London property startup Headspace prepares for Manchester launch

London-based property startup Headspace Group is expanding into Manchester this week.

On Thursday (February 9), the company will open its first workspace outside London with the launch a 15,000 sq ft centre at 2 Mount Street.

Headspace’s Manchester site will comprise a mix of private offices and coworking spaces, as well as a nap room, private work booths, themed meeting rooms, refreshment bars, a reception, showers and a 60-person event space.

An on-site team will curate social and business events for the city’s startups and scaleups.

The space is housed within the 100,000 sq ft cluster of buildings making up The Albert Estate, a business community based around Albert Square.

To date the estate’s owner, investor and private wealth partnership LJ Partnership, has invested £28m into the scheme.

Headspace Group MD Jonny Rosenblatt said: “We’re looking to create an environment in which Manchester’s small businesses can flourish together in a beautiful, community-driven space without the constraints of onerous five-year leases.

“We also strongly believe in LJ Partnership’s vision for The Albert Estate and working with such a progressive landlord has made our decision significantly easier.”

He continued: “We’ve enjoyed great success with our London operation and in the process have seen members of our community securing tens of millions of pounds worth of funding and collaborating with each other on a number of projects. We’re excited to be taking this model to the North’s largest economic force!”

Commenting on the launch, LJ Partnership’s real estate director Sam Lawson Johnston said: “LJ Partnership is delighted to welcome Headspace as its latest resident business in The Albert Estate in Manchester.

“We are passionate about creating workspaces that inspire people, improve community and help businesses to thrive and Headspace perfectly fits into this vision.”

Sam added: “Flexibility is key for growing businesses but dynamic and creative firms need a workspace that matches, with top design, technology, original art and great events and Headspace are the best group to provide this for Manchester.”