Argent is redeveloping the Elisabeth House site in joint venture with owner Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund and has given firms until 19 August to apply to see detailed plans. Tenders will be invited on the 12 October.
Architect Glenn Howells Architects has designed a 270,000 sq ft office building, which will be known as One St Peter’s Square when finished in two and a half years.
The building has designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating and will incorporate office floorplates of up to 22,500 sq ft.
At ground floor level it will have a mix of uses, with space for public exhibitions, and a big reception with panoramic views across the proposed redeveloped St Peter’s Square, refurbished Central Library and Town Hall extension.
The project team at One St Peter’s Square includes building services consultant Hoare Lea and structural engineers Tier.
The new building is a key feature in the planned £20m remodelling of Manchester’s St Peter’s Square. City centre chiefs hope to transform the landmark square by August 2014.
Plans include pedestrianising it, creating the largest public space in the city, and installing a monument to the Peterloo Massacre.
Further building enhancements, include the Odeon cinema site which will be demolished and rebuilt, and the 1960s Peterloo House to be rebuilt as modern offices. Benmore Developments plans to build a 250-bed fives hotel above the Theatre Royal to complete the restoration of St Peter’s Square.