Leading Lancashire building group Construction Partnership UK (CPUK) has completed the stylish £6.2 million redevelopment of an office block in in the heart of Manchester’s Central Business District.
Work on the Corner Block building in Spinningfields has created 54,000 sq ft of high specification, design-led Grade A workspace, with 9,000 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor.
Formerly known as Overseas House, the building, designed by the architects at Leach Rhodes & Walker in 1974, has a prominent position fronting both Deansgate and Quay Street.
It was given its major makeover after being bought by a fund managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management (Switzerland) Ltd., which paid £12.25 million to Bruntwood for the property in March 2015.
Credit Suisse Asset Management offers a wide range of investment products and functions across asset classes and investment styles. Real Estate has been a success story since the launch of the first real estate fund in 1938. The global supplier manages USD 43.3 bn of assets as of March 31, 2017.
The refurbishment of Corner Block has been overseen Cushman & Wakefield’s Manchester office with work carried out by the city’s Fletcher Rae Architects.
The construction undertaken by Skelmersdale’s CPUK included works to the existing building façade with new floor to ceiling glazing and some structural alterations.
Two new two-storey extensions to the front of the back were also created and an extension to the building’s front lobby area created a new feature entrance.
CPUK Group also delivered a complete high-quality fit out providing six storeys of Grade A office space.
Three retail tenants occupying the ground floor of the building, which is located on two of Manchester city centre’s busiest streets, remained open throughout the construction work.
CPUK’s special projects division specialises in city centre, multi-storey projects and sites which are logistically challenging.
And CPUK Group managing director Steve Burke said it had to use all its extensive experience on Corner Block.
He said: “The building is in a busy city centre location bounded by two main roads and it had existing tenants on the ground floor.
“Keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring those retail outlets remained operating throughout was an important part of the project. It required extensive co-ordination at all times.”
He added: “Now completed, Corner Block is offering contemporary, high quality and adaptable workspace.
“We have created a stand-out modern office development that maintains the character of the original building.
“There’s a stripped back feel to the remodelled interior and floor to ceiling windows allow light to flood in to all levels. It will really be a great place to work in a prominent location in the central business district.”
CPUK Group has recorded a strong start to 2017 with a £27 million boost to its order book.
The West Lancashire-based company has sealed a number of major contracts at the start of the year on a range of new developments and in sectors ranging from commercial to residential.
Steve Burke said: “From office refurbishment to social housing, we are now involved in projects across all sectors. We’re also winning more work outside our traditional North West base, which is again pleasing.
“And through excellent client relationships and a strong record of delivery there’s a high level of repeat and negotiated business.”
CPUK Group is one of the North West’s leading independent building and civil engineering companies. Its order book now stands at almost £90 million.
Founded in March 2000, the business operates from purpose-built headquarters at White Moss Business Park in Skelmersdale.
It enjoys an exceptional reputation in the fields of Traditional and Design and Build construction schemes with more than 80% of contracts undertaken on a repeat business basis with blue chip clients.
CPUK Group has achieved Investors in People Status and is Constructionline and CHAS accredited for major schemes in excess of £5 million.
