Developer launches £50m building transformation programme

Property group Bruntwood has announced a major transformation project for assets across the North and Midlands worth £50m.

The scheme, delivered by Bruntwood Works, involves plans for rooftop gardens and a stunning new art and exhibition space among the inspirational renovations being carried out in the first phase of the programme.

The first three buildings to receive a major renovation include 111 Piccadilly and Blackfriars in Manchester, which include the art and exhibition space and rooftop gardens, respectively, and Cornwall Buildings in Birmingham, with work scheduled to start in June.

The programme will then be rolled out on a wider basis across Bruntwood Works’ regional portfolio, which consists of £937m of assets across Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.

Focused on providing innovative environments with ‘wow factor’, the programme centres on enhancing six key themes across its buildings, from technology and sustainability to biophilia, wellbeing, amenity and art.

The programme will also evolve Bruntwood Works’ commitment to creating connected communities within its regions, by encouraging customers to access new facilities and collaborate with like-minded businesses across neighbouring buildings.

This will support Bruntwood’s recent pledge to the Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment to make new buildings net zero carbon emitting by 2030, and old buildings the same by 2050.

111 Piccadilly will undergo a major transformation, co-ordinated by architect 3DReid.

A new café and lounge will be introduced on the ground floor, as well as exhibition and event space.

A sculptured ‘Gem’ working area will be incorporated providing a stunning art and seating space for customers.

A large planted entrance is being designed and installed by ANS on the London Road entrance of 111 Piccadilly, while garden space is being created outside the reception doors with external trees planning in partnership with City of Trees.

Exciting changes at Blackfriars include a rooftop restaurant and bar featuring panoramic views across the city.

Designed by MgMaStudio Architecture, the rooftop garden will be filled with flowing meadows and flowers, as well as uniquely-designed seating, lighting and shelter incorporated.

The ground floor space will include a new café, run by the same operator as the restaurant, as well as a lounge, event space and new co-working spaces.

Other stand-out features at Blackfriars include the construction of a balcony, which opens up to the River Irwell, and new on-site artwork in the newly-created ‘lightwell’, which will offer the opportunity to project incredible interactive light art into the space.

Cornwall Buildings in Birmingham will also undergo a significant facelift, including a new reception with breakout areas and collaborative co-working spaces, in addition to an in-house barista coffee station at the centre to encourage colleagues to come together.

Cornwall Buildings’ customers will also have access to gym facilities, bike storage and roof garden at neighbouring Cornerblock, as part of Bruntwood Works’ commitment to wellness.

111 Piccadilly

A year’s free studio space is also being offered in the basement, as part of its artists in residence programme, which will see a new partnership formed with Birmingham School of Art.

Students will have the opportunity for their work to be showcased throughout the building.

As part of the wider programme of activity, Bruntwood Works will boost existing amenities across its buildings, which already include independent cafes, collaborative co-working areas and community spaces hosting a regular rotation of exciting pop-ups, from yoga classes to beauticians and barbers.

Ciara Keeling, chief executive of Bruntwood Works, said: “This is just the start of an exciting period of growth for Bruntwood Works.

“We have a long history of developing inspirational workspaces and have always sought to disrupt the market through constant innovation of our customer proposition.

“This investment will ensure our customers continue to have exciting, innovative and inspirational spaces to work and socialise in.”

She added: “We have taken learnings from our award-winning buildings, such as Neo in Manchester and Platform in Leeds, to shape the designs which will lead the way in terms of technology and user-experience.”

The next buildings to be transformed as part of this project are: Lowry House and Centurion House in Manchester; The Plaza and Cotton Exchange in Liverpool; West One in Leeds; and Trafford House in Greater Manchester.