The scheme is set to bring 585,000 sq ft of new office space to the city centreA CGI image of how the first phase of the Sister development is expected to look(Image: Allies and Morrison)

The plans for the first phase of a huge transformation of the former UMIST campus have been submitted to the council.

The site, which sits between the Deansgate Castlefield Viaduct and London Road, is part of the Sister development, which aims to transform the now-defunct site into a large-scale office campus.

Proposals lodged with the council on Friday (May 30) outline plans to demolish a number of buildings on the campus and build two ‘sister’ blocks providing 585,000 sq ft of office space, as well as a ‘collision engine’ shared space.

Plans show the 12 and 20 storey office buildings set alongside community spaces, private study nooks, an auditorium, and a ‘human collider’ space described as ‘a stage for the theatre of daily collisions and collaborations between everyone in the buildings and beyond’.

If accepted, the proposals would see the Barnes Wallis and Wright Robinson Building, Manchester Meeting Place, Morton Laboratory and Moffat Building, and the Butterfly Stairs demolished.

The developer, which is made up of Bruntwood, L&G and GMPF, says they want to include the grade II-listed Holloway Wall within the plans by partially incorporating it into one of the buildings.

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The plans also lay out proposals to repurpose the existing railway arches into public space.

Sam Darby, development director for Sister and Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The first major new-build phase within Sister’s Zone C will be one of the city’s largest new office developments, providing more than half a million sq ft of workspace.

“Additionally, this phase will see the progression of significant new retail, leisure and enhanced public realm spaces, including the reactivation of eight of Altrincham Street’s famous railway viaduct arches and a new civic square.

He added: “Throughout the development process we have sought to shape our vision in collaboration with the surrounding community, heritage groups and a broad range of consultees. The result is a proposal that will support the city’s economic development and innovation ambitions, while at the same time, respecting the heritage of the site and creating new opportunities for their appreciation. Our proposals have been carefully considered and we look forward to planning determination later this year.”

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