Plans submitted to convert historic bank into offices

NOMA, the 20-acre mixed-use neighbourhood in Manchester city centre, has submitted plans to transform an historic Grade II-listed former bank into a 140,000 sq ft office-led scheme, with mixed ground-floor retail, leisure and co-working space.

Under plans submitted to Manchester City Council, a new seven-storey extension will be built to the rear of the Old Bank, allowing the creation of 83,000 sq ft of high-quality office space spread over six floors, with the top floor benefiting from balcony access.

A revamped and enlarged ground floor will provide 6,900 sq ft of retail, leisure space spread over four units, as well as 2,600 sq ft of co-working space. The existing stairs, windows, lobby and former banking hall areas will be repaired and refurbished.

Designed by Sheppard Robson, the redevelopment of Old Bank will also help better integrate the building into Sadler’s Yard, Manchester’s newest public square.

The redevelopment will also see the Pilcrow project move into its next phase.

The temporary wooden structure, which was designed with re-use in mind, will be moved and re-purposed to elsewhere in the neighbourhood, while the team behind the pub operation is planning a new food and beverage offering, again within the NOMA neighbourhood.

As part of NOMA’s commitment to community placemaking, The Old Bank Residency, a creative events space and ‘Village Hall’ will also evolve and move to a new location when redevelopment starts.

This will be in addition to the regular calendar of events and activities around Sadler’s Yard, including most recently the Summer Jam and Sit & Stay dog show.

In total, NOMA will provide 2.5 million sq ft of both new-build and renovated office space, situated alongside housing and public realm, as well as retail and leisure opportunities.

Hermes Investment Management is the investment manager of the NOMA development, working on behalf of an institutional investor, with development and asset manager MEPC taking forward the new-build elements of NOMA.

There has been lots of activity elsewhere at the listed estate.

Amazon has announced that it is opening its first UK HQ outside of London at Hanover, while Dantzic, which has also been converted to office space, completed in May this year. Work started at Redfern, another building being turned into workspace, in February.

In July, NOMA secured planning permission for 4 Angel Square, a 200,000 sq ft Grade A office building, which will be developed speculatively – a sign of confidence in Manchester’s economy.

Updated designs have also been revealed for 2 & 3 Angel Square, two other new-build office projects that will, together, provide 420,000 sq ft of premium office space.

Stephen Bradley, senior asset manager at Hermes Investment Management, said: “We have made significant progress at the NOMA listed estate, carefully restoring Manchester’s built heritage while also creating contemporary workspace that appeals to both major occupiers and SMEs.

“Our plans for Old Bank will provide yet more much-needed quality office space to support the city’s growing economy and build on recent planning and construction activity across the whole NOMA neighbourhood.”

Colliers and JLL are office agents for NOMA. Colliers and LSH are retail and leisure agents. Deloitte is planning consultant and Workman LLP is project manager.