2 Stockport Exchange completes

The second building at the Stockport Exchange development in the town centre has completed, ready for tenants to begin their fit out.

The 61,500 sq ft office building is the second to be completed as part of the £145 million redevelopment of the area around Stockport Train Station.

Global chemical giant, BASF, has already announced it has taken 21,500 sq ft of 2 Stockport Exchange, and will relocate its UK headquarters and over 200 staff to the building from Cheadle. The move forms part of BASF’s strategy to allow for more agile working, and will take advantage of Stockport Exchange’s connectivity with the rest of UK, and internationally via Manchester Airport.

Stockport Exchange forms part of the council’s £1 billion town centre regeneration programme, which includes a new transport interchange set to bring Metrolink trams to the borough in the coming decade.

Stockport Exchange sites at the heart of the Mayoral Development Corporation, the first covering a town centre area nationally and gaining momentum following the appointment of Lord Kerslake as Chair, will create a new mixed-use urban quarter with 3,500 homes and up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space, with Stockport Exchange at its heart. Developments include the recent announcement that the historic Weir Mill will be transformed into 250 homes with ground floor retail, and redevelopment of the current Stockport College buildings into a new urban village.

Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

I’m so proud of what we have achieved at 2 Stockport Exchange and the fact that we have attracted world renowned businesses to the town centre is testament to its fantastic location and high-quality design.

“Businesses are increasingly seeing Stockport as a credible and desirable location and with the Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create, the new Transport Interchange and improvements to Merseyway, all coming to fruition in the near future, it will increase our appeal even further.”

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

Our vision for Stockport Exchange is to attract world class businesses who are looking for high-quality office premises.

“We knew it would be popular due to its first-class location and excellent connectivity, but its success has exceeded all expectations. The building looks fantastic and is all set for BASF moving in later on in the year.

“Despite the current crisis, they’re joining the town centre at an exciting time and those locating here will enjoy a changing Merseyway and, once they re-open, the popular Produce Hall and Market Place. Coupled with the recent announcement on Weir Mill as part of the MDC, it’s good to see the private sector reflecting the confidence we have – and will always have going forward – in our borough.”

Tom Webber, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said:

Working closely with our partners and the contractor, we’ve been able to deliver 2 Stockport Exchange safely and in line with guidance. The scale and shared ambition here is clear to see and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together; while playing a significant role in Stockport’s regeneration and the partnership’s future success in the Mayoral Development Corporation.

“There are a number of key ingredients to delivering high-quality schemes; maximising the excellent connectivity; positively contributing to the place and changing the perceptions of Stockport town centre both regionally, and to a wider audience.”

Stockport Exchange is being delivered by Stockport Council, and urban regeneration specialists, Muse Developments. GMI were the contractors on 2 Stockport Exchange. Once complete, the development will deliver 375,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and 28,000 sq ft of commercial floor space.