Bruntwood Works has announced proposals for a workspace in Manchester city centre that it says it’s “capable of competing with the best commercial buildings in the world”.
This will be done through the redevelopment of Alberton House into ‘The Alberton’.
The proposals for the new workspace include replacing the current Alberton House on St. Mary’s Parsonage to create a “striking” 18-storey building that will become the flagship property in Bruntwood Works’ Pioneer programme.
The plans include the creation of a unique rooftop pavilion on the 17th and 18th floors that will house a “state-of-the-art” health and wellness centre, which will benefit from 360-degree views across the city that can also be enjoyed from the adjoining landscaped roof terrace.
Once complete, Bruntwood Works say The Alberton will offer one of the most “comprehensive wellness experiences in a workplace” that’s ever been seen in the UK.
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Designed by EPR Architects to represent Manchester’s industrial past in a contemporary aesthetic, Bruntwood Works also said The Alberton will create “a new standard of workspace” in the city that will compare to the best on the world stage through.
A big part of the building being able to compete is thanks to its sustainability credentials.
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You thought it couldn’t get any bigger- meet The Alberton!☄️🏢 This one will be revolutionary enough to compete on a world stage, thanks to it’s wellness & sustainability credentials. Think net-zero carbon workspace & rooftop wellness centre.
After Bruntwood became the first property company in the UK to sign up to the ‘World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment’ back in 2018, the group has since outlined its ambitions for all areas under its control to operate at NZC by 2030, and all buildings to have net zero embodied carbon by 2050.
This means that sustainability is a key factor of this groundbreaking Pioneer redevelopment.
The Alberton will operate at net zero carbon and is targeting BREEAM New Construction 2018 Excellent Rating and NABERS UK Design for Performance Agreement 5.5 star.
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The development will feature glazing detailing to reduce solar gain, ambient loop heating and cooling to allow for greater efficiency and zonal control, and the building will also encourage active commuting – with a newly created basement space offering extensive cycle storage with charging lockers, shower rooms, and vanity areas.
The new destination will also welcome the best of Manchester’s food and drink scene, as there’ll be a waterfront community of restaurant and bar operators, with an immersive food and drink experience on the ground floor.
Speaking on the unveiling of the proposals, Ciara Keeling – CEO at Bruntwood Works – said: “Our Pioneer programme has always been about realising our vision for the future of the workspace, and we’re proud to have created some of the best workspaces in the country through it.
“With The Alberton, we are aiming to bring a truly world-class asset to Manchester as the city continues to compete on a global stage for inward investment.”
Artist’s impression of The Alberton from Trinity Bridge / Credit: Bruntwood Works
She continued: “The office is no longer a place you have to go to, nor just a place where you go to work.
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“Workspaces need to become experiential places that encapsulate what we love about our thriving city centres, but can also help to provide productivity, balance and wellness to our lives.”
Following other leading workspaces transformed as part of the Bruntwood Works Pioneer programme – including Blackfriars House, 111 Piccadilly, and Bloc – The Alberton will offer a wide array of workspaces for individuals, start-ups, and larger firms.
The mezzanine workspace – which will be accessible to those with memberships to Bruntwood Works’ spaces, or via its Pay as You Go offering – will offer a cosy coworking lounge and flexible working zones.
Workspace floors will feature views over the River Irwell.
There will also be a range of community spaces available to foster collaboration and inclusivity.
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Keen to have your say? The community is invited to share their views on the plans by visiting thealberton.co.uk, or by emailing [email protected] by 23rd January 2022.
Featured Image – Bruntwood Works
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Yard & Coop – The Manchester institution taking the Christmas Markets by storm… again
Harry Quick
Firm favourite Manchester restaurant Yard and Coop is back on the Manchester Christmas Markets this year, giving us our annual fix of fried festive favourites – and they’re clucking lovely.
Their restaurant – a staple favourite in the Northern Quarter – is also whipping up some incredible festive specials.
Yard & Coop Christmas Markets
Yard and Coop at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc GroupYard and Coop at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
The much-loved Northern Quarter establishment, famed for its buttermilk fried chicken, has pitched up once again on St Ann’s Square.
They’ve whipped up a menu of their classic chicken dishes, each with a festive twist, and you don’t have to look far to see someone walking around with a cone full of the fried stuff.
This chicken institute has made some of the best salt and pepper-loaded fries around. The sticky sweet soy sauce coats the fries along with a heavy dusting of the salt and pepper blend and crispy deep-fried seaweed. Obviously, they are loaded with pieces of buttermilk chicken breast, but that goes without saying.
Yard and Coop at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the ‘Dirty Santa’ tray was certainly that. Fried chicken and fries covered in lashings rich chicken gravy, hot cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of parsnip crisps for a texture sensation. Even after eight billion mince pies I reckon Father Christmas would have room for these.
