More than 600,000 sq ft of new office space is set to be built in Manchester after planners gave the nod to two major schemes last night.
Despite objections for both projects, AM Alpha got the go-ahead to turn the city’s flagship Debenhams store on Market Street into an office-led mixed-use scheme, while Marshall CDP was granted permission for its One City Road development.
AM Alpha, working with Jeffrey Bell Architects, plans to transform the Rylands Building into a circa 300,000 sq ft grade-A office building targeting Manchester’s TMT sector. Some 70,000 sq ft retail and leisure space will also be provided as part of the £68.5m redevelopment of the Grade II-listed building.
AM Alpha said it aimed for the project, which sits on a one-acre site, to deliver a net zero refurbishment to provide a “highly sustainable location”.
Marshall CDP’s plans for a 370,000 sq ft office development at One City Road (pictured), will see a £130m scheme, designed by Jon Matthews Architects, replace a 1990s office block with two office buildings of 11 and 14 storeys.
Kames Property Income Fund’s plans to redevelop the 1960s Speakers House on Deansgate into a 17-storey, 135,000 sq ft office were refused for a second time, however, with continuing concerns over the impact the Sheppard Robson-designed project would have at residents at 1 Deansgate and in the St Ann’s Square conservation area.
Outside of the office development sphere, plans for a 853-bed student accommodation block to be built on the Great Marlborough Street car park that had been minded for consent, were deferred. Developer GMS wanted to create a 55-storey, £130m-schem on the car park, which alongside the student bedrooms will also provide around 8,500 sq ft of flexible workspaces for SMEs. Permission has been deferred pending a site visit.
Deloitte advised GMS, Marshall CDP and AM Alpha on planning; CBRE is advising Kames.
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