Gilbert-Ash picked for Eversheds House overhaul 

Credit Suisse Asset Management has selected the Belfast-based contractor to revamp the five-storey Manchester building and increase the amount of office space by 40,000 sq ft. 

Gilbert-Ash is due to begin work next week now that sole occupier Eversheds Sutherland has relocated to Two New Bailey after 20 years on Great Bridgewater Street. 

Place North West revealed in 2019 that the law firm would move into a new 50,000 sq ft office at English Cities Fund’s New Bailey scheme, prompting landlord Credit Suisse to plan a refurbishment of the building.  

Credit Suisse lodged plans for the scheme in January 2021 and approval came last April. 

The refurb, designed by OMI Architects, proposes increasing the amount of office space from 70,000 sq ft to 110,000 sq ft through the addition of two floors.  

The project also includes reconfiguring the building to provide ‘category A’ office space, and completely replacing the existing facades to address “known structural issues with the brickwork and sandstone masonry”.   

Parking provision within the building would also be reduced by 75% under the proposals, leaving 15 spaces.  

The office, which backs onto the Rochdale Canal, was designed by Fairhurst Architects and completed in 2001. It has been occupied in its entirety by Eversheds Sutherland since then.  

Credit Suisse Asset Management bought the office building from State Street Corporation in 2019.   

Savills Manchester is project managing the transformation and providing office agency advice after advising on the planning and securing planning permission last year.