Language school eyes Manchester office building
Elizabeth School of London is in talks with landlord Custodian REIT about taking the whole of the 30,000 sq ft Arthur House.
The language school is looking to move to the building, which has struggled to let as conventional office space.
Custodian REIT is in the process of refurbishing the Chorlton Street building, which could house 500 students if the deal with Elizabeth School of London completes. The refurb will see a gym and roof terrace added to the property.
Custodian has applied to Manchester City Council for permission to change the use of the building so that it could be occupied either by an education provider or as conventional office space – at present, only certain parts of the building are permitted for use as a school.
A planning statement prepared by Avison Young states that there has been “no market interest in the building for office purposes” and that, despite a marketing campaign, the only meaningful enquiry that appointed agents have fielded is “the whole building interest from Elizabeth School London”.
Letting the whole building to the school would represent the largest letting in the Manchester office market below £30/sq ft in 2024 “which demonstrates what a significant investment this would be”, according to AY.
Custodian and Elizabeth School of London were contacted for comment.
Custodian has invested significantly in the refurb of the building. Credit: via Sixteen Real Estate
It can’t be hard to let if it’s in Manchester
By Anonymous
No doubt being student here can be a entry to the U K and it’s labour market and so it should prove very successful.Not so great for wages of many people in the city as more cheap labour is available to employers.
By Trevor Rabin
Offices: they are all hard to let……..
By Ann Agent
Rubbish, Arthur House has always let well. Where’s the Canning O’Neill mob when you need them.
By Anonymous