail around a 300m-long street.

John Ogden, director of office agency at CBRE, said: "This landmark building marks the beginning of a new vision for the area and the overall masterplan comprises over 20 acres of prime mixed-use development land."

Slowly getting there...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Manchester%2030th%20July%202008/IMG_4582.jpg?t=1217637892

They are taking the scaffolding down now .

They are taking the scaffolding down now .

Could be perfect for JP Morgan. A bit out of the way and nothing much around there yet. Certainly would kick start First Street though. Haven't JP Morgan forward funded Ask and First Street?

And it looks like the big brother of BONYM's 1 Piccadilly Gardens!!

And it looks like the big brother of BONYM's 1 Piccadilly Gardens!!

Is this bigger?

It's Morgan Stanley that's funded Ask. Morgan Stanley have pretty much owned and developed half of Canary Wharf over the years

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1062503_regeneration__innovation_is_key

In particular, note this comment...a nod towards the rumoured bank?!

""Our project pipeline is the strongest it has ever been. Our investment bank strategy is progressing well, and we hope to have some very positive news for Manchester soon."

And it looks like the big brother of BONYM's 1 Piccadilly Gardens!!

yes!
i think those are tiles whereas i think 1PG is bricks.

here's a pic from today in the shit weather which apparently will be with us for a while... http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2613 !

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/IMG_6342%20copy.jpg

(if the pic doesn't load just refresh. my server is being lame)

Looks shit.

can it be put on rollers and send to an out of town business park?

1 pic from today. taken from deansgate tram stop. (GREAT vantage point up there)

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_08_17/first%20street/IMG_6479%20copy.jpg

I really don't get that. Red tiles next to bluish background where the glass is? One or the other.

ps am in a moaning mood. Am picking everything off.

Hopefully it will let pretty quickly and kick start First Street.

It was never going to be anything special was it now

It was never going to be anything special was it now

Well it is the architectural equivalent of having Linda Barker slap a lick of paint on your sideboard so no not really.

The terracotta totally ruins it.

Looks nothing like this...
http://www.ahd-imaging.com/projects/1ststreet/images/1st_st_cam02.jpg

that render makes the facade look like the isis islington wharf facade- stone.
not seeing much of a likeness with the atrium to the render. perhaps they've got protective sheets to remove from the glass, unless they really are going to blank them out in that 60s/reclad look. :ohno:

It'll look tons better when the scaffolds down, nothing brilliant mind. There's a fair bit of glass on the facade and that glass has yet to be revealed so lets calm it and wait till the friggin' things finnished! eh?

Yeah i wonder if the glass has protective sheets on too. Looks way too garish as it is. A more subtle tone would make it look a bit more like the render. I remember the colourful Wimott Street building looking way too bright at first too but it now seems to work well

A new planning application has gone in for a possible new phase at First Street.


Land Between Medlock Street And Whitworth Street West With The Railway Arches Between Oxford Road And Deansgate Train Stations Forming The Northern Boundary With The First Street Redevelopment Area

Application for remediation and associated works to prepare land for future development

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K5A3SVBC01W00

isn't remedial works just cleaning the area up and removing stuff?

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/markydeedroppics/054-6.jpg

at least it's where hardly anyone will see it.
and not near anything special.

today. 1 pic.
http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_09_02/first%20street%20by%20ask%20-%20former%20bt%20grand%20island/IMG_6529%20copy.jpg

will that white shit bewteen the floors, on the windows come off?

It reminds me of 80 Mosley Street. There's some on here too. And Belvedere house. And they're all shit.
http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/698.$plit/C_71_article_1045253_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?14%

I wish they'd just left it the way it was. :ohno:

Its an opaque panel on the edge of the floor slab, that's the finish. Its one of those things that always looks light and barely noticeable on a render and all too solid in real life. It actually doesn't bother me, if you want to run a curtain wall seamlessly across floors you have to do it, but I'm yet to meet anyone who can explain why it is so often that same mint blue/green; regardless of the other materials.

I think its okay, nothing to shout about either way; the green wall should still be interesting, and it wont be visible from any of the angles that these pictures show it from.

80 Mosely Street, is however an abomination of the highest order; the only consolation is the planners who were suckered by the renders have to look at it out the window.

i think the renders just lie.
they don't appear on them.
also, the render shows the tiles having variating textures, perhaps implying they're some other material that doesn't have a uniform texture. which simply isn't the case. they're not stone...
what next, glass with a refractive index of 2.4178?

http://www.ahd-imaging.com/projects/1ststreet/images/1st_st_cam02.jpg

Also I notice that the plant on the roof is very visible, but if the masterplan comes off & it takes this to get things off the ground, then it's a net gain.

All of the former lawn/grassed area is now dug up, so with any luck a decent plaza should be appearing within the next 12months? I'm sure that would help sell the scheme to prospective occupiers and assist in integrating it into the city. The new building certainly has more presence & IMO is better than it's former incarnation.

They need a significant amount pre-let before this will happen. The bank has earmarked a few million for the plaza, which will be between the development and Whitworth St West, but they've now said they can't have the money now until they let some of it.

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2008_09_08/IMG_6653 copy.jpg

Ask Developments is understood to have agreed lease terms on the ground floor of its First Street Grade A office development in Manchester city centre. The company has not been revealed, but Crain's understands it operates in the medical sector. The 3 million sq ft scheme, located behind Oxford Road, currently comprises a 180,000 sq ft speculative office building, which was formerly used by British Telecom. The building offers floor plates of 25,000 sq ft. Future plans for the scheme include retail space and a public boulevard.

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/SUB/309159962/1162/toc/-/-/whats-news

New 'First Street' banners with a black background and a tube map-like design have appeared on the fence around the site...

