Second Greater Manchester Police Authority Div HQ deal for Central Park
Date: 19/02/2010
Source: SKV
Following ratification by the Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA), the deal to create a new £35m Divisional Headquarters for Greater Manchester Police at Ask:Goodman’s Central Park has been completed, with the building expected to open in early autumn 2011.
The transaction follows last year’s agreement with the GMPA to locate Greater Manchester Police’s 240,000 sq ft Force Headquarters at the Park.
The 125,273 sq ft Divisional Headquarters, designed by Aedas, will be a high quality, contemporary office building, which is welcoming and attractive to the general public but still clearly identifies with its core function as a police HQ. The development will be designed to accord with the latest thinking in sustainability with features including; Ground Source Heating and Cooling, Photovoltaic Cells, Combined Heat and Power and Rainwater Harvesting.
David Burkinshaw, Director at Ask Developments said: “Ask:Goodman is delighted the deal with GMP/GMPA has been finalised. Securing another HQ building for Greater Manchester Police is another successful step forward for the Park and we look forward to getting started on site in the immediate future.”
James Raven, Development Director UK Business Parks at Goodman, said: “Approval from the Greater Manchester Police Authority for a new Divisional Headquarters really puts Manchester Central Park on the map, and underlines the reputation of both the location and of Ask:Goodman in terms of our ability to deliver high quality development on time and on budget and for good value. With a great deal of activity taking place at Central Park this year and with the Metrolink arriving in 2011, it is proving to be the ideal destination for many businesses.”
Eddie Smith, chief executive of urban regeneration company New East Manchester, added: “This announcement strengthens Central Park in east Manchester as an office destination, bringing more jobs and investment to the area. The stunning building for the Force headquarters is now really taking shape and to have the North Manchester Divisional Headquarters positioned next to it will be a superb addition to the site, helping to deliver significant regeneration benefits to the people of east Manchester."
Central Park is located just 1.5 miles from the city centre, and with its dedicated Metrolink and high quality office space has proved to be major attraction for occupiers looking for an out of town location.
It has already had notable success in attracting major occupiers, including Fujitsu Services and One Central Park, the 100,000 sq ft educational hub of the business park which comprises the city’s three universities, MANCAT (The Manchester College of Arts and Technology) and Manchester Science Park which provides a range of services including vocational training, a business creation unit and research and development facilities.
The new £36.5m transport gateway is already in place, and there will be a dedicated tram stop – just five minutes away from Manchester City Centre, which is expected to be completed by 2011.
Agents Lambert Smith Hampton and Cushman and Wakefield acted for Ask:Goodman.