Loads going on in this part of the city, time for a thread to collate it all.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/cbdaerial2.jpg


#1 - Lowry House Refurbishment

Bruntwood have submitted a planning application proposing to reclad the 15 storey, 58m tall brutalist office block, Lowry House.

City Centre Ward 075488/FO/2005/C1 08/06/2005 Land Adjacent To Lowry House Spring Gardens City

Erection of a four storey building extended from Lowry House for a mix of uses including offices (B1) shop (A1) financial and professional services (A2) restaurant and cafe (A3) and drinking establishment (A4) and re-cladding of existing Lowry House.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/491LowryHouse_pic2.jpg



#2 - The Zenith Building

Refurbishment and recladding of vacant 12 storey Post Office Tower at 26 Spring Gardens. Currently underway.

North West developer Eltasco has received planning consent for its £70 million extension and refurbishment of 26 Spring Gardens, Manchester. Work on the 6,500 sqm (70,000 sq ft) building is expected to start in April 2005 with completion in spring 2006.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic3.jpg



#3 - 40 SpringGardens

Official Site (http://www.fortyspringardens.com/)

New build 9 storey, 9,385 sqm (101,024 sqft) office block on site of recently demolished 1960s office block, Amethyst House. Excavation underway.
http://www.fortyspringardens.com/r1_g1.jpg

Site photo:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P6280051.jpg



#4 - Pall Mall House

Refurbishment of award winning, grade 2 listed 10 storey 1969 office building on King Street. Recently completed.


F&C Property has signed Mace & Jones solicitors to its Grade II listed Pall Mall Court office building on King Street in the heart of Manchester's prime office core. Mace & Jones has taken a total of 21,000 sq ft (1,950 sq m) on the top four floors of Pall Mall Court tower - one of the three linked blocks which make up the complex - on a 20-year lease at a headline rent of £18.50 per sq ft (£199.134 per sq m) and £19.50 per sq ft (£210.00 per sq m) for the top floor.

Widely acclaimed as an architectural masterpiece when it was created by architects Brett & Pollen in 1969, F&C Property spent more than £7 million sensitively restoring the 40,585 sq ft (3,770 sq m) landmark last year to create modern, air conditioned office facilities without compromising the original features. All internal finishes were subject to close scrutiny from the local Planning Department to ensure the integrity of the building's design was maintained.

Daniel Plummer, Portfolio Manager and Head of Regional Offices at F&C Property said, "As a listed building the refurbishment was a major challenge to us. This letting proves that we have produced high quality office accommodation within a building of architectural merit in a superb location on King Street. This is a major letting for the area in the recognised core of Manchester."

Letting agents for F&C Property are FPD Savills and GVA Grimley. Guest Garsden acted for Mace & Jones.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2818PallMallCourt_pic2.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2818PallMallCourt_pic3.jpg



#5 - The Pinnacle

A £4 million refurbishment, recladding and floorplate extension of 1960s office block, Norwich Union House. 2 floors were also added. Completed in early 2005. The top two floors were leased for a record £34.55 per sqft.

Original:
http://www.images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=66881

Following refurbishment(photo by Ferge)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ferge1985/IMAG0176.jpg



#6 - Chancery Place

Official Site (http://www.millennium-estates.co.uk/developments/chanceryplace/)

14 storey project in the heart of the CBD. The developers, Millennium Estates, have full approval for 3 different schemes on the site. #1 - A 7,000sqm office building. #2 - A half residential, half office building. #3 - A surface car park for 2 years. It is unclear which scheme will be going ahead.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic1.jpg

The building on the site, Scottish Provident House, was recently demolished.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic5.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/835ShipCanalHouse_pic4.jpg



#7 - Aurora Building

Official Site (http://www.auroramanchester.co.uk/)

New 7 storey, 5,298 sqm (57,032 sqft) office block on the site of a row of derelict buildings. Lies directly opposite the Town Hall. Site cleared and steelwork is rising. Construction workers mistakenly drilled into a sewer and filled it with concrete, wreaking havoc for neighbouring shops.
http://www.auroramanchester.co.uk/templates/aurorabuild/images/spacer.gif

Aurora is more than a new building in Manchester. It is a landmark that redefines this important area of the city. Imposing, yet at the same time in perfect harmony with the streetscape around it and the town hall opposite.

But light is the key. Aurora’s ground and six upper floors all feature full height floor to ceiling glazing, a theme continued in the principal staircase and double height entrance reception with its feature bridge link to the first floor accommodation.

There is secure basement parking for 21 cars, accessed via Bow Lane, whilst to the rear of the building, the Kennedy Street elevation features a part-listed façade.

Photo by highriser
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/aroura.jpg



#8 - Eagle Star House

8 storey new build office block, on the site of the recently demolished, much maligned vacant 7 storey 1960s building of the same name. Around 100,000 sqft has been pre-let to law firm Cobbetts. Site is currently under groundwork.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/cobbetts.jpg

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/001ewm/lg/ManMosEaglStarDml5113.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P6290029.jpg



#9 - Belvedere House

8 storey, 10,017 sq m (107,825 sq ft) office block with ground floor retail to begin during 2005 with completion in summer 2007. The site, directly opposite Chancery Place, is currently occupied by 3 vacant 60s lowrise buildings(Cooper House, Chesire House and Derby House)

http://www.wbdevelopments.co.uk/Uploads/DV000062.JPG
http://www.wbdevelopments.co.uk/Uploads/DV000062_HD0117.JPG

Site:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic3.jpg


In summary, thats upto 440,000 sqft of new office space in one small area of the city over the next couple of years plus 140,000 sqft of renovated space. Not to mention nearby established new builds such as 1 Marsden Street(2002 - 70,000sqft)

Plus the following crap buildings have gone/will be going: Eagle Star House, Amthyst House, Scottish Provident House, Cheshire, Cooper,Derby House. As well as Lowry, Post Office and Norwich Union which have been/will be renovated. Quite a sudden, concentrated regeneration of the very centre of the city.

..edited

Be nice if there were some highrises for the CBD

Good thread caw. Thanks. But come on mate, the Post Office is brutalist, not Lowry House.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic3.jpg

Half of the buildings between St peters square and piccadilly need knocking down. I recon a lot will be knocked down but I dont think there will be many high rises as its near the town hall.

Good thread caw. Thanks. But come on mate, the Post Office is brutalist, not Lowry House.


No the Post Office is more modernist. Brutalist buildings have big bare concrete bits sticking out, and strange, rough shapes etc

I like that Lowry House. Well, I'm not that keen on the brown, it would be nice if the refurb brightened it up a bit. But I've always admired the surface topography, which I think gives it substance and a richness. It's a similar thing with Pall Mall House. I never thought of it as brutalist, not like this stuff:

http://www.emporis.com/en/ab/ds/sg/ra/bu/ca/ap/sy/mo/br/

Wow, look at this "post-modernist" building in Singapore:

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=149282

surface topography eh Farsight? Now I know I come out with some pretentious sounding guff but that's a new one on me. I'll have to remember that for future use. :)

************

Aside from the appreciation of the unique topographical characteristics in respect of certain facade treatments to buildings within the central core, it is indeed most encouraging to see so much development going on in the district finally. It'll be a happy day when I see them finally digging a hole on the Chancery Place site.

While its good to see so much spec development happening its worth noting that not one of these building could have satisfied the BoNY's requirement from last year. Wasn't there a rumour not so long ago of Elizabeth House biting the dust for redevelopment? Im pretty sure most of the office tenants have moved out now. This would be the perfect spot for a largescale, large floorplate spec office development IMO.

It means something real, SleepyOne. Something concrete :) you can put your finger on.

Wasn't there a rumour not so long ago of Elizabeth House biting the dust for redevelopment? Im pretty sure most of the office tenants have moved out now. This would be the perfect spot for a largescale, large floorplate spec office development IMO.

Except there's a sign up on Elisabeth House advertising office space, which seems like a strange thing to do if you're trying to clear the place out.

^ Theres a sign on Quay House too. Means nothing.

Nice lowrises going up in this area, but along with Chancery (if it is going ahead) it would be nice to add some more 50-70m buildings in the cluster, just to give a humble cluster for the CBD..

Aurora making its presence felt on Princess St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/manchesteraug7001.jpg

Crane going up today on Moseley St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/manchesteraug7002.jpg

2nd crane on Moseley St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/mancpics15thaug002.jpg

The Zenith building (post office)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/mancpics15thaug003.jpg

Bloody hell that Post Office renovation is more drastic than I thought. Stripping it down. And steel going in at Eagle Star already. Ta for your photos highriser.

