Hermes is hoping to capitalise on Amazon's new 90K SF Manchester regional HQ by launching the conversion of the nearby Grade II-listed Redfern building, and is hinting at more starts to come at the city's 2.5M SF NOMA development.

The striking Dutch modernist building will be converted into 50K SF of new office floorspace as part of the latest speculative conversion at NOMA.

It is the third of a trio of buildings including Hanover, and the nearby 45K SF Dantzic, which is on track for completion this spring.

Manchester-based contractor Russells Construction, which also worked on Dantzic and Hanover, will lead the construction work. The architect is Sheppard Robson.

The ground-floor retail and leisure units will open up onto Sadler’s Yard, Manchester’s newest public square.

The NOMA neighbourhood has been tipped as one of the UK’s first ‘innovation districts’ by the Brookings Institution, a leading U.S. think tank, thanks to the scheme’s mix of high-quality office space and housing, both seen as crucial to helping drive Manchester’s future growth.

“Starting on-site at Redfern just a month after getting planning permission signals our seriousness in pushing ahead with progress at NOMA, building on the momentum behind the neighbourhood," Hermes Senior Asset Manager Stephen Bradley said. "Dantzic, another listed building, will be completing this spring, bringing forward yet more quality office space for Manchester and we will shortly be outlining our plans for new build offices as well."

Hermes Investment Management, the £33.5B pension fund manager, is the investment manager of NOMA, with MEPC acting as development manager.

Workman undertake property and project management across NOMA. Colliers and JLL are retained office agents.