Development #4 - Circle Square
About Circle Square
This is a commercially led mixed-use neighbourhood. The scheme incorporates new commercial space alongside 650 apartments, as well as retail, leisure and hotel amenities. Significant public realm will also be delivered, with Symphony Park at the heart of the development.
VITA, which provides in excess of 1,100 beds of serviced accommodation, is complete and fully let. The final phases are well underway, with the development of commercial floor space, Symphony Park, and a multi-storey car park to be completed by the end of 2023. Hewlett Packard have chosen No.1 Circle Square for their new operation. Part of Circle Square is the redeveloped Manchester Technology Centre, now home to KPMG’s national technology innovation hub and Bruntwood Tech Hub.
| Construction jobs | 1,646 across Bruntwood and Affinity living projects |
|---|---|
| Apprenticeships | 245 weeks of apprentices, student work placements and previously unemployed work placements. Construction jobs = 48. Homeless people into cleaning work = 21. Vulnerable people into CSCS training course = 75 |
| Number of jobs created | 9,000 |
| Construction spend | £110million |
| Business rates revenue | £5.9million |
| GDV of scheme | £750million |
| Gross Value Added | £500million per annum |
| Value of direct investment in the city | £350million |
| Supply chain | 48% of supply chain used local firms |
Social value:
- £40,000 in social value
- 125 volunteer hours
- 250,000sq. Ft of public realm
- Sustainability: BREEAM 'Excellent' targeted and on track to achieve
Testimonials - apprentice
Sam Bailey – Professional Construction Apprentice, Circle Square, Bruntwood “Having originally gone to university at MMU to study Philosophy for a year after college, I left, as I didn’t enjoy the course. Following a year working at Tesco, I explored the apprenticeship route, as I felt I’d do well if I could put technical learning into practice at work, which an apprenticeship allows. My apprenticeship involves supporting my manager and others on the Circle Square scheme. A lot of my time is spent in design meetings to discuss design changes and improvements, as well as reviewing the progress on-site. While doing this apprenticeship, my confidence continues to improve every week. The more responsibilities I gain with the passing of each week, the more satisfaction I have to do better each day. My apprenticeship has also allowed me to mature more as a person. Following my apprenticeship, I wish to achieve a degree in a construction-related programme, becoming chartered, and I want to continue to work in the industry and grow my career to reach new heights over the course of my working life.”