Your welcome matey,it looks like a crane will be going up soon next to that post office refurb,for Amythest House

Post office hoarding
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic4.jpg

Adding a couple of floors.

Won't do the Cluster any harm thats for sure.. wahey.. hope it doesnt look so, pre-solar CIS though when its done (judging that render)

Taken yesterday!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture002.jpg

Wilson Bowden,should be about to demolish there existing site soon,if there development is to be ready for 2007,,would be very busy in that area if Chancery starts about the same time

Advertising boards have now gone up,telling everyone whats to come

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/28aug004.jpg

Wilson Bowden,should be about to demolish there existing site soon,if there development is to be ready for 2007,,would be very busy in that area if Chancery starts about the same time

Have there been any prospective designs for this site?

Mez it at the begining of the thread mate

A few Chancery Place renders:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic4.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic6.jpg
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic7.jpg

Can't wait to see this one start.. also on that last pic, looks like those crummy buildings in the foreground would make yet another good site to bulk up this midrise front..

Yeah Ferge the two 60s blocks that are set back from the street will be replaced by Belvedere House.

we've got a very dense cbd.

Not just dense, but the quality of these new projects is very high.. I really like these low-rises being planned.. whilst they may not add to the cluster they will give a great feel from street level and I think aid Manchester's image of being a place for high-class office and business.

Hmmmn. Not my favourite. The top is a bit lacking. It looks kinda old hat, not as good as the thingy building on the left.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic7.jpg

..edited

You have to give a project a bit of leeway when it comes to renders. A lot of the time, the finished product looks much better than the renders. It can be the other way round too sometimes.

The building itself looks good. Quality. But then something goes wrong at roof level. If you look at other various buildings in the picture, they mostly have a "hat" on. Without it one kinda gets the impression of a person who's got no head above the eyes. Chopped and topped like a boiled egg. Doesn't quite look right.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic7.jpg

Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker (CWHB) has confirmed that it has signed a lease at Manchester's most expensive building for its new office in the city.

The firm has taken 2,600 sq ft on the eighth floor at Property Alliance Group's The Pinnacle scheme on King Street, paying £28.50 per sq ft.

The lease length is 15 years with a break option at 10.

The space comprises the highest of the 23,400 sq ft building's larger floor plates.

The Pinnacle's smaller top floor was taken by Investec bank earlier this year at a record-breaking £34.55 per sq ft.

Paul Nichols, head of CWHB's Manchester office, said: "We wanted a new signature building that announced our arrival in the city and which would reflect our open, diverse and innovative culture.
"The Pinnacle is that building."

Adrian Hill, head of business space at the firm, added:

"The Pinnacle's eighth floor is a stunning open plan office which will provide the best and most flexible environment for staff and client areas."

CWHB announced in March that it was to open a Manchester office.

It has since recruited five staff from Dunlop Haywards, including offices director Tony Bray and investment specialist Richard Bousfield.

The company's staff numbers in Manchester now total 11.

Aurora coming on great


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/4sept008.jpg

The office development on Moseley St is coming on fast
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/16sept009.jpg

Building that one on Mosely Street must be a right ball ache with the health and saftey concerns of building so close to bare wires with 750V DC running through them so close to the construction site - similar for Piccadilly Place.

Building that one on Mosely Street must be a right ball ache with the health and saftey concerns of building so close to bare wires with 750V DC running through them so close to the construction site - similar for Piccadilly Place.
Yeah that's pretty scarey, all that steelwork, crane jibs etc. It would light up like the Odeon sign and burn like fuck. 750v don't seem like much but with it being DC it would stick to your skin like glue 'till you were a cinder.
Having said that, I'm sure the guys operating cranes and other heavy equipment are adequately insulated from electrical charges. I'm not sure but I'd hazzard a guess that overhead tram wires are configured to trip a circuit-breaker upon contact with another 'load', ie a crane-jib, and would even trip on a breakage else the general public would be in schtuck with a broken wire whipping around zapping all in it's path.

There is quite a lot of saftey precautions with the cabling, if the line breaks that section will be isolated and switched off virtually immediately.

The 'fuses' would also trip should it come into contact with a crane, however, I think a fair bit off current would be required to do this - not something you'd want to put to the test.

And I'll bet you a pound to a pinch of coon-shit that it's been tested for that very scenario....

The cable near Dane Road did actually snap one very cold February morning (the cable contracted so much due to the cold weather it snapped!!!) apparently it all went as it should during this type of failure - took a couple off days to sort out though - getting the correct tension in this cable is a right ball ache for reasons I will explain another day.

They probs use computers to stop the crane cables getting anyway near the electric cables. Say the cranes gets within 6 meters of the line it stops the crane dead.

The cable near Dane Road did actually snap one very cold February morning (the cable contracted so much due to the cold weather it snapped!!!) apparently it all went as it should during this type of failure - took a couple off days to sort out though - getting the correct tension in this cable is a right ball ache for reasons I will explain another day.
I'm having a bit of an off-day meself....

For those that have not seen these images before? :) :runaway:

No. 58 Mosley Street will be the new home of the Manchester office of Cobbetts. The new development will be a seven storey state of the art office development. Cobbetts is taking the whole of building, in fact it’s going to be Cobbetts House and we’re even turning into landlords. The pavement level of the development will be home to several retail outlets. Explore and find out the latest news, pictures, images and more…

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/1.jpg

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/2.jpg

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/3.jpg

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/4.jpg

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/5.jpg

One to keep an eye on! Downloads coming soon!

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/manchester.htm

If you have a closer look the yellowish covering could turn bad in few years.

I don't know how big your computer screen is jrb but Im finding those images slightly too large to view on mine, not to mention painfully slow to download. Any chance you could edit them out? Thanks for the link though.

Andy - Im pretty sure its stone cladding so it should look good for the lifespan of the building.





http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester_main_title.gif
No. 58 Mosley Street will be the new home of the Manchester office of Cobbetts. The new development will be a seven storey state of the art office development. Cobbetts is taking the whole of building, in fact it’s going to be Cobbetts House and we’re even turning into landlords. The pavement level of the development will be home to several retail outlets. Explore and find out the latest news, pictures, images and more



Here'a couple of manageable images. Architects are Sheppard Robson. Its a solid and high quality building in my opinon and a worthy addition to Mosley Street. I wonder if they also designed 80 Mosely Street - there are certain similarities.

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/cb_home_mainimg.jpg

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester_main_img.jpg



CLICK ON THUMBNAILS BELOW FOR GIANT SIZE IMAGES
http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/1_thumb.jpg (http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/1.jpg)http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/2_thumb.jpg (http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/2.jpg)http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/3_thumb.jpg (http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/3.jpg)http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/4_thumb.jpg (http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester/4.jpg)

Yep, it's solid and OK. I like the clean lines myself. But I think people will pass it on a bus and it'll just be part of the wallpaper.

Maybe a bit of coloured glass would lift it?

Anybody know if this other building on Mosely Street has got coloured glass, or is it just artistic licence?

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/38.$plit/C_17_Articles_177302_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

not tall enough

Not tall enough? This is right on St Peters Square next to the town hall and opposite the Art Gallery, I wouldn't want this any taller than it is!

I don't know caw. In Middlesborough there's an old stone town hall pretty close to a glass block of about 16 stories, and it looks really good. There's similar in New York and I'm sure elsewhere. The old and new somehow add up to something greater than the whole. It's certainly worth considering.

...

the town hall would look good with like a high rise at the back of it, so u can see both buildings wen lookin at the front of the town hall.

why not. lets go mad. like we did in the 60s.

Steady, steady.

But a bit of mirror glass and some water and green sure would set off the old stone.

Dont forget we are talking about the refurbishment and extension of an existing building 9462 and a top notch job by the looks of it too, but it does limit what you can practically do in terms of rebuilding, especially height wise.

I think the architects have come up with a very creative and attractive solution for this very important corner building. It should work very nicely with the Cobbetts HQ, further down Mosely St too. I hope the recladding goes all the way round the four sides of the building though.

Agreed Sleepy, it looks almost double the height of the existing building and should frame this corner of St Peter's Sq pretty nicely.

the town hall would look good with like a high rise at the back of it, so u can see both buildings wen lookin at the front of the town hall.

That's what those two mid-rises on Kennedy St do, the whatsit building behind the old stock exchange and the other doodah unbuilt one on this thread. Subtle, yet effective. Anything that reflected the town hall would be interesting, but a bit too Dallas-esq for my liking.

