Bruntwood SciTech has unveiled a new Manchester city centre acquisition and shared first preview images of its ambitious redevelopment plans for Pall Mall.
The announcement comes as the joint venture between property company Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund adds momentum to its plans to create a £5 billion portfolio by 2032.
It has increased its secured development pipeline to provide 8.4m sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace for the UK’s fastest-growing sectors.
The Pinnacle, located in the heart of Manchester city centre on King Street, has been designed to support the continued exponential growth of the science, tech and innovation sector. It has been acquired from Legal & General’s Asset Management division, acting on behalf of its client ReAssure Ltd.
It is set to become a further expansion to the company’s neighbouring location, Pall Mall, which itself is undergoing a major £30m redevelopment programme, due to complete in summer 2025.
It offers 28,500 sq ft of workspace across 10 floors and as part of a planned second phase expansion and extension will become part of the Pall Mall scheme, in total offering more than 120,000 sq ft.
Around a year’s worth of works remain on the transformation of the Grade II-listed 90,000 sq ft building. Bruntwood SciTech has released a first look inside its exciting plans for the scheme, which includes a variety of stunning workspaces spanning pay-as-you-go and co-working lounges, all-inclusive serviced offices, and bespoke leased workspaces.
There will be extensive break-out areas, a free gym, independent cafe, contemplation room, lounge and library space, secure EV charging points and a large cycle hub to encourage active travel. Those locating to Pall Mall and Pinnacle will benefit from an impressive roof terrace offering panoramic views across Manchester’s skyline.
Also unveiled today is a new sneak peek at the public piazza, which is set to be named ‘Pollen Square’ in commemoration of one of the original architects Francis Pollen, of Brett, Pollen & Teggin. The name also celebrates urban biodiversity which will be increased in the city centre through the introduction of new biophilia at the site.
In addition, Bruntwood SciTech will provide 100% renewable energy across all shared areas at Pall Mall and Pinnacle in keeping with its entire 4.8m sq ft portfolio, delivered through its £9.7m investment in Kirk Hill Wind Farm in Ayrshire, Scotland.
“Our acquisition of The Pinnacle and investment into Pall Mall once again reaffirms our commitment to the North West’s – and indeed the UK’s – innovation economy,” said Ciara Keeling, COO for Bruntwood SciTech.
“By adding further state-of-the-art workspace designed to support the science, tech and innovation sector, we are creating even more opportunities for businesses operating within that area to collaborate and grow, and ultimately working towards our ambitious goal of creating a £5bn portfolio by 2032.
“The acquisition was also ideally positioned to cluster with existing Bruntwood SciTech workspaces in the city centre, bolstering the community and knowledge-sharing that is already taking place across our city centre innovation hubs.”
Currently, Bruntwood SciTech has over £314m of investment underway across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, and is bringing to market 1.45m sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace for innovation-led businesses. In Manchester alone, it has £243m of investment committed and underway.