Property round-up: DTZ Investors; Freeths; Logicor; Manchester Metropolitan University; Bloor Homes; Phoenix; Middleton
DTZ Investors has commenced work on-site at the recently launched luxury residential scheme on King Street in Manchester.
The scheme, which is set to bring 24 apartments to the upper floors of 58-66 King Street, has seen DTZ Investors commit around £5m to the 12 month-long transformational project, which involves 24,400 sq ft of former retail and office space.
The apartments will comprise a selection of one- and two-bedrooms set over four floors and will be available for rental only. The development is due to complete in the second half of 2023.
The building has Grade II-listed status and the works will be carried out in a manner which is sympathetic to its heritage and character. The works also include a new entrance and ancillary space at ground and basement level with a cycle store and plant areas. The upper floors will be converted into residential accommodation. New mechanical and electrical services will be installed, including a new lift.
Tom Royston, DTZ Investors, said: “This scheme is the next phase in positioning King Street as a leading retail and leisure district, providing an opportunity to live right in the very heart of the action.
“The building will not only offer apartments with character but will also breathe new life back into a Grade II historic building which has stood empty for a number of years. We are looking forward to seeing how this scheme progresses and adding another dimension to one of the city’s most famous districts.”
Jason McKnight, director at RECOM Solutions said: “This scheme will offer city centre living with a twist of heritage and bespoke luxury, transforming the asset into a vibrant residential scheme. Manchester continues to evolve as a major and thriving European hub for commerce and culture, and demand for rented accommodation is increasing as a result.”
AEW acted as architects on the scheme. RECOM Solutions has been appointed as principal contractor on the scheme. Savills is acting as planning advisor to DTZ Investors.
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Exchange Station
National law firm Freeths has announced the launch of a new office space at CEG’s Exchange Station in Liverpool following a period of record growth.
Located in the city’s thriving business district, the new suite, at Third Floor, Core 3, Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street, aims to accommodate Freeths’ continued expansion as well as enhance the experience for its regional clients.
Motivation for the relocation follows increased employee retention, new lateral hires, and heightened client portfolios.
Managing partner of Freeths Liverpool, Andy Nichol, said: “Owing to the growth of the team in Liverpool it was essential for us to relocate and reaffirm our commitment to the Liverpool market – taking a significant space within the prominent offices of Exchange Station demonstrates our plans for expansion across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. The move is a result of a culmination of continued national success over the last few years and it will help secure Freeths’ future growth.”
Alex Goode, investment manager at CEG, said: “We welcome the Freeths team to Exchange Station. It is a hugely popular development since its multimillion-pound makeover and I’m positive the team will enjoy coming into the office and benefiting from the amenities, the healthy and productive environment and the great business community here.”
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Unit 16, Lawnhurst Trading Estate
Logicor has agreed a new 15-year lease with local printing business, Deanprint at its 22,023 sq ft warehouse in Stockport.
Unit 16, Lawnhurst Trading Estate, has undergone extensive refurbishment to improve the efficiency of the building and improve its levels of sustainability. New LED lighting has been installed throughout, in addition to replacement cladding and insulation and a new level access door.
James Carney, Logicor’s senior asset manager, said: “Unit 16 has undergone a full refurbishment to bring the property back to life, providing high quality, sustainable business space in this established industrial location. We are very pleased to provide a new home, on a long term lease, for this local business and welcome them as a new customer to our UK portfolio.”
Deanprint was founded in 1890 in Stockport and moved into its first, purpose-built facility in 1920. It has since established itself as one of the most well respected printing and bookbinding companies in the North West of England.
David Thurrold, managing director of Deanprint, said: “We are very proud of our Stockport roots and, while our previous premises served us well for over 100 years, we are excited to be starting a new chapter in this modern, sustainable building that perfectly suits our business space needs, enabling us to best serve our local and UK-wide customers.”
JLL and Sanderson Weatherall advised Logicor as joint letting agents.
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Grosvenor West Building
Manchester Metropolitan University has appointed Conlon Construction and architectural, planning and building surveying practice, Cassidy + Ashton, to refurbish its Grade II-listed Grosvenor West Building, the historic home of Manchester School of Art.
Conlon Construction will deliver a ‘life cycle’ project refurbishment, designed by Cassidy + Ashton, that comprises fabric repairs to the exterior brick and stonework, roof and rooflights, as well as adding secondary glazing to improve insulation properties.
The work also includes enhancing accessibility, inclusivity, upgrading and replacing internal heating and lighting systems, and maintaining, enhancing and reintroducing the original heritage assets, all of which sets out to preserve the 141-year-old building and ensure it meets the needs of the school’s next generation of art and design students.
Manchester School of Art is the UK’s second oldest art school and spans a number of buildings on the Manchester Metropolitan campus, including Grosvenor West and the Benzie Building. The historic Grosvenor West Building also houses the Holden Gallery, a public gallery situated at the heart of the building, which has functioned as a gallery since the building was extended in 1898.
Designed by George Tunstal Redmayne, with the later rear addition by Joseph Gibbons Sankey, the School of Art has hosted notable names such as Walter Crane, Sylvia Pankhurst, Adolph Valette and LS Lowry.