I know the ones I mean, even if nobody else does!

i think us english are fussy about building in the city centres. This reflects it in our skylines. They all look very random, rather than tall buildings being all together, they are always spread out alot.
just look at our city. Its like they deteste clusters

http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester_main_img.jpg

This looks so dull. The shape and style of the building seems to be a continuation of the buildings on either side. One monotone mass of dullness - wasted opportunity to spruce the street up a bit.

looks like a concrete block with some glass stuck on it.

A bit more info on the plans for 80!

Planning app!

073213: 80 Mosley Street, City Centre Ward.*
Elevational alterations, re-cladding and vertical extension of existing building and use of ground floor for financial and professional services (Use Class A2), food and drink (Use Class A3) with 9 storeys of office space (Use Class B1) above. (Development to begin not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission)

The latest from Princess St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/upnundernight001.jpg

Heres the Post Office/Zenith renovation today:
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic5.jpg

Same view prior to works, they're adding two floors.
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic1.jpg

Chris do you have a render for that?

Post office hoarding
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic4.jpg

Adding a couple of floors.

From page 1.

Safe.

67,000 sq feet? arn't barclycard looking for 70,000?

whats the latest with barclays? werent they looking a picc place? i would like to see them sign up for 1 harman sq, but i doubt they will want to wait that long

i can see them renting the whole of this building seen as it's in the cbd.

The two extra floors look a bit "stuck on" judging from that picture on the poster. The Free Trade Radisson has the same kind of look. Not sure I'm that keen.

Seen some workmen going in the soon to be demolished building, where Belvedere House is going to go, this afternoon with it being a 2007 completion i expect this to be coming down soon.

Cobbetts!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture087.jpg

Forgot what its called! Opposite the Town Hall!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture053.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture054.jpg

JRB:
Think it´s the Aurora building

Sping Gardens

nah nowhere near spring gardens...it is the Aurora building..I like it, nice one jrb

Hmmm.

Aurora looking excellent so far - especially the long shot looking up Princess St. Thanks for the pics.

I'm not being funny SleepyOne, but I think it looks sixties cheap with those stepbacks. Like stacked up portacabins or something. And is that a fire escape on the right? I hope it looks better when its finished.

I'm not being funny SleepyOne, but I think it looks sixties cheap with those stepbacks. Like stacked up portacabins or something. I hope it looks better when its finished.

The thriller in Manila, part 2!

:runaway:

^^ :hahaha:. Oh Crap - that´s me off to bed!

No, you're OK. I've just seen a picture of the finished article. It looks good. I take it back.

http://www.auroramanchester.co.uk/

Sissy!

:jk:

No, you're OK. I've just seen a picture of the finished article. It looks good. I take it back.

http://www.auroramanchester.co.uk/

Just them "breezeblocks" on the side that need sorting.

http://www.auroramanchester.co.uk/templates/aurorabuild/images/spacer.gif

Put them boxing gloves away Farsight! :)

:goodnight

I already got rid of the breezeblocks jrb.

Wilson Bowden's Belvedere House look's like it about to start,went past there this afternoon , workmen going inside , and workmen with them tripod things outside.

More cranes!

Shame! :)

http://www.aedas.com/siteadmin/images/projects/230_fullsize_1.jpg

The proposed re-development of Amethyst House on Spring Gardens represents Langtree Group’s first major city centre office development located within the prime commercial core.

The new building provides 9,290 m² net internal office and retail accommodation over nine floors, the largest floor plate being 1,106 m². Two levels of basement car parking provide a total of 79 car parking spaces.

This project involved detailed discussions with the Planning Authority and English Heritage due to its proximity to the listed Manchester Club and its location within the Conservation area.

The accommodation created responds to the criteria sought by today’s corporate occupiers, and in doing so strengthens the commercial focus of the city’s historic financial and legal core.

Full planning permission was granted in December 2003, with a view to start on site in September 2004.

Client: Langtree Group PLC
Gross Floor Area: 9,290 m²
Due for completion: June 2006
Project value: £18m

Looks crisp. Nice.

Looks crisp. Nice.

Like it.

Wonder if they weren't allowed to go higher? Seems odd because the Post Office development (zenith??) is adding extra floors and that's just as near the Reform Club etc.

Does anyone know whats going up in place of the building thats being demolished at the end of Mosley street and that little park(where the traffic lights are)?

It's getting a few floors added and a reclad.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/caw123/PB070004copy.jpg

So hopefull it wont be long be the one between the two new ones has something done to it.

A couple more images of 40 Spring Gardens to add to Marky's post above.

http://www.aedas.com/siteadmin/images/projects/230_fullsize_1.jpg

http://www.aedas.com/siteadmin/images/projects/230_fullsize_2.jpg

http://www.aedas.com/siteadmin/images/projects/230_fullsize_3.jpg


With demolition of Amethyst House now looking complete is there a crane base on site yet?

Just think! Another city in the Uk with two business districts!

The second being London! :lol:

^^ :hahano:

Anyway, some bigger images of the highly promising reclad / extension to 80 Mosley Street which as Caw's photo shows is well under way.


http://www.pettifernews.co.uk/downloads/mosley_street.jpg


http://tinypic.com/fnbl1g.jpg


http://tinypic.com/fncjmu.jpg





An interesting extract from the contractors website..

Work started in October for Pettifer Construction on a £5.5m refurbishment project on Manchester's busy Mosley Street/Princess Street junction of the 1970's office block owned by Bilsdale Properties.

The project is structurally challenging as Pettifer's team will be adding four floors on top of the existing five storey building and extending by cantilever the existing office space on two street elevations over the pavement junction and adjacent to the Metrolink line.

Bob Macpherson, director of Pettifer Construction, quotes "This is our first significant project for Pettifer in Manchester, an area in which we are keen to extend our operations"

Didnt realise this involved a small cantilever beyond the current building's envolope over Mosely Street and Princess St.

Very impressive :yes:

^^ :hahano:

Anyway, some bigger images of the highly promising reclad / extension to 80 Mosley Street which as Caw's photo shows is well under way.


http://www.pettifernews.co.uk/downloads/mosley_street.jpg


http://tinypic.com/fnbl1g.jpg


http://tinypic.com/fncjmu.jpg





An interesting extract from the contractors website..

Work started in October for Pettifer Construction on a £5.5m refurbishment project on Manchester's busy Mosley Street/Princess Street junction of the 1970's office block owned by Bilsdale Properties.

The project is structurally challenging as Pettifer's team will be adding four floors on top of the existing five storey building and extending by cantilever the existing office space on two street elevations over the pavement junction and adjacent to the Metrolink line.

Bob Macpherson, director of Pettifer Construction, quotes "This is our first significant project for Pettifer in Manchester, an area in which we are keen to extend our operations"

Didnt realise this involved a small cantilever beyond the current building's envolope over Mosely Street and Princess St.

Oh Sleepy!

Why do you always take things so seriously? :laugh:

Wow - I didn't know the refurbishment was going to be that extensive. Mosley St could look very modern soon.

whats the latest with barclays? werent they looking a picc place? i would like to see them sign up for 1 harman sq, but i doubt they will want to wait that long

I work at one of the Barclaycard sites in town. We originally had 5 buildings on the shortlist, thats now been bounced down to three. Belvedere, 3 Picc place and a building in Spinningfields.

We're looking at merging the two offices together hence the need for more office space, and are probably looking to move early 2007. I think the current favourite is Spinningfields, the floorplates at Belvedere aren't big enough.

The crane as now gone up at Amythest House , and the Zenith Building is coming along nicely to :)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/14nov003.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/14nov002.jpg

80 Mosley Street, the new 'un going up on Eagle Star's site, 40 Spring Gardens, Aurora...

What's the difference? They all look like they're from the same architect's scrapbook.

I'm qiute unimpressed, it must be said.

This truly excellent refurb / extension has won a well deserved award.

Pinnacle of success

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/117.$plit/C_17_Articles_181975_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg
The Pinnacle on King Street

THE Pinnacle building has scaled the peaks of success. The striking office block on King Street - once known as Norwich Union House - has been named Greater Manchester's building of the year.

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce building and development committee declared The Pinnacle winner at an awards dinner held at the Midland Hotel.

The committee awards were introduced last year to recognise construction projects that raise the standards by which the industry is judged.

Designed by Reid Architects, developed by Property Alliance Group and built by Russell's Construction, the refurbishment cost £4m.

Two new floors were added, with full building height curtain wall glazing to both the front and rear elevations, and a new scenic lift. There is also a `suspended' staircase in a glazed atrium that literally hangs over King Street, with a glazed office pod on the roof.

Steve Burne, director of AEW architects and chairman of the awards committee, said: "Property Alliance Group has raised the bar for office redevelopment and created a stunning building in the heart of the city centre's financial core."

http://www.propertyalliancegroup.com/Images/Offices/2_image.jpg

Looks nice.

