Karrev’s transformation of Sunlight House has been recognised with a shortlist place at the RICS Northwest Awards, celebrating a design-led retrofit that brings new life to one of Manchester’s most significant heritage buildings.
Restoring a Manchester Landmark
Originally completed in 1932 by architect and developer Joseph Sunlight, Sunlight House stands as one of Manchester’s most recognisable landmarks and was once Northern England’s first skyscraper. Over time, however, incremental alterations eroded its architectural clarity, particularly at ground and basement levels, where inactive frontages and fragmented uses weakened both its heritage value and its relationship with the city.
Karrev’s comprehensive refurbishment re-establishes the building as a characterful, outward-facing workplace, restoring its original prestige while adapting it for contemporary use.
Design-Led Transformation
The project adopts a holistic and forensic design approach, carefully removing unsympathetic later interventions, including a restrictive basement mezzanine, to reveal the building’s inherent spatial quality. This has improved daylight, legibility, and the overall experience throughout.
At street level, the building has been transformed into a more permeable and engaging destination, reconnecting it with the public realm. Internally, original structural features and proportions have been celebrated, while upper floors now provide best-in-class CAT A and CAT B office accommodation within a distinctive historic setting.
A series of shared amenities further enhance the workplace offer. The previously inaccessible central atrium has been revitalised as a tranquil landscaped space centred around the fully restored heritage glass dome, while the iconic rotunda rooms at Level 13 have been sensitively modernised into unique meeting spaces for occupiers.
Sunlight House shows that you don’t have to choose between preserving heritage and delivering modern performance. With the right approach, historic buildings can do both – and do them exceptionally well.
– OLIvier sherub
Assets & Developments Director at Karrev Management Ltd
Collaboration at the Core
The transformation of Sunlight House highlights how strong teamwork, coordinated leadership and shared expertise can deliver meaningful outcomes. Through a collaborative approach, Karrev and the wider project team have successfully revitalised a historic Manchester landmark while creating a sustainable, people-focused workplace.
Sustainability and Long-Term Value
Sustainability sits at the heart of the scheme. A fabric-first retrofit strategy has extended the life of the building while significantly reducing embodied carbon compared to redevelopment.
The building also incorporates high-quality end-of-journey facilities, including showers, changing areas and secure cycle storage, encouraging sustainable commuting and supporting occupier wellbeing.
Karrev’s significant investment ensures that Sunlight House not only preserves its Art Deco heritage but also delivers long-term commercial resilience. The project was delivered in line with the original brief and within the established budget, forming a key part of a wider strategy to protect and future-proof the asset.
Looking Ahead
Sunlight House demonstrates how thoughtful, design-led reuse can future-proof historic buildings, delivering commercially competitive workspace while reconnecting a valued civic landmark with the city.
Its shortlisting for the RICS Northwest Awards recognises not only the quality of the design and delivery, but also the broader impact of the project for occupiers, the local community and the future of heritage-led regeneration.