Property round-up: Eric Wright Construction; Regional Property Solutions; Watch This Space; Sixteen Real Estate; Savills
Preston-based Eric Wright Construction has announced the completion of its latest phase of works for the Department of Education (DfE) at Kings Leadership Academy, Bolton allowing a further 180 secondary students to commence their studies.
In total, the construction arm of Eric Wright Group has now completed three phases of temporary accommodation, since the company was initially appointed. The first phase, which was completed ahead of the September 2019 intake, involved infrastructure works, car parking, MUGA pitch and hard landscaping along with the installation of temporary classrooms, staff areas, meeting rooms, laboratories and welfare provisions.
Eric Wright Construction has since gone on to complete a further two phases of groundworks and the installation of further temporary accommodation to provide teaching facilities for a total of 540 students.
CEO of the Great Schools Trust, Sir Iain Hall, said: “Eric Wright Construction are an amazing company to work with. They were given a programme with a most challenging delivery time and achieved success whilst always being ready to listen to our constantly changing demands.”
James Eager, director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “We have a really open and honest relationship with the Trust, the DfE and the technical advisor teams. This collaborative approach and our in-depth experience in working in the education sector, has allowed us to deliver a temporary, yet high quality, facility that allows the Academy to increase their intake of pupils and teach in a high quality working environment prior to their move to their permanent home.”
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Poplar House
LMO Property’s completion of the refurbishment of Poplar House, Ashley Road, Hale, from a single let building into a multi-office high specification managed business centre, with on-site parking, has already attracted three new occupiers.
The three suites have been rented on short form flexi leases to Snowshill Allied Holdings, JL Recruitment and Place Infomatics.
There are six suites still available from 150 sq ft to 450 sq ft to accommodate from two-10 people starting from £640 per month all inclusive.
Hale is a go to office location in South Manchester being within easy reach of the city centre and the village’s excellent amenities.
Daniel Lee, managing director of Altrincham-based Regional Property Solutions, which manages and lets LMO’s property portfolio, said: “The transformation of this building into luxury office suites was certainly challenging as it was carried out during COVID when restrictions allowed, so excellent to see occupiers moving in.”
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Bridgewater House
Manchester-based developer Watch This Space has bought the Grade II-listed building Bridgewater House off Renaker for an undisclosed sum.
The 23,200 sq ft building lies between Renaker’s Crown Street and Deansgate Square developments.
The site, which also has 36 car parking spaces, fronts Chester Road, Manchester, and is bounded by Great Jackson Street.
The building was originally built as two private dwellings before being transferred into an office in the 18th century where it was the Manchester Ship Canal Company headquarters.
The Georgian building has remained derelict for 25 years and, therefore, requires significant investment to bring it back into use.
Watch This Space founder, Michelle Rothwell, said: “We look for projects that are interesting with growth potential and are honoured to be bringing Bridgewater House back to life.
“We’ll be working with specialist architects and conservation experts and will spend more money on restoring it than we would on a new build of the same size.”
Michelle added: “However, we’re passionate that restoring buildings like this can only be a great thing for Manchester. It’s a challenge, but we love a challenge.”
James Sidlow, senior development manager at Renaker Build, said: “We identified that Watch This Space were best placed to bring this forward given their track record and expertise. We look forward to seeing what Michelle has planned for this exciting element of the masterplan.”
Watch This Space is working with Snook Architects to produce a design that will transform the building while celebrating its heritage.
Watch This Space was launched in 2016 and has completed numerous commercial and residential projects. The estimated turnover for the business in 2021 is £9.5m.
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Unit 506
Demonstrating the continued high demand for well located industrial accommodation, Sixteen Real Estate has announced the letting of Unit 506 on Phoenix Close Industrial Estate in Heywood in less than one week from launching the property to the market.
The fully refurbished unit, which extends to 2,551 sq ft, has been let on a new five-year lease at a rent of £7.50 psf.
The estate, off Green Lane in Heywood, is less than one mile from the M60, j19 and benefits from excellent transport links.
Josh Ramplin, of Manchester-based Sixteen Real Estate, said: “The market has no signs of slowing down. The demand for industrial space is still far outweighing the space available.
“We advertised this recent letting for less than a week before we agreed terms and had it under offer.”
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Church Hill
International real estate advisor, Savills, on behalf of Castle Mile Group, has completed the sale of 1 & 2 Church Hill, in Knutsford, to Swiftsure Wealth Management for £750,000.
The Grade II-listed building will be utilised as office space along with a neighbouring residential unit, symbolising the resilience of the office market in the face of the pandemic.
Comprising 1,965 sq ft, the characterful town centre building comprises 1,400 sq ft of workspace and dates back to 1702.
Church Hill is situated in a prime location at the heart of Knutsford town centre. The building benefits from its close proximity to numerous independent bars, restaurants and shops with the train just a short walk away.
Daniel Barnes, associate director in the office agency team at Savills Manchester, said: “In spite of the wider challenges caused by COVID-19, the office market remains resilient with strong demand from owner occupiers, and the purchase of this building by an office occupier is testament to that.
“Ideally located within Knutsford town centre, this traditional, historic building is an excellent acquisition following good levels of interest.”
