Elisabeth House redevelopment goes for planning

THE redevelopment of Elisabeth House in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square moved a step closer today as developers announced they are to submit a planning application for a £50m build project on the site.

Argent entered a joint venture with the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund in October last year with plans to rebuild the site which formerly housed the Dutch Pancake Company.

Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the 270,000 sq ft building will be more than twice the size of Elizabeth House, which stands at around 110,000 sq ft.

It 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, offering views across St Peter’s Square.

Argent told TheBusinessDesk that the £100m project had not been downsized since it was first announced in October, and added that construction costs for the new building would come in at around £50m.

Gary Taylor, joint managing director of Argent UK Developments said although One St Peter’s Square will be a contemporary building, it will be inspired by its classical surroundings in St Peter’s Square.

He said: “We are delighted to be working alongside the City Council and other Landowners on restoration plans for St Peter’s Square to create a new, first class piece of public realm. We’ve no doubt that, in the years to come, One St Peter’s Square will be the most prestigious business address within the North West”.

“This development makes a lot of sense from a commercial perspective, given the city council’s ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the square.

“The economic crisis has not troubled either Argent or the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, and we have the funding in place to ensure that this scheme goes ahead.”

Mike Whitley, chair of The GMPVF, said: “Our plans to redevelop Elisabeth House with Argent are moving on quickly and we’re delighted to be submitting a planning application in October. We’re confident that the finished result will be a stunning 21st Century building, playing a major, strategic role within St Peter’s Square and the city region as a whole”.

Before submitting the planning application the GMPVF and Argent will host a public consultation on October 1, within Central Library, St Peter’s Square.

One the scheme is given the all clear by planners, work is expected to be completed by 2013.