A historic Manchester landmark is set to be transformed after city planners gave the project the green light.
Bruntwood Works is behind the proposals for 38-42 Mosley Street which will be rebranded as Bond.
The building was originally constructed in 1862 to house the Manchester and Salford Bank. It was designed by Edward Walters, who also created the city’s historic Free Trade Hall.
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The Italian palazzo-style building has most recently been home to the Royal Bank of Scotland, who occupied the building in an office capacity from 2001 until 2020.
Bruntwood has owned the site since 2004 while the plans were submitted to Manchester City Council for consideration earlier this year.
The group will now begin the comprehensive restoration of the grade II*-listed building, preserving its links to the past by creating a workplace and hospitality destination that showcases the building’s original features, such as the palatial double height banking hall and second floor dome room.
The approved plans include refurbishing four floors of office space into a range of different sized and fully fitted suites from 1,000 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft, creating a new communal lounge with a focal point fire and adding a restaurant located in the old banking hall.
The proposals also include refurbishing the characteristic palazzo basement to house a gym, cycle scheme, screening room, showers and changing facilities.
Ciara Keeling, chief executive of Bruntwood Works, said: "Bond demonstrates the huge possibilities contained within Manchester’s city centre. In harnessing the rich heritage of the bank, we’re creating a space fit for the future where people can come together and flourish, reflecting what we can achieve if we look creatively at how we can reimagine the city centre estate, creating a cluster of spaces that foster more rewarding experiences for local businesses.
"We’re dedicated to delivering inspirational, flexible workspaces that are perfect for customers of all sizes, from SMEs to large businesses, that are focused on securing creative, turnkey solutions.
"The value of being embedded in a collaborative community, with onsite wellness and amenity, has never been more apparent, and it’s vital to the health of our city centres that we continue to champion this spirit.
"This is what our growing cluster of workspaces is intended to deliver in spades, bringing people and businesses together, and contributing to Manchester’s thriving ecosystem."
