Go ahead for Cartwright Pickard’s revised Manchester office plans

Revised Cartwright Pickard-designed plans for the next phase of development in Manchester’s NOMA commercial district have been given the green light.

The city council last week approved plans for two new office buildings – 2 and 3 Angel Square – which together will provide around 440,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.

Originally given planning consent in 2019, the scheme was rethought as trends in office use shifted during the pandemic.

The new designs attempted to improve integration with outside space and increase areas of the building dedicated to wellbeing.

The pair of buildings, which are 14 and 13 storeys respectively, will join a 20-acre site that is already home to One Angel Square, headquarters of the Co-operative Group, and the SimpsonHaugh-designed 4 Angel Square, which is due for completion early next year.

The facades of the buildings will use glazed, angled terracotta panels, in keeping with the heritage buildings that remain on the estate.

The new buildings will be operationally net zero and are targeting BREEAM Outstanding and a five star NABERS rating.

Work will begin on the buildings following the completion of 4 Angel Square. Rooftop restaurants, garden terraces as well as retail units on the lower floors are all expected to be included.