黑洞社区

Russells Construction has been selected to refurbish a Grade II listed office building that is part of Manchester鈥檚 NOMA regeneration area.

The 拢34m programme will see the redbrick Hanover 黑洞社区 鈥渟tripped back鈥� and remodelled to provide around 8,500 sq m of grade-A office space aimed at creative and technology firms, and 1,700 sq m of retail and commercial space.

Sheppard Robson is overseeing the design and delivery of the project, after Stephenson STUDIO drew up initial plans.

Developers the Co-op and Hermes Investment Management said the project, which is due for completion in summer 2018, would incorporates 鈥渘umerous historic features鈥� of the Edwardian building, such as the very fine glazed tiles in the stairwells and the coffered plastered ceilings.

Under the proposals, each floor of the building鈥檚 two separate structures will be joined across using link bridges to create large, 2,000 sq m floorplates.

The design also creates a new internal atrium between the two parts, sheltered by a lightweight transparent ETFE roof.

Russells Construction director Gareth Russell said the investment being put into the building 鈥� which will be renamed 鈥淗anover鈥� 鈥� would help it to surpass its former glories.

鈥淲e aim to create an attractive and functional space while also enhancing the fabric and character of the original building,鈥� he said.