Bruntwood SciTech opens invitation to No.3 Circle Square consultation

Bruntwood SciTech is inviting Manchester city centre residents, local businesses and other key stakeholders to attend a consultation for No.3 Circle Square, the latest building it is bringing forward at the new neighbourhood within the Oxford Road Corridor innovation district.

Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, is developing the next commercial phase following the successful opening of No.1 and No.2 Circle Square, which are now at full occupancy.

Local residents, neighbouring businesses and other interested parties are now being invited to attend a public exhibition and consultation ahead of the formal planning application being submitted to Manchester City Council in June this year.

The proposed 264,000 sq ft No.3 Circle Square, which has an estimated development value of £87m, will offer office space over 14 storeys. The ground floor will combine a welcome area with retail and leisure amenities that open out onto Symphony Gardens – a new landscaped green space opposite Symphony Park. Cycle and shower facilities to encourage green travel and a top floor communal lounge and event space which opens out onto a roof terrace are also included within the design.

Details of the proposals will be on display at the consultation, which will take place at No.1 Circle Square on Wednesday 11th May from 3pm to 7pm. Members of the development team will be on hand to provide insight into the design, answer any questions and capture feedback on the proposals. Those unable to attend the event can see the proposals online at www.circlesquaremanchester.com.

Businesses which have already secured the opportunity to be based within Manchester’s talent, research and university hotbed, include global and regional tech success stories such as Roku, Autocab, Octopus Energy, Bosch, and Hiliti.

The newest development within the tech cluster will pay homage to the area’s Victorian and Edwardian architecture thanks to a high quality red brick design by Bridge Architects, and will overlook Symphony Gardens.

Sustainability is also being carefully considered in the design and construction plans, with materials to be selected thoughtfully to reduce the environmental impact of the building. Bruntwood SciTech is intending on No.3 Circle Square achieving Net Zero embodied carbon during construction, BREEAM Excellent status, a NABERS 5 Star rating and an EPC A rating once operational.

Bradley Topps, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, commented: “This is a significant milestone as we realise the ultimate vision for Circle Square which has, from conception, been to create a must-see and must-be-in destination that would bolster Manchester’s knowledge economy. With No.1 and No.2 now fully occupied, this vision is firmly taking shape.

“We believe these plans will complement and build on the existing success of Circle Square and provide a further boost to what is already a hotbed of science and technology excellence along the Oxford Road Corridor. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans for No.3 Circle Square and starting the conversation with the public about our design and intention for this important next stage of Circle Square.”

Circle Square is part of Bruntwood SciTech’s UK-wide network of innovation districts and has been specifically designed to accommodate high growth digital and tech businesses. It is  equipped with a range of collaborative and social spaces alongside a range of retailer and leisure outlets already up and running on ground floor level, including TRIB3, a specialist high-intensity fitness studio and Hello Oriental, a destination pan-Asian market hall and dining concept. More venues are set to follow in the summer.

Following planning approval, works for No.3 Circle Square are expected to commence this autumn with practical completion in December 2024.

Partners appointed for the project include Bridge Architects, Landscape architect Planit, structural engineering firm, Curtins, M+E engineer, Crookes Walker Consulting, and principal designer and QS, Richard Boothroyd and Associates