Office conversion for Ancoats mill

URBAN Splash is planning to convert a derelict mill in Ancoats into 30,000 sq ft of commercial space.

It said it wants to turn Stubbs Mills in Piercy Street, a former machine works, into a “new type of office space with a raw industrial feel”.

The Manchester developer has appointed Sixtwo architects to work up plans.

Urban Splash’s Nathan Cornish said: “We are pleased to have appointed Sixtwo architects to work with us to breathe new life into Stubbs Mill. Whilst we are at a very early stage, and there will be no doubt many milestones to reach. Our brief is for Stubbs Mill to be a new type of office space with a raw industrial feel but fully kitted up to meet modern technical requirements. This scheme represents another important milestone in the continuing regeneration of New Islington where we have also started the preparatory work on site for our new HoUSe scheme, where the first houses are expected to arrive in the coming months.

“We are excited to be starting the design process on a new commercial development scheme in New Islington which will add to the space that we’ve already developed close by at Ducie House, Waulk Mill and School House. The hard work starts now, and we won’t underestimate the challenges that come with reinventing this building. We will be working with the team to complete an initial feasibility study and then look to start on site in 2015.”

Sixtwo co-founder Andrew Edmunds said: “We think that Stubbs offers an amazing opportunity for us to deliver our ideas about how to create the office of the future and maximizing both the potential of the site and the building. We look forward to working with Urban Splash to deliver a really exciting scheme at Stubbs that we believe will be a true asset to Manchester.”

Urban Splash has owned the mill for some time and previously had plans for a mixed-use development.