Construction work has started on-site at Dantzic, as NOMA, now wholly owned by Hermes Investment Management, looks to capitalise on soaring demand for quality office space in Manchester.
Due for completion by 2019, Russells Construction has been appointed to redevelop the Grade II building, which will see it stripped back to provide loft-style workspace, designed to appeal to the quickly expanding number of creative companies in Manchester. Once complete, the period building will offer 45,000 sq ft of contemporary office space across seven floors.
Situated on the corner of Dantzic Street and Hanover Street, the development is a short walk away from Manchester Victoria station and overlooks Sadler’s Yard, Manchester’s newest public square and home to The Pilcrow, a hand-built community pub.
Next to Dantzic is The Federation, a 70,000 sq ft former drapery warehouse. Russells Construction completed the refurbishment last spring and the building is now fully let to Co-op Digital, which is creating an open community of digital businesses and innovators on-site.
Also nearby is Hanover, formerly Hanover House, a 90,000 sq ft listed building, which is being transformed into premium office accommodation, featuring 18,000 sq ft of ground floor retail and leisure space. Due to complete in autumn, Hanover is located directly opposite Manchester Victoria station, which has enjoyed £44 million of investment and is emerging as a new regional transport hub.
Ian Cody, Director – Asset Management at Hermes Investment Management, said: “This year will be busy for NOMA, with Dantzic starting on-site and Hanover nearing completion. The two buildings will provide much needed office space in Manchester city centre and will help underpin our ambition for NOMA to become the UK’s leading innovation district. NOMA underpins our commitment of investing in major mixed use schemes, which benefit from excellent accessibility and great place-making, combining heritage and community engagement with efficient floor space and an attractive environment for people to work, live and visit.”
NOMA, a 20-acre neighbourhood that is set across the former Co-op estate, is now 100 per cent owned by Hermes Investment Management after it acquired the Co-op’s stake in December last year.
Gareth Russell, Director at Russells Construction, said: “With Hanover fully underway and Dantzic starting on-site, it has been a pleasure to bring some of Manchester’s historic buildings back into use, breathing new life into them and creating contemporary workspaces that will appeal to the legions of techies and creatives that are transforming the city’s economy.”
In total, NOMA will provide 2.5 million sq ft of office space at various price points alongside residential, retail and leisure space. Colliers and JLL are joint letting agents for NOMA.
Peter Gallagher, Director at Colliers International, said: “Demand for quality office space in Manchester stands at an all-time high, but occupiers still want somewhere quirky and unique to base themselves, and period properties like Dantzic are typically very appealing.”
Ken Bishop, Director at JLL, said: “Occupiers looking to move into Manchester’s city centre from London, the South East and other areas of the North West find buildings with personality highly appealing, so we envisage Dantzic will attract strong interest.”
Sheppard Robson are the scheme’s architects and Workman LLP is the project manager for both Dantzic and Hanover.