The Pinnacle achieved the highest office rents in Manchester - £34 per sqft.

These fab aerials pretty much emcompasses all of the projects in this thread.
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/1615-1/CRW_8657+_1_.jpg
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/1625-1/CRW_8663+_1_.jpg

Density. :cheers:

Larger image of Forty Springardens!

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/5462/eg110aj.jpg

I must buy it this week. Thanks for all these scans jrb.

A slightly updated image of Belvedere House. Looks better than the last one I have to say. Still a bit 'bitty' but a lot slicker than before.

http://www.wbdevelopments.co.uk/Uploads/DV000062.JPG

2006 should see this and Chancery Place starting along with all the other office buildings already under construction in the CBD.

That's a fair bit better Sleeps. These newbies, bar Chancery, seem to be cast from the same mould though - not a bad thing really as they are smart looking for the purpose they are serving (and hardly in a position to be viewed in awe by anyone).
Barretts of the CBD though?

Really liking the design changes to Belvedere House, much better.. Shame these buildings weren't just a few storeys taller.. I know its a sensitive place but then I suppose there is a charm about having all these buildings looking the same and being close to the ground..

Went past the Chancery Place site today, 3 huge container's are on site, and a pile of old office furniture in middle ?, where that's come from i dont know, i can only presume it's what was left in the soon to be demolished building where Belvedere House is going?

http://www.morganleahy.com/images/bauhaus_splash.jpg

http://www.morganleahy.com/images/Bauhaus.jpg


Couple of decent flythrough animations of the mixed use Bauhaus Rossetti development on its website -

http://www.bauhausatrossetti.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=70

I reckon that would be better suited in the Spinningfields thread, Sleepy. Nice vids.

Went past the Chancery Place site today, 3 huge container's are on site, and a pile of old office furniture in middle ?, where that's come from i dont know, i can only presume it's what was left in the soon to be demolished building where Belvedere House is going?
I walked past the Chancery place today (1st Jan 2006) and the gates where open and its just a dead site. Theres nowt in there and nowt has happened its just a flat piece of land with a blue fence round it.

Yeh I saw it on Saturday (didn't realise its such a small plot (or that it was isolated from other buildings)).. and it was just a flat space with nothing inside and gates opened).. still, I'm sure they'll have start sharpish if they want it finished by 07.. another great addition to the skies :D

photo next to the Chancery site, Showing the rejuvenated City tower
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ferge1985/IMAG0686.jpg

Couple of pic's from the CBD
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0566.jpg
The Zenith building coming along nicely
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0565.jpg
Cobbett's HQ from Spring Gardens
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0564.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0565.jpg

^^ Could you imgine if that were a new build in those surroundings. Even I would be up in arms about that. Lets hope it's a decent job.

The Zenith building aparently won a Manchester Society of Architects (unbuilt) award. Architects are Ombler Iwanowski who are based somewhere in Piccadilly.
Can't find anything else they've done although its good news that some of the smaller practices are making their mark in the CBD. If this refurb is anything like as good as The Pinnacle (Northern Quarter based Reid architects) we should be onto a winner.

Lovely pictures, thanks guys. I do so think that the mixture of old stone and new mirror glass et cetera looks so good. Roll on.

absolutely nothing happening on the site of chancery

http://tinypic.com/jtrvhx.jpg

that came out abit small, just.

post office re-clad. Looks like they're starting to add the floors on

http://tinypic.com/jtrwvs.jpg

Thanks KITR. A small image of the Zenth to go with your photo. Still doesn't reveal much though. (Notice Forty Spring Gardens in the background there).

http://www.savills.co.uk/assets/112588/gallery1.jpg


Im pretty sure Chancery Place will be starting in 2006 too. Hopefully.

At least with it already being a flat plot means that as soon as they do decide to do somet, it'll not take long before we see it begin to rise up..

Zenith building.

http://www.savills.co.uk/assets/112588/Sliding1.jpg

http://www.savills.co.uk/assets/112588/gallery1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture090.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture089.jpg

Thanks jrb. I hardly ever noticed the original building purely because it was so bland. This looks like it has the potential to be a one of the best refurb projects for a long time.

Snippet on Chancery Place.

http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/f/f/CHANCERY_PLACE.jpg

With such competition, investors are considering forward-funding speculative office schemes. Two are under negotiation: Langtree’s Forty Springardens development and Millennium Estates’ Chancery Place.

Millennium director Kevin Pickersgill says he is in advanced discussions with two parties to forward-fund Chancery Place, an 80,000 sq ft (7,432 sq m) speculative office development on Brown Street, in the city centre.

‘We have had six, maybe seven offers, and that is without any extensive marketing,’ he confirms. ‘They have been a combination of funds, property companies and construction companies.’ Pickersgill expects to sign a deal with one of the parties imminently and hopes to complete Chancery Place by the end of 2007.

‘There is no shortage of interest for this type of stock because rental growth is so strong,’

he says. ‘The supply pipeline has been so constrained for the past couple of years in terms of good product, [the interest is] hardly surprising when there is the prospect of a new prime building.’

The example set by buildings such as 1 Marsden Street and the Pinnacle shows that occupiers will pay high rents for top-quality space, claims Pickersgill. ‘That is what gives the funding institutions the confidence to step into what has proved to be a growing market,’ he says.

So looking good for a 2006 start but you never know.




..... and a great pic of the award winning Pinnacle which is one of the best refurbishments Ive seen. (See previous page).

http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/b/a/w/PINNACLE.jpg

This will start in the next couple of week's im sure,, i saw a digger on site the other day, but when i went past later in the day, it had fucked off,,could this have been some kind of prep work?


http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/f/f/CHANCERY_PLACE.jpg

That is a very nice building! :)

This will start in the next couple of week's im sure,, i saw a digger on site the other day, but when i went past later in the day, it had fucked off,,could this have been some kind of prep work?


http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/f/f/CHANCERY_PLACE.jpg

Has it got taller and changed slightly? Could someone post the original pic please.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/914ChanceryPlace_pic1.jpg yes it has

Actually, I think the first image is an alternative (possibly current) scheme with residential above offices - look how the floor heights change from the 6th floor up.

I'm dead cert the first image is the redesigned and approved version of CP

Perhaps one image is for the mixed office / aparthotel version. Whatever there appear to be two slightly different versions knocking around. The one on the hoardings and Millennium Estates' website is the original image.

Did I see an resubmitted planning application for Belvedere House in today's paper? Perhaps this is in relation to the amended design?

http://www.wbdevelopments.co.uk/Uploads/DV000062.JPG

Did I see an resubmitted planning application for Belvedere House in today's paper? Perhaps this is in relation to the amended design?

http://www.wbdevelopments.co.uk/Uploads/DV000062.JPG

Click ON PDF 077858-DST-0002 for renders and information.

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/associateddocs/MCCPlanning1.aspx?077858/FO/2005/C1

The Zenith

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0614.jpg
Cobbett's HQ on Moseley St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0615.jpg

Developer decides to go it alone

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/917.$plit/C_17_Articles_202668_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

Artist's impression of The Belvedere

A DERELICT city centre block is to be redeveloped five years after plans were revealed for the site.

Midlands-based Wilson Bowden had been waiting for a tenant before starting building work to replace Cheshire House, Cooper House and Derby House at Booth Street.

But it now says it will build a new office block on its own.

Work on demolishing the existing empty buildings on Booth Street will begin in March.

The 110,000 sq ft scheme, to be called The Belvedere, will be completed in 2008.

Wilson Bowden first announced plans for an office block on the site in 2001, when it began talks with the site's former owners Friends Ivory Sime.

But it took until May 2005 before Wilson Bowden was able to buy the building, making it one of the longest, most tortuous property deals in Manchester's history.

Potential tenants for the building included law firm Hammonds Suddards and credit card company Barclaycard. Late last year Barclaycard finally turned down the Booth Street site saying it would go, instead, to Allied London's Spinningfield scheme at Deansgate.

The loss of the Barclaycard letting is thought to have prompted Wilson Bowden to decide it would develop the prime site speculatively.

Wilson Bowden is now submitting a new planning application for the Booth Street site.

Mike Hawkins, partner at WHR Property Consultants and an adviser to the developers, said: "The design needs changing. Things have changed in the six or seven years since the plan was first made and we want to building to look more up-to-date and lighter.

"Demolition and clearance of the site will begin in March, and building work to create the new Belvedere block will be completed by spring 2008.

