NOMA momentum continues at Old Bank

Plans have been put forward to convert the grade two-listed Old Bank into 140,000 sq ft of offices, while the Pilcrow Pub on Sadler’s Yard is also due to relocate under the latest proposals for the 20-acre Manchester neighbourhood.

A seven-storey extension to the listed building, designed by Sheppard Robson, has been put forward to provide 83,000 sq ft of offices over six floors, with a ground floor space including 6,900 sq ft of leisure space over four units, along with a 2,600 sq ft co-working space.

The existing banking hall, lobby, stairways, and windows of the listed bank are all due to be repaired and refurbished under the plans. At ground floor, the plans will look to integrate the bank with the surrounding Sadler’s Yard, which currently counts the Pilcrow Pub among its tenants.

Under the proposals, the Pilcrow will leave its existing timber-framed home and relocate elsewhere within NOMA, while the team behind the pub is due to open a new food and beverage offering, also within NOMA.

The latest application follows hot on the heels of a series of schemes that will together add more than 620,000 sq ft of new-build offices at the site.

In July, planning permission was secured for 4 Angel Square, a 200,000 sq ft speculative office designed by SimpsonHaugh, while NOMA is currently preparing an updated application for 2 & 3 Angel Square, two new-builds which will provide 420,000 sq ft of offices between them.

Last month, plans were also revealed to convert New Century Hall in Manchester into a food hall, music venue, and creative college.

Stephen Bradley, senior asset manager at Hermes Investment Management, said: “We have made significant progress at the NOMA listed estate, carefully restoring Manchester’s built heritage while also creating contemporary workspace that appeals to both major occupiers and SMEs.

“Our plans for Old Bank will provide yet more much needed quality office space to support the city’s growing economy and build on recent planning and construction activity across the whole NOMA neighbourhood.”

Colliers and JLL are office agents for NOMA. Colliers and LSH are retail and leisure agents. Deloitte is planning consultant and Workman LLP is project manager.

Hermes Investment Management is the investment manager of the NOMA development, with development and asset manager MEPC taking forward the new-build elements.