McCann Manchester signs up for space at 196 Deansgate

Marketing communications agency McCann Manchester has signed up for space at 196 Deansgate, which is currently undergoing a seven-figure overhaul.

Commercial Estates Group (CEG), which has invested £2.3m into a full refurb of the Manchester building’s reception, along with the first and second floors, secured a deal with McCann that will see the firm take 4,650 sq ft of fourth-floor space on a five-year lease.

Relocating from its current base in City Tower, McCann will join existing tenants such as Citypress, the PR firm; charity Pharmacist Support; and Blacks, an outdoor clothing and equipment retailer.

Located on the corner of Quay Street and Deansgate, the building comprises 48,000 sq ft of office space across five upper levels and 17,784 sq ft of ground-floor retail space.

Contract Services, the North West contractor, is carrying out the refurb of the two lower floors, bringing them up to the same Grace A specification seen across the rest of the building.

Discussing the letting, CEG investment manager Greg Lacey said: “We worked closely with McCann Manchester to understand their exact requirements throughout the process, I’m thrilled to have them on-board.

“This sets a new headline rent for 196 Deansgate and I am confident that we will continue to drive more demand to what is such a prominent building as we continue into the year.”

Property consultancy WHR is a joint agent on the scheme along with Canning O’Neill.

Mark Cooke, a senior surveyor with WHR, commented: “196 Deansgate is an architecturally stunning building and one that has attracted a significant amount of interest given its prominence and proximity to Spinningfields.

“The refurbishment works, including the reception will be completed this summer.”

Commercial and residential property services firm JLL advised McCann Manchester during the deal.