New 'First Street' banners with a black background and a tube map-like design have appeared on the fence around the site...

Rings a bell. They were painting the hoardings black last week. Perhaps the website is being relaunched or updated?

http://www.colourmylife.com/

The hoardings also make reference to the "300m tree-lined boulevard".

http://www.colourmylife.com/

The hoardings also make reference to the "300m tree-lined boulevard".

I'd welcome having a 300m tree-lined boulevard close to my flat. I guess it would run roughly like this, the yellow line is 300m long.

They should do something with the NCP car park at the junction of Little Peter / Medlock St while they're at it...

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7214/300mboulevardov3.jpg

From the vaiduct you can see that the circular base of one of the gas holders has been excavated alongside no. 1. It looks like it was chuffin huge! All of the grass area between No 1 and the viaduct has gone now.

From the vaiduct you can see that the circular base of one of the gas holders has been excavated alongside no. 1. It looks like it was chuffin huge! All of the grass area between No 1 and the viaduct has gone now.

I saw it this morning. Its a monster of a hole now, does anyone know what is planned for that spot or is it just general decontamination?

MMC Report First Street.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/First_Street.pdf

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7945/picture5ca8.png

i like this although how much is going on phsyically apart from the BT building refurb, if this goes ahead in full this would be great

i like this although how much is going on phsyically apart from the BT building refurb, if this goes ahead in full this would be great

BT refurb? I think you have the wrong site.

no the main building simo is a refurb of a former BT building?

Its the only building, I thought you meant that MacDonald hotel down the road.

yeah but this is creating a whole avenue area, isn't it?

yeah but this is creating a whole avenue area, isn't it?

ye but nothing else has started going up yet.

ah thnx so its doing the planning rounds

today

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/10_12_2008/IMG_7008%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/10_12_2008/IMG_7007%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/10_12_2008/IMG_7010%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/10_12_2008/IMG_7011%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/grand%20island/10_12_2008/IMG_7013%20copy.jpg

edit: have added rest of pics

bump :)

In that last picture; if you block out the left side of the building and squint a bit it almost looks like it did in the renders.

Are they going to sell advertising space on those huge white areas? Can't say I'd like it but as it is a gateway to the City I guess it could be quite profitable.
Looks a bit stange as it is

No I think the white areas will be where the 'Green Walls' that were talked about a while back will be going.


It will also feature the city's first `green wall' on the side of the old BT building at Grand Central, which is being redeveloped. The development will also include shops, offices, homes and a play area.

Manchester architects BDP has been hired to redesign the building and incorporate the green wall, which will be 30m tall and 11m wide and comprise lush vegetation.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1040718_green_scheme_to_be_new_first_street

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/737/firstst2mi3.jpg

The whole area looks to have been dug up at some point over the past few months, I'm guessing to pre-install services all at once before all of the buildings go up.

I'm hoping that once the essentials have been completed the pedestrian streets and squares will be done. I used to enjoy the lawn in the summer on a lunch break, but the square as pictured below and other areas would be welcome additions to this part of the city and give an indication of what is to come.

I notice from the hoardings that the Southern Gateway is being done in partnership with MCC, whom I seem to recall will be contributing to the improvements to public realm, so I would think they would be keen to encourage this.

The whole area looks to have been dug up at some point over the past few months, I'm guessing to pre-install services all at once before all of the buildings go up.


There is a huge brick vat between the redone BT building and the railway. They dug everything out and now there filling it again. You can get a great view when on the train. I reckon its because of contamination or something like that. Old industrial buildings historically housed all sorts of shit.

I reckon its because of contamination or something like that.

You're right it's an old gas works, which I believe hindered previous further development. Keep us posted from your arches vantage point!

went past this today on the way into piccadilly and by god that is the muddiest, busiest site ive seen since buckshaw village

ASK chief looks for positives after "most difficult year"

29th December 2008

By Chris Barry - Editor

THE boss of North West property developer ASK said today he is confident a new business plan will see the company through the recession.

Ken Knott said ASK had reacted quickly to a "seismic" shift in the commercial property market, and had refinanced and cut costs.

The company is in talks to let part of its landmark First Street scheme on the fringe of Manchester city centre - one of few major projects continuing in the city.

He said: "We've a couple of players in advanced negotiations to take part of the building. We lost out on two or three deals, including the College of Law, because of the remedial environmental work which was continuing at the site. I am confident in the building - it's a fantastic space.

He said the College of Law deal had fallen down at "the 11th hour" after a site visit from the organisation's senior management, who were put off by the fact that the area around the building was not finished.

Mr Knott said: "It's frustrating as we would have had a deal if we had got the site really nicely landscaped, but we are dealing with that issue."

The £115m first phase of the project - which comprises of the refurbishment of the former BT building at Grand Island - is an 80-20 joint venture between ASK and its shareholder Morgan Stanley, with the financial services giant taking the lion's share.

Mr Knott said: "It is a big, big building that is standing empty in very difficult market conditions and it would not be sensible for us to have taken that risk on our own."

Looking at the decline the sector has seen this year Mr Knott said: "I have never seen anything like this downturn before. I was in the industry, with Amec in the early 1990s and wrestling with that recession, but that was not stimulated by financial services sector and at the moment it's difficult to see anything positive on the horizon.

"However within our sector we are not massively oversupplied in retail or offices, whereas in the 1990s this was an issue. Yes, there is some oversupply, but it's not ridiculous and it will get absorbed as the general economy starts to pick up.

"We are forecasting a really grim couple of years and no material improvement before 2011. As and when green shoots start to appear the industry will be well-placed."

He said Manchester-based ASK had spotted the looming crisis early and "ripped up" its original business plan.

