Sheppard Robson wins approval to retrofit listed 60s offices in Manchester

Sheppard Robson has been handed permission to retrofit the Grade II-listed Pall Mall Court in Manchester’s city centreThe Modernist office block was completed in 1968 by Harry Teggin of Brett, Pollen & Teggin and listed in 2000 for its ‘striking design’, which ‘respects, and responds well to, its site and the Victorian streetscape’.The block features a Z-shaped plan and rows of oriel windows with glass and bronze-painted aluminium details.However, the building has lain empty for most of the past four years. Now Sheppard Robson and developer Bruntwood are planning to improve the building’s interior and create a ‘hospitality-style entrance’ while also refurbishing its façade.A new entrance will be repositioned to the centre of the building to create an outdoor piazza and covered terrace in a previously unused space. The scheme will also introduce café space to the building and create retail space fronting King’s Street.The interior fit-out of the building, by Sheppard Robson’s interiors arm, ID:SR, will feature ‘a mid-century look and feel featuring warm timbers, natural finishes, and rich, earthy tones’ while the building will also have a new roof terrace.Other features to be introduced include a gym, wellness studio, changing rooms, cycle storage, conference pods, meeting rooms, a co-working lounge and a screening room.The building’s cladding will be ‘faithfully recreated’, according to the project team, with new cladding joints made by 3D printers – a process which will allow improved airtightness and energy efficiency in the building.The windows will also be given like-for-like replacements, while the external mosaics will be restored.The plans were approved by planning officers at Manchester City Council, with a decision noticed published on Monday (24 October).Alex Smith, partner at Sheppard Robson, said: ‘Huge effort has been placed on the faithful recreation of the building’s façade, with the process involving the delicacy normally associated with working on a historic building.‘It is inside that the more radical rethinking takes place, creating modern, efficient and uplifting workspaces and amenities that are framed by the building’s original design language.’Andrew Butterworth, commercial director at Bruntwood, said: ‘Given the historic nature of the building, the plans were complex, needing to be sympathetic to the heritage of the site while also remaining consciously minded and providing a dynamic and innovative space for our customers.‘We are deeply aware of our responsibility to help both our customers and the cities we operate within to achieve their sustainability goals.‘Alongside our existing cluster of forward-thinking city centre workspaces, the iconic Pall Mall will act as a blueprint for sustainable listed renovations and help our customers and the wider city to reach its net zero ambitions.’Construction work is expected to start in early 2023 and end later in the year.