Spinningfields

Spinningfields is a large business, retail and residential complex in Manchester, England that lies in the western portion of the City Centre, between south Deansgate and the River Irwell, which is undergoing huge development. There will be a total of 20 buildings within the area, spread over convert|6|acre|m2, and their construction status varies; as of 2008 many are completed, others are still under construction, whilst yet other buildings are still in the planning stages. The developers are Allied London. The structural, civil and geo-environmental engineers are Capita Symonds Structures based in Cheadle Hulme.

The area is predominantly commercial office developments. There are two buildings occupied by the Royal Bank of Scotland; 1 Hardman Boulevard and 1 Spinningfields Square. The latter building opens onto Deansgate and, due to its accessibility to pedestrians, contains a deli and a restaurant in its ground floor.

Across from 1 Hardman Boulevard is 2 Hardman Street, which is occupied by the Manchester Evening News and Deloitte. Facing this building is 3 Hardman Street, which is under construction on the site of the former Manchester Evening News building. Designed by Sheppard Robson [http://www.sheppardrobson.com] , the 13-storey building should be completed in 2008 and will be the tallest in the development but could lose the title to the proposed 140 metre 1 Hardman Square.

There are residential buildings within Spinningfields in the form of the 16-storey Leftbank Apartments [http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=12630] , which overlook the River Irwell, as well as government buildings, including the Civil Justice Centre of Manchester, an 80 m (262ft) high building completed in 2007 [http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=9571] . The old criminal courts also lie within the Spinningfields area. Just outside the area, facing the Civil Justice Centre, is the People's History Museum (currently being renovated) and, beyond that, Salford Central railway station.

Also completed in 2007 are 3 Hardman Square and 4 Hardman Square, which were designed by Norman Foster, himself originally from Stockport, part of Greater Manchester. 3 Hardman Square is occupied by Halliwells Solicitors [http://www.halliwells.co.uk/press_office/press_detail.cfm/aid/475] and Number 4 is occupied by HSBC Bank and Grant Thornton.

1 Hardman Square, which lies partially along Quay Street (not far from Sunlight House) is still in pre-planning stages, but is believed to be the tallest proposal of the development. A design of a building with a sloping roof and with a height of 165 m (541ft) was submitted but has since been scrapped and new proposals being worked on thought to be around 140 metres. It will be designed by Norman Foster and construction cannot begin until the demolition of Quay House, which still lies on the current site.

Near the Civil Justice Centre is Manchester House, which opens onto Bridge Street. Manchester House is also scheduled for demolition and a new, taller building to be constructed in its place which will house a hotel.

John Rylands Library lies within the Spinningfields area, and a major clean up of the building was completed in 2006, complete with a new entrance.

Although mostly commercial, the buildings within Spinningfields will contain various boutique retail outlets, with Giorgio Armani and Tiffany & Co believed to be planning to open stores there. [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/208/208096_city_steps_up_to_haute_couture.html]

External links

* [http://www.spinningfields-manchester.com/ Official developer's site]
* [http://www.manchesterupdate.org.uk/article70.htm Article at Manchester Update]
* [http://www.eyeonmanchester.com/spinningfields-manchester-under-construction/ Overview of the area from Eye On Manchester]