Manchester Eye Hospital scheme gets go-ahead

Biomedical companies already making pre-let enquiries for new Manchester offices, lab & research space

Article posted: 20 Feb 2011

Joint venture Bruntwood and Manchester Science Parks together with architects Sheppard Robson have been given the green light to proceed with plans to convert Manchester’s former Eye Hospital into a new centre of excellence for biomedical companies.

Manchester City Council has approved plans to create state-of-the-art laboratories, medical research facilities, training facilities and flexible office space in Manchester city centre.

Known as FREH, the scheme will see the refurbishment and extension of the existing building with a new glazed atrium to provide networking space. It is expected the development will create 440 new jobs and will add £60m p.a. to Manchester’s income.

There is already strong interest in pre-lets of the development, which will be completed in summer 2012.

Commenting at the time of the announcement of the join venture, Chris Oglesby, chief executive, Bruntwood, said: “The development of the former Royal Eye Hospital is a great project for Bruntwood. We’re looking forward to working with msp and using our development expertise to help the city fulfil its potential.”

The Royal Eye Hospital site is owned by the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is one of the partners of Corridor Manchester, the organisation set up to drive economic growth and regeneration of the Corridor – the Oxford Road area of the City.

For breaking news relating to office space in the North West of England follow us on http://twitter.com/officespacenews

Posted by Josh