St Peter's Square Regeneration

[Cherguevara]

Originally Posted by JDRS

So they're going to evict National Express? I thought they had recently finished a renovation of the coach station? Doesn't sound like a bad plan though, seeing as it's only a short walk to the rail station and city centre. Perhaps some South Manchester buses could be re-routed up Peter Street and along Deansgate to a terminus closer to the Arndale?

Well I think "going to" is a bit strong. The intention seems to be that NX should go to a new facillity near Piccadilly.

[CDX]

From Crain's:

Recession forces rethink for Town Hall makeover
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
April 13, 2009
By Simon Binns

Manchester City Council may put the proposed refurbishment of the Town Hall complex on hold due to the recession.

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive, told Crain's the council had made no firm commitment to the £175m project, and the recent economic slump had forced a rethink.

“We might delay the Town Hall complex project by a couple of years,” he said.

“As it stands, we can't sit here and say for definite we are going to do it when we are in the midst of a recession. We're not contractually committed to anything and the reality is there are competing claims for our resources.”

The council is actively looking for alternative accommodation for the duration of the three-year programme of work however and, as reported by Crain's Manchester Business last week, has pulled back from its first choice of space in 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields.

“We'd still like to carry out the St Peter's Square redevelopment but we will not be held to ransom over it,” Sir Howard said.

“It's an important public realm scheme and involves some good private investment such as Elisabeth House, so presents an opportunity to develop an environment and a place to drive significant value. It's the next significant area of major office accommodation.”

The council has estimated it will save £1.7m per year once the Town Hall refurbishment is complete in 2014.

[dd528]

Originally Posted by CDX

Recession forces rethink for Town Hall makeover
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
April 13, 2009
By Simon Binns

Manchester City Council may put the proposed refurbishment of the Town Hall complex on hold due to the recession.

Well there's a surprise.

[markydeedrop]

[Slow Burn]

We got the confirmation today that staff based in the Town Hall Extension will be re-locating to One First Street.

One of the frequently asked questions was what ammenities are there nearby? The answer was, obviously, that they are currently very limited but they will increase when we move.

This implies that the move will spur on the next phases of the development of First Street.

The customer-facing services of the Central Library will be moving to an old building on Deansgate at the bottom of Lloyd Street - can't bloody remember what it's called but it begins with G.

The deliberate ommission of the FAQ that everyone wants to know is WHEN!

[jrb]

Originally Posted by Slow Burn

We got the confirmation today that staff based in the Town Hall Extension will be re-locating to One First Street.

One of the frequently asked questions was what ammenities are there nearby? The answer was, obviously, that they are currently very limited but they will increase when we move.

This implies that the move will spur on the next phases of the development of First Street.

The customer-facing services of the Central Library will be moving to an old building on Deansgate at the bottom of Lloyd Street - can't bloody remember what it's called but it begins with G.

The deliberate ommission of the FAQ that everyone wants to know is WHEN!

Thanks for that SB.

Better ASK fill First Street on a piecemeal rent instead of paying millions in empty rates tax. Kills two bird's with one stone as well. Ask get a tennant and begin the next phase of First Street and the City Council relocate their staff and the regeneration of the Town Hall and St Peter's Square can start in earnest.

PS. It's snippet's like that that make SSC what it is.

[spoonsbeatfish]

Originally Posted by Slow Burn

We got the confirmation today that staff based in the Town Hall Extension will be re-locating to One First Street.

One of the frequently asked questions was what ammenities are there nearby? The answer was, obviously, that they are currently very limited but they will increase when we move.

This implies that the move will spur on the next phases of the development of First Street.

The customer-facing services of the Central Library will be moving to an old building on Deansgate at the bottom of Lloyd Street - can't bloody remember what it's called but it begins with G.

The deliberate ommission of the FAQ that everyone wants to know is WHEN!

Get in!!

Cheers for the news SB

[uklad1979]

Someone told me earlier this week the staff moves are starting in Oct and will be carried on until Sept next year when the Libary Theatre moves out. That seems a long time to move everything out.

[Slow Burn]

Yeah I'd heard whispers in the corridors that the move would start in September - this was a couple of months ago though. October sounds reasonable. A year is a long time but this is going to be a very difficult move

[Mr.Someone]

Originally Posted by Mez

Roads closed Good
Trams to run to the left hand side coming from Mosley St and following the current road layout Good
Tram stop moved to central island stop next to Lizzy House Good
Larger Big Wheel moved to Peace Gardens site which will be filled and leveled hmmmm
Large Sq area outside the Libary/Town hall extention with greenery and water Good

Hope they dont get filled in - The worst thing to happen to happen to Manchester was the Berlin Wall mark 3, next to the bus station & metal trees instead of REAL Flower beds Piccadilly Gardens dosen't seem as good without as much colour as it used too.

