Stephenson and Cert secure consent for Northern Quarter office

Developer Cert Property has been granted planning permission for a comprehensive overhaul of the 35,000 sq ft Hilton House in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, designed by Stephenson Studio.

Supported by Paul Butler Associates, Cert’s plans include a new façade, a 2,250 sq ft extension to the building’s top two floors, and a full refurbishment of the building’s interior.

Hilton House was bought by Cert in an off-market deal last year, and the newly-renovated space will be targeted at flexible and co-working SME occupiers.

The ground floor bar and restaurant, The Shack, will be retained as part of the plans, while tenants on short-term leases on the upper floors will move out during the refurbishment.

The plans are the latest in a series of co-working proposals for Cert Property, which announced the acquisition of Centric House in Liverpool for £3.3m earlier this month. The 27,000 sq ft building will also be refurbished and marketed towards flexible occupiers.

It also completed the purchase of The Junction, a 15,000 sq ft office in Salford Quays in January this year for more than £1.5m.

Howard Lord, managing director of Cert, said: “A great deal of consideration has been given to these plans as we have worked to retain the original characteristics of the building whilst improving its offering.

“The demand for adaptable office solutions in the area is high and it is our aim to restore life into buildings like Hilton House to realise potential and deliver new office solutions across key locations in Manchester and beyond.”