The residential sector is driving ‘record levels of development activity’ in Manchester, according to Deloitte’s Crane Survey.

This follows the news, which we shared in December, that new build completions are up 6.4% nationwide.

Now in its 20th year, the Manchester Crane Survey reveals record levels of residential construction for the third year running. A total of 14,480 residential units were reported to be under construction in 2018, representing an increase of 30 per cent in 2017 and double that of 2016.

The city also enjoyed a record year for residential units being delivered to market, which is at its highest level since 2006 with 2,569 units completed. The pipeline of data points towards 2020 having the highest rate of delivery since the Crane Survey began in 1999.

Here at Advantage, we’ve seen a month-on-month rise in demand for our services and have taken on six new surveyors at our Warrington office, providing our clients with both technical and site support.

Key residential development starts in Manchester in 2018 included projects; Elizabeth Tower and the Crown (664 units) and Embankment West (503 units).

Simon Bedford, a partner at Deloitte Real Estate, said:

“Last year Manchester established itself as one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, and this year’s report shows no sign of activity slowing down. The city is leading the way in catering for an increasing population through the development of entire new neighbourhoods – whether that is bringing forward new living, retail or office space. These new districts are redefining the parameters of the city centre as development spills out into the suburbs, particularly in the northern and eastern quadrants of the city.”

The data comes as part of significant growth across a number of key development sectors. In the office sector, the report shows over 2 million sq ft of office space under construction across 13 schemes; a remarkable increase on the consistent levels of 1.5 million sq ft reported between 2015 and 2017.

The most noteworthy step-up in the office sector was the considerable shift towards pre-let construction. A total 25 per cent of all office developments on site in 2018 were pre-let, increasing from just 10 per cent in 2017. On the deals front, the city experienced a number of high profile announcements, including HPE at Circle Square, Booking.inc. at St John’s and Amazon at Hanover House.

Simon Bedford added:

“The marked increase in office construction levels is reflective of the continued draw to the city for major businesses. Investor confidence is booming, as the rise in pre-let deals clearly demonstrates.” continues Bedford. “With creative, media and tech occupiers leading the major office deals in 2018, there’s also a growing diversity in Manchester’s job market – we can expect this to play a key role in boosting the city’s economic growth and talent retention in the years to come.”

We’ll keep you updated on all the latest from the construction industry on our regularly updated news page.