A returning favourite has rightfully made its way back onto the menu too. Chicken and fries piled high inside a waffle cone drizzled with BBQ and ranch sauce. It’s a bit of a messy one but that’s the whole point – you eat the cone at the end, so you clean up your own mess!
Yard & Coop festive restaurant specials
All systems are still a-go back in their Northern Quarter base in time for Christmas. Everything is better inside a Yorkshire pudding, right? Well, this festive craze has been beautifully adapted to incorporate Yard and Coop’s signature buttermilk chicken.
It’s Christmas dinner with all the trimmings wrapped in a soft Yorkshire burrito. Oh, and there’s a massive pot of chicken gravy to dip if you weren’t hungry enough reading this.
If you want to go the whole nine yards, the ‘Winner Winner Christmas Dinner’ is back and better than ever. Fully loaded with fried chicken breast, crispy fried potatoes, cheesy mash topped with homemade stuffing balls, creamed sprouts, cranberry hot sauce and buttered kale.
Sprouts are famously a bit hit and miss, aren’t they? Well, not these. Even the most devout brussels sprout hater would be converted by Yard and Coop’s homemade sprout bhajis. This little taste of India accompanies the real showstopper of the selection.
Yard and Coop’s ‘Boxing Day Burger’ transports you to that post-Christmas takeaway slapped between a seeded brioche bun. The signature fried chicken is smothered in their Ruby Murray sauce and stacked alongside cucumber raita salad, a couple of mini poppadoms and those delightful bhajis. Good luck getting it all in one bite, it’s a biggun.
You can find Yard and Coop on Edge Street and at St Ann’s Square at the Manchester Christmas Markets until 21 December.
The charming Manchester Italian restaurant ready to serve a Christmas Day feast
Harry Quick
Italiana Fifty-Five is opening its doors on Christmas Day, helping you indulge in three courses of great food and festive spirit – the Italian way.
Formerly known as the foodie favourite Cibo, diners can step into little Italy rejuvenated with a modern touch.
Its two locations across the city centre, found on Liverpool Road and Great Northern, as well as its restaurant in Didsbury, serve up a tantalising selection of hearty dishes in a sleek and trendy setting.
As well as offering an authentic Italian Christmas Day feast, Italiana 55 will be open a Christmas Party Menu in the lead-up to the big day for all your earlier celebrations.
To begin your Christmas Day feast choose between Zuppa Di Barbavietole E Carote (roasted parsnips and carrot soup); Burrata E Fig (burrata with fresh figs, parma ham and honey); Melanzane Parmigiana (an oven-baked dish made from aubergine, scamorza, tomato, basil and parmesan cheese); Carpaccio Di Manzo (fillet of beef thinly sliced with rocket, parmesan and a homemade dressing); and Arancini V (Sicilian rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and butternut squash).
Antipasti platter at Italiana 55. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana 55 in Manchester, which is open on Christmas Day. Credit: The Manc GroupSteak and risotto feature on Italiana 55’s Christmas menu
Italiana 55’s festive dining experience combines a British-Italian fusion with their selection of traditional mains using locally sourced ingredients with a Sicilian touch.
For your main, you can tuck in to a Tacchino Arrosto – British turkey with potatoes, carrots, sage stuffed sausage served with gravy and cranberry sauce).
Or for a more Italian twist on your celebrations, you can go for Risotto Con Butternut (roasted butternut squash risotto with thyme and parmesan shavings); Capesante Gratinate (seared king scallops topped with grated Parmigiano and a tomato sauce finished under the grill); Filleto Al Ferri (200g 28-day aged Aberdeen Angus fillet served with fries and garlic butter sauce); Ravioli Di Spinaci (egg ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach in a butter and sage sauce); and Rollata Di Pollo (chicken fillet filled with spinach mascarpone and goat cheese in a cream and mushroom sauce).
Rollata Di Pollo on Manchester restaurant Italiana 55’s Christmas menuTiramisu at Italiana 55. Credit: The Manc Group
There is always room for dessert at Christmas, and nobody does it like the Italians.
Nothing screams tradition like a Tiramisu (classic homemade savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee liqueur and layered with a mascarpone mousse); Vanilla Cheesecake (homemade with fresh vanilla pods, topped with a berry compote); Sticky Toffee Pudding (sponge mixed with dates and raisins, topped with sugar-coated walnuts and drizzled with warm toffee sauce); Gelato (homemade gelato serving vanilla, chocolate strawberry and pistachio); or Profiteroles (buns of choux pastry filled with chantilly cream and topped with a rich chocolate sauce).
If you’ve got a sweet tooth they’ve covered all bases.
You can get all this at Italiana 55 on Christmas Day for £65 per person (adult) and children eat for £30.
So if you’re looking to book a restaurant for Christmas day in Manchester, find out more about Italiana 55 and book here.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd December 2021 