"We have de-risked the business and are not progressing any scheme that is not pre-let. We refinanced with our shareholders Morgan Stanley too.

"This has been the most difficult business year of my life. We have had to face up to tough decisions and had to reduce our fixed cost base.

"We had to let some people go in May, which was very difficult thing to do, having built a team with a great family spirit."

He said he is confident ASK, which was behind Manchester's popular Deansgate Locks development and has ongoing schemes in Bury and Urmston town centres, can weather the storm.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/

No I think the white areas will be where the 'Green Walls' that were talked about a while back will be going.

i'm not sure. i am presuming they will go where those white oblongs are in the pics i posted, unless it suddenly hits them that they can make a killing with advertising banners instead! :)
though who knows if they would be allowed.

A new planning application for First Street has gone in.


Land Between Whitworth Street West And The Number One Building
First Street
Manchester
M1 5WQ

Creation of temporary car park for 226 vehicles

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KBCXNOBC00300

No documents are online yet.

Does Manchester City Council ever turn down applications for surface car parks? they are a blight on this city.

it's either car park or lawn and i think lawn would never happen.
who can afford to have their land tied up as a lawn.
also go to hulme to see what happens to land left as a lawn. it would just be a different kind of eyesore.
i hate surface carparks, especially where they are simply the ground floor of a demolished warehouse, and no tarmac has been laid. *cough* greengate.
but this will be new tarmac, and that i can live with.

but this will be new tarmac,

what a golden age we live in!

Brochure for No 1 First Street.

http://www.askdevelopments.com/assets/x/50263

You're right it's an old gas works, which I believe hindered previous further development. Keep us posted from your arches vantage point!

Had a little look this morning and some huge mounds of mud have appeared where that Vat was. There must be about 5 or 6 of them that reach 1 to 2 stories in height. Then sheeting has been put on top, I'd think to maybe stop it was washing away or moving, correct me if you will. Towards the rear of the site on the right they seem to be digging another huge hole. Am half convinced some sort of building work has gone on towards the rear of the site.

Meanwhile, Ask Developments has announced the practical completion of Number One First Street, the first major office building at the 20 acre scheme at the end of Deansgate in Manchester.

Designed by BDP’s Manchester Studio, the seven storey glass fronted building comprises approximately 180,000 sq ft Grade A office space with floorplates of 25,000 sq ft.

It will be the first building in Manchester to have living green walls as well as a green roof supporting biodiversity, while a 10m tree stands in the 30m high atrium.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/

Going home on my bike this evening I noticed several diggers working away towards the corner of the site near the junction with Whitworth St.

Propertyweek.

Ask Developments looks to Infinity to go beyond
10:00 | 06.03.09
By David Doyle

North-west developer headed by Ken Knott in talks to sell significant stake to fund manager

Manchester-based Ask Developments is in talks to sell a large stake to Infinity Asset Management.

The company, run by Ken Knott, is discussing options, one of which is understood to be a sale of a 50%-plus stake to the fund manager.

A joint statement said: ‘Ask Developments and Infinity Asset Management confirm that both parties are exploring options under which Infinity may invest in Ask Developments.

‘Talks are at a preliminary stage and there is no guarantee that a stake in Ask will be taken, but Infinity believes Ask boasts both an outstanding management team and an exciting portfolio of development projects and sites.’

A tie-up would reunite Les Lang, founder and ex-managing director of Ask residential subsidiary Abito, with former colleagues.

He joined Infinity on 1 January 2008 to manage its £100m property fund set up to target commercial and residential properties in the downturn valued at between £5m and £25m.

Infinity was launched in January 2007 as a £25m private equity fund to invest in companies that were not performing at their optimum but have growth potential.

The company says it is different from other investment funds in that it takes an active role in the management of the companies it invests in.

Infinity was founded by Daniel Finestein and Sarah Butler of BDO Stoy Hayward, and Phil Vickers, previously group finance director at Russian and European telecommunications firms 3C.

They had previously worked together at accountancy firm Levy Gee.

The deal would involve investment from both the private equity and property funds.

Ask is exposed to the economic decline because it has a large development pipeline, including its £800m First Street office scheme in Manchester, which is not yielding a large amount of income.

Ask’s portfolio comprises around 20 different project that are set to develop 8m sq ft of floorspace.

Among its projects are the mixed-use redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Old Trafford ground, the Boddington brewery site in Manchester, Greengate in Salford and Church Wharf in Bolton.

Morgan Stanley Real Estate, which declined to comment, bought a 25% stake in Ask in 2006 and last year it injected £20m into it.

http://www.colourmylife.com/

updated - the masterplan is there to see - changed around again

went passed this yesterday, very busy. Not as much mud and mess i may add.

new masterplan looks ok. Dont understand the placement of the multistory carpark mind. If i were the Council i would aks them to put it next to the main road and not in the middle of the site. We should minimise vehicular penetration into the area within the ring road as much as possible to improve the ambiance for pedestrian and other users.

ASK chief says new investment is "desirable not crucial"

12th March 2009

By Chris Barry - Editor

THE boss of ASK Developments says a tie-up with Infinity Asset Management is "desirable, not crucial" for his business.

Ken Knott said he hopes to have agreed terms for investment from the private equity firm completed in the next month.

He said: "We need to bring equity in if we want to continue our momentum - we are in the business of making projects happen.

"The bottom line is the banking landscape has changed forever. Loan-to-value rations have at best halved and projects we could have funded with debt before now have to be done through equity."

He said speculation that Infinity would take as much as 50% of the Salford-based business was "way off", but said he was contractually bound not to discuss the amount of funding the deal would raise.

