No8 First Street is the first new-build office scheme in Manchester to achieve the “Wired Certified Gold for Development & Re-development” rating for its digital connectivity. The award, which ranks its technology infrastructure amongst the best in the UK, comes as the first occupiers move into the landmark building this week.
The 170,000 sq ft Grade A office, which is due for practical completion in Spring, achieved the internationally recognised Gold rating following an in-depth assessment of the building’s broadband and telecom infrastructure. The first tenants to benefit from No8’s advanced connectivity will be energy company Gazprom which has begun its move into the 40,000 sq ft of space it has leased across the top two floors of the building.
WiredScore champions the modern-day necessity for cutting-edge technology in real estate by providing the definitive standards for the digital connectivity of commercial buildings. Wired Certification empowers landlords to understand, improve, and promote their buildings’ digital infrastructure and is playing an increasingly important role in influencing occupiers in the decision-making process.
Commenting on the news Jamie Hills, Senior Development Executive at Ask Real Estate said: “While a handful of other buildings in Manchester have achieved the certification retrospectively, No8 is the first newly constructed office building to be Wired Certified Gold.”
“It gives a clear signal to the market that No8 is not only one of the most highly connected buildings in the city but that its digital infrastructure is also future-proofed. We are delighted to achieve this important accreditation at the same time as we welcome Gazprom into the building and continue to move forward with a number of other significant enquiries.”
William Newton, President and EMEA MD at WiredScore added: “Internet access is one of the most important factors for tenants who are searching for office space, along with cost and location. Until now there has been very little information available to potential occupiers about the quality of an office building’s internet connectivity. Wired Certification provides that much needed transparency and information for occupiers and we are delighted that No8 First Street is the first new-build in Manchester to achieve this incredibly high standard.”
WiredScore assessed the design of the building and scored it based on the features that matter most to tenants: No8 will be able to provide tenants with fast fibre service, there will be multiple points of entry into the building to prevent against potential disruption and there is capacity for tenants to install backup power and rooftop communications equipment to enhance resiliency.
The office space at No8 is arranged over seven floors and includes six double-height winter gardens, which will be illuminated at night, on opposite corners of the building. It is being delivered in a joint venture between PATRIZIA UK and the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund with Ask Real Estate as development manager.
