ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp partner selection process progresses to second stage
Today The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp announced it received an impressive response to its international search to find a development and investment partner to deliver the £1.5 billion new world-class innovation district .
The University has reviewed all the submissions and has invited the six highest scoring candidates to move on to the dialogue stage of the procurement process. As part of this next stage, further submissions will be made to the University in February next year.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp, said: ”The high calibre and quality of the submissions we received clearly shows our vision for ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp, coupled with our track record as an engine of innovation and research excellence, and ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp’s continued transformation into a major European city has captured international, as well as national attention.”
“ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp is far more than a property transaction; I truly believe we can make ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp the innovation capital of Europe, providing the perfect conditions for organisations of all sizes and from different sectors, to share knowledge and work together turning incredible ideas into reality.”
Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities at The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp said: “ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp will create a new, world-class innovation district situated in the heart of ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp and alongside the University. It is where the next generation of game-changing businesses will be nurtured, and it will bring huge economic benefits to our city region and beyond.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader, ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp City Council said: “I am very pleased to hear the University has received such impressive submissions from potential partners for ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp, it is just another example of the continued international impact of ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp and the University.”
The high calibre and quality of the submissions we received clearly shows our vision for ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp, coupled with our track record as an engine of innovation and research excellence, and ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp’s continued transformation into a major European city has captured international, as well as national attention
The Vision for ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp
ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp will be a new neighbourhood that will be an engine for economic growth with the potential to create over 6,000 new jobs.
The University has strong track record in developing long-lasting, commercial relationships with leading global organisations such as Rolls Royce, the BBC, Siemens UK, Colgate Palmolive, Unilever and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Since 2004 the University has contributed £746 million to the economy through nurturing and developing businesses spinning-out of its research and development facilities, and it is on these foundations it seeks to build ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp.
Diana Hampson said “ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp will be a unique new neighbourhood. Our vision draws on ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp’s eco-system of ideas, discovery, research and development, and ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp will provide the canvas on which all those strands can come together to take urban regeneration to a whole new level. ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp will be where our most valuable discoveries today, are tried, tested and developed into the technology, buildings and commerce of tomorrow.”
The available development space for ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp to 4 million square feet (370,000 square metres) and updated indicative development plans include:
- 2.6 million square feet (240,000 square metres) of new work space
- Three acres (1.2 hectares) of high-quality public realm
The site benefits from existing green space and the unique feature of the 650,000 square feet (60,000 square metres) Grade II listed Sackville Street Building, which offers a fantastic opportunity for re-purposing.
The University occupies the recently opened £60 million Masdar Building, home to the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp Institute of Biotechnology at the south end of the site and is looking for a partner to develop the remaining c.18 acres (7.3 hectares) of the site.
ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp is adjacent to ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp’s main public transport hub, Piccadilly Railway Station and is a 20-minute train journey to the international airport.
ID ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp is one of the last major development opportunity sites in the city, another piece in the jigsaw of the major regeneration taking place in that area of the city including Mayfield, London Road Fire Station, Kampus, Circle Square and the £1 billion investment already being made into its main Oxford Road campus by The ¼â½ÐÊÓƵapp.
It is envisaged that the process will take around 12 months, with a partner announcement being made in autumn 2020.