A £6m landmark scheme to transform former offices into luxury apartments on Manchester city centre’s iconic King Street has been completed.
RECOM Solutions was the principal contractor for the project at 58-66 King Street, working on behalf of asset manager DTZ Investors.
The 24,000sq ft Grade II listed building, now known as Kingsgate House, has been converted into 24 one and two-bedroomed flats across four floors, with the inclusion of ground floor and basement ancillary areas.
It is the first residential development in the prime retail area of lower King Street.
The apartments have been developed for rental and are due to be brought to market next month by property management company Urban Bubble.
Professionals involved in the scheme alongside RECOM included AEW Architects, planning consultancy Savills, CogentBC as the project manager and quantity surveyors Gateley Vinden.
The redevelopment involved stripping back the building to its shell and repurposing it, with a new entrance and ancillary space at ground level and a cycle store and plant areas at basement level. The apartments are on the upper floors.
A new flat roof has been installed and existing external windows have been refurbished with the inclusion of new secondary glazing. The apartments have been fitted with LED lighting to significantly increase the Energy Performance Certificate rating of the building.
Joinery aspects in the central areas have been retained, including staircases and original handrails. New mechanical and electrical features include a lift, electric heating system, sprinkler tank and sprinkler system.
RECOM director Jason McKnight said the works were carried out in a manner sympathetic to the building’s heritage and character.
“This focus was bled into the project from the very beginning at the design stage,” he said.
“We worked closely with the architects, planning consultants and Manchester City Council planning and conservation officers to achieve the desired outcome.”
He added: “Participating in this exceptional project has been an immensely rewarding experience. Working alongside DTZ, AEW, the CogentBC project management team and the Gateley Vinden team fostered an environment of collaboration and positivity.
“The unwavering commitment of each party involved to the project’s outcome was evident throughout, with everyone united by the ambition to create something unparalleled in Manchester.
“Through our collective dedication and focused efforts, we have together realised a vision that brings a unique and transformative addition to the city. Each apartment is different and is equipped with high-level fixtures and fittings with a focus on energy conservation.”
Holly Witcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We are delighted to have completed the residential conversion project to deliver 24 luxury new apartments to King Street.
“The apartments have been delivered to a high level of specification and utilise the character features of this historic building.
“We are really pleased with the end product. King Street is going through a real transformation at the moment and is becoming Manchester’s leading retail and leisure district, and these apartments provide the opportunity to live in the very heart of the area and benefit from all of the high-end amenities surrounding it.”
RECOM, which Jason founded in 2015 with Joseph Dillon, undertakes construction project management and main contracting work across sectors including healthcare, education, retail and leisure, commercial and residential. It also provides consultancy services to assist in the design and delivery of health and safety, sustainability, passive fire protection and cladding projects.
The company, which has its headquarters on the Waters Edge Business Park in Salford Quays,is an approved contractor under the UK’s Fire Accreditation Scheme (FIRAS) for its fire protection services, which include passive fire protection installation, fire door surveys and installations, repairs and upgrades, fire strategy reviews, compartmentation surveying, advice and guidance, training, development and support.