New owner unveils £4m upgrade for Grade II-listed Arkwright building

The Grade II-listed Arkwright office building in Manchester city centre is set to undergo a £4m transformation following its acquisition this summer.

Hillcrest PERE has unveiled plans to reimagine the Grade A workspace and occupier experience at the 95,000 sq ft office building, as well as enhance its wellness offering to complement the external green space at Parsonage Gardens.

Interior design and fit out firm, Claremont, has been appointed to implement the design vision and will start on site on a 16-week refurbishment programme in the coming weeks.

Works include the creation of a new art deco-inspired reception and business lounge, a range of Grade A Cat A + and fully fitted and furnished office suites, along with state-of-the-art amenities including a wellness centre and gym.

Arkwright is one of Manchester’s most impressive buildings and is already home to high profile occupiers including the head office of restaurant group San Carlo, flexible workspace operator Orega and global engineering, architecture and consultancy, Ramboll.

Claremont is targeting works to be completed in spring 2025, and letting agents, Colliers and Edwards, have been appointed to market the available space to occupiers. Falcon Rock has been appointed as the delivery partner.

Dominic Pozzoni, Head of the Manchester office at Colliers, said: “Arkwright is unique in its location given the abundance of green space on the doorstep right in the heart of the city centre.

“The investment plans will enable the building to realise its full potential by creating spaces that align with the needs of the modern office occupier in all the key areas of wellness, technology, ESG, inclusivity and a range of flexible fitted workspace.”

Andrew Timms, Director at Edwards, said: “With no new-build offices planned to start over the next 12 months in Manchester city centre, the revitalisation of buildings such as Arkwright is increasingly important.

“It is exciting to blend the 1930s design aspects with fresh new working concepts like fully fitted and furnished space, which will appeal to a wide range of occupiers.”