It is understood that if the Infinity deals goes ahead, the fund would hold around 30% of ASK's shares. The two organisations know each other well - Infinity's Les Lang used to run ASK's residential division.

Mr Knott added:"If we can't bring new equity in to the business we'll have to slow the pace of our activity and our ability to deliver projects like Greater Manchester Police at Central Park and the City College at the Boddingtons' site - both of which are pre-let, and which you could have previously got the funding for."

He said he was pleased with First Street - the latest project ASK has completed, and said that the lack of demand from the corporate market because of the recession, was making letting the building "a painful process".

"We've got two or three irons in the fire, but nothing's close. There's hardly any corporate interest - almost all is from the public sector."

In a separate move, ASK is marketing two occupied buildings in Bury's Townside development for sale for a combined £12.5m. King Sturge is advising on the potential sale.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com

Hi. I came accross this website after researching the First Street Development by Ask. I live in River City right next to the Medlock opposite the City South Development and was trying to look at how the site where the NCP car park will be developed. The masterplan looks interesting does anybody know timelines for this project?

Also, does anybody know if the Medlock will be 'opened up' on the first street site? I think they would be mad not to do that, I can't see it on the masterplan though. I've also noticed over the last couple of weeks the river getting more and more muddy/brown looking and then will be clear for a couple of days.

Looks like the outside of the old Moonfish office is getting a re-design, as part of a competition. I love the randomness of that little office.

EASAUK2010 LAUNCHES COMPETITION FOR MANCHESTERS MOONFISH BUILDING
http://www.cube.org.uk/news/news-article.asp?id=504

easaUK2010 in association with Ask are proud to announce the launch of the an open competition to redesign the facades of their office building.

easaHQ is the old ‘moonfish’ building, and forms part of the First Street development; it sits next to the Mancunian way and is passed by 13,000 commuters each day and your work could be writ large upon it.

All the the competition details can be found here (http://www.box.net/shared/zpm75bfxuq) in the form of a zip folder. For more information contact chris.easamcr@googlemail.com

Deadline for all entries is the 8th of May.

http://www.easa000.net/

http://i44.tinypic.com/28wjpfq.jpg

Crains.

Manchester City Council moving staff to First Street
By Simon Binns


Manchester City Council has chosen Ask Developments’ 180,000 sq ft Number One First Street to be its temporary home while the town hall complex is given a three-year, £175m refurbishment.

The council’s 1,400 staff will occupy 140,000 sq ft of the building from January 2010 until the end of December 2012. The council’s fit-out of Number One First Street is expected to begin in October.

John Hughes, director at Ask Developments, said; “We are delighted with this decision, which is extremely positive news for First Street. The Number One building is the first phase of this major redevelopment which is set to transform this important area of the city centre.

“The quality and flexibility of the office space and its proximity to public transport and the town hall proved to be a perfect fit for the council’s requirements.

Damian Masters, director at GVA Grimley, which advised the council, said it had undertaken “a thorough and detailed evaluation process.”

The First Street site covers 20 acres and will include 1.8m sq ft of offices, around 1,500 homes and 350,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.

First Street is also part of the Corridor Manchester regeneration area, which was recently the subject of a recent 10-year strategy drawn up by the council.

comments@sbinns@crain.com

With the first Council staff suppose to be moving in about October ,they need to get a move on with the land around this building , when is this 300m treelined street going to get planted ?

Ive got quite a good veiw of this site from my flat and it seems all they do is dig holes all day and fill them in the next .

Interesting take from Crains on the reasons why the Council picked First Street.

Note to Editor. Can you please put the full article on one page instead of a section on the front page and another section down the full side of another page. It's a pain in the arse to scan and resize. Thanks. :) Article is in 3 section's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/00000000.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/999999999.jpg

^^ jerb is that first street article in the latest crains, do you know how long it's on the shelves for i need to get a copy for something. cheers

^^ jerb is that first street article in the latest crains, do you know how long it's on the shelves for i need to get a copy for something. cheers

If only I had known Comdot. I get them every week (well my dad does through work). Im not sure if i still have it. Will look for you.

Andrew

thanks mate i will check the shops anyway i really need a copy

edit: looks like i missed, new ones were in shops yesterday

^^ jerb is that first street article in the latest crains, do you know how long it's on the shelves for i need to get a copy for something. cheers

Last weeks Comdot. The run Monday morning to Monday morning. I get mine delivered Momday morning.

cheers i'll prob have to look into getting a back issue. shouldn't be a problem. just need it for...research purposes.

cheers i'll prob have to look into getting a back issue. shouldn't be a problem. just need it for...research purposes.

Yes yes of course, you only read it for the articles...

er...something like that :)

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2009_06_24/IMG_8586%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2009_06_24/IMG_8541%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2009_06_24/IMG_8540%20copy.jpg

All the hoardings are now coming down , looking like the public realm around the site is starting to take shape , no sign of the 300m tree lined street yet though .

before anyone gets too excited, the hoardings are down yes but the actual site is little different from comdot's pictures above.

the tarmac on the left of the photos is for a surface car park.

The winner of the Moonfish/EASAhq external redesign comp:

http://i30.tinypic.com/fvgt2x.jpg (http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/KA6qe6BPHno34xkcFesz5JB3o1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0RYTHV9YYQ4W5Q3HQMG2&Expires=1247876963&Signature=Rvrq4DeSj6emwYU%2FEfENh04uENg%3D)
http://www.easauk.net/

All the rest of the entries here (http://easahq.tumblr.com/page/3).

first street, pics from sunday.

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2%208%2009/IMG_9037%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2%208%2009/IMG_9038%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2%208%2009/IMG_9040%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2%208%2009/IMG_9042%20copy.jpg

http://www.nickgrayson.net/ssc/2%208%2009/IMG_9043%20copy.jpg

Like everything else its just turning into a massive car park!

