Manchester Hall set for new neighbour

Plans to create a new grade A office building next to the grade II-listed Manchester Hall in the heart of the city centre are on the verge of securing the green light.A full planning application by Vision Developments to transform 44-48 Bridge Street is set to be considered by Manchester City Council’s planning committee on Thursday, 1 June 2017. 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.