Office agency team appointed to market iconic industrial building

CBRE’s Manchester office agency team has been appointed by Wittington Investments to market the iconic Express Building in Ancoats, alongside joint agent OBI Property.

The transformation of the Grade II-listed Express Building was unveiled last year and the 1930’s building has been extensively and sensitively remodelled to incorporate a feature atrium, around 77,500 sq ft of contemporary office space, a business lounge, new mezzanine area from the sixth floor and extensive roof terraces on the upper floors.

Digital connectivity has been central to the design and the building has been future-proofed with tech infrastructure resulting in the securing of a Wired Score Gold rating.

Workplace accelerator Huckletree occupies more than 25,000 sq ft over the lower ground, ground and first floors in Express Building giving occupiers access to a range of facilities including podcast booths, meeting and event space and meditation studios in addition to a calendar of events.

Express Building is located in the heart of Ancoats, housing some of the city’s best amenities – the majority homegrown – including Manchester’s only Michelin Star restaurant.

Great Ancoats Street is also set to be transformed into a tree-lined European-style boulevard, providing greater permeability between Ancoats and the Northern Quarter.

Express Building reception

CBRE and OBI are marketing the remaining 52,000 sq ft of office space within the building.

Jonathan Cook, associate director at CBRE Manchester, said: “The investment into Express Building has restored an important part of Manchester’s commercial history and the contrast of 1930’s building and contemporary fit-out has resulted in incredibly impressive office space.

“Additionally, the service offered by Huckletree ensures that occupiers have ready-made solutions at hand and will, undoubtedly, attract businesses seeking quality space in a Manchester landmark.”