I hope to God the rest of the proposed buildings start soon, at least one or two, I'm worried, this rather plain building looks like it should be out in the suburbs somewhere with all that surface car parking and very little else.

the similarities with grand island are great. the carpark is still in roughly the same area but is actually bigger. all this expense to redevelop the building. i agree, i hope the rest of the scheme gets underways before too long.

Looks like the getting the tree lined street ready atm laying loads of top soil ,, wont be long for the next building to start going up .

Looks like the getting the tree lined street ready atm laying loads of top soil ,, wont be long for the next building to start going up .

Oh good! (not sarcastic) Its great news to hear they are going ahead with at least some of the public realm works even if the other buildings don't start to go up. I'm not suprised about the lack of work on any new office builds but I would have thought considering the move by the council they would have started at least part of the leisure/retail section by the train line. I'm sure they could have got a few units filled if there was a 1000 new workers moving in!

Oh good! (not sarcastic) Its great news to hear they are going ahead with at least some of the public realm works even if the other buildings don't start to go up. I'm not suprised about the lack of work on any new office builds but I would have thought considering the move by the council they would have started at least part of the leisure/retail section by the train line. I'm sure they could have got a few units filled if there was a 1000 new workers moving in!


A month later and still no sign of them planting this tree lined street , im sure i read they got a grant for the public realm for First St , If the council are'nt moving in till June they probably won't start it till after Christmas , but if they do it now the trees will be a lot more bedded in for the grand opening :)

Plus it will make the view from my pad a lot nicer :)

I'm pretty certain the path referred to was just tracks caused by vehicles.

I've had a look around the inside of this now. It's just as average on the inside as it is on the outside.

I learned that there's no deal between Ask and MCC for use of the car park. It's expected that NCP will be brought in to run it.

Apparently First Street will still be laid down soonish but the buildings aren't expected to see the light of day whilst the Council are in there. It's thought that a kind of urban meadow will be created to occupy the space between First Street and City Road (it is City Road isn't it?)

Going past this the other day on the 256 home from work, I noticed that the expanse of soil in front of the building has all been seeded with grass which has started to come through now.

Oh, and the Moonfish has a number of green sqaures around it's door- looks like they are testing before they convert it to the new design which won the competition.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88519186@N00/3976361577/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3976361577_180b5675c9.jpg

Some Greenery at last!!!!

Really pushing the boat out are'nt they , tree lined street my arse it wont happen .

oh ye of little faith H, Rome wasn't bui....oh bollocks I can't be arsed

Council report into First Street:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_downloads/public_part_of_First_Street.pdf
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/1199/resources_and_governance_overview_and_scrutiny_committee

...
The disposal to ASK of the Little Peter Street car park, and within the main site the disposal of three individual plots of land on long leases (see plots 1-3 on the attached plan), will provide the Council with a consideration reflecting the market value of the land plus overage payments.

The Council will provide up to £3M to deliver public realm on the First Street site that will be recovered from ASK through the development agreement by way of a priority charge payable on the completion of successful phases. Details of a supporting grant application are set out in a report on Part B of this agenda.

The Council’s investment in public realm and strategic acquisition of land at Mackintosh Mill is proposed to be met from the Capital Fund. This will require an increase in the capital programme as defined in a report on Part B of this agenda.
...
6. Land adjacent to Mackintosh Mill

6.1 Mackintosh Mill is a multiphase, primarily residential development that is being delivered by Bryant Homes whom are a subsidiary of Taylor Wimpey. (See attached plan- Plot 4) Bryant Homes have been on site for over two years and have now completed the first phase.

However, as a result of poor market conditions, they wish to sell the remainder of the site.

6.2 Terms have been offered to the Council for it to acquire Taylor Wimpey’s residual interest of circa 1.45 acres.
...

They have installed blue uplighters in the arches that run along the First Street site. Same blue that lights up the City Road in signage.........looks reet snazzy it does!

http://i11.tinypic.com/4pwi0x4.jpg

^^

is this designed by the same people that designed the similar-looking building in Picadilly Gardens ?

^^

is this designed by the same people that designed the similar-looking building in Picadilly Gardens ?

that looks like a business park office in luton! wtf were they thinking building that in Manchester:nuts:

Where 1st Street would be:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/First%20Street/FutureFirstStreet.jpg

Where 1st Street would be:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/First%20Street/FutureFirstStreet.jpg

I think its the other side where the grassed area is GShutty

yes. :)

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7675/mackintoshmills.jpg

From this weeks Crains.

^^ just to point out, that picture is of the developed part. the undeveloped part is an almost empty plot of land, i think.

Thats what I thought, misleading headline(& picture) I think. Doesn't mention demolition in the council report, maybe theres an industrial shed on part of the site?

or a wall or something maybe, and some shallow foundations.

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=sxbt3ygtcqvn&scene=42616201&lvl=1&sty=b

Council rubber-stamps Ask's First Street agreement

20 Nov 2009, 10:07

Manchester City Council's Cabinet has approved the final development agreement with Ask Property Developments for the First Street project to the south of the city centre.

The 20-acre site is seen as a key link between Manchester's central business district and the Oxford Road Corridor.

A new 160 metre pedestrianised boulevard will be built between Whitworth Street and Hulme Street. Ask said the remaining Mackintosh Mills will be acquired and demolished to open up further pedestrian linkages through the eastern part of the site.

The council will occupy 140,000 sq ft of the 180,000 sq ft 1 First Street until 2013 while the Town Hall complex is redeveloped. The refurbished building has won a post-construction BREEAM 'excellent' accreditation.

