The list of Manchester office promoters readying themselves for a second wave of speculative office development just grew a little longer.

Development progress continues apace at New Bailey, Salford, as developer the English Cities Fund has submitted plans to Salford City Council for an 11-storey, 115K SF block at New Bailey.

The gateway plot opposite Two New Bailey is designed by Make Architects and includes a striking green wall, intended to improve the building's carbon credentials as well as making passers-by feel a little brighter.

“Despite the unprecedented times that we find ourselves in, we’re still seeing a demand for high-quality office product in the Greater Manchester region,” ECF Development Director Leon Guyett said.

ECF joins a growing list of second wave speculative schemes. These include U+I’s plans for two blocks of 97K SF and 316K SF as part of the £1.4B Mayfield, and Freddie Flintoff’s Logick with plans for a 215K SF office block on a site at Baring Street, next to U+I’s development. The speculative scheme will start on-site in Q2 2021.

Hermes is waiting to press “go” on plans for 236K SF as part of the NOMA development.

The New Bailey project will link to the £1B Salford Central masterplan also being delivered by the English Cities Fund, which is a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England, in partnership with Salford City Council.

ECF was named earlier in the year by Salford Council and the University of Salford as their chosen development partner to take forward the 240-acre projects around Salford Crescent.