Bruntwood plots 18-storey Alberton House replacement
The developer wants to demolish the 100,000 sq ft building, located on St Mary’s Parsonage on the Manchester side of the River Irwell.
Working with consultancy Stroma, Bruntwood has lodged a building control application for an 18-storey new-build office on the Alberton House site, prompted by the relocation of anchor tenant BLM to New Bailey.
Law firm BLM occupied the majority of the building but has moved into 71,000 sq ft at English Cities Fund’s Two New Bailey.
The building is now largely vacant, and Bruntwood is exploring options for the redevelopment of the site.
The creation of a new-build office block featuring an element of retail is planned once Alberton House has been demolished.
Built in the 1970s and designed by Leach Rhodes Walker, Alberton House comprises two blocks of five and 11 storeys.
Bruntwood had previously instructed Reid Architects to draw up a feasibility study for a reworked Alberton House but it is understood the company is not involved in the latest iteration of the project.
The site is highlighted in the St Mary’s Parsonage strategic regeneration framework as requiring “major reinvestment, including a wholesale environmental improvement through to the mechanical and engineering services and visual quality”.
The SRF also states that “any future development proposals on Alberton House should seek to collaborate with the Albert Bridge House site”.
Investor and regeneration specialist Oval Real Estate acquired the 18-storey Albert Bridge House from Mapeley in September, as revealed by Place North West.
Bruntwood declined to comment.
The new-build scheme will feature an element of retail. Credit: Place North West
Would this include the adjacent Cardinal House?
By Anonymous
LRW designed many fantastic buildings in the 1970’s with a bold, masculine, urban design approach to their architecture. The architectural equivalent of the Bee Gees (who dominated the 1970’s music scene with a string of number one hits) and they’re certainly Stayin’ Alive with a number of high profile projects.
By Vicar In A Tutu
It would be great to replicate a grand Edwardian building here. They won’t but it would look amazing.
By 1981
The site is in such a strategic location now. Close to New Bailey and Spinningfields and Just behind Deansgate. I hope it’s used well.
By Formerhmrc
We need to be retrofitting not demolishing and rebuilding! Something like Yorkton Workshops by Pearson Lloyd could be done here and breathe new life into Alberton House!
By Anonymous