Archive
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Arbeta, Manchester hits practical completion
Manchester Creative Digital Assets (MCDA) announced Grade A office building Arbeta has achieved practical completion. The £9.95 million transformation of the building previously known as One Central Park is creating 138,000 sq ft of work space aimed at digital, tech, creative and media businesses.
Sir Richard Leese, leader, Manchester City Council said: “Arbeta will build on the successful community of collaborative businesses we see at its sister building The Sharp Project. Arbeta will welcome like-minded, enterprising and innovative businesses working across the creative, digital and tech sectors.”
Designed by PRP Architects, Arbeta sees the original three block building unified into one through the addition of a new ETFE roof creating a 9,100 sq ft central, full height atrium which will be used for communal working and events. A striking steel staircase links the three floors of workspace together with new walkways around each level.
Located just a few minutes from The Sharp Project and two minutes from Central Park Metrolink stop Arbeta offers Grade A workspace fit for modern industry with space available from 1,400 sq ft to 71,900 sq ft. There is ample cycle and car parking, a shower block, 24/7 access, collaboration and event space, a range of meeting rooms and onsite cafe.
OBI is sole leasing agent for Arbeta. Andrew Cowell, transactions and asset management, OBI said: “Arbeta is going to be fantastic addition not just to The Sharp Project family but to the Manchester market. The creative workspace and amenity will attract occupiers from the tech, creative and media sectors and this will be a place to support innovation and creativity and for ambitious business to have the space to grow.
MCDA, part of Manchester City Council, operates The Sharp Project, Space Studios and Screen Manchester as well as Arbeta. The Sharp Project is home to over 60 digital entrepreneurs and production companies specialising in digital content production, digital media and TV and film production.
Colin Johnson, managing director (operations), MCDA said: “Arbeta joins our successful family of work spaces designed, curated and managed to encourage the growth of the creative industries in Manchester. More importantly local people have found training and employment opportunities through The Sharp Project and Space Studios and we see Arbeta as an opportunity to continue that success.”
Vinci Construction was the main contractor on the project. A second phase of work to transform the outside of the building will be completed later in the year.
Due to the original building being completely revamped, a change of name and brand was undertaken working with creative agency Modern Designers. Arbeta is derived from the Swedish word to work; it is also a nod to the beta phase of software development.
This news was published by Place North West and BusinessCloud.
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ParkVia expands at Central Working at 55 Spring Gardens
OBI announced online parking reservation specialist ParkVia Ltd which moved into Central Working at 55 Spring Gardens in January has expanded and secured a further 10 desks. ParkVia, originally secured a 20 person office plus seven drop in memberships taking a two year flexible agreement.
Central Working launched its new Manchester club in 55 Spring Gardens in December 2018 and has since completed a second phase which offers a further two floors of flexible workspace.
Josie Hough, Office Manager, ParkVia said: “Central Working is a great fit for us, it’s in an excellent location and presents the right collaboration, workspace and relaxed environment for our expanding team. It was fantastic to work with OBI in the first instance who were able to advise us on finding the right workspace to suit our occupational requirements for our growing team.”
Jackie McGruer, Office Manager, Central Working said: “ParkVia joined a growing community of businesses at Central Working, who all benefit from the shared facilities and likeminded entrepreneurial approach to business. Working with OBI’s flexible managed workspace team was a breeze and they have done a great job bringing ParkVia to us. It is great to see the business expanding further in Manchester with us”
OBI acted on behalf of Central Working ,Debbie Meredith, Transactions and Asset Management, OBI said: “It was a pleasure to advise ParkVia on their relocation and help them secure their new office for their growing team. The innovative flexible workspace at Central Working provides a professional relaxing environment where occupiers can collaborate in a reinvigorating community”.
This news was published by Insider Media.
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Lettings boost Thrive Miller House success
Serviced office provider Thrive announced it has secured over 6,000 sq ft of lettings, equating to 68% of the total available space at the recently launched Miller House in Farnworth.
Miller House on Market Street in Farnworth launched at the beginning of the year following its £800,000 transformation and features 37 office suites. The most recent tenants include Dutch firm Kooi Security, a provider of security surveillance equipment, which has chosen Miller House to be its first UK office location and youth charity, Xplode who support young Boltonians with life skills and training.
Saeed Atcha MBE, Founding CEO, Xplode said: “Miller House is the ideal location for us, putting us at the heart of the community we are passionate about supporting. The facilities here are fantastic with the meetings rooms and breakout areas, it gives every one of our volunteers, visitors and young people a great impression.”
