In the heart of Manchester you will find Spinningfields, one of Europe’s most successful regeneration projects. This scheme created a completely new part of the city which is now one of the leading business quarters in the UK and acts as the centre of the city’s corporate community, the Canary Wharf of Manchester if you will.
The area is an amalgamation of over 165 financial and commercial enterprises as well as bars, restaurants and a residential community alongside cultural institutions such as The John Rylands Library, the People’s History Museum and to top it all off it even has an outdoor cinema. Described as Manchester’s number one destination for shoppers, foodies and party-goers, this district is certainly not all work and no play and offers world-class food and fashion in a stunning setting, making it perfect for alfresco dining and drinks.
Developed in the 2000s by Allied London Properties, the £1.5 billion project totals around 430,000 square meters. By 2010 Manchester City Council reported that around 16,000 people were employed in the Spinningfields area and that it accounted for 35% of Manchester’s prime office space and from there it has continued to grow and grow. The Financial Times remarked how London has Canary Wharf and Paris has La Défense but Manchester has its own modern financial centre in the form of Spinningfields with huge businesses such as Barclays, Guardian Media Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and more inhabiting the area.
Spinningfields is a place of innovation, a place where money is meant to be made and spent and it is full of exciting projects. It covers a spectrum of experiences and is packed full of opportunities in architecture and property development with new additions to this already bustling area being frequently added. The district has become a driving force for both the cities economy and for property recruitment within Manchester. Ian Simpson, one of the UK’s most prominent architects and co-founding partner of SimpsonHaugh states how the new buildings being designed and built within the city must “work 24/7” to reflect resident’s desire to enjoy Manchester alongside their day to day lives and their work.
In early 2018, SimpsonHaugh completed a landmark 20-storey tower in Manchester designated as No.1 Spinningfields which acts as a focal point within the district. The £78 million development fits within a cluster of high-rise buildings including the Civil Justice Centre, 3 Hardman Street and Albert Bridge House and includes six 2300 square-meter podium office floors designed for financial trading. The building is also supplemented by 1100 square-meters of retail accommodation as well as a rooftop restaurant and terrace which provides 360-degree views of the city making it a highly ambitious project. Its sleek, urban design stylishly fits within the area and adds another level of dominance to the region within the UK business world.
Simpson highlights how Manchester is now a completely different place to what it was in the past with thousands of people visiting the city on the weekend and people not only increasingly flocking to the city to work but also to enjoy themselves and to live, with Spinningfields as the epitome of this transformation. He describes the quality of life within the city as above and beyond that which can be obtained within places like London, hence why he himself resides there, and it only stands to get better with an array of new projects being dreamt up and realised every day.
Spinningfields is a place of luxury, of prospects and excitement that can give you everything you need in a sleek riverside location. From Mulberry and Emporio Armani to some of the most exciting eateries in the city such as Tattu, Ibérica, The Kitchens street food collective and more, Spinningfields offers a vibrant social scene whilst also acting as the heart of the business within Manchester. Manchester as a city is going from strength to strength and Spinningfields is definitely aiding this development, truly putting the North on the map when it comes to big business.
To find out more about new property jobs in Manchester or Liverpool, or if you are an employer wishing to seek talented property industry professionals, contact Clifton Gray to find out how we can support you with this.
Written by Rachael Gray.
Rachael Gray is a Director at Clifton Gray specialist property recruitment company.
Rachael has recruited within the residential property industry for fifteen years. Follow Rachael on linkedin or email rachael@cliftongray.co.uk to discuss current Liverpool and Manchester property jobs, or to find out how Clifton Gray can secure the best talent for your property business.