"We waited to see if there would be a pre-let for the Belvedere, but Wilson Bowden have now decided not to wait any longer. By 2008 central Manchester is definitely going to need new office buildings like this one."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0900.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0933.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0922.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0911.jpg

Moseley St refurb
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/mosely.jpg
Aurora on Princess St (requested by the Sleepyone )
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/pst.jpg

I get the impression that this building is going to get wider one day. When this was being built I thought it was a boring box, but it looks good now that all the steel and stuff is on the front. I'd be interested to see this sort of thing done to some dull old sixties block.

Crisp - the Italian restaurant just up the road from that burnt down the other night.

Crisp - the Italian restaurant just up the road from that burnt down the other night.
Gio Restaurante? I hope its not burnt down this girl I know from a while back, her mum and dad own that and afew others around Manchester.

No, not Gio - Crisp was net door to the smoke free Weatherspoons - The Waterhouse.

Perhaps one image is for the mixed office / aparthotel version. Whatever there appear to be two slightly different versions knocking around. The one on the hoardings and Millennium Estates' website is the original image.

Yes there were two schemes, one commercial and one part residential. This is in the ground now, and the commercial scheme is the one being built. Should look great! Everyone is dead excited about it.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/IM000096.jpg

Thanks for the pic Highriser (and Longford!). Aurora sure is a great addition to the street. :bow:


**


Chancery Place
Yes there were two schemes, one commercial and one part residential. This is in the ground now, and the commercial scheme is the one being built. Should look great! Everyone is dead excited about it.

I can well understand the excitement! Looks like being a superb scheme and Im glad to hear they've plumped for the all commercial option. When you say "This is in the ground now" - is this a reference to an imminent start on site? When is it due to start?

He means they are doing groundworks i.e. foundations. Construction has started.

Bammy, was the half apartment scheme taller than the commercial one? It looks that way on the visuals.

Construction has started.


It hasn't though.

He means they are doing groundworks i.e. foundations. Construction has started.

Bammy, was the half apartment scheme taller than the commercial one? It looks that way on the visuals.

Yes, I think it was an extra two floors, with the ceiling heights slightly reduced.

The ground works have started. It'll be up in no time.

Bammy I think the Haribo have gone to your head. Ground works have definitely not started! Could you confirm when they will start?

Bammy I think the Haribo have gone to your head. Ground works have definitely not started! Could you confirm when they will start?

Oh bollocks I thought the old building was down and the diggers were in, I hope I haven't been a bit premature... I never suffered from it before...

I swear that the commercial option is the one being built and... I'll make some calls.

Wilson Bowden will find out later this month whether it can start work on its revised Belvedere office scheme in central Manchester.

The Midlands-based developer has submitted an application for 110,000 sq ft of offices, scheduled for completion in 2008.

The scheme will also feature a roof terrace, shops and leisure space, and offer floorplates of 15,000 sq ft.

Wilson Bowden had initially favoured a prelet with Barclaycard considering it before choosing Allied London's Spinningfield but has now decided to develop the building speculatively.

Oh bollocks I thought the old building was down and the diggers were in, I hope I haven't been a bit premature... I never suffered from it before...


The old building is down, has been for months, but the diggers have scarcely been seen since.

And as for that filth...... :puke:

And as for that filth...... :puke:

Yep its the commercial option, no one is saying when though... I got ahead of the game there and read between some lines... sorry. What filth is that Chris... did I say sumthin?

Spring Gardens today

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0651.jpg

Thats the shuttering for the lift core (4 lifts we can presume!). You dont often see it in one piece like that they usually pour one floor at a time.

Click. I wondered what that funny little thin purple-brown building was. I was thinking it was some bit of facade preserved for its heritage value or something. Duh.

ok, u guys have an impressive array of CBD developments, but can i ask how much of ur CBD (esp the commercial/financial district) is covered in a conservation area? has this slowed things at all?

Longford's yer man, woodhousen.

???

He means me Woody!
I'm the resident 'voice of reason' and have more respect for older buildings than most (of all ages!)
I'm sure some forummers would argue that conservation areas do hold up development but i would argue they 'control' it and raise the design stakes. Does Mnachester look like its being held up????? Virtually the whole of the city centre is covered by con. areas but we've had some very interesting and bold buildings go up. The reason Mcr is always held up as a good example is because it does promote growth but has a certain respect for its old buildings and relatively tight controls on development and therefore a healthy compromise. You must also remember we did have an awful lot of undeveloped bomb sites so not many good buildings have come down in the new period of growth (execpt some interesting post war stuff - but dont get me started on that!)

the reason i ask is that the CBD esp the financial districts of the city are often the onlys packed with old bank buildings and stuff like that. however, in madern agaes, the floor plates and maintainance of these great buildings are often uneconomic and thus redevelopment on a number of scales may be needed.

as is the case with both our cities, there are amazing amounts of quality architecture and in our case, most is covered as part of the snow hill conservation area (rightly so) ie limited some developers aspirations (again rightly so) the way we are going forward is by replacing the stuff put up in the 1960-80s with quality space...... that is very tightly controlled to fit in.

from what you say, manchesters years of under development after the war are now doing it a whole lot of good now lucky gits lol

and dont worry longfrd, your not the only one wanting to save our older buildings

Manchester's CBD move from financial to service has been gradual and pretty painless. The banking halls have gone over to retail or A3 type use and there is still need for office use above.
I think Brum has/is doing a much better job in retaining some sort of grain and public realm but i think you are in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater re. post war buildings. They have been so consistently criticised that it is all seen as bad and need to 'get rid' but there are several buildings under threat that dont deserve it.

i can see you point, but in my eyes, there are a number of criteria that need to be hit to avoid demolition

a) does the building fulfil the reason it was built and economical to use in any form?
b) does it have a positive impact on the character of the area
c) does it have any architectural merit

if a building can be used in a conservation area then i thing all efforts should be made to ensure it does work. ie like in brum, many of the gornd floor and basement uits have ben terning into resturants and wine bars whilst the main body of the buildings are still offices..... but if none of the above citeria are met, then its should go

just think of the 1960 post and mail tower...it met none of the above

however, have any of you modern office blokcs met much hostility from the likes of the victorian society or EH?

Can I venture to say as an observer: new buildings do sometimes attract resistance from the Manchester Civic Society, English Heritage, and heritage officers within local government. But both Salford and Manchester planners and council members seem to recognise that heritage interests are only one half of the necessary balance.

I disagree Farsight. The MCS holds an awards ceremony every year to celebrate new buildings in the city and is always very positive if a decent building is presented and is right for the city. English Heritage is there for a reason and would come in for great criticism if it wasnt doing the job it was supposed to. Contrary to this many developers actually welcome EH advice on schemes. Likewise local government officers have no hidden agenda (unlike elected members on the planning commitee who unfortuanately make the final decision) and have usually got good intentions and once again would face huge criticism if they werent doing their job. I think the three groups of people you mention all want to see a healthy compromise because they all see that that is the best option for our built environment and the ongoing prosperity of our city. If you want to criticise anyone it should be the bloody planning commitee who are a bunch of ninkempoops!

Longford: the impression I get is that MCS lean heavily towards heritage. They were also involved in move to limit highrise to certain areas, which is something English Heritage have been trying to do in London, at arguably some cost to London's position with respect to eg Frankfurt. I was also thinking about the Salford Heritage officer who had a low opinion of Beetham Tower - this was on one of the threads a week or two, I can't find it at the moment. Perhaps the impression I get is hearsay and media hype, and is wrong. Tell me more.

http://www.manchestercivic.org.uk/awards2004.html

PS: I've spoken with planning officers at Manchester and Salford, and they come over as very professional and very balanced. I don't know what the planning committee members are like, but if they're anything like those in Poole they're good guys who sometimes get a little, um, "nincompoop" condescension from planning professionals who sometimes get a bit too close to things and don't understand the accountability aspect. BTW: can you tell me how on earth that Berlin Wall in Piccadilly Gardens got passed.

I must say i dont speak for the Society and it is made up of many personalities and opinions but i suppose it does give fuddy duddy impression sometimes.
Joe Martin, the Salford Conservation Officer is quite traditional but is a nice guy and is fighting a losing battle mostly in Salford so you have to give him some slack. He respects Salford's past greatly and has seen the damge done in the past in the name of progress so you must appreciate his reluctance to jump on the bandwagon.
You must make a distinction between planning officers (who are trained professionals and generally know what they are talking about) and members of the planning commitee are councillors who are ignorant (not there fault) and will often let their political convictions influence planning decisions. I dont care if i patronise them because it is frightening that people who have little or no understanding of what is or is not good architecture and town planning have the final say in such big decisions. I would say Poole councillors are a different breed than Mcr and Salford councillors who i have always found to be arrogant, complacent, dogmatic, ignorant and do not have accountability at the front of their minds but are just playing out their own insecurities and power trips with our built environment.
In defense of 'the berlin wall'. Tadoa Ando is a world renowed architect and i think it was a bold and intelligent move to commision him. His work is achingly beautiful and in the right environment is very powerful. Piccadilly Gardens however is not a Japanese temple (his usual stomping ground) and his concept is not very site specific. Say what you like but on a sunny day you cannot deny that the space works and is very popular with the public whether they claim to understand the concept .
I always say that Ando's work is too beautiful for Manchester, which, lets face it, is a grim post industrial northern city. I am open for debate on Picc Gardens however as it is such an important space.

