Permission for BDP's New Northern HQ

BDP has received planning approval from Manchester City Council for it's new northern headquarters on Ducie Street, which is being developed by Town Centre Securities plc.

Situated along the southern edge of the Piccadilly canal basin, the building will be used exclusively by BDP's Manchester team and will accommodate up to 275 employees.

Town Centre Securities Chairman & Chief Executive Edward Ziff commented "We are delighted that we can now proceed with this development which is a major commercial element of the overall scheme and a catalyst for regeneration".

The six storey building will provide large open plan studio space and ancillary accommodation - including a 'linear hub' at ground floor level which will provide an interactive area including café, staff restaurant and extended reception space.

The building responds to both context and micro-climate with a punctuated stainless steel façade to Ducie Street which rises to form the roof of the building and contain the studio areas. By contrast the canal side elevation is transparent to take advantage of north light and provide a suitable back drop to the wider basin area. Circulation between floors is achieved via a dramatic cantilevered glazed staircase, which is located above the Ashton Canal spur.

The site lies within Town Centre Securities' Piccadilly Basin masterplan and was selected by BDP following an exhaustive search of suitable locations within central Manchester. The building provides 33,000 sq.ft (nett) of sustainable office accommodation and will be naturally ventilated and night time cooled to assist in achieving an Excellent BREEAM rating.

David Cash, BDP's North Region Chairman, said: "Everybody at BDP is very excited by the prospect of moving to purpose built new offices of our own design. This also represents the firm's commitment to Manchester and in particular the rapidly regenerating Piccadilly Basin area, where BDP will be one of the first major office tenants."

BDP's multi-disciplinary appointment includes architecture, interior design, all engineering professions, lighting and acoustics. AYH is quantity surveyor.

The project is expected to start on site in early 2006.