Property round-up: Whitehouse Industrial Estate; Renaker; Stretford Mall; Anwyl Partnerships; Eleven; NOMA; Zuto
Third party logistics provider Lloyd Fraser has signed up for a 43,078 sq ft unit at Runcorn’s Whitehouse Industrial Estate following a competitive bidding process.
B8 Real Estate acted as joint agent for the letting, along with CBRE and DTRE.
Lloyd Fraser has taken a five-year lease on the unit, which will be used for its retail logistics business. Established in 1987, the Rugby-based company now operates from around 16 locations around the UK including Winsford and Chester.
Alex Perratt, of B8 Real Estate, said: “Runcorn was a key location for Lloyd Fraser and this high specification refurbished unit fitted the bill perfectly.
“The company secured the unit in the face of competition following a ‘best bids’ process. The outcome demonstrates the demand for high quality industrial space in a very competitive market.”
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Proposals for the school
Renaker, the developer of Elizabeth Tower, Victoria Residence, The Blade and Three60, has submitted plans for a Manchester primary school. If approved, it will be the first city centre primary school in nearly 20 years.
An optimum location within the Great Jackson Street Masterplan and in close proximity to the inner ring road, the primary school will be an attractive prospect to young couples and families renting in the Crown Street area, said the developer.
The Great Jackson Street Masterplan aims to transform the gateway to Manchester city centre into a desirable residential area, characterised by skyscrapers, retail and leisure spots and acres of green space.
The neighbourhood is already attracting young renters, families and professionals.
The school would provide 210 spaces for primary age children and 26 spaces for those in nursery. The operator for the school hasn’t yet been decided, but the school proposal is supported by the local education authority.
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Proposal for Stretford Mall
The first phase of residential development within the Stretford Mall regeneration masterplan has been launched, as agents JLL support the leading property developer, Bruntwood, to bring the circa 2.4-acre site to market.
The prime residential development opportunity has scope to deliver up to 220 homes, providing the chosen developer with the opportunity to provide much needed, quality homes in a location with high demand.
Finding the right partner to deliver the first residential part of the scheme, and the homes Stretford residents want and need, is the first step towards wider plans for the town centre being realised.
The regeneration of Stretford Mall is a joint venture between Bruntwood and Trafford Council which sits within the wider multimillion-pound town masterplan approved last month following an extensive period of consultation with the local community. The scheme includes plans for the historic King Street to be reinstated to provide a thriving high street, as well as improved transport links, pedestrianised streets, more greenery and open spaces, and a reconfigured town centre with better connections to the Bridgewater canal.
Alex Isles, associate – land and development, JLL said: “This is an unrivalled opportunity to deliver high quality residential accommodation within an already well established and well connected south Manchester suburb. We expect interest to be strong and look forward to marketing this exciting development site.”
Chris Roberts, chief development officer, Bruntwood, said: “Bruntwood is committed to revitalising our region’s town centres through long term consultation-led partnerships. Through our joint venture with Trafford Council, we’re transforming Stretford for the long term so it’s essential that we find the development partner that matches our sustainable, community-focused ambitions for these transformations.
“Putting this site out to market is an exciting step in the Stretford Masterplan being realised. We’re pleased to have JLL on board, who we know will ensure we bring on board a housing partner with an exemplary track record of delivering high quality developments that put communities first.”
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The St Helens site
Anwyl Partnerships has exchanged contracts on the former Alfred H Knight offices and laboratory off Prescot Road, Eccleston, in St Helens.
The site, which sits at more than three acres, has been unoccupied for four years and proposals are to redevelop the land for family homes.
Sam Oliver, land director at Anwyl Partnerships, said: “We are very much committed to targeting regeneration and investment in the delivery of quality housing in St Helens and this site is a great acquisition for the division.
“The site has been unoccupied for several years and our proposals will seek to repurpose the area for residential use. We have already commenced the process of technical investigations to inform our proposals and redevelop the land. We are now engaging with professional officers and consultees, and once all feedback is finalised, we intend to undertake our own public consultation and invite local residents to provide their feedback ahead of any planning application being submitted’.’
Anwyl Partnerships aims to submit plans in the coming months with the broader intention of commencing works early 2023. NJL are acting planning consultant and Lovelock Mitchel are architect.
The firm currently has a live planning application for a further 79 new homes off Rutland Street, Cowley Hill, in St Helens.
