FORE confirms Mount Street makeover design
FORE Partnership’s colourful addition to the streetscape next to Manchester’s Midland Hotel has been submitted for consideration by the city’s planning committee.
The 80,000 sq ft office at 24 Mount Street would be a reskin of the existing 1970s building. As well as offices there would be retail and leisure, a roof terrace and improvements to the public realm.
FORE said the “authentic and distinctive design solution…is fitting to its key location facing Manchester Central Plaza in the Civic Quarter. FORE’s philosophy of responsible real estate is intrinsic to the ethos of the building.”
The architect is TP Bennett. A new “ornamental façade, incorporating terracotta glazed tiling and glass, will replace the existing brickwork.”
Basil Demeroutis, managing partner of FORE, said: “We have a duty to create a sustainable building that works in harmony with the surrounding buildings and open spaces, ultimately enhancing the vibrancy and energy of this key area in the city centre.
“The elevation takes a new twist on modern design, using authentic decorative materials in a way that defines character and style, not simply repeating what has been done elsewhere.
“This focus on craftsmanship, combined with truly trendsetting approaches to sustainability and to creating a highly flexible and adaptive workspace, sets the building’s sights squarely towards the future.”
Mark Barker, director at TP Bennett, added: “The team is committed to delivering a high-quality, innovative building and for this project there were three clear objectives: sustainability leadership, wellbeing and end-user flexibility.
“Once complete, the building will achieve BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings and provide occupiers with state-of-the-art office facilities whilst maintaining aesthetic appeal, making this a significant addition to Manchester’s growing commercial stock.”
FORE is currently working with social enterprise 3Space to offer 24 Mount Street as a collaborative workspace to local artists, charities and community groups.
Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton are acting as joint agents for 24 Mount Street. Deloitte is advising on planning.
Pleasingly different.
By Gene Walker
If Carlsberg made reskins…
By creep
Growing on me now
By Elephant
Curious that in a market where supply is supposedly lagging far behind demind for Grade A office space, they chose this uninspiring reskin rather than build the Assembly….
By timelord
Is this part of the universities’ gradual creep into the city centre, put the electricity sub-station in now before the residents arrive? Or maybe it’s the new council swimming pool that Howard ordered?
By Meandmemum
Looks like Shrek’s corporate headquarters, suitably aesthetically challenged, a shame considering the previous scheme
By Douglas
It looks better than what was there before. People are always complaining about a lack of greenery in the city centre anyway…
By creep
Awful.
Hard to believe that something so ugly is going in this civic square.
By Alan
Disgusting, when think could have had a quality tower on this site..We, in Manchester, are not worthy ? Looks vile!!
By Schwyz
I said it was growing on me.Ok for a less prominent place but the Midland desreves better than this as a neighbour.It is better than the current building but an outside privy during the credits on Coronation Street s better than that.
By Elephant