OBI Property confirmed today that it has acquired JCS Design, the interior design and architecture practice set up by James Scott. James has joined the OBI Property team to provide work place design and advice to its clients.
James has twelve years experience in architecture and design, he said: “It is great to be joining OBI Property at such an exciting time and I am looking forward to working with the fantastic client base. I will be working closely with the other disciplines at OBI to enable us to provide market leading advice on all aspects of office refurbishment and tenant fit out.”
Dominic Horridge, partner, OBI Property added: “James is a very welcome addition to our team and brings an additional set of skills which are a natural complement to our existing services. Our business is unique in Manchester and by bringing in people to the business like James and Mike Morgan, who joined us in December to head up our asset management and professional services team, we’re able to cater for all out clients property needs.”
OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.
Twitter: @OBIProperty
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
Manchester based demolition, asbestos removal and remediation specialists Windmill Group (UK) Ltd, is pleased to announce it has won the prestigious British Safety Council International Safety Award for 2012.
Windmill, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2011, encourages high levels of health and safety awareness through its ‘Work Safe, Home Safe’ initiative which includes all employees, from managers to labourers, and ensures everyone is thoroughly trained to avoid risks on site.
Windmill Managing Director, Adrian Kelly said: “We’re so pleased that our achievements in creating a culture of health and safety awareness throughout the company have been recognised. This award gives winners a lot of prestige. We’re all very proud to have had the chance to show our high safety standards across not just one, but every project we’ve managed and worked, on over the past twelve months.”
Competing against over 550 international entrants, Windmill has been recognised for its commitment and dedication to improving the health and safety of their employees within the company. The annual award acknowledges organisations that achieve excellent standards of health and safety in the last twelve months. Each entry is judged by independent, chartered health and safety professionals.
The British Safety Council, founded as a charity in 1957, is the leading global voice on health and safety. It works with organisations to improve their management of health and safety and environmental health. It has been responsible for pivotal safety regulation such as making seatbelts in cars mandatory.
Alex Botha, Chief Executive, British Safety Council said: “Our annual award celebrates those organisations who achieve the very best standard and record of employee health and safety over a twelve month period. Those who win enjoy a great level of respect in the industry and beyond.”
Windmill will formally receive its award at a presentation ceremony at the five star Grosvenor House Hotel in London on May 18th.
Windmill offers a fully integrated pre-construction service to clients, which have included NHS trusts, government bodies, housing associations and private developers among others. They carry out demolition and deconstruction, asbestos surveys and removal services, decommissioning, archaeological services, enabling works, groundworks, specialist design, structural and civil engineering, waste management and recycling and superstructure works.
http://www.windmillgroup.uk.com/
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
The conversion of the historic St Clements Old School building into four new, four bedroom townhouses completed this week and the developer, local man, Chris Barton is celebrating by throwing the doors open on Saturday 21 April from 10am to 4pm.
Built in 1879 and located on Chorlton Green, St Clements Old School was formerly known as Old Chorlton School, it was used as a school until 1930. Since it closed as school it has been used for a number of different purposes including a Sunday school.
Chris has owned the former school building for ten years. He originally lived in the property with his family but as the gas bills got too big, he decided to split the property into four separate and very individual homes.
Working with Jonathan Davidson of Manchester based Q2 Architects, Chris has retained many of the original features of the school house including the striking pitch pine trusses, large windows and original brick walls. He has combined them with complementary modern features including reclaimed oak flooring, slate floored bathrooms with Duravit Starck fixtures and kitchens fitted with AEG/Bosch appliances.
Each house is different, each has its own private space to the rear and parking is provided for one car per property.
Jonathan Davidson said: “St Clements Old School is a beautiful building with fantastic original features. It is always a challenge working with historic properties but the new, modern interventions here really enhance the quality and character of the existing building”
The show home, 31B Chorlton Green, styled by NoChintz, is the largest (2,300 sq ft) of the four properties. The front door has been created using one of the former windows and opens into an atrium which rises to the highest point of the building, allowing the volume of the original building to be appreciated.
The ground floor provides views through from the front to the back of the house, with full width folding doors opening out on the private terrace area at the back. The rear living area includes an original fire place. A glazed sliding door provides a modern intervention to break the space up if needed.
To complement the fully fitted kitchen with AEG appliances, there’s also a generous sized utility room on the ground floor. At the front of the property is a dining area; however the space is flexible to allow the owner to decide how they want to use it.
On the first floor, the large master bedroom comes complete with a generous dressing area and wet room en-suite bathroom. The large family bathroom is also on first floor, plus a large double bedroom.
On the second floor, there’s further two double bedrooms, which would make excellent rooms for children of any age. The two bedrooms feature original pitch pine trusses. Pitch pine originates from North America and was historically used for ship building and construction in the 18th and 19th centuries, many mills, warehouses and buildings from that period used it for beams and trusses. All bedrooms are carpeted and all fixtures and fittings have been carefully selected to complement the design.
Located on Chorlton Green, St Clements Old School is in one of the most popular residential locations in Manchester. Chorlton Green is a conservation area. It is within a 10 minute walk to the new Chorlton Metrolink stop, with easy access to the main road network linking to Manchester city centre and the Airport.
Chorlton Park and Meadows are on the doorstep, and Beech Road and its independent shops, cafes and restaurants is just a short walk away.
St Clements Old School is the first residential development Chris has carried out, it has been a very interesting journey.
