SimpsonHaugh Architects is pleased to have agreed to lease a beautiful, open and generously daylit space at 55 King Street in Manchester. The new 10,690 sq ft studio, located on the fifth floor of 55 King Street, offers panoramic views across the city centre. The move follows the signing of a 10-year lease with Orbit Developments, who have invested significantly in the building carrying out a full-scale refurbishment.
SimpsonHaugh’s move is planned for Summer this year and will see the practice moving from Commercial Street in Knott Mill, Castlefield, where it has been based for over 25 years. Founded by Ian Simpson and Rachel Haugh in 1987, SimpsonHaugh Architects has developed a strong presence in Manchester, London and Birmingham, and has compiled an impressive portfolio of award-winning national and international projects, including, in London, the iconic One Blackfriars, Dollar Bay, and Battersea Power Station Phase 1, Circus West Village.
Regionally, the practice has played a major role in regenerating Manchester City Centre and is recognised for its visionary approach to creating spaces and places that push the boundaries of possibility, whilst also ensuring its design solutions are appropriate and elegant. This approach is evident in the design of No.1 Deansgate and the Beetham Hilton Tower, both of which have served as catalysts for urban regeneration and the repopulation of the city.
“We see 55 King Street as a great opportunity to locate our practice in the heart of the city, in a building that we have long admired. We selected a complete upper floor as this allows us to gather the whole of the Manchester studio together on a single level which benefits from quality light and great views. We identified this unique opportunity early on within Orbits refurbishment programme, allowing us to create a bespoke environment and fit-out that directly responds to the needs of our team and culture. We aim to create a fabulous, new, contemporary setting complete with amenity which provides a springboard for ongoing creativity.” Ian Simpson and Rachel Haugh.
Originally designed by Casson, Conder & Partners for District Bank - later NatWest Bank - 55 King Street is a well-known landmark in Manchester’s Central Business District. The building’s extensive refurbishment celebrates its architectural heritage while creating a distinctive, energy-efficient workspace.
Orbit Developments’ Leasing Director, Adam Jackson, said: “Our extensive remodelling works have revitalised 55 King Street, exposing the original concrete soffits and installing new all electric HVAC system to deliver a more sustainable workspace for the next generation.”
Aligned with the ambition to increase density within the city, the practice has led the design direction of major regeneration schemes, including the New Jackson neighbourhood, comprising to date Deansgate Square, Elizabeth Tower, Victoria Residence, The Blade and Three60, with future phases currently under construction. Meanwhile, the second phase of the Viadux scheme – the planning application for which achieved a ‘minded to approve’ decision at planning committee only last month – includes the UK’s tallest residential tower and will see the introduction of a Nobu hotel and branded residences within the city alongside 133
affordable homes.
Utilising the expertise gained through their extensive commercial experience in the region including No.1 Spinningfields, Two St. Peters Square, NOMA’s 5* NABERS-rated 4 Angel Square and, more recently, the retrofit of One Hardman Boulevard in Spinningfields, SimpsonHaugh is pleased to have undertaken the interior design of its new studio space at 55 King Street, with the fitout being carried out by Jones Contracts.
Currently placed 48th on the Architects’ Journal AJ100 and operating internationally from its UK base, the design-led architectural practice currently numbers over 100 people working across its three studios and hopes to continue achieving sustainable growth.