Acquisition and significant revamp project to inject new life into Manchester’s largest office building

A sustainability-focused redevelopment project is targeting Manchester’s largest office building with plans to bring the empty property back into use and contributing to the continued recent revitalisation of the Spinningfields area.

One Hardman Boulevard was one of the first developments completed in the Spinningfields district, in 2004.  The property will be the subject of a redesign and refurbishment to bring up to Grade A modern standards, with sustainability at the forefront of operations. The client is Luxembourg-based Parthena Reys Perennial Management SA. The intention is to provide a multi-tenant building offering large Grade A office floorplates located around a redesigned, vibrant central atrium.

CS2 Chartered Surveyors, an RSK Group company, provided technical due-diligence advice for the acquisition of the 506,468 square foot office building. This involved investigating and reporting on the construction and existing condition of the building fabric, highlighting repairs and providing associated cost estimates.

In addition to providing technical building surveying due diligence, CS2 provided quantity surveying duties and managed an in-house RSK Group team of multi-disciplinary specialist consultants. These include the RoC (structural engineers), Silcock Leadham Consulting Engineers (mechanical & electrical engineers and FR Consultants (fire safety and façade risk consultants) with Nature Positive offering sustainability guidance.

CS2 Manchester Director of Building Surveying, Will Harrison, said: “Following the successful acquisition, CS2 is delighted to now be providing contract administration, project management and cost consultancy services for the strip-out phase of the project.

“As part of our target of achieving a BREEAM Excellent Refurbishment and Fit-out rating (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology), there is a unified commitment to retain and reuse high-specification, good condition existing fit-out such as raised access flooring, while recycling elements that are beyond their economic life or not in-line with standards, including ceilings and carpet tiles.”

Will said that an example initiative is a partnership between the Phase 1 Contractor, Cubicworks, and the Salvation Army Trading Company, to reclaim a significant proportion of the floor finishes, for re-use, rather than sending to landfill.

He added: “The proposals for the remodelling and fit-out are unique and will restore this property to being a landmark office building.”