Spinningfields

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Spinningfields is a district in Central Manchester that lies in the Western portion of the City Centre, between south Deansgate and the River Irwell, which is being developed during the 2000s. There are a number of new buildings within the area and their construction status varies; as of 2006 some are completed, others are still under construction, whilst yet other buildings are still in the planning stages. The developers are Allied London.

The area is predominantly commercial. There are two whole buildings occupied by the Royal Bank of Scotland; 1 Hardman Boulevard and 1 Spinningfields Square. The latter building opens onto Deansgate and, due to its accessibility to pedestrians, contains a deli and a restaurant in its ground floor.

Across from 1 Hardman Boulevard is 2 Hardman Street, which is occupied by the Manchester Evening News (the old Manchester Evening News building lies within the district, but as of November 2006 this is in the process of being demolished to make way for the 70 m (230ft) building, 3 Hardman Street.)

There are residential buildings within Spinningfields in the form of the 16-storey Leftbank Apartments [1], which overlook the River Irwell, as well as government buildings, including the Civil Justice Centre of Manchester, an 80 m (262ft) high building that is due for completion in 2007 [2] [3]. The old criminal courts also lie within the Spinningfields area. Just outside the area, facing the Civil Justice Centre, is the People's History Museum and, beyond that, Salford Central train station.

Also due for completion in 2007 are 3 Hardman Square and 4 Hardman Square, which were designed by Norman Foster, himself originally from Salford which lies just across the River Irwell from the Spinningfields area. 3 Hardman Square will be occupied by Halliwells Solicitors. [4]

1 Hardman Square, which lies partially along Quay Street (not far from Sunlight House) is still in pre-planning stages, but is believed to be the tallest proposal of the development. A design of a building with a sloping roof and with a height of 165 m (541ft) was submitted but has since been scrapped and new proposals being worked on. It will be designed by Norman Foster and construction cannot begin until the demolition of Quay House, which lies on the current site.

Near the Civil Justice Centre is Manchester House, which opens onto Bridge Street. Manchester House is also scheduled for demolition and a new, taller building to be constructed in its place.

John Rylands Library lies within the Spinningfields area, and a major clean up of the building was completed in 2006, complete with a new entrance.

Although mostly commercial, the buildings within Spinningfields will contain various retail outlets, with Giorgio Armani and Tiffany & Co believed to be planning to open stores there. [5]