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Henry Boot and GMPF partner for £66m GDV speculative office development in Manchester



Henry Boot Developments (HBD and Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) have teamed up to deliver a £66m GDV speculative office development in Manchester city centre.


Henry Boot Developments (HBD) — Henry Boot PLC’s property investment and development business — and Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) have teamed up to deliver a £66m GDV speculative office development in Manchester city centre.

The Island scheme will see the redevelopment of a 10-storey building into 100,000 sq. ft. of net zero carbon, smart-enabled office accommodation. 

The building is targeting the highest sustainability certifications, including an A EPC rating, BREEAM Excellent certification and a 5.5 star carbon NABERS score.

Bowmer + Kirkland was appointed the main contractor to build the scheme, while Cartwright Pickard was chosen to design the development.

Construction work on the scheme is scheduled to start this month, with practical completion due in summer 2024.

Ed Hutchinson, managing director at HBD, said: “Our decision to speculatively develop Island is a real statement of intent, and demonstrates our confidence not only in Manchester, but in the future of workspace more broadly. 

“While working patterns have evolved, demand for high-quality and well-located office space remains robust. 

“Targeting the highest sustainability standards, the project’s innovative design, combined with its people-focused and smart office space, align perfectly with the enhanced standards the modern occupier demands.”  

Cllr Brenda Warrington, chair at GMPF, added: “The start of work on site at Island is a major landmark for the development and the Manchester city centre office market.  

“As the next generation of office accommodation reflecting new ways of flexible working, our ambition is to achieve zero carbon and provide the highest levels of accessibility required by future occupiers.   

“Funding from GMPF to projects such as this, meets our twin aims of achieving a good return for our members’ pensions, whilst also delivering a positive economic and social regeneration impact on the city.”



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