WSP has confirmed that it will be moving to No8 First Street later this year.
The leading engineering and professional services firm is taking 55,000 sq ft across the first and second floors of the building which is due to complete in September. The move to No8 will see WSP merge its four existing Manchester offices into a single location, bringing up to 850 staff to First Street.
WSP will benefit from two of No8’s winter garden spaces on the first floor which provide double height breakout space for occupiers to use. They will join Gazprom which signed as a pre-let occupier early in the construction process taking c40,000 sq ft of space across floors 5 and 6. Following a fit out programme Gazprom has now taken occupation of its new offices.
Occupier interest in the remaining office space remains high and several of the retail and leisure units on the ground floor are also under offer.
Commenting, Mark Hurley, Head of Environment and WSP leadership sponsor for the move said: “WSP has around 850 engineers, planners, environmental experts spread over four offices in Manchester and this move will combine all of our teams under one roof, improving collaboration and increasing creativity amongst our people.
“Having looked at a number of office buildings, both refurbished and new build, across the city, we chose No.8 First Street due to its central location in an area which is emerging as a vibrant, creative quarter of the city. It also offers us the opportunity to put our stamp on a brand-new space, marking a major milestone for the company as one of the biggest professional services and engineering consultancies in the city.
“As part of our commitment to become a carbon neutral business by 2025, our new office will also be FitWel compliant, ensuring that the health and well-being of our staff is incorporated in the design of the space.”
Chris Cheap, Regional Senior Director at GVA who both advised on the letting and manages the scheme on behalf of GMPVF, added: “WSP is a great signing at No8 and they will shortly be commencing their fit out with a view to being operational by the end of the year. They were attracted by the large, open floorplates of No8 and the wide range of amenity which is right on the doorstep. It’s a great building, in a fantastic location, and we look forward to welcoming WSP’s team to First Street over the coming months.”
Dan Williams, Head of Real Estate PATRIZIA UK, said: “With both Gazprom and WSP choosing to locate to No8 First Street it is a clear endorsement of both the building’s success as well as the wider estate. We also hope to announce further office and retail lettings very soon.”
Ask Real Estate is managing the development of No8 on behalf of GMPVF and PATRIZIA UK. GVA, Savills and Metis are joint agents and Cushman and Wakefield advised WSP. No8 is designed by Fletcher Priest Architects and construction is being managed by Rayner Rowen.