Manchester City Council has taken a 30% stake in the Mix Manchester, a science, innovation, and manufacturing campus, with Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) also increasing its share in the project from 10% up to 30%.
Mix Manchester occupies 2 million ft² of space next to Manchester Airport and is designed to enable advanced manufacturing, R&D, laboratory, onsite.
Designed by Sheppard Robson and Planit, with CBRE as planning consultants, Mix Manchester is being marketed by JLL and Track Real Estate as agents.
The joint venture partnership behind the scheme confirmed the shareholder news following Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ (CTI) decision to relinquish its 50% shareholding.
Mix Manchester stated that once completed, the development will be the UK’s only campus of its kind located next to an international airport, creating up to 8,000 employment opportunities.
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council leader and chair of the Greater Manchester pension fund, Eleanor Wills, said: “I am proud that Greater Manchester Pension Fund, partnering with Manchester City Council, is increasing its investment in Mix Manchester.
“This site is strategically important for the growth of the science and innovation economy in Greater Manchester and the wider region, to provide the quality high-tech jobs of the future, whilst enabling GMPF to secure the pensions of our members.”