The Spanish Consulate in Manchester is to relocate from its temporary home to a new office space at The Chancery on Spring Gardens, investment group Topland has confirmed.
The consulate, currently located on Deansgate, will move into an 11,000 sq ft space over the ground and first floor of the recently refurbished building in a 25-year lease brokered by Knight Frank.
Steve Pope, group director of property and asset management from Topland said the transaction was agreed before the Covid-19 pandemic, but was delivered during lockdown.
He said the Kingdom of Spain’s decision to open the new consulate in The Chancery was both a major achievement for the building and Manchester.
The announcement comes after Duff & Phelps signed a new 10-year lease at the building, which was acquired by Topland Group in August 2019.
Mr Pope said: “To have achieved these lettings within our first year of ownership is very pleasing and we look forward to securing another prestigious letting on the remaining second floor.”
Knight Frank’s project and building consultancy team will oversee a fit-out for Topland, which includes plans for a self-contained consular entrance off Brown Street after planning permission was secured.
Matt Shufflebottom, associate at Knight Frank, said: “The ground and first floor accommodation provide a perfect solution for the consulate and we are pleased to secure them as an occupier at the building.
“A combination of perseverance, client engagement and ability to deliver a bespoke tenant fit-out helped secure the deal.
“Our project and building team is working closely with the landlord and incoming tenant on the detail and execution of the fit-out and refurbishment which is scheduled to complete very soon.
“We are particularly pleased to announce the deal having recently secured Duff & Phelps’ future at the building leaving only 6,800 sq ft available on the second floor.”