Thanks Longford. I imagine Poole Councillors aren't so much a different breed, but are typically dealing with smaller suburban projects that are closer to what they know. There have been some problems with some bigger developments.

Regarding the new-style Piccadilly Gardens, as a guy with a nice garden I think it's more like a flat piece of art than a garden, and I wouldn't even dream dream of selling off part of my garden to give the rest of it a makeover. But nevermind. What's done is done, and given that it's a public space first and a garden second, I can appreciate that it has beauty. But not the "berlin wall". That really jumps out at me as a mistake, an eyesore. IMHO to build a grey concrete wall blocking off "Piccadilly Gardens" is just such an obvious screaming no no. I've got a wall in my garden made of Purbeck stone with ivy growing up it. I simply wouldn't dream of building a wall out of grey unfinished concrete. And if I woke up and found I had one, I'd be on to the quarry to order a tipper truck full of stone, I'd get a tonne bag of sand or two from Jewson's plus white cement, and I'd get busy with my pick and shovel digging a bed for my ivy and stuff.

I don't always agree with what Aiden O'Rourke of Eye Witness Manchester says, but I sure as hell agree with him on this.

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/001ewm/023_citycentre/

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/001ewm/lg/ManCCPiccadillyWallPan2306.jpg

EWM says: "The redevelopment proposals stated intriguingly that the old Piccadilly Gardens were isolated from their surroundings. In the new Piccadilly, a concrete wall screens the gardens on one side, with an office block currently under construction on the other. If we look at the scene in 1996, we notice lots more trees and greenery. Just what is going on here? That's a question being asked by many people who have written in to the Manchester Evening News letters page..."


PS: Perhaps we should move to a more appropriate thread.

PS: Perhaps we should move to a more appropriate thread.

Perhaps! Before we do just look at more Ando stuff and you may see why Manchester was seduced.

http://www.geocities.com/arquique/ando/ando01.html

That link's got a temporary data transfer limit, Longford.

I looked him up on Google. Some nice stuff.

http://media.archinform.net/media/s/00005902.jpg

But hmmn, he sure likes his raw unfinished "a la sixties" concrete:

http://media.archinform.net/media/s/00017197.jpg

..and I don't seem to be able to see the Manchester berlin wall amongst his images. Not one of his best huh?

http://www.archinform.net/archpro/474.htm?ID=12630ee4f7788b90ff4eebd5fde1623e

So, the CBD eh?
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/1625-1/CRW_8663+_1_.jpg

Looks like the CBD is spreading over to the other side of Moseley Street. Well, I always thought it stopped at Moseley Street. But actually I don't know.

I would say the CBD covers the buildings along Moseley St and then it becomes chinatown but there is a small salient that includes the Bank of England on Faulkner Street.
Ando never even came to Manchester and Piccadilly Gardens is often just a footnote in monographs and such like. Not his proudest moment you suspect? You will see that he usually works in beautiful tranquil mountain locations and the like - not bus stations!

The Gardens are ok when it's sunny. I just don't think a big wall of concrete would ever fit well in a city that has struggled to get over it's industrial past and diversify and then had to endure the wrath of bad 60's planning. I'm sure if it wasn't opposite the Plaza it would look a lot nicer!

They should try and do something to liven the area up though. Moving the busses would solve the situation overnight but I can't see that happening. The best I can think off is to either have water flow over the wall so it become a big circular waterfall or to have ivy going up and down it.

My belief is that the whole area is just not human or organic enough. Some water or some greenary will go some way to alievate this.

Ive said it before but Ive always liked the wall. Graceful and nicely proportioned, if not a little wasted in that location. It also provides a strong and animated frontage to the ill considered landscaping scheme. All in all, the whole scheme repeats the mistakes of the Plaza though I think. It has been conceived largely in isolation of its context - fair enough it works in terms of the complex pedestrian flow in the area but that is the bare minimum any scheme should have acheived. Piccadilly Gardens will only be the great space it should be if the whole area is considered and addressed. Buildings, landscaping, infrastructure. We will always complain about it until such a day as we are in a position to address all aspects in the most ambitious manner... with the biggest offenders (Plaza & other buildings, landscaping, infrastructure) being given the treatment necessary to imbue the area with the characeristics that all great squares have. Great urban design, beautiful buildings and a distinctive character and purpose.


Regarding the CBD I think there was an issue not so long ago concerning right-to-light constraining development in the tightly packed streets. I think the council found an innovative solution to this although I dont know the detail. In terms of heritage issues I think we can look towards the city's stance on tall buildings (ie each proposal on its own merits) as an analogy for development in conservation areas. Each interested body seems to make a representation but ultimately the quality of individual applications would appear to play a major role.

Im very impressed with the contribution the Cobbetts HQ is making on Mosely Street already. Quiet and understated but a solid and classy looking building.

I've said it before but I've always liked the wall. Graceful and nicely proportioned... Are you sure you don't want to reconsider SleepyOne? Forget the Plaza. Forget the buzzwords. Now look at it, and tell me again about great urban design and beautiful buildings:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/001ewm/lg/ManCCPiccadillyWallPan2306.jpg

Yes but it is intruiging is it not? Don't you want to go through that gap as a first time visitor. It is a good peice of landscape architecture in my book and does well to enclose the space to give it a more intimate feel. I'd rather look at that than the chippy on the other side.

We are always demanding something different, something to talk about. Well here it is. The gardens, along with No1 piccadilly are a real asset to the city in my opinion.

I mean, just look at it:

http://www.citeuk.org/pictures/DSCF5202(1).jpg

Was it ever this well used before?:
http://www.lowefoto.com/konica/games31.jpg

Is it my local park? No it's the middle of a modern cosmopolitan city:

http://www.gayne.co.uk/iob/eng/gtrman/jpg/ne00026a.jpg

No, not intriguing. IMHO the word is appalling. Or if I can put it more succinctly:

What the fuck is that, you have got to be fucking kidding. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate the new Piccadilly Gardens. Just that wall.

I don't know about this one. First of all, I don't think the council should be blamed for this one (the wall not the offic block). They appointed a genuinely world class architect and (I assume) didn't interfere with his design - that's all you can do, and you have to accept that sometimes it doesn't work. I'd much rather have that situation than a bunch of no-marks producing something bland and safe. I guess the same happened with bold things like Urbis, IWMN, the Lowry centre etc... and they worked.

However, as much as I love Ando's work - or at least I love how it photographs, which may be a different thing - I can't help feel that it doesn't work here. To me it's not alien enough rather than too alien. It lacks the power and dislocation of some of the other work by him I've seen. It's got a cafe nero in it for one, and much larger slabs of Sunley concrete close to it, and algae growing not because of some serene natural aging process in it's environment, but becuase people piss on it. I dunno, it just doesn't work for me.

^^ But how has Urbis worked? the thing is as near a white elephant as you can get outside of london.

And people pissing/graffittiing on it is more a statement about the people than the architecture. The whole point is to close off the gardens from the transport interchange. Afterall, you wouldn't want a picnic on a motorway embankment would you?

I'm not blaming the council, frozen, but they have to take the responsibility. It isn't down to anybody else. Facing up to the responsibility for something that hasn't worked out is the essential, nay bold first step towards putting it right.

Jerv: I think Urbis works. It's a beautiful building, and an attractive picture postcard piece of modern architecture, in a beautiful park carved out of nothing. So very different to the berlin wall. The economics are something different. Do you really give a stuff about the economics, of eg the Guggenheim?

^^ But how has Urbis worked? the thing is as near a white elephant as you can get outside of london.
as architecture and urban design I think the whole thing is splendid. It's not really ian simpson's fault it's a bit full of cack.

Jerv: I think Urbis works. It's a beautiful building, and an attractive picture postcard piece of modern architecture, in a beautiful park carved out of nothing. So very different to the berlin wall. The economics are something different. Do you really give a stuff about the economics, of eg the Guggenheim?

