Bruntwood rebrands Portland Tower as Manchester One
21 Nov 2012, 15:15
David McCourt
The commercial property company are investing more than £2m to redevelop and rename the 21-storey office building at 53 Portland Street, Manchester.
The redevelopment works include landscaping, an additional 25 silver birch trees, new reception lobby, refurbished office suites, enhanced communal areas, improved glazing works and a 'fresh external look'.
The building will also be re-named 'Manchester One' as Bruntwood feels it better reflects the building's M1 postcode.
The architect on the project is Bridge Architects, whilst interior fit-outs are being handled by Read Associates, and external works by Russells Construction.
The family-owned company is hoping to attract technology and media businesses to Manchester One with future benefits including a gigabit of connectivity, and access to the building's high-speed fibre capabilities.
The development works will provide a mix of office space from 800 sq ft to 18,000 sq ft, available on short and long-term agreements, along with meeting rooms for hire, serviced office space and virtual offices.
Current tenants include Adfero, The Valuation Office, Cundall, China Insurance, Gaydio, GMATL, Serco, Tradewind recruitment, Teach First and BCH Digital.
Peter Crowther, development director of Bruntwood, said: "We're constantly re-evaluating how our buildings can deliver the best experience for our customers.
"The vibrant new reception and fresh new-look ground floor works both internally and externally, and will dramatically improve how people perceive and interact with the building."
Colin Sinclair, director of property marketing, said: "The new name celebrates what draws so many businesses to the building - its M1 postcode and central Manchester location.
"At Manchester One you're close to Piccadilly Gardens, Chinatown, Piccadilly Station, the Northern Quarter and the Oxford Road Corridor."
The redevelopment is due to complete in December 2012 when the plans for a Business Lounge, with views over the city, will be revealed.
Bruntwood acquired Portland Tower in 1994. It contains 131,000 sq ft spread over 21 floors, and is 262 ft high.
3D Reid takes space at City Tower
21 Nov 2012, 10:43
David McCourt
The architecture practice has moved to the 26th floor of Bruntwood's building from 83 Fountain Street, Manchester.
3D Reid is an international architecture practice responsible for the design of One Angel Square, the new headquarters of the Cooperative Group, and a new Indigo Hotel next to Victoria Station.
It has taken 1,329 sq ft on a three-year lease at a rent of £17.50/sq ft, and has offices in London, Birmingham and Glasgow as well as Manchester.
Alex Russell, associate director of CBRE, said: "We managed to assemble a CBRE team to work closely with 3D Reid in order to find office space that suited its requirements.
"Bruntwood's proactive approach enabled us to secure this at City Tower."
Mike Hitchmough, divisional director and head of offices at 3D Reid, said: "Since establishing our Manchester office in 2006, we were keen that our new offices would provide a better working environment for our staff, clients and visitors.
"City Tower provides us with excellent office facilities that will support our future growth strategy for the practice."
The office agency team at CBRE North West advised on the move.
Carlyle agrees Piccadilly Place deal with Egencia
20 Nov 2012, 13:44
David McCourt
The corporate travel arm of Expedia will take the entire ninth floor of Three Piccadilly Place, 12,700 sq ft, on a 10-year lease at £25/sq ft.
Egencia joins law firm Weightmans, consultant EC Harris, the NHS Strategic Health Authority, and conferencing and serviced office provider Orega at the 670,000 sq ft, office, retail, hotel and residential complex.
Egencia's new Manchester office will be home to up to 200 members of staff. Andrew Clarke, director of customer service at Egencia, said: "Three Piccadilly Place met our desire to select a highly distinctive and well-located office building for Egencia and places us in a pivotal position in one of the UK's most important office locations.
"The combination of high build standards and excellent transport links makes it the ideal location for our company."
Jonathan Baucher of Cushman & Wakefield represented Egencia. He said: "Following an extensive search, the location was a real attraction due to its proximity to their current premises and connectivity to Manchester Piccadilly Station."
He added that the deal represents one of the largest transactions in the new build market this year.
Ben Du Boulay, director of The Carlyle Group, said: "Egencia is a thriving and respected company, and great addition to the roster of tenants at Three Piccadilly Place.
"They have shown a real commitment to improving their Manchester offices and we are delighted that the high quality, centrally located space at Piccadilly Place has met their aspirations."
Chris Cheap, director of property consultants GVA, who advised The Carlyle Group, said: "Egencia is a vibrant company who really care about their staff, because of this they were not only drawn to the well specified efficient office space on offer at Piccadilly Place, but in addition the various initiatives that have been put in place by The Carlyle Group and the management team to make the scheme the best working environment within the city."
Three Piccadilly Place was developed by Argent and bought by The Carlyle Group in 2008.
Savills and GVA are joint advisors to The Carlyle Group. Cushman & Wakefield advised Egencia.
HSB Engineering Insurance is moving to Manchester city centre
A specialist insurer is moving its call centre from Oldham to Manchester.
HSB Engineering Insurance said 170 staff will transfer from its site on Greenacres Lane, Waterhead, to Chancery Place in Manchester city centre.
The firm specialises in engineering and construction insurance.
Chief executive Stephanie Watkins said: “We are really excited about moving into high-profile premises in the heart of Manchester’s financial district.
