Bruntwood’s Rackhams revamp signed off in Trafford
The council and the developer have continued their successful partnership, having been granted consent to redevelop the former Rackhams building in Altrincham into a 75,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme called Foundation.
Trafford Council’s planning committee approved the project on Thursday, paving the way for work to start.
The scheme, to be housed within the former House of Fraser department store, will comprise 50,000 sq ft of workspace and 25,000 sq ft earmarked for retail and leisure.
Designed by BDP, Foundation is the first phase of Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council’s Stamford Quarter regeneration project, which aims to improve public realm and transform the area into a mixed-use destination.
“Altrincham is already a town centre success story, bucking the story of decline that has defined so many of its peers around the country,” said Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood Works.
“The pandemic’s lasting impact on where people want to spend more time to work, shop and play locally means there is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen its offering. That’s what Foundation will do “
Foundation will feature 50,000 sq ft of workspace. Credit: via Citypress
The Rackhams revamp is also part of Bruntwood Works’ £100m Pioneer programme, aimed at creating modern flexible workspaces with a focus on sustainability, wellness, amenity offers, technology and biophilia. Other Pioneer projects include 
111 Piccadilly, Bloc and Blackfrairs House.
Foundation has been designed to encourage more people to the heart of the town, according to the joint venture.
Other elements of the project include a central atrium, a 3,660 sq ft living wall, and a gym and wellness area.
Bentley’s Fish and Chip shop, located on the corner of Stamford Way and Stamford New Road, is to be converted into a standalone 1,000 sq ft retail unit.
In addition, two bridges connecting the site to the Sunningdale and Kingfisher building will be demolished.
As well as Rackhams and the Stamford Quarter, Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works are also working in partnership on several other projects.
These include the £208m Lumina Village mixed-use scheme and the redevelopment of Stretford Mall.
Elsewhere in Altrincham, Trafford Council was close to appointing a joint venture between Bruntwood and Novo Property Group to revamp the 80,000 sq ft Grafton Centre but pulled the plug on the plan when Covid hit.
The council has recently updated on the status of that scheme, as reported by Place North West.
