OBI wins Boultbee Brooks refurbishment job

London-based investor Boultbee Brooks Real Estate has appointed OBI Property to manage the refurbishment of 30 Brown Street in Manchester.

BBRE intends to completely remodel the building including providing new common areas, a re-clad façade and additional floor to increase the net internal area to 48,000 sq ft.

A planning application will be submitted by the end of the summer. Once complete the building will comprise retail/leisure units on the ground floor, with offices on the floors above.

Andrew Cowell, who works in the transactions and asset management team at OBI Property, said: “BBRE is a significant and successful owner and developer of some of the most exciting and innovative workspaces in London’s City fringe and other key markets. It is testament to the dynamism of Manchester’s office market that the firm is looking to make major investments in the city. We are really excited to be delivering a stunning Grade A specification in a sophisticated, design-led fashion.”

BBRE is a privately owned property company with a development and investment portfolio valued at approximately £350m. The company, which is a major landlord in the Shoreditch and Clerkenwell areas of London where many of its tenants are digital and creative firms, also recently purchased Croxley House in Manchester.

Dominic Horridge, director of OBI Property, said: “The building has a huge amount of potential and we are looking forward to creating another exciting workspace in the city.”

OBI Property has assembled the project team which includes PRP Architects, Tier Consult Structural Engineers and REDS as M&E consultants.

Roger James, Development Director at BBBRE said: “We have been seeking development opportunities in Manchester for some time. 30 Brown Street provides the perfect opportunity for BBRE and OBI to deliver some of the city’s most impressive and innovative work space.”