Argent gets go-ahead for Elisabeth House
COUNCILLORS in Manchester have given the go-ahead for a £50m redevelopment of Elisabeth House in the city’s St Peter’s Square.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme’s approval describing it as “interesting and modern”.
The 270,000 sq ft office building will stand at 14 storeys, twice the height of the existing building, but planners say the design is sympathetic to neighbouring buildings such as the Midland Hotel and the Central Library.
Argent set up a joint venture with the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, the investment arm of the Greater Manchester local authorities’ pension fund, in October last year to rebuild the site.
James Nicholson, development director at Argent, said: “Now that One St Peter’s Square has the seal of approval, we can continue to work alongside the city council and other landowners to transform the current site into an unparalleled piece of public realm in this significant and historic part of the City.
“In the coming months we will move forward with the appointment of a contractor for the project and will be actively marketing the building to potential occupiers, who are looking for large floor plates within the Central Business District.”
The new building will include office floorplates of up to 22,500 sq ft with a mix of uses at ground floor level, including cultural space for public exhibitions, as well as a double height reception. GVA Grimley and Savills are joint agents for the scheme.
