Manchester Council has begun the search for a joint venture partner that will drive the ‘once-in-a-generation’ development plan for Wythenshawe town centre over the next 15 years.
This is a key opportunity in South Manchester to transform the 1970s shopping centre and surrounding cleared land and car parks through an aspirational programme of development to deliver a net zero carbon commercial and cultural space, new shops, new public square and around 1,600 new homes. The housing will include a mix of tenures including affordable rent and shared ownership.
The Council acquired the Wythenshawe Civic Centre in 2022 and has since undertaken consultation with local people and businesses around the investment proposals for the area, which were broadly positively received.
The appointed partner will take a leading role in the on-going management of the existing shopping centre, whilst also considering the wider Council-owned land for redevelopment. The entire development opportunity extends to more than 7.57hectares.
The procurement process will be managed through the north west portal The Chest and is accepting expressions of interest now and through until Friday 8 November 2023.
The second stage of the exercise will invite prospective teams to enter into dialogue around the proposals and this will commence in late November.
Savills has been appointed by Manchester City Council to procure a long-term delivery partner – with the expectation that the successful team will be announced in late spring 2024.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“We know that the Civic is the heart of the Wythenshawe community and we have the key opportunity here to deliver a once-in-a-generation programme of regeneration – including new affordable housing – that will breathe new life into a vital space for local people.
“We are looking for a team that share our long-term ambition for the Civic, who will help drive the regeneration in the area and work with us to deliver this project in the coming years – including new shop, new homes and new jobs for Wythenshawe.”
