Manchester green lights Quay Street office revamp 

A 58,000 sq ft office previously occupied by Direct Line is to be refurbished following approval of proposals by the city council. 

Property consultant OBI submitted proposals to overhaul 17 Quay Street on behalf of owner Urbana Partners last autumn. 

Under the proposals, the office block would get a new entrance onto Byrom Street while the external appearance of the building would be adjusted, with windows replaced and brickwork tinted.  

Internal changes are also planned. Designs by architect 3DReid show that office space throughout the six-storey building will be upgraded. 

Fitted-and-furnished suites will be introduced to the first floor of the building, with the ground floor featuring a reception, business lounge, and retail and leisure spaces. 

OBI is aiming for the finished building to meet BREEAM Excellent standards and is working alongside consultant Element Sustainability. 

Andrew Cowell, part of OBI’s transactions and asset management team, said: “We are really excited about the refurbishment of 17 Quay Street, which will see the building totally transformed and repositioned into a Grade A workspace building that will appeal to occupiers from all sectors.

“The building is in a great central location and the inclusion of the ground floor collaboration space, wellness facilities and roof terrace will attract progressive businesses who really value their working environment.”

MEP Design and Tier Consult are also involved in the project. 

Work transforming 17 Quay Street is set to complete in the final quarter of 2023. 

Urbana purchased the building in March from Abrdn, the company’s first Manchester acquisition. 

Direct Line opted to cut its Manchester footprint in 2021 and relocated to around 7,000 sq ft at Bruntwood’s Bloc, leaving 17 Quay Street vacant. 

To learn more about the project search for reference number 135294/FO/2022 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.