Cert expands Old Trafford plans

Manchester developer Cert Property has submitted a planning application to redevelop and extend the Atherton House former office building in Old Trafford in a residential scheme.

The Talbot Road property sits directly opposite the proposed University Academy 92 campus currently occupied by Kellogg’s. Cert secured permitted development rights to provide 48 apartments at the site late in 2017, but with architect Elevate has reworked the proposals to add a further 12,000 sq ft, which will comprise 18 duplex apartments.

Howard Lord, managing director of Cert, said: “We were very keen not to lose the original architectural language of the building  and are looking to deliver what we believe to be an honest conversion of this mid-century building.

“The existing white tiled façade will be enhanced by the installation of light gold sliding aluminium panels, which will create a distinctive and contemporary new look to the building. We love that 1960s-style architecture is becoming fashionable again and this project will be a tribute to that era of design.”

Office-to-resi has become something of a theme in Old Trafford. Mandale secured a PDR consent for 81 apartments at Metropolitan House in August last year, while Beech Holdings is converting the landmark 100,000 sq ft West Point on Chester Road. MCR Property subsidiary Intro Developments submitted proposals for 174 flats in a new 15-storey building behind Trafford Plaza, where 90 flats were already planned, last March.

Lord continued: “We are excited to be delivering this project in an area that is set to benefit from a significant amount of investment over the next couple of years and I believe the properties will meet the rising demand in this area from young professionals for contemporary and high quality living accommodation.”