PAG gets ball rolling on £55m Reedham House overhaul

Render leaves me feeling very cold. This square currently has quite a human scale, surrounded by older, smaller buildings. Facade retention would be a good way of addressing the square whilst building upwards as part of a setback.

It’s a real disgrace that they have even proposed to demolish Reedham House, yet another handsome historical building this city is treating with disdain. The building itself is practically a façade, so why can’t this be incorporated into the design?

This is grossly disproportionate to the square and fulfils Thomas Heatherwick’s latest pronouncement that there is a rise in boring architecture.

There are also more pictures of this which show how incredibly lazy the design of this dull block is at the back.

Back to the drawing board with this one, or better yet, give up.

I like it. I love the Bruntwood building next door though, hope that gets started soon.

Why does every development in Manchester have to involve demolishing an old building? Are we really that short of space? Do we really need more identikit office space when firms are downsizing? It’s making the city look phenomenally dull and even more ugly. It need to stop

I really think Manchester needs more brick developments. Offices of glass and cladding are becoming overbearing on the cities landscape. Yes office space is needed, no city thrives on stagnation and overly burdensome planning rules but these two examples above are pure ugly to look at. Im a huge fan of skyscrapers and love the Manchester skyline but anything low rise and on a more human scale like these examples should be of brick design to blend in with the lower streetscape.

Who says they’re demolishing Reedham House?..deep breath’s and read the article people.

@Anonymous The render alone shows that they are demolishing it. ‘Redevelop’ is, in this context, a synonym for demolish. Keep up.

This is a really odd proposal. Reedham House and 3 Smithy Lane are all Grade II Listed. I cannot see from this that any of these are retained in the proposal. More information needed from Alliance!

Why knock down identikit old buildings to build more much larger identikit new buildings?

Looks really good. Sits well with the Bruntwood scheme. This part of the city is in need of some TLC. Glad they are keeping Reedham House. The buildings being demolished are not the best, and a bit characterless.

Even after reading the consultation page I’m still confused about what they’re doing myself to be honest.

In terms of the design I like it but I agree that smaller buildings at the front are what give the square character. There needs to be more brick buildings.

Demolishing really ? Do try again, As has been pointed out elsewhere, read the article don’t just change the definition to fit your narrative . Also it’s happening,

Down with the old up with the new, t’was ever thus.

Get it demolished and get it built. This is Manchester, a progressive forward thinking city and we don’t succumb to NIMBYism.

Don’t know what glasses you have on today Cal but identikit they are certainly not! Big yes .

“The third option, which we have chosen to take forward, involves demolishing and redeveloping both the existing buildings facing on to King Street West.”

Just realised that the building on the left is the one where Alberton house is now. Now that can definitely go, nothing to be missed there.

Go for it PAG!
“We are hugely excited to present our vision for Reedham House,” said Alex Russell, managing director at Property Alliance Group.
“From the moment we first walked around the site, we could see the potential to breathe new life into the historic Carriage Works.”
Excellent vision and if well executed will utilise the best of what’s there and breathe life into a tired corner of the city centre.

@New Wave. Disliking a building is not NIMBYism. I don’t think it’s the greatest of renders however lose the top four floors, that will align it/step up alightly with the proposed Fraser Building. The Chipperfield tripartite isn’t working here. Get rid. Like the cladding and the colour and at least they are retaining most of the heritage buildings. Public realm also looks great too.

It’s a nice little development, the area around there is full of old, low-rise buildings that need to go. Personally, I think it’s a prime spot for some Skyscrapers to add to the skyline but I guess this will do.

I really like this.It sits fine with its surroundings.