International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Ask:Goodman on
one of the most significant office transactions of 2010 – the new
£35m Divisional Headquarters for Greater Manchester Police at
Ask:Goodman’s Central Park. The building is expected to open in
early autumn 2011.
The transaction follows Ask:Developments agreement last year
with the GMPA to locate Greater Manchester Police’s 240,000 sq ft
Force Headquarters at the Park. Pinsent Masons was instrumental in
structuring a deal that allowed the Greater Manchester police
Authority to consolidate its Force headquarters into the new £64m
facility.
The 125,273 sq ft Divisional Headquarters, designed by Aedas,
will be a high quality, contemporary office building, but still
clearly identifies with its core function as a police HQ. The
facility is expected to open in Autumn 2011.
Ian Barker, property partner at Pinsent Masons said: “This deal
demonstrates how innovative private sector developers can work in
partnership with public sector occupiers to deliver efficient
accommodation solutions. This deal sees Ask Goodman acquire a
prestigious corporate occupier for Central Park, while Greater
Manchester Police secures flagship modern headquarters to suit the
needs of 21st century policing.”
The development will be designed to accord with the latest
thinking in sustainability with features including; Ground Source
Heating and Cooling, Photovoltaic Cells, Combined Heat and Power
and Rainwater Harvesting.
Central Park is located just 1.5 miles from the city centre, and
with its dedicated Metrolink and high quality office space has
proved to be major attraction for occupiers looking for an out of
town location.
It has already had notable success in attracting major
occupiers, including Fujitsu Services and One Central Park, the
100,000 sq ft educational hub of the business park which comprises
the city’s three universities, MANCAT (The Manchester College of
Arts and Technology) and Manchester Science Park which provides a
range of services including vocational training, a business
creation unit and research and development facilities.
The new £36.5m transport gateway is already in place, and there
will be a dedicated tram stop – just five minutes away from
Manchester City Centre, which is expected to be completed by
2011.
As well as Pinsent Masons, agents Lambert Smith Hampton and
Cushman and Wakefield acted for Ask:Goodman.