The seven biggest projects in the north west

The north-west of England is currently one of the biggest regions undertaking some of the largest projects in the United Kingdom, with the region only set to continue this current trend in the coming years. 

A recent survey by Glenigan’s revealed that Manchester was the number one for ‘city-centre growth’, while London could only manage 20th on the list. The North West was also the second biggest source of new-build homes, overtaking Greater London. See the full report here.

The north-west’s current boom is largely down to the number of new housing projects being awarded in the Manchester and Merseyside areas, both seeing large spikes. Projects such as Granada Studios and the New Town Hall, both situated in Manchester, are just two of the high-calibre projects currently being undertaken in the north-west.

GRANADA STUDIOS

The renovation of the former studios is a part of plans for the £1.35bn Enterprise City St. Johns masterplan.

The renovation includes:

• Refurbishing studios 2,6,8 and 12
•  Expanding the hotel – located in the refurbished Granada TV office building from 150 to 210 beds and a rooftop swimming pool
• Replacing an eight-story residential building

From the outside the former Granada studios will remain the same, keeping the original aesthesis from when the studios were in their prime use. 

The inside however will see a lot of change with the addition of hotel rooms and a bar. The television studios however will remain mostly in their original form, with the spaces being used for performances and events.

NEW TOWN HALL

Opened in 1877, the New Town Hall in Manchester closed in January 2018 to undergo a major update.

The Grade 1 listed building is one of the much-loved landmarks in the city and the restoration process is set to last until 2024. 

The budget for the whole project has been set at £328.3 million, with the goal of modernising the landmark.

MEADOWSIDE

Neighbouring Angel Meadow (the city’s largest green space and part of the 20-acre NOMA neighbourhood north of Manchester city centre), Meadowside will provide the city of Manchester with a £200m residential development project, delivering 756 new apartments and penthouses.

This project is the forefront of the Northern Gateway, an investment partnership between Far East Consortium (FEC) and Manchester City Council to deliver more than 15,000 new homes across the north side of central Manchester over the next decade.

ROYAL LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

After initial work on the scheme stalled, new contractors are set to resume work on the project this year, with the aim of completing the project over the next few years. 

The £335m project will provide 646 beds and 23 wards, along with a state-of-the-art critical care unit, a large clinical research facility and 18 operating theatres. 

The new hospital will also have the one of the biggest emergency departments in the North West.

TRAFFORD PARK METROLINK SCHEME

The new metro line planned by Transport for Greater Manchester started work in 2016 to improve transport links within Manchester and the surrounding areas. 

The £350 million scheme is set to add to Manchester’s already heavily used Tram network, with six new stops; Wharfside, Imperial War Museum North, Village, Parkway, EventCity and Trafford Centre. 

Work is set to be complete in 2020, with the goal of creating reliable tram services during peak times and during huge events staged in the city.

CIRCLE SQUARE

Creating a fresh and vibrant new neighbourhood in Manchester, the Circle Square project is set to give the city a complete overhaul of what was a site once used by the BBC.

The scheme will see 1,700 new houses, as well as two hotels and a multi-story car park with its primary use being for customers visiting the 100,000 sq ft commercial space which is set to feature shops, studios, bars and restaurants.

The total cost of the project is estimated at £750 million and will see a peak workforce of 1,300 on the project by 2021, with over two thirds of the project expected to have been delivered by 2020.

KAMPUS SCHEME

Transforming what was the former Manchester Metropolitan University campus with a crisp and dynamic new look, the £250 million Kampus scheme will create 533 new apartments, alongside independent businesses and a ‘secret garden’.

The 533 new flats will be converted from two grade two-listed buildings (Minto & Turner and Minshull House).

The scheme is due to finish in June 2020.

A NOTE FROM PSR SENIOR RECRUITER, CALUM PEACOCK

“As part of the recruitment team at PSR who specialises in the North West, I have personally never seen the region so busy. Driving through Manchester and Liverpool and seeing the number of cranes is surreal. You’d think I could just throw business cards out the window and get business! (If only it was that easy)." 

“We are proud to be recruiting for the most prestigious Construction Companies in the North West.” 

“If you’re looking for an opportunity in Construction, please do get in touch on 01785 715 505 or email me direct on cpeacock@psrsolutions.co.uk.”