MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK at Salford Quays will see the creation of the UK’s first, purpose-built media city. Home to the world’s leading broadcast, media and technology brands, the internationally significant project will deliver £1 billion in additional net value added to the economy over 5 years.

A new home for the BBC in the North, a custom-built recording studio for the BBC Philharmonic, the largest commercial studio complex in the country, a stunning waterfront piazza, bigger than Trafalgar Square, floating stages for theatre and concerts, ample space for independents, a training ground for the next generation of media professionals, high quality technical facilities and a visitor destination that celebrates media and creativity. These are all part of the MediaCityUK vision.

This vision is now fast becoming a reality with the BBC as anchor tenant. Five BBC departments will relocate to MediaCityUK including BBC Children’s, BBC Children’s Learning, BBC Sport, BBC Radio Five Live, and parts of BBC Future Media and Technology (including BBC Research & Development). These departments will be joined by BBC staff currently based at the Oxford Road site in Manchester.

Beyond the BBC, world-class production facilities will be available to other broadcasters and the region’s burgeoning independent sector. Designers, programmers, advertising, video games, music and much more will locate to form a media community. It will deliver the highest quality facilities in a purpose-built location, providing a creative environment for major media companies to operate 24/7, with the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the industry.

MediaCityUK is under construction and will eventually occupy approximately 80 hectares of land around the waterfront. Complementing two existing iconic buildings - The Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North – MediaCityUK will build on the success of the Salford Quays, an established destination of theatres, galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants that already attract more than four million visitors every year.

Phase 1 of the development already underway is scheduled for completion in 2011 and includes the BBC buildings, a stunning waterfront piazza, 50,000 square metres of office space, 21,000 square metres of broadcast studios, a hotel, residential apartments and shopping.

Once complete, MediaCityUK will deliver a major boost to the regional economy and the media and creative industry. The project will create employment opportunities for 15,500 people and provide space for 1,150 media, creative and related businesses. It will not only put Salford firmly on the media map, it will also enable the UK as a whole to compete in an increasingly global media market place.

MediaCityUK has been developed by a partnership of Peel, Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, Salford City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.