A revised master plan has been unveiled for developing a science, innovation, and manufacturing campus at Manchester Airport in the UK.
Known as MIX MANCHESTER, the 60-acre site aims to become a science and innovation hub, offering two million square feet of advanced manufacturing and science space.
Apart from Manchester Airports Group (MAG), MIX MANCHESTER’s joint venture (JV) partners include Beijing Construction Engineering Group International, Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
The master plan of this project has been developed by Sheppard Robson over a period of two years. It is expected to be delivered under a revised Strategic Regeneration Framework for the area.
This plan is set to undergo public consultation in mid-2024, before seeking formal endorsement from Manchester City Council.
The campus is set to create up to 8,000 jobs and is said to be the only UK campus of its kind adjacent to an international airport.
MIX MANCHESTER, which was previously named Airport City Manchester, will be developed in a phased manner, currently contingent on the receipt of planning approval.
The campus will feature a range of buildings catering to research and development, laboratory, manufacturing, and office spaces, along with several other public realm amenities, including hotels and leisure facilities.
Approximately £30m ($37m) JV capital has already been invested in infrastructure, making MIX MANCHESTER a 'shovel-ready' site.
Meanwhile, completed projects include the Enterprise Way link road, a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the main airport site, and high voltage electricity and utility connections, as well as three new hotels.
CBRE has been selected as the project’s planning consultant while JLL and Track Real Estates will serve as agents for the development.
MAG group property director Gareth Jackson said: “MIX MANCHESTER will be a dynamic, well-connected, and flexible campus where occupiers can collaborate and be part of a community of forward-thinking pioneers on a global stage.
“Occupiers will have the ability to locate to a high-quality working environment with exemplary sustainability credentials, a place where they can grow on a scale that is unrivalled in the north-west [England].”
