Mustard Tree, Oldham Road
HeritageThe Challenge
The Mustard Tree is a registered charity with a focus on the well-being, integration and education of some of Manchester’s homeless or those facing homelessness. The charity’s main centre had been Oldham Road, Manchester, in an old pottery and warehouse store built in c. 1955, since 2005. The building was gifted to the charity in 2014. This kickstarted their ‘The Big Build’ project encouraged by the increasing redevelopment in the surrounding area and the ever-growing dependency on the charity for the city’s homeless. The charity needed a building that was more open, flexible and accessible for those who work, volunteer or benefit from the work done at the charity.
Key Considerations
The Mustard Tree appointed OMI Architects as architect and lead consultant to help them deliver the project. OMI advised the Mustard Tree of the importance of appointing a full design team early in the project in order to ensure that the best client outcome was achieved. We were appointed as Quantity Surveyors on the scheme due to previous experience of working with OMI on similar refurbishment schemes, most notably All Souls Church, Bolton.
We worked alongside the Mustard Tree to develop a scheme which reconfigured the charity’s current headquarters within the Ancoats conservation area.
The Outcome
The existing 1950’s building has been extensively altered and transformed. A newly created double height entrance foyer is accessed from Bengal Street and gives access to the shop, café and meeting rooms on the ground floor, exhibition and performance space, breakout space and training rooms on the first floor. The main reception is centrally located to ensure maximum visibility of all key spaces, and that each visitor is warmly welcomed upon arrival.
Results
The building was ‘Category Winner’ in the ‘Community Benefit’ RICS North West Awards 2019. It also won the RIBA North West Award in 2019.
The transformed building continues to be extremely popular, and the new facilities are enabling the Mustard Tree to provide a space which realises their Vision:
“We believe in Greater Manchester where everyone has the opportunity to be connected, valued and a contributing member of society.”
Our Services
- Quantity Surveyors.