Approval for Northern Quarter office scheme second time of asking

London-based developer Soller Group has secured planning consent for a new 125,000 sq ft office development on Lever Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
The site fronting onto Great Ancoats Street currently consists of nine buildings, but will form an 18-storey scheme which has now been approved.
The application was paused for a site inspection after being initially heard at the Manchester City Council Planning and Highways committee in December.
Designed by Howells and branded as NXQ, the development will include a multi-purpose communal reception, a tech hub that will provide touch down space for occupants and a restaurant unit, which will be located on the corner of Great Ancoats and Lever Street.
The development is expected to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’.
The original façade of the building most recently occupied by Bem Brasil restaurant is set to be retained, with a new cantilevered structure due to be constructed above it.
The developer hopes to complete by 2028 and the site will be marketed by joint agents Savills and Knight Frank.
Daniel Barnes, office agency director at Savills, said: “NXQ is an exciting new development that will add a new dynamic to Manchester’s office market and deliver some much needed, high quality and sustainable space.
“Following the successful planning consent, we are excited to be involved with the scheme and have no doubt that it will appeal to a wide range of occupiers.”
Nick Treadaway, founding partner and chief executive of Soller, said the developer has worked closely with Manchester City Council to bring the scheme forward into a market that has what he describes as “a chronic undersupply of best in class office space.”
Dav Bansal, from Howells said the design of NXQ aims to provide a signpost for the Northern Quarter. “The cantilevered structure is achieved using an efficient raking column, which creates an interesting dynamic with the historic buildings. It is a striking design, which embraces the unique character of the area and will provide a distinctive silhouette which the city can be proud of,” he said.