Applications submitted to transform 79 Mosley Street

Planning and listed building consent applications have been made for the transformation of the grade II- listed 77-79 Mosley Street and 14-16 Princess Street, to be known as 79 Mosley Street, in Manchester, into 26,890 sq ft of new office space and ground floor and basement retail and leisure space.

Boultbee Brooks Real Estate (BBRE), the UK-based real estate investor/developer, bought the building in 2015 and has spent two years working with architects PRP, OBI Property and Zerum and liaising with Manchester City Council and Historic England to determine a viable proposal for the building’s future.

The plans submitted to Manchester City Council propose to retain and fully restore the facades onto Mosley Street, Princess Street and Back George Street but completely rebuild the internal floors from the basement up to a new zinc clad mansard roof extension.

The completed 79 Mosley Street will comprise 19,02 sq ft of new office space over four floors; a 5,049sq ft retail and leisure opportunity on the ground floor and part basement; a 2,820sq ft retail/leisure unit in the basement with bike storage including showers and lockers.

The building will accommodate about 220 people in offices and potentially create up 81 jobs in the retail/leisure units.

Roger James, development director at BBRE, said: “Our proposals to transform 79 Mosley Street will provide flexible floor space required for modern occupiers while retaining the external aesthetics of the original building. We aim to bring this long vacant and inactive, yet significant building back to life and to complete the jigsaw of the transformation of St Peter’s Square.”

Alistair Weir of architects PRP said: “The decision to completely rebuild the internal floors was not taken lightly but due to years of alterations and the limitations of the original floor plates, it is the only feasible option.

“We are thrilled to be restoring the original facades – 79 Mosley Street marks the transition between the large modern commercial developments and civic buildings of St Peters Square, with the smaller scale, ornate Victorian warehouse buildings of Princess Street.”

79 Mosley Street was built in about 1870 as a speculative office, warehouse and retail building. It has been vacant for nine years and previous owners have failed to bring any schemes to fruition. OBI Property is providing project management and cost consultancy to BBRE.

Martin Gizzie, building consultancy, OBI Property, said: “We have been working with BBRE and the team for over two years, in close consultation with the city council and Historic England to find a workable future for 79 Mosley Street.

“The proposals submitted, we believe, provide an exciting solution which will see the building facades preserved for the long-term while new, flexible office, retail and leisure space will attract occupiers looking to take advantage of the prestigious and busy location of St Peter’s Square.”

Diane Ellis, associate planner, Zerum said: “No one takes the decision for such significant alteration of a listed building lightly, but BBRE and the team have exhausted all alternative options including different configurations and uses. We genuinely believe the building is in the best hands with BBRE, who are extremely dedicated to delivering what is best in the long term interests of the building.”

BBRE is a privately-owned property company with a development and investment portfolio valued at approximately £350m. The company, which is a major landlord in the Shoreditch and Clerkenwell areas of London where many of its tenants are fast growing digital and creative firms, also owns 75 Mosley Street and 30 Brown Street in Manchester.

OBI Property is an established real estate consultancy which provides innovative solutions to its landlord and occupier clients which include AO.com, NCC Group, Rentalcars.com, Allied London, Bruntwood, LJ Partnership, British Airways and CBRE Global Investors.

The award winning team at OBI provides advice to its clients across its multi-discipline services which include interior design, project management, dilapidations, ratings, leasing and investment consultancy. The collection of services is known as the OBI Difference.a