Bruntwood Works reveals plans to create globally leading workspace in Manchester

Bruntwood Works has announced proposals for a workspace capable of competing with the best commercial buildings in the world through its redevelopment of Alberton House into ‘The Alberton’ in Manchester city centre.

The proposals for the new workspace include replacing the current Alberton House on St. Mary’s Parsonage to create a striking 18-storey building that will become the flagship property in Bruntwood Works’ Pioneer programme. 

The plans include the creation of a unique rooftop pavilion on the 17th and 18th floors that will house a state-of-the-art wellness centre. The health and wellness space will benefit from 360-degree views across the city that can also be enjoyed from the adjoining landscaped roof terrace. Once complete, The Alberton will offer one of the most comprehensive wellness experiences in a workplace ever seen in the UK. 

Designed by EPR Architects to represent Manchester’s industrial past in a contemporary aesthetic, The Alberton will create a new standard of workspace in the city that will compare to the best on the world stage through its wellness facilities and sustainability credentials. 

Bruntwood became the first property company in the UK to sign up to the World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment back in 2018. The group has since  outlined clear ambitions for all areas under their control to operate at NZC by 2030 and all buildings to have net zero embodied carbon by 2050. As such, sustainability is a key factor of this ground-breaking Pioneer redevelopment.

The Alberton will operate at net zero carbon and is targeting BREEAM New Construction 2018 Excellent Rating and NABERS UK Design for Performance Agreement 5.5 star. The development will feature glazing detailing to reduce solar gain, ambient loop heating and cooling to allow for greater efficiency and zonal control. The building will also encourage active commuting, with a newly created basement space offering extensive cycle storage with charging lockers, shower rooms and vanity areas.

The new destination will also welcome the best of Manchester’s food and drink scene. Situated on the banks of the River Irwell, it will become home to a waterfront community of restaurant and bar operators, with an immersive food and drink experience on the ground floor. 

According to the plans, customers will be greeted with an exceptional arrival experience that comprises a double-height foyer and grand staircase leading to a mezzanine workspace, which will be accessible to those with memberships to Bruntwood Works’ spaces, or via its Pay as You Go offering. The mezzanine will offer a cosy coworking lounge and flexible working zones, while its workspace floors will feature views over the river.

Bruntwood Works Pioneer buildings are the workspaces of tomorrow, today, focused on the core principles of wellbeing, biophilia, technology, sustainability, amenity and art. Following other leading workspaces transformed as part of the programme, including Blackfriars House, 111 Piccadilly and Bloc, The Alberton will offer a wide array of workspaces for individuals, start-ups and larger firms, and will have a range of community spaces available to foster collaboration and inclusivity. 

Ciara Keeling, CEO at Bruntwood Works, said: “Our Pioneer programme has always been about realising our vision for the future of the workspace, and we’re proud to have created some of the best workspaces in the country through it. With The Alberton, we are aiming to bring a truly world-class asset to Manchester as the city continues to compete on a global stage for inward investment.” 

A core component of The Alberton’s offering will be a vibrant programme of community events and the ability to host city-wide activity in an innovative event space. This modern facility will allow businesses to come together and reap the benefits of a collaborative community, and deliver a bespoke customer experience.

Keeling added: “The office is no longer a place you have to go to, nor just a place where you go to work. Workspaces need to become experiential places that encapsulate what we love about our thriving city centres, but can also help to provide productivity, balance and wellness to our lives.”

The full range of Bruntwood Works’ product offering will be available within the building, from the recently-launched Pay as You Go coworking passes through to Made and Managed bespoke offices, to support businesses of all sizes, from freelancers to large corporates.

The new development features within Manchester City Council’s St. Mary’s Parsonage Strategic Regeneration Framework, which will include the redevelopment of the grade-II listed Kendal Milne building, and is already home to Bruntwood Works’ Blackfriars House and King’s House.

The community is invited to share their views on the plans by visiting thealberton.co.uk, or by emailing ukdeloitteconsultation@deloitte.co.uk by 23rd January 2022.

Alongside Bruntwood Works as developer and owner, The Alberton project team comprises EPR as architects, Planit IE as the landscape designers, Stephen Levrant as heritage consultant, and Deloitte LLP as planning consultants. The team is supported by a range of consultants providing professional technical advice on the development of the scheme.