Work onsite is under way, following the alteration of other buildings on campus to create additional temporary accommodation for the Manchester School of Art, and the project is due to complete in spring 2024.
Simon Barlow, associate architect from Cassidy + Ashton, said: “This is a substantial project that will not only draw on our experience as heritage architects, but on our enthusiasm and dedication to play a part in conserving and promoting heritage properties and making them fit for the next generation of people that will use them.”
Conlon Construction’s commercial director, Darren Lee, said: “The plans are exciting and carefully considered, and the end result promises to be something very special.”
Prof Martyn Evans, pro-vice chancellor of arts and humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “We are pleased to be working with Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton to preserve and refresh this inspiring space, so that it can continue to nurture future generations of artists, designers and makers.”
Cassidy + Ashton was appointed to the project through the Procure Partnerships Professional Services Framework, while Conlon Construction was procured through the North West Construction Hub High Value Framework.
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Viking Way plans
Family-run housebuilder, Bloor Homes, has been granted reserved matters approval for a new residential scheme at Viking Way in Congleton. The plans were submitted to Cheshire East Council by Manchester-based Asteer Planning which is also advising on the commercial proposals for the site.
The Bloor scheme, comprising 154 new homes, is the first reserved matters application to be approved at the Congleton Business Park strategic allocation following the grant of outline planning permission for a mixed use development in February 2022. In addition to new homes, Bloor’s proposals will also deliver part of the east-west ‘greenway’, an important piece of pedestrian/cyclist infrastructure which will connect the emerging North Congleton neighbourhoods.
Bloor’s in-house design team and Asteer Planning worked collaboratively with Cheshire East Council and the Parish Council to bring forward the key design principles approved by the Spatial Design Code approved at outline stage, which seeks to deliver six new character areas across the site including a network of high quality greenspaces. Approval of this reserved matters application is a significant step in the successful delivery of new homes for the area, 17.5% of which will be affordable.
Kate McClean, planning director at Bloor Homes, said: “We were extremely pleased to receive the unanimous support from the members of Strategic Planning Board. Having purchased the site in April, this timely reserved matters approval is the first step towards launching our development offering a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.”
Alice Routledge, partner at Asteer Planning, said: “The approval of the first reserved matters application at Viking Way is a hugely important milestone in the creation of a new, strategically important and sustainable neighbourhood at North Congleton. This application will not only deliver much needed family housing, but also a network of high quality greenspaces and will make a significant financial contribution to the Congleton Link Road which opened in April 2021.”
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Phoenix
The owners of Phoenix have announced the lettings to Bonham & Brook and One Day Agency, who have each leased a floor within the building.
Bonham & Brook has leased 1,597 sq ft on the sixth floor while One Day Agency has taken the fifth floor which comprises 1,645 sq ft.
Occupying a prominent position on Cross Street, the building was comprehensively refurbished in 2020 to provide seven floors of contemporary, self-contained workspaces. All floors in the building have been fitted to a ‘Cat A plus’ standard with a glazed meeting rooms, kitchens and power/data cabling.
The lettings to Bonham & Brook and One Day Agency follow on from other recent deals to tenants, including SGI Consulting Engineers, Forever Manchester and Bentley Systems (UK).
After the latest raft of lettings, there is now only the second floor available to let which comprises 1,665 sq ft.
Oliver Woodall, associate director at Edwards & Co, said: “The sub 3,000 sq ft market remains active in the city centre, especially for fitted solutions, and we are looking forward to leasing the last floor in due course.”
Edwards & Co acted as joint agents on these transactions alongside JLL.
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Overview of area that will form part of the masterplan
Rochdale Council has launched a public consultation on the draft Middleton masterplan to gather feedback before a final version is created.
Residents and businesses can give their views either online, by email or by post. The survey asks a number of questions to seek an understanding of whether there is an agreement with the principles in the plan, if there is support for the suggested improvements, and whether all aspects have been fully considered, among other things.
A series of public events is also planned that will allow residents to attend and discuss the masterplan in detail and to present their thoughts on how the council should proceed with work in Middleton town centre.
Upcoming events include a pop up on Tuesday, November 1, between 10am to 4pm at Middleton Library and 3pm to 7pm at Middleton Arena. A further pop up will be held between 10am to 12pm on Saturday, November 5, at Middleton Arena.
Attendees will be able to view proposals, provide comments and have the opportunity to participate in guided tours including an architecture walk with Stephen Marland starting at Middleton Library, Tuesday, November 1, 5pm to 6.30pm, and a nature walk with Alison Cooper, starting at Middleton Library, Saturday, November 5, 12pm to 2pm.
To sign up to attend either event in advance: go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk. For the architecture walk search for “a modern mooch” or for the nature walk search for “nature walk Middleton”.
Cllr John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “The council has set out a vision for Middleton town centre, we believe will add significantly to the work that has already been done over the past 15 years.
“We would really appreciate our residents engaging with us so that we can deliver a final plan to improve Middleton that really works for the benefit of everyone.”
The consultation is running until November 9.
