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Trend setter or Sheep?

It is all about the right team of people for the right project. There are no set formulas, no universal approaches. Prepackaged solutions, offered by many corporate companies are efficient, but have become as stale as an old loaf of bread. In fact, they are brown bread. We believe now is the time to take a different approach, and that is exactly what we offer.

We are fiercely independent property advisors, providing a boutique service for our clients.

What makes us unique is our ability to bring together a team of property experts, creatives and technical minds to ensure our clients end up with an inspiring and individual workspace.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Hidden office space in the heart of Manchester

As Manchester property advisors, we are ecstatic to see the city covered in cranes, by being surprised daily how quickly a new tower has shot up, or by witnessing a tired building go through an unrecognisable recladding. Long may it continue!

But polished exteriors and glass towers are not the right fit for every company.

A bunch of creative agencies are looking for something different. They want space with a raw industrial feel, but still want the mod cons that ensure the space works for their business. You might say the best of both worlds – surely that’s not too much to ask?

Well, Chatham Mill is one hidden gem we would like to share with you…

If you take a stroll down Chester Street, opposite Bruntwood’s Circle Square Development and in the heart of Studentville, you will discover this unassuming mill. Tucked away just off Oxford Road, the warehouse style roller shutters give no clue to the newly refurbished office space inside. And that is exactly what we love about it. It’s a secret that only those in the know are in on.

Step inside and you will very quickly see why this office is far from ordinary. From walking through the trendy double height reception to checking out your reflection in the glazed industrial partitions, this building is surprise after surprise. It also happens to be in one of the coolest parts of the city centre. With HATCH (the pop-up retail, food and drink destination constructed from shipping containers) and HOME (Manchester’s artistic hub) just a stone’s throw away, what’s not to love?

WilsonCooke Marketing & The Beans Group have made this unique mill their new home, having both completed fantastic fit outs to adapt this space to their business needs.

So, don’t judge a book by its cover…or a building by its roller shutter.

Mid town, New beginnings

A business district in the making

The area bound by Deansgate, Brazennose Street, St Peter's Square and John Dalton Street has long been talked about as a new business district. After a fair few years of suspense, it is happening, and it was worth the wait. Let us introduce you to Mid Town.

Brazennose House is a goner and Marshall CDP / M&G are already on site with 92,000 sq ft of office space. John Dalton House is currently being re-clad and overhauled into a much needed 261 room 4* Qubic Hotel.

125 Deansgate, totalling 112,000 sq ft, has been let in its entirety to Regus Spaces. Slightly behind it, the Island Site will create 90,000 sq ft of new build offices. Meanwhile, Dalton Place has seen a 76,164 sq ft pre-let to WeWork and Bruntwood have transformed both Union and Heron House.

Not to mention the £4 million public realm improvements to Lincoln Square and unrecognisable upgrade of Mulberry Square (FYI – it’s the bit behind Bills).

In the centre of this hive of activity is Trinity, where we are letting agents. Helical have worked with award-winning architects OMI to transform the building into exceptional workspace. The location is exciting, evolving — the perfect place to work, eat, drink, keep fit, soak up culture, shop and travel.

It has some very impressive terraces with knock out views, there is an actual fossil in the basement and, perhaps most importantly, its directly opposite Salvi’s — our favourite Pizzeria.

Lettings are well underway and we think you will love it.

Don’t erase, embrace

Celebrating the unique identity of Hilton House

Hilton House, which has long been an iconic building in the Northern Quarter, is being given a new lease of life by CERT Property. There is plenty in this building's history to embrace and enhance.

Buttress Architects and Sheila Bird Group have turned this mid-century gem into something rather beautiful for us to let. The building offers stripped back Grade A office space with exposed services, remaining true to its original 1960’s ‘less is more’ style.

This project has held on to the unique identity of Hilton House whilst creating something that feels fresh and exciting.

Catch them when you can

A hub of culture within Manchester

The Northern Quarter has long been Manchester’s central hub for art, music, independent bars and restaurants. But the face of commercial property in the area has changed dramatically over the past two decades; a web of streets and individual buildings, once home to bustling textile warehouses, are now thriving neighbourhoods.

As occupiers and residents seek something different from life in the city, its popularity continues to increase; food and drink outlets have multiplied, office space has been refurbished and new apartment blocks have shot up to accommodate the influx of residents flocking to the area.

Whilst the Northern Quarter is undoubtedly attractive to larger investors seeking to capitalise on the growing popularity, there are limited opportunities of scale where we know vendors may consider selling, and pricing is strong.

As the area is predominantly made up of smaller buildings and ownerships however, it's proving more attainable for private investors with £1-5m to spend.

Our recent sale of NQ1 on Spear Street was an excellent example of this; a great opportunity to acquire a self-contained office building right in the heart of the Northern Quarter. It has growth potential and ideal small floor plates for fledgling independent businesses to flourish.

With growing rents and strong demand, it’s the perfect time to invest the Northern Quarter. Having said that, these opportunities don’t stick around for long.

Our advice? Catch them when you can!

The facts and figures

sq ft take up compared to same period over last 3 years

sq ft take up across Manchester City Centre and Greater Manchester compared to same period over last 3 years

Adapt

Manchester has actively embraced the influx of co-working operators, with these deals accounting for 19% of sq ft let in the city centre Q1 – Q3 2019. This space offers flexibility to newer business just getting on their feet. Providing entrepreneurs, SMEs, creatives and independents with a secure and welcoming place in the city helps ensure they remain here as they grow in to conventional space.

Be proactive

The Salford Quays and Old Trafford stock was getting a little thin on the ground towards the end of 2018, reflected in the Q1 – Q3 2019 figures. However, a shake-up is on the way. Landlords and property professionals identified that supply needed to catch up with demand and a superb selection of high-quality refurbishments and new builds are now coming to the market. Anchorage and Voyager, both in Salford Quays, are two such buildings. We expect this to transform the take up in these regions and we can’t wait to see which occupiers will snap them up first!

Enjoy success

With ¾ of the year under our belts, we expect 2019 to be another extremely successful year. Roll on the final quarter!

Black&Yellow is published quarterly, brought to you by Edwards&Co.

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