Ian Simpson and Mecanoo's First Street plans approved

The £20 million competition-winning, ‘cultural centrepiece’ of ASK’s First Street development will sit next to a new four-star Innside hotel by Ian Simpson Architects today which was also given the green light by Manchester City Council.

The £25 mllion project for Meliá Hotels International will house 208-bedrooms over 11 floors.

Mecanoo’s plans feature a 500-seat theatre, a 150-seat second theatre space, 500m² double-height gallery space, up to five cinema screens, learning spaces, digital and broadcast production facilities, a café bar, restaurant and workshop spaces.

Ken Knott, CEO of the Council’s development partner Ask Developments said: ”The momentum is really building now and our joint plans with Manchester City Council will soon become a reality.

‘First Street North will become a genuinely unique, colourful and vibrant place capable of attracting a wide range of leisure, hotel and associated activities.  The new cultural facility will form the centrepiece of this new destination, creating a distinct feel and atmosphere in this part of the city.’

Enabling works are expected to start before the end of the year allowing the scheme to open in early autumn 2014.

Meanwhile a planning application covering the 2.6 acre plot at the southern end of First Street has recently been submitted for the mixed use, retail-led element of the scheme.

Previous story (AJ 27.01.2012)

Ian Simpson and Mecanoo reveal First Street plans

These are the first images of Mecanoo’s proposed joint new home in Manchester city centre for The Cornerhouse cinema and the Library Theatre Company

The £20 million competition-winning scheme is part of ASK’s First Street development and will sit next to a new four-star Innside hotel also unveiled by Ian Simpson Architects today (pictured right).

The £25 mllion project for Meliá Hotels International will house 208-bedrooms over 11 floors.

Plans for both the hotel and Mecanoo’s cultural building (see AJ 24.06.11) will be submitted to Manchester City Council next week (Monday 23 January).

A planning decision is expected in April this year and subject to approval construction is scheduled to start in July 2012.

Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese said: ‘The First Street North scheme and Meliá’s choice of the city centre as their first UK investment for the Innside brand, is a multimillion-pound vote of confidence in Manchester’s vision and ambition and is especially welcome in the current economic climate.

He added: ‘The new cultural facility will be at the heart of the regeneration of the First Street site and beyond and a catalyst for attracting further jobs and investment. The wider developments are clear evidence that this important strategic project is gathering pace.  

‘As well as driving growth within First Street, one of the regional centre’s key regeneration sites, it will stimulate the wider area including the Whitworth Street corridor.’

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