Leave Peace Gardens Alone! There is now't wrong with it!

[flange]

Workers move for town hall revamp

Mike Keegan

May 25, 2009

PLANS for a £175m revamp of some of Manchester's most iconic buildings are gathering pace.

The city's town hall, central library and parts of St Peter's Square are to be renovated in a huge project.

And now council chiefs have announced details of how the work will be carried out.

They have struck a deal that will see 1,800 staff relocate to 20-acre Number One First Street while the work is carried out.

It was thought that Spinningfields was in the frame to host the workers.

The news is sure to come as a boost for the project part of a 3m sq ft masterplan to develop the area around Whitworth Street West, giving it identity and economic purpose.

Council chiefs say the location, a short distance away from the town hall, is convenient and close to public transport stops.

Coun Bernard Priest hailed movement on the 'momentous' proposals.

And John Hughes, director of Ask Developments, who built the facilities, described it as a 'perfect fit' for council staff.

The plans will also see the creation of a new customer service centre on the ground floor of the town hall extension.

And a 75-metre long glass walkway between the town hall and the library is still on the cards. That is expected to be subject of an 'international design competition' in due course.

The proposals are hoped to be completed by 2014.

They would see the library completely renovated, with the original stone floor revealed.

The M.E.N. revealed last July how the grade two-star listed Central Library was riddled with asbestos and needed major work to secure its 'structural integrity'. Secret council documents also showed the town hall, which opened in 1877, needed huge sums to 'halt deterioration'. The cost of upgrading both, and the town hall extension, has been put at £175m, most of it raised through borrowing and commercial development, it is understood.

The project is expected to go out to tender shortly in the first part of a five-year project. Later this month it will invite architects interested in developing the first part of the plan - which focuses on the town hall extension and Central Library, to register their interest.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....wn_hall_revamp

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

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness....905269952/1026

[Mez]

Competition for £165m Manchester civic revamp opens

Manchester City Council has begun searching for architects to lead the £165 million redevelopment of its historic town hall complex.

Two OJEUs were issued today – one for a design team to redevelop the 1930s town hall extension, and a second for a team to redevelop the circular grade II * listed city library, both of which were designed by Vincent Harris.

A third competition, to find an architect for the redevelopment of the St Peter's Square and the Library Walkway will be launched at a later date.

Council chief executive Howard Bernstein said: "The Town Hall extension and Central Library, built some 50 years after the Town Hall, are among the best examples of the architecture of their period. The major refurbishment of Manchester’s Town Hall complex will improve services to the public and invest £165 million into key civic buildings and spaces over the next five years."

The council wants the refurbishment of the town hall extension to create a new customer service centre and family and community library on the ground floor, as well as modernising the office accommodation on other storeys.

The library project will see the Library Theatre relocated to a new site, allowing the relocation of the County Record Office to the central library.

Pre-Qualification Questionnaires must be submitted by July 3.


http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...000000019a4b6c

[CDX]

Dates from the Town Hall refurb masterplan:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_do...Complex_1_.pdf

So we might see some designs for the square & Library Walk in April next year...

[Savage Henry]

I cannot wait for them to get on with revamping St Peter's Square. I was mooching around there on Wednesday night, and it really is depressing in the evening. Even Starbucks and Cafe Nero were shut by 8pm.

[timo]

aleef in lizzy house has closed down now leaving a grand total of zero businesses occupying the ground floor

does this mean it is on its way down i wonder (hope)

[ScouseinManc]

Originally Posted by timo

aleef in lizzy house has closed down now leaving a grand total of zero businesses occupying the ground floor

does this mean it is on its way down i wonder (hope)

I really do hope so.

Walked past the block a couple of Saturday's back & wondered when they were off.

Let the fun begin...

[timo]

indeed, my office window looks down on lizzy house, it would be a beautiful sight to see it destroyed in front of my own eyes

[Joydivison82]

I think its a fine example of 70's buildings and should be kept, just in a different city not ours :p Maybe we could export it to Stoke on Trent? It could be their first skyscraper.

I was looking at it yesterday while waiting for a tram and it really really is a blot on the landscape which needs pulling down fast. I have also been lookign at the Odean I originaly wanted this to stay and be turned into a rock club but I think the kindest thing to with it is to blow it up.

[Alexis*27]

Yep.

Manky old Allen's Fried Chicken has gone - with some despair from my non-vegetarian mates who used it as pre-beer stomach sponge. Thumbs up from me though - revolting place.

[timo]

i'm no veggie but you wouldn't have caught me eating in there, hell no

a friend of mine use to pay a £12 round fare from castlefield to allen's about once weekly late on friday evenings as he loved it so much