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January 29, 2025
Alex Timperley
5 mins
2024 finished on a high in Manchester’s offices sector. Take-up in Q4 reached over 432,000 sqft according to Oktra, a jump of 32% over the previous quarter and 63% higher than the five-year average for that time of year.
Standout moments included Virgin Media O2’s move into the city centre, and a range of new deals at St Michael’s with the likes of Cavendish, Channel 4 and AXA taking space in the building.
The pace has hardly slowed this year and it points to agreat 2025 in Manchester. Here are some of the top deals done in January (and a few from the end of December…) that got the new year off to a flying start.
A major new tech hub office development from London-based Soller Group was approved in January at the second time of asking. Located on Lever Street, it will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated and bring 18 storeys of premium office space to the heart of Manchester city centre.
An interesting cantilevered design means it will stand out from Manchester’s other tall buildings and become an instant landmark. Completion is scheduled for 2028 and NXQ is likely to enter a market in desperate need of premium workspace of this sort.
A report released before Christmas highlighted the fact that Manchester is due to run out of office space by 2027 at the current rates of building. That would have a big impact on investment, the city’s economy and the lives of the people here – a situation described by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as “sobering”.
That makes NXQ ideally placed to capitalise on the demand and play a key role in keeping Manchester’s momentum moving forward in the years to come.
Daniel Barnes, office agency director at Savills, said: “NXQ is an exciting new development that will add a new dynamic to Manchester’s office market and deliver some much needed, high quality and sustainable space.
“Following the successful planning consent, we are excited to be involved with the scheme and have no doubt that it will appeal to a wide range of occupiers.”
However, NXQ can’t do it all alone and the upcoming shortage of office space is still a concern. It means that companies looking to secure a high quality workspace for the long term should consider moving sooner rather than later.
That’s especially true for tech companies which often have specialist requirements and are often unsure how to find a workspace that aligns with their scale up plans. LEVEL has a great track record helping tech companies scale, so make sure to book your free discovery call with the LEVEL team today and secure your company’s future.
Auto Trader is increasing its Manchester footprint with amove to 3 Circle Square. The firm will take seven and a half floors at the Bruntwood Sci Tech site in Manchester’s second six-figure office deal in recent months.
Previously located at a 75,000 First Street space, Auto Trader has been seeking a move for several years and will now join fellow tech firms at 3 Circle Square including HPE, Avalere, Roku, Bosch and Autocab.
This is a big move in Manchester and a ringing endorsement of the tech ecosystem, the talent and the attractiveness of the city to large tech firms.
Alison Ross, Auto Trader’s chief people and operations director, said: “The access to exceptional digital talent and skills from across the region has been integral to our growth and one of the key reasons why today, we are one of the UK’s largest technology companies.
“To continue to grow, we not only need more space to house our rapidly expanding data and technology teams, but also state-of-the-art facilities which can support their pace of innovation and ambition.”
Law firm Holden Smith have taken their first steps into the Manchester market with a new premises at 111 Piccadilly.
The new office will concentrate on growing the business’s corporate and commercial offering, adding to Manchester’s existing strength in this area.
Holden Smith co-founder and director James Smith added: "Our corporate and commercial department has been hugely successful […] and now we are keen to develop the team and department further by capitalising on and growing our business networks in and around Manchester.
"Manchester is an internationally recognised city, and one that we want Holden Smith to be a part of."
Joining them is Sancus Lending, a real estate financing company which specialises in bridging and development funding. The firm is expanding and has chosen Manchester to be the site of its newest base.
Manchester’s impressive real estate market, its talent pool and the speed at which the city is growing make it the perfect base for Sancus.
Andrew Charnley, Managing Director of Sancus Lending, said: "We are so excited about the opening our new office in Manchester and building out our UK business from the region, alongside our London office.
“Year-on-year, the city grows - being based in the centre of it, surrounded by the professional marketplace and everything else it has to offer is aligned to the relationship led business of Sancus. This, provides a unique environment from which to create something special."
100 Embankment is now full to capacity following the relocation of National Highways from its previous base near Piccadilly.
The company is moving 130 staff to its new 12,000 sqft space after signing a 10-year lease that makes 100 Embankment their new long-term home. It’s a big deal for Salford and shows that it’s not just Manchester city centre which is buzzing – it’s the whole area.
It’s also a great example of a company looking ahead and adapting the new ways of working. Likewise, the flight to quality continues with National Highways citing sustainability as a key reason why they moved office.
Steve Cooke, director of estates, facilities and services for National Highways, said: “Our relocation to Embankment East marks the latest step in our ongoing commitment to building a better, greener, and smaller estate.
“By reducing our Manchester office space by half and selecting a building with advanced sustainability credentials, we are also advancing our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions in line with our planto reach Net Zero on corporate emissions by 2030.”
The train operator has taken 11,000 sqft of space over two floors of Piccadilly Place for training drivers, conductors and apprentices. The space itself will include classrooms, office space, driving simulators, and a passenger cabin simulator.
They replace the previous tenants Simply Fresh, and are in the process of moving as we speak. With Piccadilly Station just round the corner, this seems like the ideal place for Northern Trains to set up a new base.
Stantec grows Manchester office space
Stantec has increased its office space at 100 Barbirolli Square by 5,500 sqft, to a total of 15,500 sqft as it accommodates the Hydrock team.
The engineering design firm was acquired by Stantec last May and the whole Hydrock team will now move to Barbirolli Square from their previous base at the Northern Assurance Building. Together, the companies will now occupy the entire seventh floor of 100 Barbirolli Square.
Danny Hope, Stantec’s regional director for the North West, said: “From civil, structural, and mechanical engineering specialists to fire safety, transport planning, energy and sustainability services professionals, the number of team members we have in this region has more than quadrupled overthe last six years.
“As we’ve grown as a business, it was time we moved into a modern, creative and aspirational space like this.
“Our new office is reflective of our capabilities and long-standing industry reputation. We’re already taking advantage of working with our new colleagues to leverage our shared expertise, unlocking complex sites to create high-performing, future-proofed buildings and infrastructure across the country.”
This is a great example of a company aligning its growth ambitions with its workspace to ensure everything works together to achieve the best possible results. It’sa surefire path to success and shows the power of a great workspace.
Finally, fit-out specialist Overbury has moved into a 6,800 sqft office at Chancery Place after leaving the Zenith Building, its home for the previous 18 years.
The 10-year lease is a big commitment and speaks to the quality of the office space at Chancery Place which has undergone an extensive refurbishment since being purchased by NFU Mutual in 2014. New reception and common areas and a communal rooftop terrace are in place, with more facilities being added in the basement soon.
David Vaal, managing director for the North at Overbury,said: “Having been at our existing offices for the last 18 years, this move comesat a pivotal moment in Overbury’s growth in the region.
“The new office environment we’re creating will inspire and motivate our team, providing a space that supports creativity and enables them to give exceptional service to our clients.”
2025 has got off to a great start in Manchester and plenty of businesses are busy upgrading their workspaces to secure a long-term home where they can grow and succeed.
The LEVEL team have already helped many companies find a leased, managed or flexible office to rent in Manchester city centre this year. There are great workspaces available right now that can give your company a boost – if you’re looking to move, this is an ideal time.
Get in touch to learn more about offices in Manchester and how the LEVEL team can help you.
Want to find your next leased, managed or serviced office space to rent? Book a call with our team today.
