Architect buys headquarters ahead of major refurbishment

Calderpeel Architects has acquired its Cheshire headquarters and started work on a significant refurbishment of the property as part of its future growth plans.

Calderpeel, which has 26 staff, currently occupies an office on the first floor of the 10,000 sq ft, three-storey Market Court building in Altrincham town centre, but will move to a fully-refurbished ground floor space as part of its redevelopment of the building.

The Drawing Room, as the new space will be known, represents a significant six-figure investment by Calderpeel.

As well as providing an improved design studio, meeting and relaxation areas, it will introduce an active frontage to the building on the A56 Church Street.

Calderpeel has appointed Altrincham-based Consensus Property as the main contractor on the project. Work is expected to take two months.

Ewen Miller, managing director of Calderpeel, said: “This project will significantly improve the building we’ve called home for the last 16 years.

“It will provide us with an inspirational space that matches our ambitions as a forward-thinking architecture and design practice.

“It will offer a great working environment for our people, but also for our clients to visit and spend time with us.

“Securing the future of the building and bringing back a visual connection to the street scene with a high-quality frontage will also benefit Altrincham.”

Andrew Lightfoot, director of Calderpeel Architects, added: “The property sector is always changing and to stay ahead we’ve had to become so much more than just architects.

“For us, it’s about working in partnership with clients and guiding them through the whole journey from planning and design, right through to completion.

“Calderpeel has been in business for over 25 years and this investment sets us up for the next 25 years and beyond.”

Market Court was built in 1990. Calderpeel acquired the building in 2018 for an undisclosed sum.

Four other businesses currently occupy the building, with a fifth tenant to move in once works are complete, meaning the property will be fully-let.

Outside of its own office plans, Calderpeel has a five-year programme of investment planned for the building which will see improvements to communal areas, connectivity, security and car-parking.

As well as Altrincham, Calderpeel has offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Surrey.

The practice works primarily in the residential sector for developers, luxury housebuilders and private clients, as well as on commercial projects for private businesses and public sector bodies.