Plans to bring signature city centre building back to life after lying vacant since 2010

Developer Biz Assets wants to transform a signature building on Mosley Street in Manchester into retail and restaurant spaces, as well creating as a new entrance for the offices and reception fronting on to St Peter’s Square.

Consultants from Atelier have submitted a planning application with listed building consent to Manchester City Council for the transformation of 77-79 Mosley Street into 21,693 sq ft of commercial space comprising 12,942 sq ft of office and 8,751 sq ft retail/leisure space.

Submitted on behalf of Biz Assets Limited, the proposals will see the Grade II listed building brought back into use, having been vacant since 2010, and has the potential to create 250 jobs.

The proposals include the reinstatement of the original historic shop fronts on both Princess Street and Mosley Street to create new retail and restaurant spaces, as well as a new entrance for the offices and reception fronting on to St Peter’s Square. The original lightwell will be restored and two new lifts will be installed to access the work spaces on the upper floors.

Atelier MB has added new cycle parking and changing facilities in the basement. There are two workspaces on each of the three upper floors ranging from 1,690 sq ft to 2,615 sq ft.

Mosley Street

Andrew Burns, Managing Director, Atelier MB said: “77-79 Mosley Street is a significant building dating back to the 1860s and it has been vacant for 13 years. It was originally designed and built as speculative office and warehouse space, so it is fitting we are retaining its original use. We have worked closely with OBI to make sure the office space and amenities retain the historic character of the building and set a high-quality standard to meet the needs of today’s occupiers.

“The buildings’ prominent location, facing both the Manchester Art Gallery and onto St Peter’s Square makes it an important part of the transformation of the core of the city centre as we look forward to the completion of the Town Hall restoration project.”

Andrew Cowell, Transactions and Asset Manager, OBI said: “Increasingly businesses and their employees are bringing ESG commitments to the forefront of their culture. By repurposing the original building floors and internal features of 77-79 Mosley Street we are creating unique and characterful workspace that is highly sustainable.”