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26 Cross Street
Eleven has relocated to a new Manchester office, in a deal brokered by real estate consultants OBI.
The company, which has been in the energy and commodities recruitment market for more than 23 years, has moved from serviced space at Orega, Arkwright House, Parsonage Gardens to occupy 2,830 sq ft of fitted space on the sixth floor of 26 Cross Street.
After spending just over six months in Arkwright House, Eleven was looking for a location that would cater to business growth and be its new HQ in Manchester – 26 Cross Street, located on the fringe of the central business district and retail quarter, provides contemporary work space with high level specification including air conditioning, fully accessible raised floors and shower facilities on each floor.
Kate Malone, transactions and asset management for OBI, said: “26 Cross Street was the ideal location for Eleven meeting their desire to be centrally located with great amenities surrounding the office, as well as being a fully fitted and furnished space.”
Neil Greaves, chief operating officer, said: “The quality of our new office building and the amenities on our doorstep are unmatched and will be instrumental in encouraging our team to return to the office.”
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2 and 3 Angel Square
A public exhibition and consultation will outline plans for the next stage of commercial development at NOMA, the 20-acre mixed-use neighbourhood in the heart of Manchester city centre.
The development team at NOMA will be showcasing and seeking feedback on 2 and 3 Angel Square, two stunning, sustainable net zero carbon buildings jointly delivering around 440,000 sq ft of office space. The buildings have also been designed to better connect with the public space surrounding them, reimagining Angel Square and providing additional ways for people to come and enjoy spending time at NOMA.
Consultation is open until May 26, with a public drop-in event being held on May 17. People can also have their say at www.noma-engage.com.
Following this, a planning application is expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council in June for the new buildings, which have been designed by leading architects practice Cartwright Pickard with public realm by design practice Planit-IE.
The 2 and 3 Angel Square properties will complement the landmark 1 Angel Square, which opened in 2013, and 4 Angel Square, which is due to be completed in early 2023 and is Manchester city centre’s largest speculative development.
Dan Hyde, development director at real estate asset manager and developer MEPC, which is delivering the NOMA masterplan, said: “NOMA is a truly unique development, combining the best modern buildings with stunning heritage assets, green space and public realm. We are excited to be consulting on the next generation of flagship office buildings here. Since the pandemic, we’ve updated our proposals for the offices to take in to account new thinking around workplace design and to ensure NOMA remains at the forefront of sustainable urban development, setting a new standard for sustainability and net zero carbon.”
Standing 14 storeys in height 2 Angel Square will deliver 197,926 sq ft of office space and a further 17,200 sq ft of commercial space – 3 Angel Square would be 13 storeys, delivering 241,531 sq ft of Grade A office space and 22,690 sq ft of commercial space.
Subject to the planning process, works on site could begin in early 2023, with completion and occupation of both buildings dependent on market conditions. When fully occupied the new offices would accommodate around 4,400 people.
The exhibition and drop in event runs from 1530 to 1900 on May 17, at the Marketing Suite at Dantzic, NOMA.
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Acresfield
International real estate advisor Savills, on behalf of South Tyneside Council c/o abrdn, has let additional office space to Manchester-based car finance marketplace Zuto at Acresfield, a substantially refurbished office building on St Ann’s Square in Manchester city centre.
The fintech business has upsized its space within the building to take an additional 5,150 sq ft across the first floor taking its total footprint to 24,135 sq ft.
Situated on St Ann’s Square in the heart of Manchester, Acresfield provides modern, open plan workspace across six floors, having recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to include new shower, changing and bike facilities along with upgraded communal space. Designed and delivered by OBI, the newly remodelled atrium space includes communal meeting pods, coffee facilities and informal breakout space.
Daniel Barnes, office agency director at Savills Manchester, said: “Zuto’s commitment to Acresfield is testament to the quality of workspace within the building, which is well suited for growing businesses. The investment into the scheme to provide desirable amenities, coupled with the scheme’s excellent location, makes Acresfield an attractive option for occupiers.”
Richard Lace, OBI, which acted on behalf of Zuto, said: “Having originally acquired space in Acresfield for Zuto in 2015, the building has supported the business as it has grown and expanded its presence in the city centre. It was encouraging to see our recommitment to the building matched by the landlord, who has improving the quality and variety of amenities on offer.”
