A topping out ceremony has taken place at Stockport town centre’s new gateway development, Stockport Exchange.
Councillor Patrick McAuley joined representatives from Muse Developments and Eric Wright Construction to mark this important milestone in the construction of the new 50,000 sq ft, five-storey office building with ground floor retail space.
National developer and urban regeneration specialist, Muse, is delivering the wider Stockport Exchange regeneration scheme
The scheme is located next to Stockport train station, in partnership with Stockport Council.
As well as the office, this second phase of development will deliver a new 115-bed Holiday Inn Express and public space outside the train station, creating an major gateway into the town centre. The road layout is also being reconfigured to improve access to the station and provide a dedicated drop-off facility.
Stockport Exchange is a flagship office development for Stockport and South Manchester that will see a new commercial district and commuter hub created in the heart of the town centre. It is part of the Council’s ambitious Investing in Stockport programme that builds on the town’s great strengths to make it an even better place to live, work and visit.
Wes Erlam, development director at Muse, said: “This is a major milestone in realising this game-changing new mixed-use development for Stockport.
“As well as providing high-quality, energy efficient office accommodation and hotel rooms in a central location, it is transforming the area around Stockport train station into an exciting, attractive and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.
“As this is the only new Grade A, BREEAM Excellent office space under construction in South Manchester or Stockport, it offers an unrivalled proposition to occupiers who want to take advantage of the excellent transport links and local skilled labour market.”
Councillor McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council addeed: “It was great to join with Muse and Eric Wright to mark this significant milestone being reached at Stockport Exchange. It has been fantastic to see the area around Stockport Rail Station change and watch it being transformed over recent months, as it becomes a modern business district for our town.
“This is an exciting time for Stockport. Our work with partners to invest around £900 million into development projects is well underway and this will see our town grow, creating new jobs and opportunities for residents and businesses.
“Young people are already benefitting from the opportunities the investment is bringing with seven apprentices currently being employed on the Stockport Exchange site, and plans to increase this number further as the project develops.”
Completion of the office is expected in October and the hotel in December 2016.