The overall site has consent for 1.2m sq ft of offices, 1,500 residential units and 350,000 sq ft of shops and restaurants.

John Hughes, director of Ask Developments, said: "We're delighted that the First Street development agreement has been approved. We have worked hard with the city council to create the platform for this strategic site. This area has endured a lack of identity and purpose in recent years, resulting from its failure to integrate and connect in a physical and economic sense with the rest of the city centre and the Oxford Road Corridor. We are confident that First Street will now start to fulfil its potential and make its contribution to enhancing the city's competitive position."

Work on the public realm will start in December 2009, with completion in early May 2010.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/4801-council-rubber-stands-ask-s-first-street-agreement.html

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/4801-council-rubber-stands-ask-s-first-street-agreement.html


A new 160 metre pedestrianised boulevard will be built between Whitworth Street and Hulme Street

Just to clarifi. Will be built now or will be built if and when?


Work on the public realm will start in December 2009, with completion in early May 2010.

There is'nt much new grade A office space availiable now in the city cen apart from Chancery Place and 4 Piccadilly Place , if Ask have any sense they would build a office block at First St speculativly with a 2 year build time surely in that time they could find a few takers .
Same goes for Allied London at Spinningfeilds and Axis , come on take a few risks .:)

Noticed that along with the random green squares, the Moonfish building now has a new sign. It's a flashing red 'SOS'- Moonfish is no more!

A friend of mine has an art show on in there at the moment. I liked it, but then I'm biased. I think the rest of the building is occupied by young architects.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2vdryuw.jpg
http://twitpic.com/so77m
http://www.cube.org.uk/news/news-article.asp?id=590

4 cabins were dropped off at the back of the site yesterday .

You'd think they'd at least give Moonifsh a lick of white paint around the top- it's looking rather scabby! Or is this till to come?

First Street: John Hughes, director of Ask Developments: "Obviously the main thing this year was signing the 140,000 sq ft letting with Manchester City Council at One First Street, which instantly took the building to 75% let. The building's refurbishment is completed and the council has now started to fit out. We are very hopeful that as we start to populate the area and bring the public realm to life people will be attracted to First Street and see its potential.

"We are in advanced talks with a hotel operator and investor which would trigger another phase of development. It is a four-star operator with a good brand who wants around 150-rooms and we hope to announce the deal early in 2010.

"There are also ongoing talks with public sector bodies about funding the major public square behind One First Street and the 180 metre-long, 60-metre wide boulevard that will run from Whitworth Street through the whole development."

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/manchester-gt-development.html

I am slightly pessimistic about this development.
Firstly, Where is the "First Street" actually going to be?
I assumed it would be on the eastern side of the old/redeveloped BT building, (the left side of the building if looking from Whitworth Street) and that it would run from Whitworth St towards Hulme.
But if so, why have they rebuilt the Car Park there?

They have actually gotten rid of public realm by getting rid of the "Gasworks" path and trees which ran from City Road along the viaduct to the Carpark.
I think the linkage towards Cambridge Street is essential and is a great idea, as Oxford Road will be well connected to Castlefield/Deansgate Locks across this area.

But if pedestrian linkages remain poor from Hulme and Chester Road I can see this area not getting the footfall it needs, if it is to become a successful retail/hotel/etc environment. The Mancunian Way and it's underpasses (or lack of them) are a massive barrier. The Canal, to the north of Whitworth Street, also prevents a flow of people southwards from the city centre, unless the steps beside Barbirolli Square or Great Bridgewater street seem appealing. Imagine both at night!

Lots of activity on site now , doing the public realm part .

Just an idle thought I was having at work the other day.... would do people think of the idea of burying the Mancunian way between Chester Road and Ardwick? Total pipe dream I know, implausibly expensive, but wouldn't it be great to have some open spaces linking Hulme into the city centre? Rejoin the city centre suburbs and expand the city centre beyond it's limited core... Any thoughts/possibilities of 'what might be'?
Inspired by the Big Dig road tunnel in Boston.

Its a very good idea. Not at all implausible. But I don't like it, I enjoy driving along Mancunian Way at night too much :)

A couple of shots from today.

http://i45.tinypic.com/fbg5sz.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/v5z890.jpg

Its all systems go now First St i'll get some pics from my place this week .

Yeah, tons of activity. Diggers galore and a couple of drilling machines working around the rear side. Wasn't able to get any pictures as I didn't have a camera on me.

Looks like some artwork is going to be going up around First Street soon, new planning application is up, no document online yet.


First Street
Manchester
M15 4FN

Erection of 5 sculptures supported by stainless steel columns

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KXOOEQBC00300

The plans are now online for the artwork, they will be placed all the way down First Street until the first public square which will be behind No1 First Street.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5931/firststreetsiteplan.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5510/firststreetartwork1.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7190/firststreetartwork2.jpg

The plans are now online for the artwork, they will be placed all the way down First Street until the first public square which will be behind No1 First Street.


They're actually much bigger than I would have expected, will be interesting to see what they look like in the flesh!

Those sculpures look great ,, looking forwarding to seeing First St take shape

Today. Plenty of activity.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/DSC00174.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/DSC00166.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/DSC00175.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/DSC00176.jpg

I've not read the plans, but they do look like Clare Bigger works.

If so, here is one very similiar sculpture near Wigan.. 10 metres tall, looks great when lit up.

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/6739915.jpg

Should have the stones laid down in time for the first Council services to start moving down there next month and then throughout May and June. All customer contact will be at First Street so footfall down that way should increase significantly. Not sure where there are vacant retail lots round that area but I'd expect new shops to be opening throughout the rest of the year wherever they can

The concrete is now being poured for the boulevard with the foundations for the sculptures clearly marked out.

