Hall & Co Property has secured planning permission for the transformation of Stockport’s iconic Grade II listed Bank Chambers, which will become home to the town’s first dedicated co-working space, ProFolk.
Bank Chambers is one of Stockport’s most important heritage assets. Hall & Co will deliver a sensitive restoration, bringing the vacant building back to its best, while delivering a modern working environment that accentuates the property’s many beautiful design features.
ProFolk will provide seven private offices and 20 co-working desks, along with a large space for meetings and events, plus breakout and relaxation space, a bike store, showers and lockers.
The space has been designed by award-winning architecture practice, Ollier Smurthwaite. Managing Director, Matt Ollier, said: “A lot of the original features are still intact within the grand old banking hall. The approach we’ve taken is a light touch; restoring and revealing the existing marble walls, feature columns and old bank vaults, whilst introducing the minimal amount of modern interventions. The works will restore the interior to its former glory and preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Jamie Hall, Projects Director at Hall & Co, said: “Stockport has seen significant growth in recent months; it has enormous untapped potential which is now being realised. The majority of office space in Stockport town centre is fully occupied, yet much of that space is tired and dated – ProFolk will raise the bar, offering a modern, attractive, tech-enabled workspace that benefits from superfast WIFI, an unrivalled location and an emphasis on collaboration.
“We will continue to see businesses relocating into the town, and we’ve no doubt that ProFolk will prove popular with both new and established companies alike.”
With an investment pipeline of £1bn into the town centre, Stockport is currently undergoing a major transformation. There has been a surge in private residential development, set to grow further with the announcement of the Mayoral Development Corporation pipeline of 3,000 homes, an influx of new food and drink operators and record-breaking office lettings, most notably at Stockport Exchange.
Infrastructure is also at the core of the town centre vision, with the Transport Interchange, a new town centre park, high quality apartments and state-of-the-art transport facilities submitted for planning with a decision expected in March 2019.
Closer to ProFolk, we will see renowned restauranteur Steve Pilling open Stockport’s Mackie Mayor-style food hall in March 2019. It follows a stream of openings in 2018, such as Project 53 and The Angel Inn which have bolstered existing award winning provision such as Where The Lights Gets In and Foodies Friday.
Market Place and Underbanks has also seen an array of other lettings ranging from SK1 records, a host of cafes and Tramps new premises opening later in the year. The transformation of the Underbanks is being supported by a £1.8m HLF grant.
Work has already begun on site, with ProFolk scheduled to open its doors in Summer 2019.
