Double 2 Hardman Street lettings deal includes one of city’s biggest this year
Two new tenants have signed up to take space at 2 Hardman Street, in Manchester’s Spinningfields, including one of the largest deals in the city this year.
Property services company, JLL, secured the tenants on behalf of HANSAINVEST Real Assets.
Arden University, advised by James Andrews International, has signed a 10-year lease for more than 43,000 sq ft on the fifth and sixth floors, making it one of the biggest deals of 2023.
The university, which offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and apprenticeship courses via blended and distance learning, has committed to consolidating and expanding its presence in central Manchester at its new base. The move includes the opportunity to expand across further space in the building.
Acting as the sole letting agent, JLL’s office agency team has also let the top floor to London-based recruitment firm Michael Page Group, advised by Vail Williams. The business has signed a 10-year lease for 7,400 sq ft of the grade A space, moving just a stone’s throw from its previous office at 3 Hardman Square.
JLL project-managed the refurbishment of 2 Hardman Street from its early planning stages, with a focus on sustainability and quality amenities, including a ground floor coffee bar and lounge, wellness and yoga spaces, and bike storage. JLL’s planning team also secured the change of use for Arden.
ADT acted as contractor and BlueSky Design was appointed for architecture and interior design, incorporating a ‘living wall’ feature for the reception area.
Bojan Manevski, deputy chief commercial officer at Arden University, said: “Our new Spinningfields home will provide an exciting new space for our Manchester team.
“As well as bringing our people together under one roof, we will now have the room to grow, collaborate and educate. Not only that, but we’ll do so with best-in-class facilities, on the doorstep of Manchester city centre’s attractive offering.”
James Devany, director, national office agency at JLL, said: “This scheme has been a tremendous success, demonstrating the specialist skill and dedication needed from each team to deliver such an impressive workspace.
“We continue to see a flight to quality within the occupier market. For Arden, that meant finding quality space to bring together their Manchester team in the heart of the city. Similarly, Michael Page could see the project developing from just around the corner and jumped at the chance to take space in the building.
“Our shared vision with HANSAINVEST allowed us to prioritise sustainability and deliver state-of-the-art space at 2 Hardman Street which goes above and beyond in terms of amenities for employees.”
Nadja Pueker, asset manager at HANSAINVEST Real Assets, said: “It’s been a joy to collaborate with JLL on this scheme, building on our already strong relationship. We welcome both Arden and Page Group to the building and hope they will be very happy in their new Manchester home.”
