Plans for 2.5 million sq ft of office space at Manchester's £800 million mixed-used scheme, NOMA, have taken a major step forward.

The first speculative office scheme has been green lit for the 20-acre neighbourhood, which will see around 200,000 sq ft of premium office space delivered.

The approved 4 Angel Square scheme will comprise of an 11-storey office building on the corner of Corporation Street and Miller Street. Development manager MEPC will lead the scheme following approval from Manchester City Council.

4 Angel Square will bring over 2,000 new workers to NOMA who will be joining the community of businesses, residents and creatives who have already made the neighbourhood their home. Work is expected to begin on site in spring 2020 ahead of completion in summer 2022.

Designed by Manchester-based architect SimpsonHaugh, 4 Angel Square features a hotel-style entrance lobby and reception area, a c.2,500 sq ft external 10th floor roof terrace as well as over 7,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail space split over two units, together with a separate ground-floor office suite perfect for a start-up or small business.

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Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, said: "Planning approval for 4 Angel Square marks the next step in the creation of a new business district within the NOMA neighbourhood. The decision will also help unlock 2 and 3 Angel Square and bring forward much needed high-quality office space.

"The decision to speculatively develop underlines our confidence in the Manchester market, where there is pent up demand for premium workspace thanks to the city's recent growth, which we see continuing.

"NOMA already counts a number of household names as occupiers and we anticipate strong interest in 4 Angel Square."

When complete, NOMA will provide new-build and renovated office space situated alongside housing, public realm as well as retail and leisure opportunities.

Amazon announced last year it would be opening the company's first UK headquarters outside of London at Hanover, a redeveloped drapery warehouse that is part of the listed estate and has been turned into contemporary workspace.

Dantzic, another refurbished historic building in the listed estate, achieved practical completion in May - two months ahead of schedule - bringing another 45,000 sq ft of office space to the market. Redfern, a former warehouse and office building, is currently being redeveloped into 50,000 sq ft of office space with 7,600 sq ft of mixed ground-floor retail and leisure space.

In October, Angel Gardens, a 35-storey tower by build-to-rent developer and operator Moda Living, will also open its doors to residents.

(CM/JG)