Marshall starts work on Cross St block
MARSHALL Construction has been hired to carry out renovation work at a prominent Manchester city centre building that has been empty for several years.
But it is only working on the outside of 22-26 Cross St, next to the Royal Exchange, and will not tackle the interior which has 26,000 sq ft of office space over eight floors.
Sainsbury’s has taken a lease on 2,600 sq ft on the ground floor – a former HSBC – and is expected to open later next year.
Leeds-based Aurora Property Developments and Premier Property Group (PPG) own the building and submitted plans for a comprehensive refurbishment in September 2008.
Aurora originally hoped to start work in November, 2008, and have the offices ready for occupation by June, 2009. But as the economy fell into recession the scheme was put on hold.
Knight Frank agent David Porter previously told TheBusinessDesk that the Sainsbury’s letting would not necessarily trigger the refurbishment of the upper floors.
Aurora Property Developments was established in 2006 by directors Ash Griffiths and James Silver and backed by North East entrepreneur Sir Tom Cowie OBE and Landid chief executive Trevor Silver.
Aurora and PPG appointed CB Richard Ellis and Knight Frank as joint agents to market the office accommodation and Jones Lang LaSalle for the retail outlet.
