Architect size up in iconic 1960’s Hilton House

Manchester-based architects, Hawkins Brown, have taken the  third floor of CERT Property’s iconic, Hilton House, comprising  over 4,000 sq ft of prime commercial city centre space.

Designed and built by architect Richard Seifeit, this landmark of Manchester’s Northern Quarter has remained untouched since it’s 1960 construction, until last year’s major restoration project was completed by CERT.

An award-winning international architectural practice, Hawkins Brown, have worked on some of the most exciting schemes in the UK and are recognised as one of the city’s most exciting architectural practices, have outgrown their existing workspace on adjacent Tariff Street, and will be  expanding and reimagining their studio space as part of their growth plans.

Katie Tonkinson, Partner at Hawkins\Brown and Head of Studio North, said:

“Hawkins\Brown first established a permanent studio in Manchester in 2015. Now more than five years on, the studio is thriving with a local team of 30 talented people and exciting work across the region in commercial, cultural, residential and education sectors. In Spring 2021, we will make the move into a new home at Hilton House in the Northern Quarter.

“We are excited about what this move will bring to our growing practice. We plan for the new studio to be a flexible container that supports new ways of blended working, in addition to encouraging creativity and togetherness. We look forward to welcoming our colleagues, clients and friends into our new home and hope the studio will provide an inspiring platform that will allow us to continue making positive strides in the city and across the region.”

In total,  Located on Hilton Street and originally designed to house the drama and lighting department of Manchester Polytechnic, Hilton House offers 40,000 sqft of office and leisure space following the extensive refurbishment and extension of the building by CERT last year.  The building had been in a state of neglect for several decades and CERT’s refurbishment sought to celebrate the building’s historic features such as it’s terracotta ceilings and beautiful parquet floors, whilst bringing the building in to the 21st Century by installing modern systems including reactive lighting systems where the light emitted changes during the course of the day to better mimic natural light and the fast broadband systems of any office building in the city.

Howard Lord from CERT Property added: “Hawkins Brown represents a perfect fit for the building and we’re incredibly pleased to welcome them to Hilton House. We remained committed to working throughout lockdown and launched the space in the midst of what has undoubtedly been a testing time for most businesses. We did, however, manage to secure this deal in the thick of the pandemic, a testament to the sheer quality and stand out nature of the building.  Interest in Hilton House has been strong throughout and this latest letting marks the development at 50% occupancy with more announcements to be made in the coming weeks.

“Hilton House in many ways epitomises our wider vision and objectives as a company. That is to take important and often neglected or forgotten buildings, reconfiguring them to make them relevant for modern day use, and unlocking their own future potential and unique spirit.”