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One Smithfield Square

Project Summary

Background

Working for lead contractor Galliford Try, Quartzelec completed a £1.58m full M&E design and installation contract at One Smithfield Square in Manchester’s fashionable Northern Quarter.

This £10.8 million project for Ician Developments Limited is part of a wider £120 million regeneration scheme in the area. In addition to the 77 stunning brand new one, two and three bedroom environmentally designed apartments there are two commercial retail units, a central covered access area and basement parking. Finished to a high standard that includes built in electrical appliances with all fixtures and fittings in place; externally the innovative design features a mixture of what is largely black and white panelled cladding, with splashes of colour on projecting spacious balconies, and detailed floor to ceiling and corner unit windows that provide stunning views across the city.

The Project

This was a ten months project which at its peak had 12 electrical and 15 mechanical Quartzelec operatives simultaneously working at the site. Our scope of work included sub main distribution plus all the power and the lighting installation, which is principally low energy to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. 

Each apartment has its own energy usage display device along with integrated data and centralised TV distribution. The project also features integrated access control, including traffic lights to manage and protect the underground parking, fire alarm and CCTV systems, plus a security generator to provide emergency backup to life safety equipment and smoke extraction system. Gas utility provision for heating and cooking within each of the apartments was also part of the original contract but subsequent design changes saw these replaced with an all electrical solution.

Located within close proximity to the city’s major tram and train stations with their excellent direct transport links, access to the One Smithfield Square site was extremely tight as it is bounded by the Grade II listed Mackie Mayor building, a surface car park, a housing estate and a Holiday Inn Express hotel. The project also required careful logistical planning and consideration of the adjacent buildings to ensure minimal disruption to local businesses and residents.

CS12