Bruntwood Works forges ahead with historic Manchester bank transformation as planning approval granted

Bruntwood Works is set to realise its reimagining of 38-42 Mosley Street, following planning approval for the transformation of the landmark Manchester city centre building. 

Reborn as ‘Bond’, a name designed to convey the building’s roots in Manchester’s banking history, the building was originally constructed in 1862 to house the Manchester and Salford Bank. The building was designed by Edward Walters, who also created the city’s historic Free Trade Hall. 

The new name emphasises the focus that the building’s transformation will place on collaboration and bringing people together. The name also reflects the building’s close bond with the city centre, including its connection to neighbouring Bruntwood Works’ workspace, 57 Spring Gardens. 

The site will form a key location in the surrounding cluster of Bruntwood Works’ workspaces, including York House, Manchester Club, Pall Mall and Bloc, Bruntwood Works’ latest Pioneer workspace. Bond will anchor this cluster of buildings to other Bruntwood Works assets around New York Street, including Neo and Faulkner House, adding to this vibrant district of knowledge, creativity and innovation and fostering relationships between the city’s business community.

With planning approval now in place, Bruntwood Works will begin the comprehensive restoration of the Grade II* listed building, preserving its links to the past by creating a workplace and hospitality destination that showcases the building’s impressive original features, such as the palatial double height banking hall and second floor dome room.

The approved plans include refurbishing four floors of office space into a range of different sized and fully fitted suites from 1,000 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft, creating a new communal lounge with a focal point fire and adding a unique restaurant offering located in the old banking hall. The plans also include refurbishing the characteristic palazzo basement to house wellness facilities including a gym, cycle scheme, screening room, showers and changing facilities. The building will be home to first-class connectivity, including WiFi throughout and a superfast connection in each workspace suite.

This connected community will have access to collaborative coworking and community areas, enhanced wellbeing facilities and a regular programme of inspiring business support services and events.

Ciara Keeling, Chief Executiveof Bruntwood Works, said: “Bond demonstrates the huge possibilities contained within Manchester’s city centre. In harnessing the rich heritage of the bank, we’re creating a space fit for the future where people can come together and flourish, reflecting what we can achieve if we look creatively at how we can reimagine the city centre estate, creating a cluster of spaces that foster more rewarding experiences for local businesses. We’re dedicated to delivering inspirational, flexible workspaces that are perfect for customers of all sizes, from SMEs to large businesses, that are focused on securing creative, turnkey solutions.

“The value of being embedded in a collaborative community, with onsite wellness and amenity, has never been more apparent, and it’s vital to the health of our city centres that we continue to champion this spirit. This is what our growing cluster of workspaces is intended to deliver in spades, bringing people and businesses together, and contributing to Manchester’s thriving ecosystem.”

The 33,000 sq ft development will look to meet Bruntwood’s 2030 net zero carbon targets and is set to complete in early 2023.

The Italian palazzo style building has most recently been home to the Royal Bank of Scotland, who occupied the building in an office capacity from 2001 until 2020. A Bruntwood asset since 2004, the plans seek to restore the bank to its former glory.

The building boasts a wealth of period details and will be sympathetically redeveloped by the project team, which includes architects AXI, Paul Butler Associates as planning and heritage consultant, and Hilson Moran as MEP and sustainability consultant.

Following planning approval for the transformation of the building, Bruntwood Works is exploring options to deliver a workspace for a variety of occupiers. Further details on occupiers and the timings of the scheme are set to be announced later this year.