The brutalist behemoth that overlooks Piccadilly Gardens has been the subject of a series of conversion and upgrade proposals by various owners over the last few decades. The upper floors of its eastern end were converted and extended in the 1990’s to provide extensive space for a national health and fitness chain, but never occupied.
The College of Law (as it was known before changing to the ‘University of Law’) purchased the remainder of the long lease and commissioned Gaunt Francis to undertake a complete re-fit of the health club space to form their new Manchester base, with library seating for 112 students; and new reception, learning and service spaces formed out of the deep plan space.