Jelmer Kloosterman, Business Developer for Kooi Security said: “When we were choosing the location for our first UK office we looked at several different options in Greater Manchester, but Miller House won out for us because of its thoroughly modern space, excellent facilities and especially the onsite gym which has been a hit with our staff”
Matthew Settle, managing director, Thrive said: “The response to Miller House has been fantastic so far and it is clear that no matter what size the business is, access to great facilities and share communal space are very high on our members agenda.
“Our flexible lease arrangements makes the process of moving into a Thrive simple and straight forward, we can even cover your moving costs! All our members benefit from automatic membership to Club Thrive which allows them to use our facilities at our other locations in Widnes, Wigan, Warrington and Newton-le-Willows as well as connecting to other Club Thrive members.”
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Lettings boost for Thrive at Foundry House, Widnes
Serviced office space provider Thrive announced it has secured over 5500 sq ft of lettings at Foundry House, situated on Widnes Business Park, leaving less than half the total suite space available.
The most recent occupier, Amore Complex Care has taken an 800 sq ft office suite and has relocated its entire team from its previous South Liverpool premises.
Ian McDougall, Director, The Amore Group said: “We decided to relocate to Foundry House from South Liverpool because we were bowled over by the facilities including the ample car parking and great road network connections as our team are often on the road visiting our clients across the region.”
Opened just six months ago following a £750,000 transformation by Thrive, the 36 office suites are complemented by excellent facilities, including meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology, fantastic break-out areas including pool table and aquarium and a garden area with external Wi-Fi.
Foundry House is located within 1.5 miles of the A557 and the Knowsley Expressway, giving excellent access to the North West motorway network, and close to the recently opened Mersey Gateway Bridge. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is also just five miles away, providing connections to destinations all over Europe.
Matthew Settle, Managing Director, Thrive said: “The response to Foundry House has been fantastic so far and it is clear that no matter what size the business is, access to great facilities and share communal space are very high on our members agenda.
“Our flexible lease arrangements makes the process of moving into a Thrive simple and straight forward, we can even cover your moving costs! All our members benefit from automatic membership to Club Thrive which allows them to use our facilities at our other locations in Bolton, Wigan, Warrington and Newton-le-Willows as well as connecting to other Club Thrive members.”
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Hidden heritage of iconic Manchester music venue Band on the Wall to be revealed thanks to £1.4 million from the National Lottery
Thanks to a £1.4m from the National Lottery, Band on the Wall is set to expand, host a wider range of events and unveil the musical heritage of the city’s migrant communities.
Inner City Music Limited, the charity that owns and operates the multi award-winning music venue, will reopen the Victorian Cocozza building at the rear of the venue and uncover the social and musical history of the two buildings and the local Northern Quarter and Ancoats neighbourhoods.
Designed by Manchester-based OMI Architects and managed by specialist project managers Buro Four the expansion plans will see the main venue capacity increased from 340 to 520; new flexible studio classroom and rehearsal spaces; a second 80-capacity venue for live music and film screenings; and digital displays with short films celebrating the history of the Northern Quarter and its communities. There will also be a programme of events for the community, rooted in the music and culture of Manchester’s migrant histories, inspiring the public to learn and develop new skills.
The project will secure Band on the Wall for the next generation, enabling future musicians to learn and perform.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “The strong musical traditions of the city of Manchester are well-known the world over, and Band on the Wall is no exception. Thanks to National Lottery funding, this award-winning venue can continue to build on its already rich heritage by being able to welcome even more gig-goers through its doors, and also allow the community to explore some of the hidden gems of the city’s multicultural musical heritage.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader, Manchester City Council said: “Manchester is famous the world over for its musical heritage, and Band on the Wall has been at the centre of it for well over a century. It is an honour to see the venue continue to thrive and drive forward the great creative force of the city, inspiring the next generation of artists along the way.”
While the venue is renowned for its pivotal role in kickstarting the careers of some of the city’s most famous homegrown talent, its location means that there is a wealth of history relating to the musical traditions of the migrant communities who have called Ancoats and the Northern Quarter their home.
The Bigger, Better, Stronger project will bring these stories to the fore, and celebrate the impact music has had on the development of Manchester’s diverse communities for over 200 years.
Gavin Sharp, CEO, Inner City Music said: “We are incredibly excited to be starting this new project and taking the Band on the Wall venue into its next phase of what is already a 200 year history. As custodians of this piece of Manchester’s heritage we continue to look forward to celebrating not only the history of our home venue, but also the strong and vibrant musical heritage of all of Manchester’s communities. Manchester is a city of migrants, whether from rural England, Ireland or across the world and as people have travelled here to work they have brought amazing culture which Mancunians have embraced. Band on the Wall represents an important part of Manchester’s aspiration to become a truly global, outward-looking city and we are incredibly pleased that this has been recognised by all the supporters and funders of the project.”
This news story was featured in Insider Media and Place North West.