£3m transformation of Canada House begins
The £3m transformation of the Grade II-listed Canada House, Chepstow Street in central Manchester is now under way following the appointment by OBI Property of main contractor Workspace Design & Build.
Last month OBI Property, which is delivering the design and project management and subsequent leasing of the building on behalf of owners LJ Partnership, secured planning permission and listed building consent for the project.
Built in 1909 as a textile packing warehouse for HS Booth and Company, and designed by W & G Higginbottom, Canada House on Chepstow Street is typically Art Nouveau.
The building infrastructure will be sympathetically up-graded by LJ Partnership to meet the demands of modern businesses while retaining and enhancing its original features.
A new cycle park will be installed in the basement, with a café, meeting space and screening room added to the ground floor. The available office suites ranging from 250sq ft to 9,200sq ft on the first. second, third and fourth floors will be fully refurbished.
Joe Wielding, building consultancy, OBI Property said: “Canada House is an incredible building and it just keeps revealing its secrets to us. While past projects have been piecemeal, the complete refurbishment of the building will provide thoroughly modern office space with the original features, fixtures and fittings enhanced.”
Puma occupies the fifth and sixth floors. Bannatyne’s gym and swimming pool operates from the basement and Historic England are amongst the existing tenants.
The planned works will complete in two phases, with a range of office suites to be completed by the end of the summer and the full project completed by the end of the year.
OBI Property is sole leasing agent on Canada House. A number of new lettings have been agreed and will be announced soon.
Andrew Cowell, transaction and asset management, OBI Property said: “Interest in the work space at Canada House is very high and is attracting forward thinking companies who want an inspiring working environment. We are delighted we will soon be able to announce a number of new tenants.”
George Haddo, LJ Partnership said: “We are delighted to be bringing the refurbishment of Canada House forward and the strong interest already shown in the building is a great sign.”
