Following PJD Group’s completion of its extensive refurbishment of the Grade 2 Listed One Express on George Leigh Street in Ancoats, in September 2021, 21,580sq ft of a total 25,700sq ft net lettable space is either let or under offer.
Tenants who have completed their leases include Talent International (tech and digital sector recruitment), Social (communications consultants), LinqHC (healthcare recruitment consultants), BGN (branding and digital agency), Nexus Planning (planning and regeneration consultants), Studio North (brand consultancy) and Rosso & Azzuro (online clothing retailer).
The tenants have all taken units in the fully fitted “plug and play” format, which have been designed by PJD Group to include high quality kitchens and office furniture.
As well as the ‘plug and play’ design, the building has also been fitted with the latest smart technology to include efficient control of energy usage, which allows lighting, heating and air conditioning to be monitored and adjusted according to the building’s usage and occupation levels, as well as a smart car parking booking system.
Lease terms have varied between 2 and 5 years, with rentals between £25 and £27.50 per sq. ft.
Mark Davies, owner of PJD Group said: “Our vision from the start was to produce Grade A office space in Ancoats, which was primarily fully fitted, as the market has clearly moved to this model with the landlord absorbing the capital cost of fitting out the office space. This has proved attractive to the market, as can be seen by the speed with which the first tenants have committed to the building, and we expect to announce a number of further lettings early in 2022.
He added: “The space has been designed with the way people want to work today, incorporating an on-site gym ONE XPS and coffee shop Off the Press, as well as quality break out space, meeting rooms of various sizes available at ground floor level, and individual meeting rooms in each suite throughout the building.”
Marc Parker-Hughes of Talent International said: “After being let down at the last minute by an office space provider, Talent began again to search for a new home. Of the 4 offices we saw, One Express stood out from the rest by a mile, not only for being an iconic building in Manchester but how internally it had been transformed whilst keeping some of its original features.
“We liked the open offices as well as the optional amenities of a café and gym. The location was key as we wanted something different to being in the business areas in Manchester and Ancoats offers a great mix to complement our work and play ethos.”
The letting agents were OBI and Daniel Harris and Co.
