OBI maps out major Manchester office refurb
Owner Urbana Partners has recruited the property consultant to help modernise 17 Quay Street, a 58,000 sq ft office block on the edge of Spinningfields.
OBI Property has submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for the project.
Under the proposals, 17 Quay Street would get a new entrance onto Byrom Street. The external appearance of the building would be adjusted, with windows replaced and brickwork tinted. New canopied entrances will be erected along Quay Street.
The changes are also internal. Designs by architect 3DReid call for the upgrading of office spaces throughout the six-storey building. Fitted-and-furnished suites will be introduced to the first floor of the building, with the ground floor netting a reception and business lounge.
OBI’s plans also feature retail and leisure spaces on the ground floor of the building and a rooftop terrace.
To meet the needs of those who cycle to work, there will be storage for cycles and shower facilities.
OBI is aiming for the finished building to meet BREEAM Excellent standards, working alongside sustainability consultant Element Sustainability to meet that goal.
MEP Design and Tier Consult round out the project team as the M&E consultant and structural engineer, respectively.
Work transforming 17 Quay Street is set to complete in the final quarter of 2023.
Joe Weilding of OBI’s building consultancy team said: “This represents our latest and arguably most exciting redevelopment project on Quay Street.
“We know about the transformation this will bring to Quay Street as we’ve had both businesses and operators already showing their interest for the refurbished building,” he continued. “The building has already been stripped out and we are due to deliver the final phase in the New Year.”
Urbana’s Nick Lloyd sounded confident in OBI’s vision for the building.
Lloyd said: “Given the excellent location, prominent corner position, and a refurbishment and repositioning design centred around occupier demands, sustainability, and the activation of both the Quay Street and Byrom Street frontages we are really excited about the potential and impact for 17 Quay Street and look forward to delivering it alongside OBI and our local professional team during 2023.”
Urbana purchased the building in March from Abrdn.
Much improved.
By Tom
To think what was there before as well, such a lovely building demolished and within 30 years its replacement needs an overhaul itself.
By Loganberry
Looks great and fits in well with the adjacent St John’s developments
By Dave
It does not look good! It doesn’t take long for a certain aesthetic to become imitated and watered down, in this case the ‘warehouse aesthetic’ done on the cheap.
There is a reason this building was faced in red brick and looks like it does currently – and that’s because of the listed building it sits near.
By Tired and grey
I am confused – is the developer Urbana or OBI?
By John
Hi John! Urbana owns the building and has brought on OBI Property to help revamp the site. Best – Julia
By Julia Hatmaker
Love the aesthetic. Fits in well with the buildings nearby. Best thing about this building though is the location.I’m waiting for nearby St. John’s to really come to life, it’s going to take a while yet given where we are but this area will really fly.
By Anonymous