Noma Old Bank extension signed off 

Plans to add a seven-storey extension to the rear of the grade two-listed Old Bank Building on Corporation Street, creating a 152,000 sq ft office scheme, have been approved by Manchester City Council. 

Under the plans, the 47,300 sq ft extension will front Sadler’s Yard, an area of public realm, with the ground floor earmarked for commercial uses, including retail and co-working space. 

The extension, designed by architect Sheppard Robson, will be built in the shadow of the former Redfern Annex, which was demolished in 2014, creating an active frontage to Sadler’s Yard. 

Subsequently, the Pilcrow Pub, which currently occupies the space, will relocate elsewhere within the 20-acre Noma development. 

The plans, put forward by Noma developer Federated Hermes, an entity of asset manager Hermes Investment Management, also include the refurbishment of the original building, built in 1928. 

The ground floor units in the Old Bank, which has been vacant for a number of years, have also been earmarked for commercial uses. 

Noma Old Bank Extension 2

The Pilcrow Pub will relocated under the plans

The Old Bank Building and the neighbouring 14-storey New Century House are structurally connected at ground level and on the fifth floor, but will be separated under the proposals.

The project team includes planning consultant Deloitte Real Estate, project manager Workman, heritage consultant Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture and building services engineer Crookes Walker Consulting, as well as Curtins.

Hermes Investment Management was originally delivering the Noma project in a joint venture with the Co-operative Group, through the pair’s JV regeneration developer called Noma.

However, Hermes acquired the Co-operative Group’s stake in Noma for an undisclosed sum in 2017.

MEPC, which was acquired by Federated Hermes earlier this year, is development manager for Noma after being appointed in 2018. 

Colliers and JLL are office agents for Noma. Colliers and LSH are retail and leisure agents. 

Manchester City Council is consulting on proposals to expand the office component of the mixed-use scheme north of the city centre to 1.6m sq ft from 1m sq ft currently. 

So far, around 563,000 sq ft of office space is either build or in construction at Noma, including the refurbishment of the Dutch modernist-style Redfern building, Hanover House, where Amazon has opened its first UK headquarters outside of London, the Dantzic building, and the 1 and 2 Angel Square office building. 

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This looks absolutely abysmal and will mutilate the Old Bank building. The loss of The Pilcrow PH is a tragedy too. So far, only 1 Angel Square is of note: Everything else NOMA are bringing forward looks awful.

By Observer

Wow – that merges with the adjacent 1960/70’s vernacular a treat.

By ChesneyT

Oh dear… 🙁

By EggManc

I know The Pilcrow was built as a pop-up, temporary space, but has really become a local pub for many local people. Sadler’s Yard has become a hidden gem in amongst the bustle of the city centre so this development is a move in the wrong direction, as a local resident.

It will result in another increasingly homogenous city centre public – but actually private – space, much like a northern city centre version of Spinningfields.

Let’s see where The Pilcrow ends up in the rest of Noma….

By B

My first concern was the Pilcrow pub, as should be anyone’s first concern. But upon reading, we’re not losing the pub, it will just relocate… phew. And acceptable as the location was just a temporary one. As for the design of this building, hard to tell. I understand those that feel it clashes with the old building. But I also understand those that say the vertical lines fit with the surrounding 60s buildings. It’s a hard one. Generally though, I’m ok with this. Juxtapositions are common in cities and often loved.
This area is becoming super interesting and a great balance to Spinningfields further south

By EOD

The loss of Pilcrow, although a temporary structure, is a shame. The pub brought life to the square hopefully the public space won’t become just another unofficial skateboard park.

By Lenny68

Saddened to hear that the Pilcrow has to relocate due to this development. It runs many events in the square and creates a real community hub. The current location is the perfect balance between being close to the main areas of the city centre and being tucked away from the crowded streets.

By Kate

The city needs a skate park in a safe area.

By Dan

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