Property company Bruntwood has unveiled designs for its latest acquisition and redevelopment of a 66K sq ft workspace, directly opposite the Town Hall in Manchester’s Albert Square.
Formerly known as Commercial Union House and latterly home to Aviva Insurance, the six-storey building will now simply be known as ‘Union’ to reflect the emergence of a new collaborative, creatively-minded business community in the city.
Union will be completely redeveloped to create contemporary, high quality workspace in the heart of Manchester. Looking directly out over Albert Square, Union will provide unrivalled views of the city’s major cultural and social events including ‘Festival Square’ for the Manchester International Festival (MIF), the internationally-acclaimed Christmas Markets, the Manchester Jazz Festival and the city’s Food and Drink Festival.
Bruntwood is working with Bridge Architects on the project with construction progressing well on-site, and a planned building launch in summer 2017.
When complete, Union, which is just two minutes’ walk from St Peter’s Square Metrolink and Deansgate, will provide five upper floors of workspace, including a fifth floor penthouse suite.
Ciara Keeling, Head of City Centre Asset Management at Bruntwood, comments: “We acquired Union last year in response to the ever-growing customer demand for well-designed, contemporary workspace in the heart of the city – and you can’t get more central than opposite the Town Hall.
“Union is surrounded by a wealth of retail and local amenities and is a stone’s throw from the revamped St Peter’s Square, Deansgate and King Street. Having Albert Square on the doorstep with all the opportunities that brings for participation in the city’s cultural event programme, we know will be a huge draw for this space.
