The UK Government is to invest £23m into the Mayfield park, the mixed-use urban neighbourhood being created in the heart of Manchester and anchored by the city centre’s first new public park in 100 years.
The investment will fund the creation of the 6.5-acre park and other infrastructure and public realm works necessary for the delivery of the regeneration project.
In addition to providing much needed city centre green space, the park will also enable the delivery of the first phase of commercial development at Mayfield, which includes 320,000 sq ft of commercial space across two buildings and will support the creation of between four and 6km of roads, cycleways and walkways across Mayfield.
James Heather, development director at U+I, said: “This investment recognises the catalytic economic and social contribution that Mayfield will make to the heart of one of the UK’s most progressive, competitive and open-minded cities.
“We’ve always believed that the public park will be among the most important things we deliver at Mayfield.
“Mayfield is without doubt one of the most significant and best-connected strategic regeneration opportunities in the UK – a place of spectacular architecture and new jobs, growth and open space. We are thrilled that the Government shares our belief in the many benefits - economic, social and lifestyle - that it will deliver to the people of Manchester.”
The plans are being delivered by the public-private Mayfield Partnership, a joint venture of U+I Plc and Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and developer LCR. The £23m investment is being made from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, which is backing “shovel ready” projects that will help to drive economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This funding will not just unlock the opportunity to bring forward the new city park, but in reality paves the way for the entire Mayfield project to be delivered over the next decade - which is without doubt one of the best connected sites in the region, directly adjacent to Piccadilly Train Station.
"To provide a new green space in the city centre at the scale proposed is a once in a generation opportunity to bring life back to an underused part of the city centre, and create a real destination of choice. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to consider the Mayfield site as a 24-acre new urban landscape, providing a green environment that accommodates significant buildings planned for the site.
"This investment is particularly welcome at a time when Manchester is focused on economic recovery following the pandemic. The Mayfield project illustrates a city determined to continue to grow and be successful for our residents, while generating significant employment opportunities."
The first phase of Mayfield includes two new commercial buildings, The Poulton, which will provide 75,900 sq ft of commercial space and feature a double-height, flexible ground floor that will be open to the public throughout the day and evening for uses that could include wellbeing activities, leisure and co-working and The Republic, a 13-storey, 244,000 sq ft office development that includes larger floorplates and landscaped roof terraces.
A 581-space multi-storey car park, equipped with electric vehicle charging points, will be created at the south of site.
