Bruntwood bags consent for wellness-led workspace
Approval has been granted for the Alberton, a 219,000 sq ft building over 18 storeys in Manchester’s St Mary’s Parsonage district.
Designed by EPR Architects and intended to operate at net-zero, the development marks the evolution of the firm’s Pioneer offering, Bruntwood said. The plans were revealed in July and have been approved under delegated powers.
Work on The Alberton, which will replace the existing 12-storey Alberton House, is due to begin in early 2023, with completion in late 2025.
The Alberton is a key location within Manchester City Council’s St. Mary’s Parsonage strategic regeneration framework, which also includes the redevelopment of the grade two-listed Kendal Milne building and Bruntwood’s Blackfriars House and King’s House, the latter of which is currently undergoing its own redevelopment.
Property Alliance and Oval also have major projects afoot in the area.
The Alberton’s focal point will be its rooftop holistic wellness centre, described as the first of its kind in the UK office market. As well as the performance lap pool, it will also feature a hydrotherapy vitality pool, hot and cold treatment rooms, physio room, changing and shower facilities.
The wellness centre has been designed with sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity in mind, ensuring that it is a welcoming space for all.
On the 17th floor, approved plans include a landscaped panoramic roof terrace, plus an events space and customer lounge. There will be an additional food and beverage outlet on the 18th floor.
The ground floor of The Alberton is to be publicly accessible, intended to “create an open, welcoming connection and gateway from Salford between the Trinity Bridge walkway and St Mary’s Parsonage”. There will be a hospitality offering across the entire floor, including a full-service restaurant, bar and coffee shop, with seating on a landscaped and extended public realm.
EPR Architects designed the building. Credit: via Citypress
The ground floor mezzanine will feature a coworking lounge and a variety of meeting rooms, with Bruntwood Works’ full product stack available throughout the building, including pas as you go coworking day passes.
The lower ground floor will include a gym and a cycle hub complete with showers, changing and vanity areas, lockers, cycle repair station and cycle storage.
Bruntwood Works, the workspace, retail and leisure brand of the Bruntwood Group, will develop and deliver the building, which will become the flagship in its Pioneer programme.
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, said: “Gaining planning approval for The Alberton marks another landmark moment in our efforts to revolutionise the workspace, not just in Manchester but across the UK.
“We have always been focused on customer wellbeing and these plans launch us even further into the journey of creating workspaces that champion work/life balance. The importance of this has never been greater, as our society faces considerable challenges.
“The Alberton will provide an exemplary model of what workspaces can achieve, going further than we ever have in our Pioneer programme.”
To date, £200m has been invested in the Pioneer programme, including Bloc in Manchester, The Plaza in Liverpool and the upcoming West Village in Leeds.
Alongside Bruntwood Works as developer, The Alberton project team comprises EPR as architect and interior designer, Planit IE as landscape designer, Curtins as structural and civil engineer, Hilson Moran on MEP and sustainability design services, RLB as cost consultant and employer’s agent, Stephen Levrant as heritage consultant and Deloitte as planner.
The retained letting agents are CBRE and JLL.
The roof terrace will offer panoramic city views. Credit: via Citypress
Best office proposal ever in Manchester imo. You just know it will be built being Burntwood as well. Such a good asset to the city. Once again the bar has been raised, time for the others to respond.
By Bob
We can’t get away from the fact this scheme flies in the face of our 2038 net zero commitments. Demolishing 12 storey buildings to rebuild a little taller is an appalling waste of embodied carbon.
We need developers and architects to truely realise what our commitments mean – and develop accordingly.
By New mancunian
Absolutely fantastic to see this get approved. Hopefully the beginning of more interesting architecture along the river versus the drab fodder that’s currently there.
By Tom
My favourite office proposal to date, in Manchester. Absolutely love the glazed green brick and cornice.
By Andrew
When so many offices are empty and companies are closing?
By Pnw
New Mancunian, the net zero carbon thing is a swiz. Net carbon means don’t develop anything and make everyone work from home
By Pnw
There is a 45 storey tower being built here too.
By Elephant
Ah that’s right, always one (I suspect the same one) who gives it the …’but offices aren’t needed because…blah blah… ‘ Think I’ll stick with the opinions of the professionals and the grown ups who know what they’re talking about. Superb design and in a really great location.
By Cal smate
Why do European cities, apart from the UK, not build city-center office/apartment skyscrapers? Are they stupid? Some body is. Is it them, or is it us?
By James Yates
Love this. Hands down the best office new build coming up in the city centre.
By Steve
A massive improvement on what’s there now. Going to cause a lot of disruption in a busy part of town but will def be worth it.
By Charles