Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios expands its Manchester base

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios has increased its Manchester office size.

The practice, which also has offices in London, Bath, and Bdelfast, has moved to larger premises at Carver’s Warehouse in Dale Street.

It has taken 2,100 sq ft on the ground floor on a five-year lease.

FCB Studios, which first opened in Manchester in 2015, has increased its capacity and strengthened its commitment to Manchester to serve its clients in the city and further afield.

Its current projects in Manchester include: the Circle Square neighbourhood on the site of the former BBC Oxford Road campus in the heart of Corridor Manchester for Bruntwood and Select Property Group; three projects in Ancoats for Manchester Life, including the repurposing of Murrays’ Mills, a former steam-powered cotton mill, into a residential community, and ongoing work with MMU for its new International Screen School.

Geoff Rich, managing partner FCB Studios, said: “We love being in Manchester and feel now is the right time to invest in our next chapter in the city and the wider region.

“Our new office gives us better space for our design activities, and for hosting our clients, collaborators and visitors.”

Real estate consultancy OBI represented FCB Studios on the deal, while Carver’s Warehouse owner Town Centre Securities were represented by Avison Young.

Andrew Cowell, transactions and asset management, OBI said: “FCB Studios’ renewed commitment to Manchester, and its plans for growth are a sure sign of the strength of opportunities available, not just in the city centre but across the city region and Northern Powerhouse.

“Carver’s Warehouse is a great fit for the architecture practice as the building offers great character space with many of the original features.”

Chris Collins, asset manager, Town Centre Securities, said: “I am delighted FCB Studios has chosen to grow its Manchester base with us at Carver’s Warehouse.

“Carver’s Warehouse occupies a convenient location, adjacent to the ever-evolving Piccadilly Basin, and just a five minute walk from Piccadilly station.

“We have no doubt it will be an ideal base for FCB Studio’ ’employees and clients.

“Carver’s Warehouse is one of Manchester’s oldest surviving warehouses – and the only one built of stone – and has continued to develop alongside the city’s thriving Northern Quarter and Piccadilly Basin; it is great to see such a creative company like FCB Studios recognising this and choosing it as their base.”

Completed buildings in Manchester by FCB Studios include three projects for Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU): the Stirling Prize-shortlisted School of Art, the award winning Business School and new Student Union.

Further afield, FCB Studios is working on significant projects in Leeds, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent.

In Leeds the practice is working with CEG to develop a pioneering new neighbourhood at Kirkstall Forge. The practice has recently secured planning approval for CEG: South Bank Leeds, a new £350m mixed-use community on a 3.5 hectare site just minutes from the southern entrance to Leeds City Station.