Muse picks GMI for next Stockport Exchange office

GMI is set to start on the next phase of Stockport Exchange in the coming weeks after being chosen by developer Muse to deliver a 60,000 sq ft office.

The building, designed by architect Aedas, is the third phase of the wider £145m Stockport Exchange development and work is set to begin within weeks, with completion scheduled for spring 2020.

It will act as a sister building to One Stockport Exchange, another office building which was completed by Eric Wright Group and fully-let within six months.

One Stockport Exchange is now home to Stagecoach and Music Magpie, with the former taking 33,000 sq ft over three floors and Music Magpie taking 10,000 sq ft.

The wider scheme, which will deliver around 375,000 sq ft of office space and 28,000 sq ft of retail floor space, already has outline planning approval. A 115-bed Holiday Inn Express has already been delivered by Eric Wright Group along with an NCP car park which was built by Morgan Sindall.

Further plots, including the town’s former Cineworld, have also been cleared for redevelopment. Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE are the joint agents for Stockport Exchange.

Greg Ball, development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “We are pleased to have appointed GMI on the new office building at Stockport Exchange and look forward to working closely with them. Our focus is on delivering high-quality schemes and GMI have demonstrated an impressive track record in the office market.

“Stockport is a natural fit for businesses, thanks in part to its unrivalled rail connectivity to Manchester, the airport and to London. Following the success of the previous two phases, we are delighted to be starting on the third, which will bring more jobs into the area and add to the vibrancy of this new commercial quarter.”

Cllr Kate Butler, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council said: “The success of Stockport Exchange has been phenomenal and 2 Stockport Exchange will build on this even further, and further set Stockport apart as one of the region’s leading business locations. I’m delighted to welcome GMI Construction to the 2 Stockport Exchange team and look forward to seeing work beginning over the coming weeks.

Marc Banks, commercial director at GMI Construction Group, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this prestigious project and look forward to working in partnership with Muse Developments, Stockport Council and the wider project team, to deliver this excellent scheme in Stockport’s growing commercial hub.”