Multi-million pound plans in for landmark Daily Express building

Plans to transform a landmark Manchester building, once home to the Daily Express, have been put forward.

OBI Property has lodged an application with Manchester City Council for a major refurbishment of the 81,000 sq ft Grade II listed Express Building on Great Ancoats Street, which was originally designed by Sir Owen Williams.

The planned multi-million pound refurbishment of the building, built in 1939, is being led by OBI Property and designed by Ben Adams Architects.

The internal floors will be stripped out and the original architecture kept throughout the building. The reception will be redesigned and a cut-out will be introduced at ground floor with a new spiral staircase linking the ground and first floors.

The existing atrium will be remodelled to introduce floating meeting pods and a new mezzanine floor will be installed on the sixth floor.

James Bostock, building consultancy, OBI Property said: “Express Building is a Manchester landmark and it is incredibly exciting to be involved in breathing a new lease of life into the well-know and much loved building. Our intention is to raise the bar in Manchester; combining efficient, super connected workspace, with unrivalled occupier amenities in one of the most dynamic areas of the city centre.”

Richard Lace, transactions and asset management, OBI Property, said: “When completed Express Building will provide forward thinking, contemporary workspace that respects the character of this iconic property. It will be aimed at occupiers from a wide range of sectors, including those who are part of the thriving digital and tech scene.”

The project team includes:
Project Management, Cost Consultant, Contract Administrator, Principal Designer – OBI Property.
Leasing Agent – OBI Property.
Architect – Ben Adams Architects.
Structural Engineer – Tier Consult.
M&E Consultant – Zerum.
Planning Consultant – Zerum.
Heritage Consultant – Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture.