Ask Real Estate (Ask) - a joint venture partner of the Richardson business - has confirmed that a new state-of-the-art government office building in Manchester’s city centre has hit a key stage in its construction.
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed it has accepted the handover of its new hub in First Street after the building reached practical completion of its Category A (Cat A) fit out and lease commencement. Works were completed by BAM Construct UK appointed by Ask.
This latest milestone continues the countdown to ready for service, with the nine-storey circa 12,000 square metre building now ready for the internal fit-out to commence.
Once complete the hub will accommodate around 2,600 civil servants from departments including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED), and the Department for Education (DfE).
It is expected that more than 150 roles will be relocated to Manchester from across several different government departments and agencies once the hub is operational.
The building forms part of the Government Hubs Programme supporting economic growth across the UK. The programme is rationalising the government’s estate in towns and cities across the UK, playing a pivotal role in delivering modern, customer-focused and varied workspaces where civil servants can thrive.
The design recognises that different types of work require different spaces to enable collaboration, creativity and community regardless of how people choose to work.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould, said:
"It’s great to see the Manchester First Street Hub move onto this next stage of construction.
UK Government Hubs across the country help to consolidate our estate. Not only cutting waste by removing old inefficient buildings from our portfolio, but also giving people across the country the chance to work in the Civil Service, and driving economic growth in the local area."
Georgina Dunn, the GPA’s Interim Director of Capital Projects, said:
"It’s very gratifying to reach this significant stage in the programme.
This new state-of-the-art office will provide a home for civil servants from across the government in Manchester, making it one of the largest hubs for cross-departmental collaboration and operation outside London.
The GPA remains immensely proud of the industry-leading sustainability, accessibility and workplace standards delivered by the Government Hubs Programme.
A competitive tender process for the subsequent fit-out works has completed with the GPA due to make an announcement in the next few weeks."
John Hughes, Managing Director at Ask Real Estate said:
"Bringing the GPA hub to practical completion is a huge testament to our commitment to driving sustainability in the workplace sector.
Achieving a NABERS 5.5 Design for Performance rating - the first building in Manchester City Centre to reach this milestone - supports the high ambitions set by HM Government.
First Street and its extended neighbourhood will be boosted significantly when the GPA takes occupation."