Chris said: “Converting the building into these four new homes has been an exhilarating experience for me. I love the building and wanted to make homes that I would want to live in myself. I hope when people see them, they feel the same way as I do.”
Prices start from £550,000. Anyone is welcome to attend the open day which is on Saturday 21 April from 10am-4pm, refreshments and entertainment will be provided. JP & Brimelow is the agent acting on behalf of Chris and anyone wanting more information about the houses such contact the Chorlton office of the agent on 0161 882 2233 or chorlton@jpbrimelow.co.uk.
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
Acting on behalf of specialist social work recruitment consultancy Liquid Personnel, OBI Property today announced it has advised the growing business on its relocation to larger offices. Liquid Personnel has committed to a new five year lease on 4,000 sq ft at the popular 52 Princess Street, Manchester which is owned by Bridge Properties.
OBI Property advised Liquid Personnel on the search and acquisition of the new premises and also undertook the interior design and space planning role for the offices.
OBI Property partner, Will Lewis said: “Liquid Personnel wanted to find character accommodation to provide an enhanced working environment for its staff. The space at 52 Princess Street proved the ideal location and the modern style of the office space is exactly what Liquid Personnel were looking for.”
Jon Coxon, co-owner of Liquid Personnel commented: “We are all very excited about relocating to 52 Princess Street and we expect to be moving in towards the end of May. The new office provides a fantastic base as we are experiencing a very strong period of growth for our business”.
Liquid Personnel is a specialist social work and social care recruitment consultancy. Founded in 2006, it is the 3rd largest provider to the UK social work sector, helping social workers to find jobs with organisations throughout the UK. The company is moving from 40 Princess Street, Manchester.
James Dickinson of Canning O’Neill advised landlords Bridge Properties on the transaction. Edwards & Co were joint letting agents.
Twitter: @OBIProperty
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
A team led by landscape architects Planit-IE has been appointed by the Lake District National Park Authority to map out a 20-year vision for the major redevelopment of Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Windermere.
Altrincham-based Planit–IE already has a working history with Brockhole, as they provided the creative ideas for the landside works around the new jetty last year.
“Anyone who has visited Brockhole in the last 12 months will have seen some major changes – a new jetty linking in with the lake cruises, exhibitions telling the story of the Lake District, extra retail opportunities in the shop, a new menu in the café, open water swimming and animal experiences – and a new high ropes course that will open later this year,” said Brockhole Programme Director Adam Thomas.
“Now, as the first stage of changes concludes, our thoughts are with what happens next to create an inspiring centre that encourages visitors and local people to explore and celebrate the Lake District,” he added.
Planit’s team includes design engineers Stockley , Carmody Groarke Architects and public-space event programmers, Groundbreaking .
“We are delighted to have won the chance to further shape the future at Brockhole and to be working in the Lake District again, so soon after winning the Windermere Steam Boat Museum competition with Andy and Kevin at Carmody Groarke. It is one of our favourite places and with its breathtaking views and location on the shores of Windermere it has all the ingredients, to become a truly world class visitor attraction” said Pete Swift, Director of Planit-IE.
Later in the year the public will have the opportunity to be involved online in the creation of the masterplan for Brockhole’s future.
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For Further Information Please Contact:
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
OBI Property announced today that global insurance broker Willis will remain in the Chancery Building at Spring Gardens, Manchester following its comprehensive market search across the City.
Acting on behalf of clients of Aberdeen Asset Management, OBI Property has negotiated a new ten-year lease with Willis on its 5,000 sq ft.
Will Lewis, partner, OBI Property said: “We’re delighted that Willis has chosen to stay in The Chancery. Our client works very closely with the occupiers in the building and Willis made it clear that they were always happy with the building”.
Will Monaghan, Lease Manager of Willis Group added: “We looked at a number of other buildings within the prime core of Manchester but we decided to work with Aberdeen Asset Management and commit to a new lease. The Chancery provides a great base for our Manchester office and is located in a perfect location for the business.”
BNP Paribas represented Willis Group.
OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.
Twitter: @OBIProperty
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk
OBI Property has today announced international insurance broker Alec Finch has taken 6,500 sq ft of office space at the recently transformed Steam Packet House, Cross Street, Manchester city centre. Alec Finch has committed to a new ten year lease and the deal is one of the most significant office lettings in the City so far this year.
Peter Buckles, Asset Manager, Ribot Investments, the buildings landlord said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alec Finch to Steam Packet House. It shows that the refurbishment we did on the building is reaping its reward, despite challenging market conditions.”
Paula Williams, Managing Director, Alec Finch said: “These new premises are ideally suited for our business and will ensure we are able to continue to provide a premier service to our clients. The new offices will provide a modern working environment for our team and put us closer to the heart of the business community in Manchester. We look forward to the official opening ceremony of the office in the weeks to come.”
Will Lewis, partner, OBI Property said: “The deal with Alec Finch means there is only the sixth floor remaining, which comprises 2,414 sq ft. Our clients, Ribot Investments, will take a proactive stance on leasing the space and will consider subsidising the cost of a tenant fit out. We have the opportunity to create characterful offices that will suit those in the creative and media sectors.”
Other occupiers in the building include Mono Consultants and Linder Myers Solicitors. OBI Property is joint letting agent with Edwards & Co on Steam Packet House.
Twitter: @OBIProperty
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For Further Information Please Contact
Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk