Green light for new Manchester Hall neighbour

Plans to create a grade A office building next to the grade II-listed Manchester Hall in the heart of the city centre have secured the green light.A full planning application by Vision Developments to transform 44-48 Bridge Street went before Manchester City Council’s planning committee yesterday (1 June).The AHR Architects-designed scheme, to be known as Bradley’s Court, involves creating 43,648 sq ft of offices and 6,663 sq ft of ground-floor commercial space. There would be an external terrace on level six providing views over Manchester.The 0.2-acre site earmarked for regeneration is currently empty. It has been vacant since the plot was cleared of buildings approximately 60 years ago.Manchester Hall, the former Freemasons Hall, was built in 1929 as a new home for the region’s 20,000 masons. It is currently being converted by Vision Developments into a boutique venue dedicated to conferencing, weddings, events and dining.