Property round-up: Plans for Sika’s new £2.5m R&D base submitted; WHR sells Hollinwood warehouse; and more

SIKA Liquid Plastics has submitted plans to build a new £2.5m research and development laboratory at its Preston headquarters.

The Swiss-owned firm, which bought Liquid Plastics from the Gorick family three years ago, appointed Frank Whittle Partnership to design the new 12,500 sq ft laboratories, which involves the demolition of an old Victorian weaving shed.

FWP said its design pays tribute to the site’s historic importance to Preston’s manufacturing heritage – from its Victorian days as Fishwick Cotton Mill to Sika’s present day operation.

The firm said it has created a “contemporary and innovative” building that will “significantly improve the research facilities on site”.

The investment is also seen as a vote of confidence by Sika in its Preston-based operations.

It makes a range of high performance, technologically-advanced roofing systems which have been used on a range of prestigious contracts such as the Tate Britain art gallery in London, the NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Royal Preston Hospital and East Midlands airport.

Martin Whittle, partner of FWP, which has offices in Preston and Manchester, said: “We have submitted a planning application for a striking building that is contemporary, innovative and striking.

“The design, using woven architectural mesh, both reflects and pays homage to the rich heritage of the site as a former mill.

“The development will also bring all the site’s research R&D operations together, in a modern purpose-built facility, providing a 21st century environment for its team to help the company remain at the forefront of its sector’s technology.

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WHR Property Consultants has sold a 6,893 sq ft modern warehouse in Hollinwood, near Oldham to Constant Engineering for £490,000, equating to £71 per sq ft.

The unit forms part of the Meadowbank Business Park, which is close to junction 22 of the M60.

Gary Chapman, associate partner at WHR, said:  and “The deal leaves one remaining vacant unit of 6,800 sq ft plus a high quality office building of 10,000 sq ft approximately, where we have just let one floor and are talking to a number of high profile occupiers on the remaining two floors.

“The sale of this warehouse demonstrates that in certain locations, industrial values are starting to recover, as the availability of good quality accommodation is diminishing.  

“Following the success of the recent schemes at Axis and Birch Industrial Estate in Heywood, hopefully this will be a further sign of encouragement to developers to begin to contemplate speculative development again”.

Ryder and Dutton are joint letting agents.

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A road containing blue tarmac is set to be laid at the Maine Place development on the site of the club’s former Maine Road ground in Moss Side.

The road, which will be named Blue Moon Way,will be on a development which is being finished by Prospect (GB) following the collapse of former builder Lowry Homes.

In total, the scheme will have more than 300 energy-efficient homes and apartments on site, with properties named after former City players such as Coleman, Allison, Goater and Rosler.

The properties have been developed by Liverpool based Prospect (GB), working with Manchester City Council.

Prospect (GB) contracts manager Wayne Hale, aged 52, said: “I’ve been a Blue since I was a boy and standing on Blue Moon Way brings back cherished memories for me – I can see the alleyways I used to cut through to the back of the City ground.

“This blue-coloured road is a way of marking the heritage of the area and recognising that the Maine Road stadium will never be forgotten.

“A lot of people come here and feel nostalgic about the as they remember the old days. I think the blue road will become a tourist attraction in its own right – especially after the League win.”

Houses are on sale now at Maine Place. Prices start at £70,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £137,000 for a three-bedroom house.

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THE Sharp Project at Newton Heath won the Conservation and Reuse category at last week’s Manchester Society of Architects’ annual awards.

The Sharp Project involved converting the former 200,000 sq ft Sharp Electronics warehouse in Manchester into a new centre for digital content production that provides affordable space for creative industries.  

Alistair Weir, project architect at PRP adds: “We are delighted to have been recognised in this way as we are very proud of the Sharp Project.”

Sue Woodward, director of The Sharp Project said: “We are delighted for Alistair and the team at PRP. He was such an integral part of the project team, and still is, working extremely closely with us throughout the project in a true creative partnership. His ideas and innovations are now much copied. I bet he wishes he had shares in shipping container conversions! Above all he created a unique space for the digital and creative industry to do business in.”

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THE industrial teams at CBRE North West and Jones Lang LaSalle have let 10,000 sq ft at Stockport Trading Estate to residual stock management specialist Morris & Sons.

The property was one of two available at Stockport Trading Estate, and has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment. One unit now remains, with frontage to the M60.

Morris & Sons will join existing tenants including Booker Cash & Carry, Plumbing Trade Supplies and The Plumb Center on the estate.

Paul Cook, director of industrial agency at CBRE North West, said, “We are pleased to have aided Morris & Sons in the expansion of its business holdings in the North West. Stockport Trading Estate is a high-profile, expanding business location.”

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THE Manchester office of business agents Christie + Co has been appointed to sell the former Dobshill Garages car showrooms and workshops in Deeside.

The site is just off a busy roundabout junction and is situated next to a petrol filling station on the A550 Chester Road, near Hawarden in Flintshire.

There are two individual showrooms and rear workshops, which were previously used as car showrooms by major dealerships.

The units could be sub-divided and lend themselves to a multitude of uses. They have been kept in exceptionally good condition and include offices and fully-equipped MOT bays and spray booths at the rear.

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