Morgan Sindall to start £75m Birkenhead offices
Two five-storey blocks totalling 150,000 sq ft are to be constructed as part of Wirral Growth Company’s £1bn town centre masterplan.
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to build the offices, which are being forward funded by Canada Life to the tune of £75m.
Construction is due to complete in autumn 2023.
One of the offices is to be occupied by Wirral Council upon completion, while the other will be built speculatively.
The offices will form “the central hub of an exciting new business and leisure quarter”, according to the growth company, a 50:50 joint venture between the council and Muse Developments.
“There’s a shortage of grade A office stock across the Liverpool City Region,” said Mike Horner, development director at Muse Developments and director of Wirral Growth Company.
“Despite changing working habits, there’s still demand out there. Businesses are choosing to prioritise quality in their workspaces and looking for offices that are more flexible and suited to modern working practices. By creating this offer in Birkenhead, it’s a statement of intent that we’re serious about helping the town to level up its commercial offer.”
The office development will be followed by the creation of a new market hall on the town’s House of Fraser site, as well as around 650 homes, a 110-bedroom hotel, and a 300-space car park.
Plans for the 15-year, 27-acre masterplan were approved in April.
Read more about Wirral Growth Company’s plans for Birkenhead
Richard Potts, Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director for the Liverpool City Region, said: “The development of two new grade A offices will generate long-term growth and prosperity in Birkenhead and we are thrilled to be a part of making that a reality.”
Earlier this week, PIC agreed to forward fund the creation of a 500-home BtR scheme as part of Peel L&P and Wirral Council’s Wirral Waters mixed-use scheme.
Speculative Grade A office development in Birkenhead. You have to agree, it is a statement of intent. Be fascinating to see who can be attracted to occupy it – particularly if it’s a company from outside. They’re in the game though…
By Mr P Limb
Lots of new schemes cropping up in the Birkenhead area both commercial and residential, maybe in a few years time the real benefits will be apparent with modern, quality offices and housing in a landscaped environment, attracting good jobs and people, it`s a fantastic waterfront location.
By Anonymous
Very brave to fund these spec offices. Are the Council taking a head lease?
By Waldo
What will happen to the Town Halls and all the other council offices in the Wirral that will be vacated.
By DaveC.
Yet again Birkenhead gets the lions share of investment, the council has eviscerated the whole of the Wallasey area, we have nothing left of public buildings, residents have no outlet for any enquiries or problems they may have, I shudder to think what will happen to us in the future.
By art c