Archive: Mar 2015
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Ah…Freak out!
I went to see the incredible Nile Rodgers and the Chic Organisation last night at the Manchester Apollo. I didn’t stop dancing for the two hours of their performance.
The show began with Nile Rodgers showing the video to his new song “I’ll be There”, just so when he played it later in the set we would all know it. It’s only been a couple of years since I have really got into Chic and last night was about the sixth time I have seen them, and each time it is has been a delight.
Nile Rodgers song book is astonishing, each song a classic: Everybody dance, We are family, I want your love, Like a virgin, Let’s dance; Le freak; Good times, Lucky and many, many more.
The packed Apollo danced and cheered all night, and there’s nothing like a good sing and dance to make everything else going on in your life that bit easier.
For a far better review of the concert itself, check out Charlotte Dobson’s piece for the Manchester Evening News here.
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Plans to redesign the exterior of Mersey House, Liverpool approved
Our client, Euan Kellie Property Solutions has secured planning permission from Liverpool City Council, on behalf of Mersey House Ltd, to re-clad the exterior of Mersey House, the Strand, Liverpool.
The planning consent follows ‘prior approval’ granted last year to change the use of the vacant 1960s building from offices to residential using permitted development rights. With the approval of the new cladding system, building work should start imminently to create 122 new apartments in the landmark building.
Euan Kellie, director, Euan Kellie Property Solutions said: “Mersey House is a landmark building and is part of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site. Receiving planning permission to re-clad the building will refresh the street scape on this important section of the Strand and allow the building’s new lease of life on the inside, to be reflected on the outside.”
Designed by Halliday Meecham Architects the new cladding has been designed to read as one continuous element to respond to and respect the World Heritage Site designation along with the Castle Street Conservation Area and associated surrounding listed buildings.
Alan Parry-Davies, Director, Halliday Meecham Architects, said: “Our client is thrilled to have received planning permission to re-clad the building; Euan’s help with the planning process has been invaluable. It will really help bring the character of the building forward on to the Strand. Our client is looking forward to turning the plans into reality.”
The story was featured in the Liverpool Echo.
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PP O’Connor shortlisted for North West Construction Awards
Our client PP O’Connor has made it to the shortlist in the Health and Safety category for the North West Regional Construction Awards 2015.
The awards are highly competitive and it is a great achievement to have made it to the final stage. The awards will be announced at a gala dinner on 4 June in Manchester.
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rentalcars.com adds 35 Fountain Street
OBI Property have announced rentalcars.com, the world’s largest car hire booking service and one of the UK’s largest tech businesses, is to expand its operations by taking 38,000 sq. ft. on the 2nd – 6th floors of 35 Fountain Street. It is the largest real-estate deal in Manchester city centre to date this year.
rentalcars.com’s new office is in addition to its 60,000 sq. ft. space at Sunlight House, where the firm employs around 1,000 people. The new office space will allow rentalcars.com to create another 200 jobs in Manchester in 2015 alone.
Ian Brown, CEO, rentalcars.com said: “We’re very excited about moving into 35 Fountain Street. The facilities in the building are excellent. It’s hugely important to us that we create the best possible working environment for the talented and committed colleagues who are key to our success. Along with the fit-out in Fountain Street we are also planning to refurbish Sunlight House with the aim of creating the most exciting working spaces in the UK.”
OBI Property represented rentalcars.com on acquiring the new lease and were appointed to design and project manage the new fit out. rentalcars.com are due to move into Fountain Street during April this year.
Will Lewis, OBI Property said: “Working with rentalcars.com has involved the whole team at OBI, and we’re looking forward to seeing the new office in action. It is exactly this type of fast track project when the ‘OBI difference’ really sets us apart by looking after our clients’ interests in a collective and all-encompassing fashion. The deal confirms the strength of Manchester’s tech offering, where we are seeing a number of tech businesses growing across the city.”
Landlord of 35 Fountain Street, IVG, carried out a refurbishment of the 50,000 sq. ft. building in 2013 which included the creation of a ground floor amenity space – the Tenant Hub – and a sizeable bike store.
Anthony Bull-Diamond, IVG said: “We worked very closely with rentalcars.com and wanted to understand exactly what they required from 35 Fountain Street. We are delighted that they really valued the high quality specification but also the amenity space we worked hard to create in the form of our tenant hub, cafe facility and cycle store.”
CBRE represented IVG on the deal.
The story was picked up by the property and business press including Property Week, Place North West, Insider, theBusinessdesk.com and the Manchester Evening News
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Salford City Council approves Trinity
Acting on behalf of FICM Ltd, the property company headed by Fred Done, our client Euan Kellie Property Solutions has secured planning permission from Salford City Council to create Trinity, a new development of 380 apartments and townhouses at the junction of Trinity Way and Blackfriars, Salford. It will be the first large PRS (private rented sector) scheme to be built in Greater Manchester.
Designed by 5plus Architects, Trinity includes a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and seven townhouses. The grade II-listed Black Friars pub will form a distinctive entrance to the development and is integral to the design.
Euan Kellie Property Solutions led the Planning Application process, along with SPC Project Managers, for the scheme which will be built, retained and managed by FICM Ltd. Once constructed the homes will be available for rent.
Euan Kellie, director, Euan Kellie Property Solutions said: “Trinity is an exceptional development, geared towards the private rental sector. Working alongside 5plus Architects, FCIM Ltd and Salford City Council, we are pleased to have gained planning consent and look forward to seeing it complete.”
Simon Ismail, director, FICM said: “Gaining planning permission for Trinity is a very significant step to bring the vision for the development to reality. Trinity is in the heart of the original Salford, it is where we are all from and we all feel a sense of responsibility to create something very special that we can be proud of.
“We’ve had the best team available on the project and the passion, flair and drive they possess has helped us get to this point and we look forward to bringing 5plus Architects designs to life.”
Councillor Derek Antrobus, assistant mayor for strategic planning at Salford City Council, said: “The City Council has stayed faithful to its vision for bringing life back to central Salford and invested in infrastructure to make that happen. This is another great example of our commitment bearing fruit.”
There was a lot of press interest in the story and it was featured in Property Week, Manchester Evening News, Place Northwest, Insider, theBusiness.com and Architects Journal.