Council signs deal on 20,000 sq ft at Manchester’s Grade II-listed Bridgewater House

Manchester City Council has snapped up 20,000 sq ft of office space at Bridgewater House in the city centre.

The authority signed a new five-year lease at the 10-storey scheme with real estate asset and investment manager APAM, which acted on behalf of investment firm Britannia Invest.

The deal covers space on the fifth floor of the 105-year-old Grade II-listed building.

The property’s reception recently underwent a £1m refurb to create a new business lounge, coffee shop and meeting areas. Open plan office space across the site’s 8th and 9th floors was also refurbished.

APAM asset manager Peter Owen said: “It is fantastic to have secured a letting of this scale, to one of Manchester’s major occupiers.

“Bridgewater House offers prime office space in the city centre and the recent refurbishment works have completely transformed the building’s offer.”

He added: “With the new reception and amenities almost complete and this part of Manchester proving attractive, occupier interest in the remaining space is strong.”

Real estate services provider Savills represented APAM in the deal.

Richard Lowe, office agency director at Savills, commented: “We are pleased that Manchester City Council has chosen to locate a significant part of its operations within Bridgewater House.

“This is an appealing property thanks to its combination of contemporary business space, original features and very well-connected location.”

He added: “The major reception refurbishment and additional amenities have further strengthened its offer.”

Savills and OBI Property are the joint agents on Bridgewater House.