Victoria Building (The Vic), Salford Quays – Shell & Core Refurbishment with Cat A Fit-Out
Project Overview Barlows was appointed to deliver the full MEP installations for the comprehensive shell and core refurbishment of the Victoria Building (commonly known as The Vic) at Salford Quays, MediaCityUK. This high-profile waterside office building underwent a major upgrade to deliver modern, Grade A accommodation in one of the North West’s premier business districts.
The project, part of a circa £9 million refurbishment led by developer Peel and main contractor Seddon, transformed the existing multi-storey office building (approximately 115,000 sq ft overall, with over 80,000 sq ft of refurbished Grade A space) while keeping the building fully operational and tenanted throughout.
Scope of Works
- Shell and core refurbishment, including complete strip-out and upgrade of common areas
- High-specification refurbishment of all landings, WCs, reception areas, and core zones across multiple floors
- Cat A fit-out to three floor plates, providing flexible, ready-to-occupy office spaces with modern MEP systems
- Installation of efficient mechanical, electrical, and public health services to support contemporary office use, including enhanced lighting, HVAC, power distribution, and data infrastructure
The communal and front-of-house spaces were elevated to a premium architectural standard, featuring contemporary finishes, improved natural light, and a welcoming atrium environment.
Key Challenges and Delivery The building remained live throughout the works, with ongoing tenant occupancy requiring meticulous planning to minimise disruption. Key challenges included:
- Coordinating noisy and intrusive MEP activities around business hours
- Maintaining operational access, lift services, and essential systems
- Ensuring compliance with health & safety, noise, dust control, and out-of-hours working protocols
Through close collaboration with Seddon and the client team, Barlows implemented phased programming, robust site logistics, and proactive communication to deliver the project safely and efficiently without compromising tenant experience.
Outcome The refurbished Victoria Building now offers high-quality, waterfront Grade A office space with excellent connectivity to MediaCityUK amenities, public transport, and the vibrant Salford Quays environment. The enhanced reception, cores, and fitted floor plates have helped attract new occupiers and support the area’s continued growth as a leading business and media hub.
This project highlights Barlows’ proven capability in delivering complex MEP solutions on live, occupied commercial refurbishments in high-profile locations.
Client: Peel (developer) Main Contractor: Seddon Construction Location: The Quays, Salford Quays, MediaCityUK, Salford Building Size: ~115,000 sq ft overall (80,000+ sq ft Grade A refurbished space) Completion: Successfully delivered while building remained live
