82 King Street Refurbishment Completes, Preserving Historic Heritage

A historic former Bank of England building in Manchester has undergone significant refurbishment works. The project, led by property consultancy OBI on behalf of landlord Priory Manchester Ltd, aimed to preserve the building's heritage while creating a modern workspace.

The Grade I listed building at 82 King Street was designated as such in 1952, making it one of the most significant historic buildings in England. The refurbishment works included a reception refurbishment, new end-of-journey facilities, and CAT A works to the fifth floor.

OBI developed a phased delivery strategy to minimize disruption to tenants, including those operating from the ground floor reception area. The project also featured basement upgrades such as electrical car parking points, cycle racks, and showers and changing rooms to promote sustainable transportation.

The property remains almost fully occupied throughout the works, with OBI securing lease regears with companies like Zeus, Wella, Markel, and Regus alongside a new letting to Federico Wine Bar on the ground floor. Just over 6,000 sq ft of availability currently remains, comprising the entire fifth floor, which has recently been refurbished to a Cat A standard.

According to Dominic Horridge, building consultancy at OBI, 'Working on a historic listed building like 82 King Street requires a careful balance between preserving its heritage and creating a modern, functional workspace. Through close collaboration with the client and project team, we were able to navigate this by delivering a high-quality refurbishment that respected the building’s character while meeting the needs of its occupiers.'