The first phase of the £900M Mayfield redevelopment could be complete by 2021, according to a city council report.

Manchester City Council's executive is being recommended to approve a new regeneration strategy for the 30-acre Mayfield depot site, as exclusively revealed last month by Bisnow.

The site, where U+I have been chosen as preferred developer, has frequently been tipped as a potential location for a new "Whitehall of the North", but the council report makes no mention of the government relocation plan.

The regeneration strategy includes the retention of historic buildings such as the former railway depot, which had been listed for demolition under previous plans. Offices will rise above the depot, which will be the scheme's public gateway. Work on the depot scheme, which will be Mayfield's first phase, is expected to complete by 2021.

The Temperance Street railway arches, a bridge over the river Medlock, and the Grade II-listed Star & Garter pub will also be retained, all for leisure and retail use.

There will be around 1.7M SF of new office floor space, 344K SF of retail/leisure, 1,500 housing units and 13 acres of public realm including a 6.5-acre park.

A cluster of four taller residential buildings will be at Hoyle Street East, which is expected to be part of a second phase of development starting in 2019 for completion in 2022.

"Baring Street could provide a well-connected location for a commercial
campus cluster in a series of flexible buildings, directly opposite the Mayfield Depot," the report said. This will be part of later phases of development.

The site is controlled by LCR (formerly London & Continental Railways, successors to British Rail Property), Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council.