Manchester’s most sustainable office building, Windmill Green, is set to welcome two more occupiers to the fold, as owner FORE Partnership has agreed terms with recruitment company Oscar Technology, and fintech firm OneStream Software.
Oscar is relocating its UK headquarters to the building, reflecting the growth of the company and Manchester’s strong draw for companies within the tech sector in which Oscar operates.
Additionally, OneStream has taken 10,000 sq. ft. across the building’s sixth floor, relocating from NEO.
Both lettings follow Hana’s commitment to the scheme in May 2020, which saw the CBRE-owned co-working operator sign up to 26,000 sq. ft. at Windmill Green.
In total, some 44,000 sq. ft. – more than 50% of the building – has been let during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aurélien Collignon, Associate Director at FORE, commented: “These companies operate in the tech, IT and digital sphere, making them a brilliant fit for Windmill Green, as the building has been specifically engineered to support the ambitions of businesses that operate within digitally-driven industries.
“It’s great to have secured these deals during the lockdown period. It really demonstrates the enduring appeal of the building and is a positive sign for what’s to come in Manchester. We’ve actually let 50% of the building during the pandemic, in three separate transactions, so evidently the office market is far from ‘dead’.
“We’re looking forward to adding more exciting tenants to the mix and seeing Oscar and OneStream making the space their own.”
Oscar will be occupying part of the third floor of the building, taking 7,865 sq ft. on an 11-year lease.
Windmill Green is Manchester’s very first BREEAM “Outstanding”-rated multi-let office building. It has also achieved WiredScore “Platinum” status, signifying the building’s best-in-class digital connectivity and tech infrastructure, and has been awarded a Cycle Score “Platinum” accreditation, celebrated as Manchester’s most cycle-friendly building. It has won a number of awards including being named the Most Innovative Office in Northwest by the British Council of Offices and winning the prestigious RICS Social Impact award in Commercial category, Northwest.
The building boasts a rooftop terrace with sweeping views over the cityscape, its own apiary, a cycle hub with a fleet of Swifty Scooters, a Brompton Bicycle docking station, and Manchester’s largest living green wall.
The highly sustainable, low-carbon building was developed by FORE Partnership to be a bustling community in the heart of Manchester just off St Peter’s Square.
The scheme totals 80,000 sq ft of Grade A office space across seven floors in the heart of the city, and is home to occupiers including CBRE’s flexible workspace offering, Hana, and tech giant Interact Software.
Knight Frank and CJCH Consulting are leading the letting activity.
