Planning approved for 18-storey workspace with rooftop pool
Bruntwood has received the go-ahead for its ‘revolutionary’ wellbeing focused workspace and leisure destination, ‘The Alberton.’
The current Alberton House on St. Mary’s Parsonage will be replaced with a striking 18-storey office building, housing the UK’s highest workspace pool which is capable of competing on the world stage.
The development will prompt considerable job creation across building management, hospitality provision and customer expansion, estimated to support 1,740 full time employees and an annual GVA contribution of £131m.
Designed by EPR Architects and occupying the historic site of Manchester’s first gas works, The Alberton represents the city’s industrial past in a contemporary aesthetic, with nods to its industrial heritage throughout the building’s architecture.
It is set to complete towards the end of 2025, with works due to begin early next year.
Bruntwood Works, the workspace, retail and leisure arm of the Bruntwood Group, will develop and deliver the building, which will become the flagship in its £200m Pioneer programme.
The Alberton’s focal point is its rooftop holistic wellness centre and the key element in its ‘workplace revolutionised’ ethos, promoting the integration of physical and mental wellbeing into daily working lives.
As well as the performance lap pool, it will also boast a hydrotherapy vitality pool, hot and cold treatment rooms, fitness studio, yoga terrace, physio room, and changing and shower facilities.
On the 17th floor, plans reveal a landscaped panoramic roof terrace with commanding views across the city, a gym and an additional food and beverage outlet serving nutritious options.
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, said: “Gaining planning approval for The Alberton marks another landmark moment in our efforts to revolutionise the workspace, not just in Manchester but across the UK.
“We have always been focused on customer wellbeing and these plans launch us even further into the journey of creating workspaces that champion work/life balance. The importance of this has never been greater, as our society faces considerable challenges.
“The Alberton will provide an exemplary model of what workspaces can achieve, going further than we ever have in our Pioneer programme.
“This is particularly evident in the holistic wellness centre that will act as the heart of the development and offer our customers an unrivalled wellbeing experience.
“This level of amenity will help businesses offer staff the ultimate workspace experience, encouraging a greater return to the office whilst supporting a healthy work/life balance.
“This new space incorporates everything we have learned over the last few years of studying changes in how our customers interact with workspaces and listening to their ongoing feedback. We truly believe that we have created something that will provide a blueprint for accessible and inclusive offices.”