On the Culture Show this week (or was it Countryfile, jeez my memory is going) they did a piece on vertical farms. The idea being that cities could be more sustainable, if they grew plants such as salads on the walls of buildings. Anyway wasn't this building supposed to have a green wall? Does anyone know if it is still going to happen?

I thought it was on the back of it, but I have to admit, I haven't been down there for a long time.

I thought it was on the back of it, but I have to admit, I haven't been down there for a long time.

Had a look at the renders (early on in this thread), and yes they seem to be on the back. I didn't notice anything growing there when I was driving on the Mancunian way, but obviously I was sort of concentrating on the traffic!

No still no movement on the two 'living walls' at the back of No 1 First Street, still just advertising the space that is available to let inside No 1 First Street.

Hopefully with the landscaping that is happening now they will start on the 'living walls'

Sites for more eyes

12.03.10

By Jennifer Rigby

............

Fit for purpose

There are other sites where this kind of initiative is happening. In Manchester, Ask Developments’ First Street site will be used from June by one of the UK’s first urban-fitness academies.

Civilian Military Fitness, which involves members of the public being put through their paces by the military, will hold classes in First Street's public realm areas.

Ask chief executive Ken Knott says: “Creating alternative uses to bring a development back to life is vital. For many reasons, it shows the developer’s continuing commitment to the scheme, highlights what is happening at the site, and builds stronger ties with the surrounding residential and business communities.

“At our First Street site, the military fitness camps we have signed up not only open the site up to the existing tenants, they open it up to the city as a whole, and give the development a real place and purpose within Manchester.

“As we make progress on the next plots for development at First Street, we would be happy to consider alternative locations within the site boundaries for the fitness camps should they prove to be as a big a success as we anticipate.

“I support Property Week’s Site Life campaign and hope that other developers will take a look at their existing sites to see if they too can be creatively used to benefit the wider community.”

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, approves of the plans. “It is appropriate in the current difficult economic climate that we explore with [developers] what temporary uses can be brought forward to ensure that even sites where development is stalled can be given uses that support the life of the city, where possible," he says.

“We welcome the Property Week campaign, which recognises this important contribution that responsible developers make — and will continue to make — to a vibrant and successful city.”

Bernstein’s support is important, as our campaign focuses on local authorities, as well as developers. Local authorities have a dual role to play, in supporting developers on their sites, as well as introducing schemes on their own land.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=38&storycode=3159810

Ask secures Q-Park at First Street

17 Mar 2010, 09:43

Michael Hunt

Ask Developments has secured a lease agreement with independent car park operator Q-Park on its 20-acre First Street scheme.

Q-Park has signed a lease to manage and operate the 220-space car park, alongside three smaller car parks comprising 500 spaces.

The main car park will provide car parking for the 180,000 sq ft Number One First Street. The three other car parks will be for public use.

Peter Skelton, head of Lambert Smith Hampton's Manchester office, which acted on behalf of Q-Park, said: "First Street is one of the most significant schemes currently underway in Manchester and will become a new gateway to the city centre.

"The car park itself forms a vital part of the development and will meet current and future demand for office workers, shoppers and visitors of nearby attractions including Manchester Central, Bridgewater Hall and the Palace Theatre."

Q-Park already operates the 225-space Piazza car park in Manchester city centre.

Details of the rental agreement were not disclosed.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/5639-ask-secures-q-park-at-first-street.html

Right then. A bit more from MIPIM. Video Wall. Link to new video about it below. In HD.

From this......(sure we've all seen it)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9461/firststreetmanchestermaq.jpg

To this.

Look at the render of the tower to the left of the screen grab.(2nd and 3rd grabs) Note the size of it. Compare it in size to the 3 Parkway Gate student towers.(to the right of it) Not small by any means. Will it ever get built? Who knows.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/fs1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/gold2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/gold.jpg

Video wall explained. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=aLf0CG33gsU#t=122

Look at the render of the tower to the left of the screen grab.(2nd and 3rd grabs) Note the size of it. Compare it in size to the 3 Parkway Gate student towers.(to the right of it) Not small by any means.

IIRC the "bookend" plots were earmarked for circa 25 storey towers. Pre-recession though.......

Paving is now being laid on the boulevard at First Street.

The trees have started to be planted today ,, its really taking shape now .

The plans are now online for the artwork, they will be placed all the way down First Street until the first public square which will be behind No1 First Street.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5931/firststreetsiteplan.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5510/firststreetartwork1.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7190/firststreetartwork2.jpg

The planning application for the five sculptures has been approved.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KXOOEQBC00300

I'm really not sure about these acrobat sculptures. What is there relevance? Manchester has an abundance of famous people and events that could easily be reference in street art, or sculptures. This to me seems like a lost idea from the Commonwealth Games proposals and first impressions seems to be poorly executed as well.

Am I right? I hate to be negative, but this just doesn't seem to quite fit, or at least be thoughtful enough to my mind.

I agree. They could be in any city and the subject matter of using an acrobatic theme seems a bit 90's. 4 people around a table going 'Yeah, acrobats symbolize movement, momentum and therefore forward thinking,' its what I could imagine in some provincial town with a sign next to it saying 'funded by the EU.' I think its a matter of filling the space, and if its not trees, then they seem to resort to the odd looking sculpture that looks just ok in summer but awful in winter. I'll have to see how they turn out as I don't want to write them off completely. Just the concept isn't really me.

I can't get excited about these designs either. They remind me of the penny farthing sculpture near Deansgate Station - not the worst thing in the world, but why is it there?

