Cert kicks off another Old Trafford office conversion

Working with contractor HH Smith, the developer has started its conversion of Atherton House on Talbot Road into 48 apartments, the latest in a series of office-to-residential projects  in the area.

Cert first secured permission under permitted development rights to convert the office building into 48 apartments in 2017, but reworked the proposals with architect Elevate, adding a two-storey rooftop extension that will include 14 duplex apartments, with the development comprising 62 homes in total. This was approved in May last year.

The developer purchased the building from former owner Wilton Developments in October 2017.

The site at 88-92 Talbot Road is opposite the proposed University Academy 92 campus at the former Kellogg’s office, set to open later this year, with other neighbours including Alexander House and Oakland House.

It also sits within Trafford Council’s proposed Civic Quarter, which is set to see significant improvements to connectivity and public realm, as well as a number of other plots put forward for development.

Several proposals have already been put forward since the Civic Quarter project was announced last year, including a 212-bed Hampton By Hilton at 701 Chester Road, which will replace an existing office block.

Other office conversion projects coming forward in the area include at Warwick House, which is set to be converted into 201 student flats to serve UA92.

Howard Lord, managing director of Cert Property said: “We are in the process of registering the the development on the Government’s Help to Buy scheme meaning that local young families and professionals will have the opportunity to live in an area set to see lots of exciting things happening and we are expecting to announce the registration very soon.”