So what lets this picture down from being picture postcard? You'd be very stubborn to say the wall. It's the best feature of the entire vista.

http://www.citeuk.org/pictures/DSCF5202(1).jpg

And people pissing/graffittiing on it is more a statement about the people than the architecture. The whole point is to close off the gardens from the transport interchange. Afterall, you wouldn't want a picnic on a motorway embankment would you? Aaaargh! I despair, I really do. What's more important, the city's major open space, or a bunch of bus stands?
Get those fucking buses out of there!

Aaaargh! I despair, I really do. What's more important, the city's major open space, or a bunch of bus stands?
Get those fucking buses out of there!

Yes I agree with that, but a brief is a brief.

So what lets this picture down from being picture postcard? You'd be very stubborn to say the wall. It's the best feature of the entire vista. Nothing Jerv. It's a nice picture. It deserves to be a picture postcard. But the wall isn't the best feature because you don't see it from this angle.

Yes I agree with that, but a brief is a brief. And whose fault is the brief?

OK I'm off. Good night Jerv, sleep tight.

...the "berlin wall". That really jumps out at me as a mistake, an eyesore.

I agree with Farsight, I couldn't believe my eyes when i first saw it... and it is probably the most intimidating 'invitation to a nice place' that I could imagine. I don't know what the guy/girl was thinking of when they first visualised it but instead of offering 'community' and 'good-feeling' it provides an aggressive stance on the metro side that severly devalues the visitor experience to the retail on the outside. I would have been gutted if I had seen that going up outside my shop window. I've walked round it a few times and I reckon I'm in the vast majority of people who find it a complete and utter paradox. Its not even a shame, its civic negligence...

I am struggling to think of any justification for it at all, and before any arty types get on - 'debate' is no justification at all where peoples day-to-day lives are concerned. Spend a few bob on Lowry bashed metal cladding and I would lurve it to death however.... at least soften it up.

And while I'm on that wall is a well deserved invitation for vandalism, and if i were pissed up and younger I would be quite content to scrawl 'fuck the system' on it. Criminal. The wall that is....

THE BERLIN WALL A MISTAKE????

im sorry, when i went to picc gardens for the first time (think thats what they are called) i was totally shocked and very imbressed by the thought that had gone into this square. its a nice place to relax but unlike most other squares you can see that thought has gone into it and isnt just full of thoughtless are...this wall was a world changing structure and u in manchester are lucky enough to have it in a public place for everyone to see

I'm inclined to disagree with you Woody.

I visited Manchester in January and visited the new-look Picadilly Gardens for the first time (I have no real recollection of what the old area looked like). It looks good, even on a bleak wintry day, and I can see what an asset to the city this is, but 2 things IMO detracted from it 1) all the tram wires and 2) the Berlin Wall.

Now, with a little perspective, neither are awful, and I much prefer trams to buses, but the Berlin wall gave me the impression that it was trying to stop me from seeing something beyond. It doesn't look too bad from the grassed area but the other side it adds to the hard and harsh landscaping.

I can see what it tries to do (I think) - it tries to envelope and 'hold' the soft part of the square, but it feels like a barrier. Ultimately, as mentioned by others, it is a good idea but maybe in the wrong context. It works from above, but as with so many squares across the country, it may have been designed on plan rather than what it looks like from ground level.

no im sorry, i didnt get that at al, in terms of blocking, i can see where your coming from but look at what its blocking. i mean i last visited picc gardens last year and the city tower complex wasnt exactly something you wanted to look at (though post reclad that may change)

the square had a very continectal feel to it.....quite busy and almost hub like with all the tram lines....yet it was somewhere (of a limted number of place in mancheter) to find grass and sit down.......

relax, whilst the world passes around you.

however, you seem to overlook what the use of public quares are for. it is places like this things like the berlin woall should be exhibited...not in a corner of a dust musuem....acccessible to everyone

We have threads on Piccadilly Gardens already.

This is about the CBD only.

Please keep it on topic or it's pointless, any more Piccadilly posts will be removed!

I'm inclined to disagree with you Woody.

I visited Manchester in January and visited the new-look Picadilly Gardens for the first time (I have no real recollection of what the old area looked like). It looks good, even on a bleak wintry day, and I can see what an asset to the city this is, but 2 things IMO detracted from it 1) all the tram wires and 2) the Berlin Wall.

Now, with a little perspective, neither are awful, and I much prefer trams to buses, but the Berlin wall gave me the impression that it was trying to stop me from seeing something beyond. It doesn't look too bad from the grassed area but the other side it adds to the hard and harsh landscaping.

I can see what it tries to do (I think) - it tries to envelope and 'hold' the soft part of the square, but it feels like a barrier. Ultimately, as mentioned by others, it is a good idea but maybe in the wrong context. It works from above, but as with so many squares across the country, it may have been designed on plan rather than what it looks like from ground level.

Hey Woody and Bio! Cheers for your thoughts on the manc forum. I always really appreciate when people from other forums contribute. The Scousers I feel make some good points, but 'outsiders' often get shot down in ultra defensive flames, and i think (understandably) give up, when they're often making really good points.

Bio, the point of the wall as you astutely observed, is that it IS a barrier, seperating the gardens from the bus and tram stops. A problem with the gardens, is that it lacks a place to stop. The gardens are full of paths cutting through the lawn and take you to the other side, but there isn't an actual seating area as such. this has kind of been addressed by the food, coffee shops and Kro bar that are there and give outdoor seating, but that is peripheral. The old gardens did provide an area to stop and take 5 and escape from the city (though the new ones are better IMO).

I think that the gardens as a whole and particulalry the public transport side will benefit greatly form the focal point that will be provided by the big screen that is being erected on top of the plaza.

Thanks for the welcome GShutty - it is good to be able to contribute without it ending up in a slanging match! :cheers:

We had better terminate this Picadilly chat otherwise caw will get angry ;)

thanks Gshutty

Woodhousen - you do realise there aren't actually any bits of the Berlin Wall in it don't you?

^^ oh yeh....why do they call it the 'Berlin wall' then?...doh...

Course there's bits of the Berlin Wall in it, it stands to reason, dunnit?

...there's bits of the Berlin Wall in it, it stands to reason, dunnit?

I reckon there is too. And, some of what was left of Stalingrad after the war as well.....

Approved.

077858/FO/2005/C1

Belvedere House
Booth Street
Manchester

Erection of new building 9 storeys (including ground) and 1 basement level, comprising one level of basement car parking (60 No spaces), shops (Use Class A1) and/or restaurant/cafe (Use Class A3) at ground floor, 7 floors of office space (Use Class B1) and 1 No level of plant space (top floor) after demolition of existing building

http://www.publicaccess.manchester.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IR2TEBBC70000&searchtype=WEEKLY

Cobetts cladding
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3020001copy.jpg

The post office reclad.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3010017copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3020003copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3020004copy.jpg

Bloody stamp machine in there swallowed my quid. Cracking blonde at the desk aided that though. :yes:

Is it the blonde on the little counter where you buy your stationery? She's nice.
The cladding on Cobbetts looks rubbish already - i hope they clean it up before they finish!

Some good looking cladding on the Cobbetts building. This building is having a great impact on Mosely Street. Thanks Caw.

Looks pretty good to me from here. Crisp clean and neat. Why do you reckon it's rubbish then, Longford? Is it cheap looking concrete or something when you see it in the flesh?

Densitah
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270001copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3270029copy.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3200027copy.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/caw1234/P3020001copy.jpg

Adding glass to this today. Its set back from the cladding like No.1 Piccadilly. Looks nice. I dont like the wall side with no glass though.

Crane going up at 80 Moseley St

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0700.jpg

Taken today.

Crane going up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture108.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture117.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture120.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture118.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture119.jpg

thanks jerb/highriser

The dense CBD in the sun
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3310029copy.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/490ManchesterPostOffice_pic6.jpg

When is the extension starting for this?
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/836HSBCBuilding_pic5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/491LowryHouse_pic4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/941No.1MarsdenStreet_pic7.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/491LowryHouse_pic4.jpg

What's the story with the tall brown building? Fenced off, construction workers going in and out.

Going to be reclad jrb.

I was wondering what was going on with Lowry House,,this reclad, funny we've not seen any renders of it , the building as been empty for a few months now,,

Going to be reclad jrb.
Isnt it also getting afew more floors?

Isnt it also getting afew more floors?
It was in the planning app. But I remember somebody saying it was just going to be a four storey extension to the building.

The Lowry House info is in the very first post of this thread btw.

To set the record straight- its not going to be reclad. It is going to get a fancy new entrance and extention to the front (about 4 storeys if i remember) that encloses that bit of open ground at the front. if i can be bothered i'll dig out app. number.