“This is a big investment in our future, enabling us to build on our reputation and strengthen our relationships with our clients and brokers.
“Our Oldham location has served us well as we have expanded our business, and we appreciate the local support we have had over the last 12 years.
“At HSB our heritage is deeply rooted in engineering. Manchester, as the home of engineering insurance, is the perfect location for serving our clients.
“Our entire team will be relocating to the new offices and will be working hard to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible for our customers.”
LNGCats you lzay sod. :lol:Probably the wrong thread, MEN online has something about Soapworks getting £6m to create 200k sq ft of office space on the ex Colgate site in Salford Quays.
The developers of the mammoth Soapworks regeneration scheme in Salford were today celebrating a £6m funding boost that enables them to press ahead with the second phase of the project, which is expected to generate 1,350 jobs.
The North West Evergreen Fund, which invests in commercial property and infrastructure schemes, has provided a loan to support the second, 210,000 sq ft phase of the transformation of the former Colgate-Palmolive factory at Salford Quays.
It will comprise three new office blocks, with work due to start in early 2013 and be completed by the end of the year.
The loan is the maximum available through the Evergreen Fund, which is made up of 16 local authority partners and is backed by European and other public money. It provides loans for projects which will generate returns that can be recycled back into the fund to help support further schemes.
In October, the first stage of the Soapworks development was completed – the 20,000 sq ft Boilerhouse, which has been fully let to engineering firm Vital Services Group.
The final phase of development will add 170,000 sq ft of offices.
The Soapworks is owned by asset manager The Carlyle Group and its joint venture partners Nikal and Abstract Securities. It is one of the UK's biggest speculative developments outside London which will provide office space priced from £14 per sq ft.
Ben Du Boulay, a director at The Carlyle Group, said: "To be selected as a recipient and to be granted the maximum amount of funding from the North West Evergreen Fund is a real endorsement of the potential of the Soapworks scheme and the positive impact that the project will have on the regeneration of the Salford Quays area.
"As the recent letting of the Boilerhouse demonstrates, there is a clear demand for high-quality, good value, flexible space within Salford Quays' MediaCityUK and we are confident that the completion of the second phase of the project will add to the area's success."
Lord Peter Smith, chairman of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said: "The Evergreen Fund is an innovative use of public funding to support private enterprise in these challenging times. We will be investing in priority schemes which will deliver real jobs and growth, as well as financial returns, unlocking opportunities and stimulating the success of the region."
Salford Mayor Ian Stewart said: "This is a welcome boost to job prospects in Salford and will further speed the regeneration of this area of the city. The project will transform an historic central site in Salford into a commercial hub, creating new job opportunities and revitalising the Exchange Quay area."
What percentage of road journeys are done for purely hedonistic reasons then??? I think you may have undermined your own argument with that final statement!Take the Met, not everyone bums up to their cars as if they can't survive without it.
New developments should be discouraging the use of cars to transport people there. Cars = cigarettes. Their use produces negative externalities on society. Therefore we should be making it as difficult as possible for people to drive. Less parking spaces, more tax on driving. The tax can be spent on improving public transport.
Of course, lorries and road usage which benefits the economy shouldn't be discouraged.
If he’s lucky to be able to afford to drive or he might be paying off his astronomical students debts or dreaming of raising a deposit for his first cardboard home or wondering if a pension fund is worth the bother over a cyanide pill because a selfish older generation refuse to change their habits.I think when you start to drive you will realise how reliable your own transportation will become. Going by public transport will be a thing of the past for you
THE demolition of Chester House, Greater Manchester Police's former headquarters building, is due to start next month.
TheBusinessDesk understands Mansell Construction has the contract to dismantle the 12-storey building, which sits between White City Retail Park and an Audi showroom.
GMP moved to a new force headquarters building at Central Park, Newton Heath last year.
A report commissioned by the force from property consultants Grimleys concluded that the building had no commercial value, but the site did.
A Greater Manchester Police Authority document from last year stated: "The site has potential commercial value, particularly for non food retail, however current market conditions limit its marketability at present.
"In the meantime the retention of the existing buildings on the site represents a significant risk in both practical and financial terms. A project has therefore been initiated with a view to removing the redundant buildings."
As well as Chester House, the smaller Trafford House next door will also be demolished. But the operational command centre, which receives 999 calls, which sits in the shadow of Chester House, will be retained.
In the summer the police authority approved funding of £540,000 to cover the initial costs of the demolition. The authority has been replaced by the Police and Crime Commissioner. No one at the office could be reached for comment.
Picture courtesy of Stephen Richards.
Assuming he does start to drive.I think when you start to drive you will realise how reliable your own transportation will become. Going by public transport will be a thing of the past for you. Plus its actually cheaper for me to drive into work than it is to get the bus (or a weekly). And it wud be the same if I was to work at the Soapworks.
Andrew
I much prefer the original building which stood on this plot - the wonderfully dramatic Henshaw's Blind Asylum - which was demolished in the early 70s to make way for the Police HQ...Same really. Not a bad looking building at all. Would probably make a good 3* Hotel. Great position, close to Manchester City Centre, Salford Quays, Mediacity, and Manchester United. Plenty of parking as well.
Business Desk North West.