The University of Manchester announced it received an impressive response to its international search to find a development and investment partner to deliver the GBP 1.5 billion (USD 1.9 billion) new world-class innovation district ID Manchester.

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. It is envisaged that the process will take around 12 months, with a partner announcement being made in autumn 2020.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: ”The high calibre and quality of the submissions we received clearly shows our vision for ID Manchester, coupled with our track record as an engine of innovation and research excellence, and Manchester’s continued transformation into a major European city has captured international, as well as national attention.”

The project involves the development of ID Manchester, a new mixed-use city center neighborhood in Manchester City Centre, an 18 acres (7,3 hectares) site on the South Eastern side of Manchester City Centre which is currently occupied by the University for teaching and research purposes and. The site will be located to the south of the city adjacent to Piccadilly Railway Station, the University campus, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the wider Oxford Road Corridor.

The available development space for ID Manchester 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 development will attract science, research, development, cultural and technology companies, as well as accommodating new residential space, with a focus on research and industrial specialities such as advanced materials, health innovation, artificial intelligence, digital technology and industrial biotechnology.