'Significant moment for Manchester' as £1.7bn new district launches

A £1.7bn masterplan to renovate a city centre district has taken its first step forward - and revealed a new name. Formerly known as ID Manchester, it's a wide-ranging project to regenerate the University of Manchester's north campus, between the Mancunian Way and Piccadilly Station.

Hailed as an 'innovation district and neighbourhood', it has now opened its doors to its first building, while unveiling a new name - Sister.

The university said the project would see the transformation of its former north campus into a four million square foot 'globally competitive innovation district' to 'help elevate Manchester's position as a national centre for science and technology'. It's been confirmed Sustainable Ventures, a leading climate tech hub, will officially move into the Renold Building in November.

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Sister is a joint venture between the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech and will specialise in advancing innovation across sectors including digital tech, health innovation, biotechnology, advanced materials and manufacturing. State of the art facilities will feature in what is hoped to be a 'catalyst for economic growth and prosperity across the north of England'.

Over 1,500 new homes will be delivered, alongside over two million square feet of commercial, innovation, retail and leisure space. Covering nine acres, Sister will also create a new civic square for Manchester and feature a variety of new and enhanced green spaces.

The university said the name Sister 'represents the close bond between industry and academia and expresses an ethos of collaboration, openness and the use of knowledge to solve problems'.

The campus was once home to the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

John Holden, Associate Vice-President, the University of Manchester and Executive Committee Member, Sister, said: "The opening of the Renold Building is a major milestone in the development of Sister, capitalising on the University of Manchester's research, innovation and education capabilities to catalyse the growth of successful science and technology start-ups.

"Sister will be home to some of the most exciting businesses in the UK developing solutions to help tackle society's biggest challenges."

The opening of the Renold Building is the first phase of a 15-year project. The newly-renovated building, built in 1962, has been transformed into an innovation hub, celebrating its history as a purpose-built teaching facility and centre for science and technology excellence.

It will provide a range of low and no-cost co-working facilities, private office suites, a community cafe and event spaces for local businesses and community groups.

Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is a significant moment for Manchester. The fact that Sister will ultimately create 10,000 jobs and add £1.5 billion a year to the city’s economy underlines its scale and the sheer ambition behind this major new district.

"This development will add to Manchester's thriving innovation ecosystem and, true to the heritage of a site from which great ideas and innovations have previously sprung, will help keep the city in the forefront of future innovation."