BBC Oxford Road Site

[therodneymullen]

Just a quick plea to anyone who could let me know what the future has in store for the BBC building on oxford road after they move...?!

cheers.

[jrb]

Originally Posted by therodneymullen

Just a quick plea to anyone who could let me know what the future has in store for the BBC building on oxford road after they move...?!

cheers.

We know as much as you Rodney. Nothing as of yet. Various ideas were floating about a few years back, (there was a thread) but we've heard nothing for years.

Perhaps one of the other forum members remember or know something.

[Castlefield Andy]

From where else but Crains:

Royal Opera House project lines up city centre sites
August 18, 2008
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness....y-centre-sites

BBC building could be demolished to make way for prestige anchor to Oxford Road cultural quarter

Sites in Manchester city centre — not east Manchester — are being actively considered for the £250m project to set up a northern outpost of the Royal Opera House.

Among the possible locations is the BBC's New Broadcasting House on Oxford Road, which will be left empty when the BBC transfers staff its new Media City base on Salford Quays in 2011.

The buildings on the 4.5 acre site, which cover 584,000 sq ft, could be demolished and redeveloped as the key anchor to a “Cultural Quarter” involving the Cornerhouse, the Dancehouse Theatre and the nearby Palace Theatre.

The BBC currently owns the freehold of the building, which it has occupied since 1976, but would not comment on future plans for the site.

A Manchester City Council spokeswoman said the opera house would “definitely” be based in the city centre, but said that no firm locations had been identified. The city will not face competition from any other regions for the new institution, after the Royal Opera House confirmed to Crain's it had only approached Manchester over plans for a regional venue.

The new building would be used for performances by the Royal Opera but the council is also trying to find a resident arts organisation to be permanently based there. One possible target could be the English National Ballet, which currently uses the Palace Theatre in Manchester and the Liverpool Empire in Liverpool as part of its UK touring programme.

The ROH spokesman said further announcements were likely in September, which is when Manchester City Council's executive is next due to meet.

There has been no indication from the council as to how big the Royal Opera House in Manchester could be, but the London venue boasts 2,257 seats in its main auditorium, 400 seats in its Linbury Studio Theatre, and 120 seats in its Clore Studio, and sits on a 2.5 acre site.

Colin Roy, managing director of hotels at West Properties, which is developing Origin on Princess Street, near to Oxford Road, said the development would be a boost for the city and its property developers.

“It's a genuinely exciting plan and would be a fantastic addition to the facilities that Manchester city centre already has,” he said. “A city needs as many demand generators as possible. An opera house is not an immediate consideration to a city, so to bring one to Manchester shows how far the city has come and how well regarded it is as a business and cultural destination. The quality of entertainment that opera provides is a real business generator.

“It will be great for nearby residential and hotel developments — people always look at what is five or 10 minutes from their door and to be able to offer them a Royal Opera House will be a fantastic draw.”

The idea of a cultural corridor is also being explored by the City South partnership, which is tasked with the regeneration of the Oxford Road area.

The emphasis on a city centre site for the opera house is a further blow to East Manchester, however, as the opera house was originally conceived as a way of replacing the supercasino, which was earmarked for a site next to the City of Manchester Stadium before being scrapped by the government.

The slowdown in development activity may have encouraged Manchester City Council to seek ways of focusing investment attention on the city centre. Plans for a hotel and hospitality academy were also diverted from East Manchester to Ask Developments' Strangeways site.

[andysimo123]

If anyone has been around the back its a pretty big site.



That square right in the middle.

[Mez]

Whatever happens here, I hope it opens up the dead urban space around the medlock.

With this and the likely redevelopment of UMIST, we could have a previously myterious part of town made accessible to non students/Retro bar regulars.

[jrb]

Not sure if this has been posted before. I certainly don't remember it. I have the memory span of a goldfish though. Fishing around a few architects websites and found this from Hodder.

Can anyone remember who posted the render of the Sportscity masterplan a few weeks back. Think it was Man Med? Any chance somebody could PMit to me if you know where it is or if you have it saved. Thanks.

Hodder.







(Gene Hunt? Life on Mars)

[Griff]

Eww. Thank gawd that never saw the light of day. It might be great behind the facade but that's a horrible face to present to Oxford Road. Almost Arndale-like with its inward-looking mentality.

[spoonsbeatfish]

Originally Posted by Griff

Eww. Thank gawd that never saw the light of day. It might be great behind the facade but that's a horrible face to present to Oxford Road. Almost Arndale-like with its inward-looking mentality.

Yeah ditto, thats bloody awfull! I do think that the BBC site does provide a great opportunity for public realm and improving linkages across the city.

Btw there is an article in Crains today about the Opera House relocation, can someone post a copy please?
"Oxford Street can be 'Covent Garden of the north"

[Comdot]

i would like to think there is scope to put a LOT more floorspace on that site than in those renders.

[Joydivison82]

Sorry if there is already a thread on this but I can't find it.

I've read that it might be getting demolished? I hope so as it is an ugly building but what will take its place?

I personally want to see a 50 floor skyscraper called Oxford Tower but I doubt it will happen

[nq]

Don't think there's been further news on it since the sale to Realty was announced in May, any recent updates have been posted in the Corridor thread. Some great quotes from the developers in this article,

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=241

[Bachy Soletanche]

I like its strong brutal lines.



So there.

Just wish they'd do something about the old, superior, BBC logo poking out of the new one.

[Joydivison82]

Not a bad building in itself, I just think something much better can go in its place. And imagine what a state it will look when the BBC move completely.

[Nathan Dawz]

I agree. Oxford Road deserves something better than this.

New Broadcasting House has had it's day now and I doubt many would miss it if it went.

[nq]

Land is still showing in the ownership of the BBC according to How-Do, suggests the deal might be subject to planning.

New Broadcasting House title still held by BBC

Quote from the city centre regen report last month. Appear to be working on a framework doc, also mentioned in that article.

The former BBC Oxford Road site is the largest single development area in
central Manchester, covering 2.18 hectares. The building and site form a
crucial component of future redevelopment opportunities within the Oxford
Road Corridor.

The site has recently been sold to a developer, and the team
are working with the landowner on the preparation of a regeneration
framework for the site, which will be brought to the Executive in due course.
The framework will provide the context for future planning applications in this
area.

p.13 http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_do...generation.pdf

[tomegranate]

Originally Posted by kaiter2

Not sure if this has been posted before. I certainly don't remember it. I have the memory span of a goldfish though. Fishing around a few architects websites and found this from Hodder.

Can't see anything sonny jim.

[nq]

Was just another spambot, quoting something random from above.

[nq]

Demo app for NBH,

098601/DEM/2012/C1

Prior notification for demolition of New Broadcasting House building

New Broadcasting House Oxford Road Manchester M60 7HB

[Chogmook]

Interesting!

[monkey_rat]

Yay!