Planning permission for a 19 storey office block redevelopment to go ahead in Manchester has been granted by the City council.
Construction of the No 1 Spinningfields building will involve the demolition and replacement of an eight storey 1960s office block called Quay House, on Quay Street. Largely clad in glass, the main structure of the new building will provide 343,000 sq ft of flexible office accommodation. This will be in addition to ground floor space for potential retail, café and restaurant occupiers, as well as a skyline restaurant.
Designed by Ian Simpson Architects on behalf of developer Allied London, the project will also involve basement car and cycle parking, related highways, access, servicing and landscaping works.
Michael Ingall, CEO of Allied London said: “With No 1 Spinningfields we intend to create the most desirable office building in the UK, outside of London. Inspired by buildings from around the world, it will be a powerful statement for us and for Manchester.
“We have already had strong interest from several potential occupiers, demonstrating the strength of the Spinningfields offer and the confidence that businesses have in our ability to deliver the product they need.”
The development will preserve the nearby Hardman Square as a public realm space – a new feature of the Spinningfields masterplan – and a pedestrian route will run through the middle of the ground floor, improving connectivity between Quay Street and Hardman Square.
Despite reported concerns about the impact of the scheme on grade II listed buildings including Cobden house and the Opera House, a heritage statement prepared by Stephen Levrant heritage architecture before planning permission was granted noted that recent developments in the area have introduced a contemporary ethos in terms of style and height. It also concluded that Quay House does not yield sufficient heritage value to be deemed to have special interest and its proposed demolition is fully justified.
