NOMA, a 20-acre mixed-use neighbourhood in Manchester city centre, has secured planning permission to redevelop Redfern, a Grade II listed former warehouse and office building, into modern office space with ground-floor retail and leisure units.

Redfern will be revamped, under plans approved by Manchester City Council, into 50,000 sq ft of Grade A contemporary office space spread across six floors.

Stephen Bradley, Senior Asset Manager at Hermes Investment Management, said: “The go-ahead for Redfern’s redevelopment underlines Manchester City Council’s continued confidence in our vision for NOMA. There is now real momentum behind the neighbourhood, with Amazon moving into nearby Hanover. Dantzic, another listed building, is due to complete in early 2019. We look forward to taking Redfern forward and will soon be outlining our plans for the new-build opportunities at NOMA, helping cement our position as the UK’s first innovation district.”

An additional 7,600 sq ft of mixed retail and leisure space split across three on the ground floor, which was previously a basement until the excavation of Sadler’s Yard, Manchester’s newest public square. Plus a brand new roof terrace will offer future occupiers views of Manchester’s evolving skyline.

Richmal Wigglesworth, Associate at Sheppard Robson, said: “The strong civic presence of the building, helped by ground floor uses that directly address the public space, will create a vibrant atmosphere and contribute to the NOMA place making. Occupants will feel connected to the building’s heritage, with sensitive refurbishment sitting alongside new elements, such as the addition of a roof terrace area for the office tenants.”

Hermes Investment Management is the investment manager of NOMA, working on behalf of an institutional investor.