Real Estate Team Has Been Involved In Scheme Since Inception

The Manchester office of Irwin Mitchell has advised Preston-based Maple Grove Developments on the pre-sale of a 32,000 sq ft office in Blackburn’s Cathedral Quarter to Legal & General Property for £9.1m.

The building at One Cathedral Square has been let to Blackburn with Darwen Council on a 25-year head lease.

The development at One Cathedral Square forms part of the first phase of the £25m Blackburn Cathedral Quarter scheme.

When complete, the Cathedral Quarter is expected to incorporate a Premier Inn hotel, restaurants, shops and a new bus interchange. Work on the office block is expected to be completed by Autumn 2015.

Maple Grove Developments Limited was advised by the Real Estate team at national law firm Irwin Mitchell in Manchester.

The firm has been involved in the Cathedral Quarter since its inception some six years ago and has advised Maple Grove Developments on the Development Agreement, funding and pre-letting of the scheme.  

Anita Weightman, Partner and Head of Real Estate at Irwin Mitchell, led the team which also included Real Estate Partner Claire Quinn and Tax Partner, Alex Barnes.

Andrew Dewhurst, director of Maple Grove Developments, said: "One Cathedral Square will be the first Grade A office building completed in Blackburn town centre for 20 years.

"Designed by BDP, and sited between the cathedral and railway station, the building will give occupiers the chance to re-locate into modern, efficient office space with excellent sustainability credentials. The transformation of this part of the town centre is now becoming a reality as building works advance at a pace."
 
Head of long income transactions at Legal & General Property, Adam Kerr, said:   “Forming a key element of the major regeneration of Blackburn town centre, sitting at the heart of the new interchange with the bus station, rail station and Cathedral, we believe that this Grade A office building will become an important hub for business in the region.”