Interestingly, First Street is officially part of Corridor Manchester which has recently received approval for funding for public art projects. One of the justifications for the funding was to help "connect" the various parts of the Corridor. I am pretty sure that these figures are not part of the scheme. Let's hope that they are not a sign of things to come.

On a related point, there are lots of fascinating pieces of public art hidden away in this part of Manchester. Apparently, according to Manchester Modernist Society, the University used to commission a piece of art every time they had a new building constructed - those were the days...!

I don't think they are too bad, granted the sports theme doesn't exactly gel with First St but I like the fact they are different colours and 8m high, they should look pretty striking I think. Don't shoot me, it's just my opinion, I think we'll grow to love them.

First Street this morning - nearly finished the paving. I guess the tarmac is where the green "acrobat" will be going.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4545/24042010002.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3376/24042010001.jpg

Good first post Yowzerz! It will be some years before the First Street master plan is realised, but at least this will integrate this part of the city back in to the public realm and I guess it's set to go and and when tenants are found.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/first10.jpg

Lighting has now been added to the poles around the trees and more planting is being added around the trees further up around No1 First Street.

According to the letting signs for No1 First Street the landscaping should be completed by July.

Manchester City Council have moved in some of the departments and the move is in full swing.

The path is nearly done and there are a couple of spurs off to the main road too, no doubt indicating the foot print of future builds.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/First%20Street/Picture447.jpg

Benches and directional signs and new signage is now being put into place in and around First Street, mainly down the boulevard.

The 'First Street' signage is now on the arch on Whitworth Street West. Looks good.

Should bring a bit of life to First St,

http://i31.tinypic.com/2ag87jr.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/2d85z8.jpg
www.easauk.net

Looks like work on the Colour My Life sculputures is about to start, fencing has been put up around where each sculpture will be placed, and the tarmac in the holes has been drilled out ready for the sculputures.

The plans are now online for the artwork, they will be placed all the way down First Street until the first public square which will be behind No1 First Street.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5931/firststreetsiteplan.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5510/firststreetartwork1.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7190/firststreetartwork2.jpg

Sinage Now Up

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/PeteVincent82/Manchester/Photo013.jpg

Not Quite First Street But Just Around The Corner Some Of The Arches On Hewitt Street Have Now Finished Being Fitted Into Retail Units

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/PeteVincent82/Manchester/Photo012.jpg

That's good news, it needs a bit of life round there.

Second that ^^

Sinage Now Up

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/PeteVincent82/Manchester/Photo013.jpg

Not Quite First Street But Just Around The Corner Some Of The Arches On Hewitt Street Have Now Finished Being Fitted Into Retail Units

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/PeteVincent82/Manchester/Photo012.jpg

Wow. This time last year they were empty dark, dirty cess pools!

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac153/PeteVincent82/Manchester/Photo021.jpg

I do like that signage.. very nice. :|

First Street fitness classes launched

20 Jul 2010, 10:31

Michael Hunt

City workers and residents are being given an opportunity to take part in boot camp style work-outs in First Street, on the southern edge of Manchester city centre.

Civilian Military Fitness is holding classes within the public realm area of First Street, which Ask Developments and contractors Mayfield Construction are currently completing as part of the first phase plans to redevelop a 20-acre site.

On completion, First Street Manchester will be an 18 metre wide and 300 metre long boulevard connecting the community of Hulme through the Mancunian Way to the Hacienda site on Whitworth Street West.

Jamie Bloor, managing director at Civilian Military Fitness, said; "When Ask Developments approached us to operate our military fitness classes we agreed straight away as First Street is a fantastic location and an ideal opportunity to use outdoor urban space. There is strong evidence that exercise and fresh air increases both physical and mental well being. Our classes combine the two and we are excited to be offering the people who work and live in the city a no-nonsense and proven way to get fit."

With over 1,400 Manchester City Council staff now moved into Number One First Street, Civilian Military Fitness hopes the First Street classes will attract them to exercise before and after work.

Classes are open to everyone over the age of 16 and are to suit all abilities and run every weekday.

Civilian Military Fitness currently runs classes at an additional five locations in Greater Manchester including:

Stockport Rugby Club in Bramhall
Chorlton Water Park
Hyde Park
Worthington Park in Sale
Stamford Park in Ashton-Under-Lyne

Civilian Military Fitness plans to open new venues across Manchester and other targeted cities across the UK

For more information on the locations and class timetables and how to become a member of the club visit the Civilian Military Fitness website.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/6715-first-street-fitness-classes-launched.html


Council staff move into Ask's First Street scheme

20th July 2010

By Mike Fahy - Assistant Editor

MORE than 1,400 members of Manchester City Council's staff have now relocated to Ask Developments' First Street scheme for the duration of its £165m project to renovate the city's town hall and extension scheme.

Ask Developments said that the first phase of public realm improvements at its site has now been completed by contractor Mayfield Construction, which consists of a 16-metre-wide, tree-lined boulevard.

These grounds are now being used by Manchester-based Civilian Military Fitness (CMF) to host classes in the city centre.

This franchise operation, which already operates classes from five locations in Greater Manchester including Stockport Rugby Club, Chorlton Water Park, Hyde Park, Worthington Park and Stamford Park in Ashton-Under-Lyne, offers outdoor fitness training classes taught by ex-military physical training instructors. It was started in 2008 by ex-Marine Jamie Bloor.

John Hughes, director at Ask, said; “We’re delighted that CMF classes have now started at First Street. Military boot camps have become a modern fitness phenomenon, so it is a real coup to have the first ever city centre classes at First Street as it will help to establish the area as a recognisable part of the city."

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/

I noticed some structures put up along first street on my way home tonight.

Think they are the frames or whatever that will be holding the figures up.

Have they been there a while?