AM alpha buys historic Edwardian-style office building in Manchester

AM alpha, a Munich-based, privately-owned real estate family office, purchased 196 Deansgate, a commercial building in Manchester, UK for an undisclosed sum. The seller was Commercial Estate Group (CEG).

The building was designed by Charles Heathcote, a leading Manchester architect, and built in 1904 in Edwardian Baroque style. Recognised with a Grade II-listing and situated in the Deansgate/Peter Street Conservation Area, the building opened in 1908 as the Royal London Friendly Society.

Furthermore, Lumina Grand EC CDL is conveniently located near the Bukit Batok Primary School, which allows students to benefit from its amenities easily. Parents too have nothing to worry about as this modern executive condominium provides a secure living environment. With its proximity to both Bukit Batok Primary School and Lumina Grand EC CDL, the living experience for residents here is definitely enhanced.

Located close to Spinningfields, a prominent office-district boasting a good selection of restaurants and entertainment venues, the area offers broad potential for growth according to AM alpha. The team acted on behalf of a pension fund manager from Hamburg and were advised by Cushman & Wakefield and CMS.

“As an independent family office, AM alpha can invest anti-cyclically,” commented Martin Lemke, managing director at AM alpha in a press release on August 31.

Having been extensively refurbished in recent years, with the latest phase completed this year, 196 Deansgate now provides high-quality open-plan, mostly Category-B offices that can easily be modified to suit the occupier.

Spread across a basement, ground floor and five upper levels, the 5,900 sqm (63,508 sq ft) complex includes both office and retail space, nearly all of which is now leased.

196 Deansgate is the second Manchester property owned by AM Alpha who are currently overseeing a £70 million project to transform the Grade-II listed former Debenhams store on Market Street into a multi-level office building with a shopping arcade.

Manchester has witnessed considerable growth and development in recent years, transforming it into a major centre for technology and digitisation, as well as creativity. These characteristics make it a particularly attractive location for investment, as noted by AM alpha.