An office tower opposite Altrincham Interchange that has been vacant for seven years is poised to be turned into 42 apartments.
Plans have been submitted to convert the second to sixth floors of Clarendon House, on Stamford New Road, into residential apartments.
Each floor will fit approximately eight new apartments – with 10 on the larger second floor – with the plans proposing a total of 16 two-bed, 21 one-bed and five studio apartments.
Clarendon House also houses the current Altrincham Library, which is set to be relocated to a new 8,000 sq ft site on Greenwood Street near the market in time for a 2017 opening.
Below: Altrincham Library currently uses part of Clarendon House
If given the go-ahead, the redevelopment will be seen as a boost for a part of the town centre that has become increasingly rundown and underused in recent years, with a number of nearby retail units now without tenants.
Although the ground and first floors will be relatively unaffected by the proposals – aside from the entrance and access areas – three of the five floors (the second, third and fifth) have not been used as offices for at least 11 years.
The large main office on the second floor was used by a charity as a furniture store between 2008 and 2011, with a smaller office on the floor occupied for two years until May 2013.
The fourth floor has been vacant since property business Capita Symonds vacated it in April 2006, while the last tenant on the sixth floor was consultancy Mott MacDonald, who vacated in November 2008. All five office floors are currently vacant.
Below: Clarendon House on Stamford New Road
Parking for residents would be available through the open roof car park above the Stamford Quarter, which connects directly into Clarendon House at third floor level.
Clarendon House is owned by Lunar Holdings, who also own the Stamford Quarter. Lunar is a joint venture company set up by Apollo Global Management and M&M Asset Management to acquire and run a portfolio of shopping centres which also include Stretford Mall.
M&M, which is now asset managing the portfolio, has submitted the plans for the Clarendon House redevelopment. The plans have been drawn up by London-based Colman Architects.
Trafford Council is inviting comments or representations on the change of use planning application by February 9th.
