Leading traditional and digital signage manufacturer Widd Signs has completed a five-figure project to manufacture and install external and internal signage at the striking Crown Street Victoria Residence next to Deansgate Square in Manchester.

The two-month project, which began at the start of September, has seen Widd Signs manufacture and install high-spec internal and external branding and wayfinding signage at the luxury residential scheme, which comprises of two towers which are 21 and 52 storeys high respectively. The signage, which ranges in size and style, includes fingerpost wayfinding signage and totem style identity branding at the entrances to both towers.

The company, which has bases in both St Helens and Leeds, was commissioned by Renaker, the Manchester-based developer behind the scheme, alongside wayfinding consultants f.r.a., who developed the initial high-end signage designs and wayfinding.

The Crown Street Scheme is expected to be complete in 2022 and will consist of 664 luxury apartments and superb facilities, including a swimming pool on the 44th floor (one of the highest in Europe), communal gardens and a 24/7 hotel style concierge.

Commenting on the project, Peter Harris, national sales manager at Widd Signs, said:

“We’re delighted to have supported Renaker on the development of this hugely impressive scheme.

“The scale and complexity of the signage required for this project was significant and provided us with an opportunity to once again showcase our industry-leading capabilities and expertise.”

Established in 1888, Widd Signs provides signage consultancy, design, and production to a range of high-profile businesses operating in the construction, retail, and sports and leisure sectors. Its clients include established construction companies such as Sir Robert McAlpine and Winvic, as well as retailers including Marks & Spencer, Primark and Schuh.

Earlier this year, Widd Signs completed the acquisition of Spectrum Sign & Display and its new 20,000 sq ft site in St Helens as part of the company’s exciting expansion plans, adding additional expertise and boosting its in-house manufacturing capacity and capabilities.

In May, the company launched a range of bespoke hygiene solutions to help retailers to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, including antimicrobial acrylic protection screens, floor and wall graphics and hand-sanitising stations.

Bruntwood Works, a leading workspace and leisure provider, has kickstarted the next phase of its transformation of Trafford House, Greater Manchester, as it aims to enhance productivity and improve wellbeing for the businesses and their employees based there.

The project will transform the entrance and ground floor of the building, and Bruntwood Works will break away from the traditional office reception by introducing a host point that encourages collaboration and improves customer experience. Further stand-out features will include the installation of bespoke joinery and pendant lighting in the entrance, alongside external landscaping and solar lighting, to really enhance the arrival experience.

It follows increased demand from businesses for local offices, alongside their city centre workspaces, with more companies seeking a hub and spoke solution that incorporates a city centre HQ and a geographically distributed network of offices in the surrounding suburbs.

The plans at Trafford House will bring nature into the heart of the space through biophilic design. The use of biophilia in the workplace is known to bring a host of wellbeing benefits including increased productivity, better air quality and reduced stress. It will help to create a striking new reception area and external canopy, supporting Bruntwood Works’ mission to create workspaces that meet the needs of its customers and their employees both now and in the future.

Andrew Cooke, strategic director of Bruntwood Works, said: “You have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention and we want to make sure that Trafford House not only offers an environment that supports collaboration, improves productivity and enhances the wellbeing of our customers, but is one they are proud to call home. We want to create a first-class experience for anyone visiting or working at Trafford House.

“In today’s world, the wellbeing of our people and customers is more important than ever and it’s proven that employee wellbeing has a positive impact on productivity. This transformation will create a productive space that really puts people first, and in the process gives our customers an office that truly reflects their own ambitions and helps with talent attraction and retention. We’re committed to investing in our buildings across the region so we can continue to support those who want to work a little closer to home, and in Trafford House we’re bringing city centre quality to the suburbs. I can’t wait to see the end result for such a landmark building in Greater Manchester.”

The project follows the refurbishment of the building’s lounge and communal areas, which gave Trafford House customers access to a state-of-the-art gym studio with virtual classes from the world-renowned Les Mills, cycle storage, shower and changing facilities when it completed last year. It is also set to become the focus of a pilot sustainability project in 2021 as Bruntwood group works towards its net zero carbon commitment.

The landmark building – which is instantly recognisable due to the vibrant, 38 meter high mural on the facade of the building – is in a prominent location between Manchester United Football Club and Old Trafford Cricket Club on Chester Road in Old Trafford. It provides businesses with high-quality, flexible workspaces that are within easy reach of Manchester city centre and the surrounding suburbs by car and public transport.

It is already home to a broad range of companies, from property, engineering and professional services firms to housing associations, public sector and recruitment businesses, that are attracted to the quality and flexibility of the workspaces available. This includes serviced offices for one to 24 people as well as larger leased spaces. All leased workspaces are available as Made & Managed, which allows customers to build a bespoke package of services including utilities, furniture and cleaning for a simple monthly fee.

The news is the latest investment in the area and follows the announcement that Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council are set to transform the former Kellogg’s site in Old Trafford, Stretford, into a vibrant new neighbourhood – Lumina Village – as part of their joint venture, which also includes the development of the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham as well as Stretford Mall.

Manchester City Council has granted planning permission to one of the UK’s leading build-to-rent developers, to transform a former job centre into 53 new homes in Longsight, Manchester.

The £8m scheme, spearheaded by Manchester-based Placefirst, will boast a rooftop extension to the former 32,000 square foot job centre situated on Clarence Road, which has been closed since August 2018. It has been designed by Altrincham-based Project 3 Architects who have worked on a number of schemes around Greater Manchester.

Work on the development will begin in 2021, transforming the offices into a variety of one, two and three bedroomed apartments. These include dual-aspect ground floor level access apartments, to provide enhanced accessibility. The rooftop extension will accommodate eight stylish apartments with views across the city.

The proposed development offers great commuter links to Manchester city centre. Situated in close proximity to the main university campus, it is also just a 15-minute walk to Manchester Royal Infirmary, making it an ideal residential location for key healthcare workers.

All apartments will be available for long-term let on completion of the scheme, as part of Placefirst’s commitment to offering a viable alternative to outright home ownership. The developer designs, builds, maintains and rents the apartments.

David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst commented: “Being a Manchester-based developer, the regeneration of this site in Longsight is very important to us. Being able to transform this former job centre into a thriving residential community will be hugely satisfying and will no doubt have a positive knock-on effect to the local area. Discussions during the planning process with Manchester City Council helped the scheme evolve and we would like to thank them for their positive contribution to this development.”

Craig Smith, architect director for Project 3 Architects, added: “We are pleased to be working alongside Placefirst to reinvigorate an existing building which has stood vacant for some time. The adaptive re-use of the building provides a sustainable approach to development, with a sensitive rooftop extension to complement the existing residential surroundings.”

For further information on Placefirst’s Longsight development in Manchester, please visit https://placefirst.co.uk/. Information on Project 3 Architects can be found at https://www.project3architects.com/practice.