Property Round-up: Sheila Bird, Contour, Colliers
INTERIOR design practice, Sheila Bird Group, has been appointed by digital agency Building Blocks to design its headquarters in Manchester.
The firm has moved from 131 Portland Street to a 9,000 sq ft office at Bruntwood’s 1 Portland Street following a number of new account wins.
It delivers large-scale web projects for clients such as: Butlins, Regus, Macmillan Cancer Support and fertiliser manufacturer Yara International.
It now has 55 staff in Manchester, as well as an office in San Francisco to service the growing number of international clients. Manchester-based Sheila Bird, led by Atul Bansal, previously designed Building Block’s former office.
Andy Iddon, managing director and co-founder of Building Blocks, said: “Our move to 1 Portland Street represents an exciting time for the company as we continue to increase our international client base, as well as invest in our business capabilities, and we therefore needed an office that could accommodate this growth.”
Mr Bansal said: “Our previous work with the company has led us to understand the importance it puts on its staff and the environment they work in and so it will be important to deliver elements that places employees at the heart of the design.”
Andrew Timms at Edwards & Co in Manchester advised Building Blocks.
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WORK has begun on a £2.6m scheme to build affordable homes on the site of a former mill.
Twenty-five houses are being constructed after plans for land on Acorn Street in Lees, Oldham, were drawn up by Contour Homes and Seddon Construction.
Five will be offered for sale on a 50% shared ownership basis, while the others will be rented.
Mark Edwards, project manager at Contour Homes, said: “Lees is a popular area and there is strong demand but limited availability of affordable housing. This development is a major investment in the community and we hope it will have a really positive impact, including helping first-time buyers to secure a home of their own.”
The site once housed Owl Mill, which was built in 1898 and operated until 1990 when production stopped and the building was demolished.
The development, designed by architects Nicol Thomas, is due to be completed in November and has been supported with more than £500,000 of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
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RENTAL offers of more than £30,000 a year are being sought for the Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge in Penrith, Cumbria.
The pub is being offered to let by the licensed and leisure division of real estate advisors Colliers International on behalf of pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers.
It is being offered at an annual rent of at least £30,000 plus 5% of annual turnover.
Colin Siebert, director, licensed and leisure at the North West office of Colliers International in Manchester, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a business in a honeypot location in the Lake District and at relatively low cost. The premises offer great scope for a focused manager to bring further success to an already very good operation.”
