Manchester council approves plans for new £80m building in city centre

First Street North

First Street North

Proposals for a new £80m arts and leisure cultural destination at the 20-acre First Street site, the single largest undeveloped site in Manchester city centre, were approved by Manchester City Council this week.

The council approved Ask Developments plans for First Street North, which include a home for the recently-merged Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company, a new 208-bed 4-star hotel, 30,000 sq ft of retail, leisure, food and beverage in 8-10 units, and a 700 space multi-storey car park.

Dutch architect Mecanoo won an international design competition to design the new arts centre.

Enabling works are expected to start before the end of the year allowing the scheme to open in early autumn 2014.