20 Manvers Street

Location
Bath
Client
CBRE Investment Management
Value
£6.2m
Completion
2017
Size
58,213 sq ft
BREEAM Rating
Very Good

Taking a tired old building to the top of the local rental market.

20 Manvers Street desperately needed of a new lease of life.

Originally built in 1972, the six storey office sits between two listed buildings in the centre of Bath, but was characterised by its neglected exterior and a dark, dated interior. To add to its woes, routine maintenance could not address the issues facing the occupiers and the plant was on its last legs.

The client, CBRE, realised that 20 Manvers Street required comprehensive refurbishment to restore it’s original beauty, reduce energy consumption and re-position the building within the marketplace.

First things first, change people’s first impressions of the building.

A new glazed entrance has been introduced at pavement level to improve the relationship between building and public realm, while a bright, high quality reception space with feature finishes creates a sense of arrival for visitors.

Venture further through the building and find new communal areas with high-quality finishes and new shower and changing facilities; perfect for the demand of today’s flexible working life. On the top floor a rooftop glass box offers incredible panoramic views of the city.

The previous dated office area has been refurbished into light, airy, open plan workspace, with increased glazing offering views out to the historic city centre.

The building layout has been designed to provide the occupiers with maximum flexibility, while the M&E layout offers a blank canvas for tenant fit out.

In terms of sustainability, BREEAM Very Good and EPC B formed the basis of the client’s brief. The project exceeded expectations by delivering an EPC A, making it one of the highest rated, non-new build development in CBRE’s portfolio.

The building was successfully repositioned at the top end of the local commercial rental market and was fully let during the construction process, confirming the significant improvement the refurbishment provided.

“Stride Treglown have been central to the successful delivery of the Manvers Street project. Their experience in heritage settings, sensitive design approach and attention to detail in the delivery of quality architecture was instrumental in delivering a complex and challenging urban redevelopment in the heart of a sensitive heritage city.”

Mick Roult, Director at CBRE Global Investors

Project Team:

Architect: Stride Treglown
Project Manager: Buro Four
Employers Agent: Buro Four
BREEAM Consultant: Norman Disney & Young
Quantity Surveyor: Gleeds
Structural Engineer: Integral Engineering
M&E Engineer: Norman Disney & Young