Green light for city centre office transformation

PLANNING permission has been granted for the redevelopment of 24 Mount Street in Manchester city centre into Grade A office space.

FORE Partnership has received consent for the project from Manchester City Council.

It says that when the scheme is finished the property will be a “uniquely different offering” and will transform its location in Manchester Central Plaza and the community around it.

The city council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to FORE’s proposal to partially demolish and rebuild the high profile site into sustainable offices, retail and leisure outlets with a roof terrace and improvements to the public realm.

FORE will extend the former London Scottish House, creating a seven-storey 78,000sq ft building.

Architect tp bennett is working alongside real estate investment firm FORE.

Tp bennett says 24 Mount Street will be built on the principles of sustainable, crafted and intelligent design putting it at the centre of this growing destination in the heart of Manchester’s city centre.

FORE has now confirmed that work is due to start in October and complete in late 2017.  It has selected Kier plc as its main works contractor.

Basil Demeroutis, managing partner of FORE, said: “We are delighted that Manchester City Council’s planning committee shares our vision for 24 Mount Street and has given the green light to this sustainable design.

“We now look forward to starting work and creating a highly flexible and adaptive workspace, and building a thriving business community.
 
“We are confident the redevelopment of the building will respond to the needs of modern businesses, make a major contribution to economic growth in this important part of the city and act as a catalyst for further development nearby.”

Deloitte provided planning advice. Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton are acting as joint agents for 24 Mount Street.