Co-working specialist to launch first Manchester scheme at Express Building
Huckletree, the workspace accelerator, will open its first Manchester operation in the Grade II-listed Express Building on Great Ancoats Street this Autumn.
Huckletree is taking the lower ground, ground, and first floors (25,800 sq ft in total) in the 77,600 sq ft building which was built in 1939 for the Daily Express newspaper.
The choice of the Express Building for Manchester is in keeping with Huckletree’s ethos of taking on inspiring and unique spaces.
Huckletree has work spaces in Dublin, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch and White City in London, and has just announced it is to open in the Ingestre Court building in Soho in Spring this year.
Since Huckletree’s launch in 2014, its founders, Gabriela Hersham and Andrew Lynch, have been committed to curating communities of enterprising businesses.
It has built a reputation for facilitating collaboration among its members which include start-ups, scale-ups and global innovation teams in the digital industries.
Andrew Lynch said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening our first Manchester Huckletree in the Express Building. It’s a fantastic, and I know, much loved building.
“The tech scene in Manchester is incredible and I know the spirit of collaboration is intrinsic in the city, so we know Huckletree will be able to help many businesses develop and grow.”
Real estate consultancy OBI is leasing agent on behalf of the Express Building owners Wittington Investments (Properties) Ltd.
Richard Lace, transactions and asset management OBI, said: “It’s a real coup to secure Huckletree in the Express Building, they are a perfect match for the asset.
“It is great to be able to work with them as we bring this Manchester icon back into use and once again make it one of the most pioneering workspaces in Manchester.”
OBI workplace consultancy team is working with Huckletree on the interior design of its space.
Originally designed by Sir Owen Williams, the multimillion-pound refurbishment of Express Building is being led by OBI and designed by Ben Adams Architects.
The reception has been completely redesigned and a cut-out will be introduced at ground floor with a new feature staircase linking the lower ground and ground floors.
The internal floor fixtures and fittings are being stripped out and the original architecture celebrated throughout the building.
“A new mezzanine floor will be installed on the sixth floor.
Dominic Horridge, building consultancy OBI, said: “Express Building is a Manchester landmark. It is an honour to be working with the building, teasing out its original design and celebrating it while, at the same time, creating truly modern, super-connected new work space.”
