Urban Splash confirms first Chips tenant and another 11,000 sq ft of deals
Award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has confirmed its first commercial tenant at the iconic Chips building, part of the New Islington development on the fringe of the City.
The Manufacturing Institute has taken two units at the scheme totalling 2,200 sq ft in which it will base a fun new inventors’ laboratory known as ‘Fab Lab’. It was officially launched today and opened by the leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese.
The Fab Lab is the first of its kind in the UK as Julie Madigan, Chief Executive of The Manufacturing Institute explains: “A Fab Lab or fabrication laboratory is a fully kitted fabrication workshop – a kind of mini community factory - which gives everyone in the community from young children through to entrepreneurs and businesses the capability to turn their ideas and concepts into reality. We are delighted to have based the UK’s first laboratory in the Chips building; the creativity it evokes fits perfectly with the service we’re offering.”
Urban Splash associate director Lynn Haime added: “This is fantastic news. We’re incredibly proud of the Chips building and the unique opportunity it has created for businesses in Manchester looking for commercial space with a difference. New Islington is also fast becoming a desirable community, just last week we announced news of new public realm works, including a park, marina and promenade areas. These will all be located adjacent to the Chips building and will add another dimension to this thriving commercial and residential community.”
Joining The Manufacturing Institute in the Urban Splash portfolio is nightclub group Blessed who has taken a 3,600 sq ft industrial unit in Castlefield which it will use for storage. Meanwhile over in Liverpool, Shove Media has taken a 360 sq ft unit on Slater Street.
Farther afield, Urban Splash has also welcomed tenants to its portfolio in the South of the country. A major deal has just been signed with the Ministry of Defence who establish a new visitors’ centre at the historic Royal William Yard scheme in Plymouth. The organisation will house it in a 2,756 sq ft unit on the ground floor of the newly redeveloped Mills Bakery building. Corporate taxi company Taxibank has also taken a 3,153 sq ft office unit at the scheme.
For further information about space within the Urban Splash portfolio visit ec2-63-34-210-119.eu-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com/commercial or call the commercial team on 0333 666 0000.