To set the record straight- its not going to be reclad. It is going to get a fancy new entrance and extention to the front (about 4 storeys if i remember) that encloses that bit of open ground at the front. if i can be bothered i'll dig out app. number.
City Centre Ward 075488/FO/2005/C1 08/06/2005 Land Adjacent To Lowry House Spring Gardens City

Erection of a four storey building extended from Lowry House for a mix of uses including offices (B1) shop (A1) financial and professional services (A2) restaurant and cafe (A3) and drinking establishment (A4) and re-cladding of existing Lowry House.

It shall be re-cladded.

City Centre Ward 075488/FO/2005/C1 08/06/2005 Land Adjacent To Lowry House Spring Gardens City

Erection of a four storey building extended from Lowry House for a mix of uses including offices (B1) shop (A1) financial and professional services (A2) restaurant and cafe (A3) and drinking establishment (A4) and re-cladding of existing Lowry House.

It shall be re-cladded.

I stand corrected!
I didnt see any recladding on the scheme i saw so it may have been added later (or more likely i wasnt concentrating - thinking of fluffy kittens and Fox's Classic Biscuits most likely)
I hate recladding and i hate this building - Oh no! A Nietzchian nightmare!
What do i do?

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/491LowryHouse_pic4.jpg

What's the story with the tall brown building? Fenced off, construction workers going in and out.

Jerb

Dig out your Estates Gazette back issues, this was the glossy rendering I mentioned from the GM offices focus edition - published about 2 weeks back.

If you don't have it, I will do a scan for you. Won't be until the end of the week though.

Jerb

Dig out your Estates Gazette back issues, this was the glossy rendering I mentioned from the GM offices focus edition - published about 2 weeks back.

If you don't have it, I will do a scan for you. Won't be until the end of the week though.

No probs that man.

Sorry It's taken so long.

Scanned render of Bruntwoods refurbished Lowry House.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/bruntwood2.jpg

Its hard to tell whether or not the tower has been reclad in that render.

Its hard to tell whether or not the tower has been reclad in that render.

The cladding looks a lot smoother. Still hard to tell though.

Perhaps thats where my confusion re. recladding arose. Doesnt look like its been reclad to me but it seems they are keeping the general form of the building and reclad in a 'sympathetic' cladding.

Its disgusting, shames its not being blown to smithereens.

Its disgusting, shames its not being blown to smithereens.

Are you serious? I love it. I haven't got the expertise of some other posters round here to say exactly why I love it, but it's definitely one of my favourite big brown concrete lumps in the city centre!

While I'm here, and I'm not sure if this is the right thread, but does anyone know what's happening to Television House at the moment? Is it a reclad? Are there any renders knocking around? It's just that I'm getting married next year and I'd like to know what the view from the Midland will be like!

Also, is there any chance of Elisabeth House being demolished/obscured with scaffolding by this time next year?

Television House is being reclad (totally unneccesary IMO but lets not get on to that!) in a bland and 'modern' grey bleugh stylee!
Elizabeth House will go but perhaps not as soon as you would like.

I think you should have a go at defending Lowry House -
Apart from me of course, no one on here has got any expertise or taste so you might aswell weigh in with your opinions - everyone else does!

...

I think you should have a go at defending Lowry House -

...

Well, if you insist!

I like the texture of it - it looks warm and fuzzy like felt. And I like the way it looks a deep golden brown in the sunlight. And, well here I do struggle to express myself, but I just like the way it's so big and, erm, geometric!

I liked the original television house, totally unneeded reclad IMO. Lowry House though is just bleugh.. its a big brown concrete lump on the skyline, it makes the Arndale tower look possitively beautiful.

Strange I know, but it always reminds me of chocolate...which i like!

Well, if you insist!

I like the texture of it - it looks warm and fuzzy like felt. And I like the way it looks a deep golden brown in the sunlight. And, well here I do struggle to express myself, but I just like the way it's so big and, erm, geometric!

That'll do!
Very nice description - never heard fuzzy felt used in a description of a building - will remember that.
Of course you are totally wrong - its a horrible building - but 10 out of 10 for effort. :hilarious
:horse:

Not sure if I'd care for chocolate with a 'fuzzy felt' texture.

However, it can look very nice on a building, and it does, so there.

That'll do!
Very nice description - never heard fuzzy felt used in a description of a building - will remember that.
Of course you are totally wrong - its a horrible building - but 10 out of 10 for effort. :hilarious
:horse:

ha ha! you're a bit of a tease today 'shanks!

I like Lowry House. IMHO it's way ahead of its time. This building has got relief in spades, in more than one dimension. The angled projecting panels give a real impression of strength, like cut stone, reminiscent of something aztec, something pyramid. And look at that roofline, the whole thing is just so precise, so, tidy, like it was made in a factory rather than a building site. There's just no mess to it, and the perfection looks kinda alien, out of place, maybe 22nd century. Course, it's a shame it's dull brown, but when it's tarted up and looking bright, I ask you guys to look again and when you see what I see, it'll fair take your breath away.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/491LowryHouse_pic4.jpg

I'm not that keen. Its too brown. And too.....tidy.

Mind you, I'm not fond of this extension. It just doesn't go. Clueless.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/bruntwood2.jpg

....eeek! But I like the xtension...!

I really really should like this building but i dont. It has all the qualities that i like yet some how i cant get to like it.
I was standing on the roof of the Arndale the other night though and every single window was lit and it looked pretty special. Its a bit late for me to start liking it now though what with them going about messing with it.

Give me some rhomboids on that extension!

I'd like it if the main tower came up a kind of browny pink. I like colour.

Its not a manchester colour though is it? Its trying to be red sandstone which just isnt us is it?

Not unless you're the only gay in the village. Aw I meant pinker than sandstone. A bit more like this. Sunglasses on? Here you go:

http://www.historicsouthend.com/images/factory_lofts_front_sm.gif

Do any of you old timers remember No 1 City Road with its pink stripes?
If you look closely you can see the black paint chipping off nowadays and the pink peeking through.
Not a good look!

To me it reminds me of a brooding police station, from a dodgy 70's sci-fi. Or perhaps straight out of Ulster circa the troubles. I like a lot of curtain wall stuff from the 70's. I even dont mind the Umist towers, but this.... Its just too like an egg box. And I hate brown.

I like Lowry House. ... reminiscent of something aztec, something pyramid. ...

Thank you. I hadn't thought of the Aztec thing. I love all that pre-Columbian stuff. The Midland Building has also got the ziggurat thing going on. And I hear that Dandara are looking to build a 1:1 scale reproduction of Machu Picchu on the site of the Boddingtons brewery.

Mind you, I'm not fond of this extension. It just doesn't go. Clueless.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/bruntwood2.jpg

How can you take any solid info on a building from a render that shows the road to have a wearing course of violet velvet and the people look like extras in some 1930's art neuvo painting?

And I hear that Dandara are looking to build a 1:1 scale reproduction of Machu Picchu on the site of the Boddingtons brewery.

:lol: i like you already RR!
I think you and me are going to get on! :drunk:

Mind you, I'm not fond of this extension. It just doesn't go. Clueless.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/bruntwood2.jpg
Thats a poor plan. If they want to make the building better. It need to look new not just a paint job. All the other buildings in CBD have all be stripped down to the bones or knocked down and dont look anything like what they did befour.

Thats a poor plan. If they want to make the building better. It need to look new not just a paint job. All the other buildings in CBD have all be stripped down to the bones or knocked down and down look anything like what they did befour.

Aye, i think andy's hit the nail on the head. If you were a big business chap looking 60,000 + sft of grade A office space in the cbd, would you choose this - or the spanking new aurora (?) building across the way. There's too much competition to do an arse of a job here.

Not everyone can afford £28/sqft

How can you take any solid info on a building from a render that shows the road to have a wearing course of violet velvet and the people look like extras in some 1930's art neuvo painting? Stone me, I never noticed that!

bammy: I don't dislike the extension per se. If it was a free standing building I'd reckon the different surface treatments were a bit trendy and diminished the identity of the end product, but it's got a crisp modernity that I like. What turns my opinion against it is that it doesn't match itself and it doesn't match the existing building. I'm not saying it should match totally, but it ought to have something to "key it in" to what's there already. For example hexagonal columns around the entrance.

Aye, i think andy's hit the nail on the head. If you were a big business chap looking 60,000 + sft of grade A office space in the cbd, would you choose this - or the spanking new aurora (?) building across the way. There's too much competition to do an arse of a job here.

He'd probably take anything he can get considering how little space is availible right now.

This is coming on fast now

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/100_0732.jpg

CBD today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0861.jpg

The white cladding is already filthy. Oh dear!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture0821.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture081.jpg