Altrincham: Former Rackhams building revamp complete

The former Rackhams building has been changed to house bars, restaurants and a "living wall"

The former home of a major store has been transformed into a collaborative workspace and leisure destination in the heart of a town.

Development partners Bruntwood and Trafford Council announced the completion of their £13.7m revamp of the ex-Rackhams building in Altrincham.

The new building in the Stamford Quarter was "a fantastic addition", according to council leader Tom Ross.

He hoped the revamp would establish the high street as a "day-to-night zone".

The building, called "Foundation", incorporates five floors, including three floors of collaborative workspace, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

James Tootle, head of retail and leisure at Bruntwood, said the redevelopment was "a significant milestone for Altrincham".

Bars and restaurants feature in the revamp of the former store, which was part of the House of Fraser group, and there is a "living wall" included in the design to provide oxygen.

Mr Ross said: "Working alongside our partners Bruntwood, we have transformed the centre of Altrincham.

"This will be a fantastic addition to Altrincham and the surrounding community."

The building has been designed to offer flexible workspace options in varying sizes.

The Foundation building is a major transformational in the Stamford Quarter.

Council and developers said it would create a connected and varied community at the heart of the high street.

Foundation's new two-storey extension also incorporates new terraces on the ground and second floors.

The building includes a fitness studio as well as cycle storage and showers to encourage an "active commute and promote wellbeing amongst its customers".

The ground floor will also be home to three further hospitality businesses which are set to be confirmed soon.

An eight lane bowling alley is set to open in late summer.

A new public realm will be launched soon alongside a series of community events in the summer.