Archive: May 2017
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FEC and The Co-op submit plans for £235 million Angel Meadow, Manchester
Far East Consortium (FEC) International Limited and The Co-op announced they have submitted the plans for Angel Meadow to Manchester City Council for planning approval. The £235 million residential development comprises 756 new homes across four buildings bordering Angel Meadow Park and is part of the city centre’s NOMA neighbourhood.
Gavin Taylor, regional general manager, FEC said: “We are very pleased to submit Angel Meadow for planning. Working with 5plus Architects and Planit-IE we believe we have produced a scheme of true international calibre, which makes Angel Meadow Park the focal point for the growing community.
“We’ve paid close attention to activating the ground floors and the spaces between the buildings while also providing a wide range of homes suitable for families as well as professionals. Our goal is to see long term occupancy of the homes in Angel Meadow and the development is geared towards private sale, rather than institutional investors. ”
The four plots around Angel Meadow Park are on Gould Street, Aspin Lane and Old Mount Street.
In brief the design proposals include:
- A 40 storey landmark residential tower, which will include large two-bedroom apartments with winter gardens, designed with families in mind. The winter gardens are located every seven levels animating the tower into glazed stacked boxes.
- The residential tower will have ground floor retail and leisure spaces with a landscaped elevated deck above. A new series of stepped terraces incorporating seating and planting will link the Park with the new podium.
- On Aspin Lane, the two proposed 22 and 17 storey apartment buildings, will have active ground floor uses bringing Aspin Lane back to life.
- There will be five, three-bedroom townhouses on the ground floor building on Old Mount Street with 131 apartments above. There will be a new route through the building, which is part nine and part 12 storeys, for residents from neighbouring buildings into the Park.
Jon Matthews, 5plus director said: “We are really proud of the designs for Angel Meadow – they embody everything we believe in as a practice – new buildings in context, giving everything back to the street, re-invigorating whole areas.
“It is a landmark step for this historically significant part of the city.”
Angel Meadow is just a five minute walk from Victoria Station for mainline rail and Metrolink services. It sits on the edge of the rapidly developing NOMA neighbourhood and is very close to the vibrant Northern Quarter with its many highly successful independent bars, restaurants and music venues.
Rob Bignold, head of commercial and investment property, The Co-op said: “We are delighted to see Angel Meadow submitted for planning, it is a very important next step for the second phase of residential development at NOMA and we look forward to seeing this vibrant neighbourhood grow.”
FEC was selected by The Co-op and Manchester Place as development partner for the scheme in summer last year and it is the first project in Manchester for the international property developer. Last month FEC was announced as investor partner with Manchester City Council for the Northern Gateway project.
The planning submission follows public consultation which included two public exhibitions held at Band on the Wall, as well as plans being available for comment and questions online.
In addition to architects 5plus, the project team also includes planning and environmental advisors HOW, and engineering services providers WSP.
Subject to planning, building work is expected to begin by the end of the year with the first homes complete in 2019. Anyone interested in the homes at Angel Meadow should contact Cushman & Wakefield on 0161 455 3777 or JLL on 0161 238 7400.
The announcement of the planning submission was featured in publications including the Architects Journal and Manchester Evening News
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Refurbishment work begins at Arthur House, Chorlton Street
Following the purchase of Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester, Drum Income Plus REIT (DRIP REIT) has received planning permission and has commenced the refurbishment of the building. Comprising 26,375 sq ft of office space over six floors DRIP REIT is investing £1 million into the building, refurbishing the fourth floor (4,664 sq ft), and remodelling the reception in addition to replacing the glazing on the six storey building.
OBI Property is acting as lead consultant for DRIP REIT providing interior design, project management, asset management and lease advisory services.
Ahead of the refurbishment works DRIP REIT completed lease renewals to Midas Investment Management Limited. The company occupies 2,632 sq ft over part 1st and 2nd floors at Arthur House.
Tony Gee and Partners LLP has also committed to a long-term lease. The company, which provides specialist engineering consultancy services to the worldwide construction industry, has expanded and will move from 2,968 sq ft of office space on the 6th floor at Arthur House to newly refurbished office space on the 4th floor comprising 3,971 sq ft.
Debbie Meredith, Transactions and Asset Management, OBI Property said: “DRIP REIT is committed to investing in Arthur House and building long lasting relationships with the current occupiers. It is great to see commitment from a number of occupiers who have been in the building a number of years. Discussions are underway with several companies who are also renewing their leases within the building. The refurbishment taking place will provide a great place to work and will no doubt attract a number of new occupiers into the building “.
Bryan Sherriff, Managing Director, DREIM, Investment Adviser to DRIP REIT commented “We are working closely with OBI Property to enhance Arthur House, we want to create a vibrant building which will be attractive to new and existing occupiers. We look forward to completing the project in the next few months.”
The refurbishment project featured in the Manchester Evening News and The Businessdesk among others.