GMP new force HQ reaches a high point in Central Park

Gloria Oates, Vice Chair GMPA and GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy screw in golden bolt

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Police leaders and partners are gathering on the rooftop of the new building at Central Park in Newton Heath, north east Manchester to watch the Chief Constable Peter Fahy and Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) Gloria Oates secure a golden bolt and sign the final piece of steel.

Mr Fahy said: “We are working to ensure we provide the best and most efficient service for the people of Greater Manchester. This modern, fit for purpose Headquarters will encourage team-working and improve communication to enable us to work more efficiently and get the most value from our tightening budget so we can in turn spend more on frontline policing. It’s great to see the future taking shape before my eyes.”

Mrs Oates added: “I’m delighted this project is continuing to develop at such an impressive rate. The current HQ is out-of-date, exhausted and expensive to keep together. This new building will be more efficient. It will allow better team working and flexibility and will enable more effort to be put into front line policing. I have every confidence these benefits will be felt across all our communities.”

Building contractors, Carillion, placed the traditional evergreen yew branch on the structure to symbolise growth and to bring good luck.

The £64m 240,000 sq ft Force HQ, designed by Aedas, will be a highly sophisticated office building, with a BREEAM rating aspiring to reach Excellent. Coloured glass and a Portland stone look will be key features of the six-storey building which will be visible from Piccadilly and glow blue at night.

Dominic Manfredi of Aedas Architecture said: “We are delighted that the construction of the new Force Headquarters has reached this significant landmark and look forward to the completion of the project and welcoming its new occupants in 2011.”

The new development replaces the Force’s current headquarters in Old Trafford and will help ensure GMP is able to meet the challenges of policing the Greater Manchester area in the coming years. Staff and officers are expected to be working from the new HQ towards the end of 2011.

David Burkinsaw of Ask: Goodman Developments said: “This Topping Out event marks the final completion of the building’s structure. Ask:Goodman, together with its partners, is delighted to celebrate this traditional ceremony which marks a significant step forward for the Park. Its prime location and dedicated transport interchange will give staff the ease of access needed for their relocation and with more than 1,000 people expected to occupy the HQ, Central Park’s business community will be boosted significantly. We look forward to the final fit-out being completed in summer 2011.”

The new £36.5m transport gateway is already in place, and there will be a dedicated tram stop – just five minutes away from Manchester City Centre, which is expected to be operational by 2011.

Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester said: “It’s great to see this iconic building nearing completion. This building, alongside the divisional headquarters, has raised the profile of Central Park considerably and is already helping us attract further investment into this part of east Manchester. Central Park continues to be a significant economic generator for the area and we will continue to work closely with our funding partners, the NWDA and the HCA, to bring further economic benefits for the people of east Manchester.”