Right to light consultancy opens Manchester office

London-based surveying and design practice GIA has opened its first office outside of the capital, and has recruited former Malcolm Hollis partner Sam Wallis to lead its expansion.

GIA, formerly known as Gordon Ingram Associates, specialises in right to light, daylight and sunlight, and party wall issues. The decision to open in Manchester follows its appointment to advise Renaker on its Owen Street project, which will deliver 1,400 apartments over four high-rise towers.

GIA has taken offices in 2 Commercial Street, and plans to hire members of staff to take the total number in the Manchester office to six or seven.

Wallis joined GIA in December. He worked at Malcolm Hollis for nine years, and was also previously a building surveyor at EC Harris.

Wallis said: “The decision for GIA to open the office in Manchester is underpinned by the quality development underway and planned in the north west, and I am really excited to be working with some of the city’s leading developers, solicitors, architects and planning consultants to deliver them.”

“In London, Gia has advised Heron Tower, Tate Modern, 20 Fenchurch Street known as the Walkie Talkie, 30 St Mary Axe known as The Gherkin, The Shard, 122 Leadenhall known as the Cheese Grater, and we are excited to be able to bring the same level of expertise and experience to Manchester.”