Appointed by Legal & General as architect and interior designer, EPR’s contextual architectural proposals draw on the rich industrial heritage of the local area.

The ground floor is punctuated by brick arches, similar to the masonry arches characterising the surrounding buildings, railway line and the River Irwell, which flows alongside the site. A series of interesting and dynamic spaces activate the ground floor and public realm whilst seamlessly uniting the two complementary uses, which are supported by a shared concierge service.

Our proposals for the development, which will range between 13 and 17 storeys with a total gross internal area of 380,000ft², features external terraces at roof level providing exceptional views towards central Manchester, Salford and the river. The four-star hotel’s facilities will also include a restaurant, a gym, contemporary conference rooms and an extensive rooftop bar.

The office includes an array of shared spaces that will be catered for by the hotel. This includes a Riverside Studio which will benefit both office users and hotel guests. It enjoys a river frontage and can be used for meetings and events, in addition to being available to the hotel for a range of different activities during the weekends.

The workplace interiors are designed to maximise views along the river and the internal height and volume of each space, with reinforced concrete flat slabs enabling a multitude of tenant fit-out designs. The floors are designed for split letting and include soft spots in the floor to allow tenants to install interconnecting stairs within their demise.

The social and environmental impact of the project is a key driver in the development of the design, which is targeting Net Zero Carbon credentials. Ralli Quays is also undertaking an embodied carbon assessment and energy modelling in order to meet a NABERS 5.5-star rating.