Gilbanks signs for 34,000 sq ft at No1 St Michael’s

The flexible workspace provider has become the third tenant at Relentless and KKR’s 180,000 sq ft Manchester office, taking a floor and a half.

Gilbanks’ St Michael’s office is the company’s second in the city after it made its Manchester debut at Aviva’s 11 York Street last year.

Alex Duckett, managing director of Gilbanks, said: “By partnering with Relentless Developments on the St Michael’s project, we are making a clear statement that we are committed to working with ambitious and innovative developers on projects that will set new standards in the industry.

“The new professional community at St Michael’s will feature the latest technology to enable hybrid working for companies with global ambitions.”

Having a flexible workspace provider in a building is increasingly being seen as a must-have for landlords and occupiers.

Other Manchester offices that have leased a portion of their space to a flex provider include The Lincoln – where Cubo took 30,000 sq ft – 100 Embankment, which is home to 30,000 sq ft for X+Why, and 100 Barbirolli Square, where Koba signed for 30,000 sq ft last week.

Leeds-based Gilbanks is the third to sign at No1 St Michael’s – the office element of a wider £400m mixed-use scheme – after Hill Dickinson and Pinsent Masons both signed 10-year leases on a combined 45,000 sq ft last year.

Gary Neville, director at Relentless Developments, said: “Gilbanks is raising the bar within the serviced office market by focusing on distinctively designed buildings in prime locations. This echoes our own vision for St Michael’s as we set new standards for sustainable commercial workspace here in Manchester.

OBI acted for Gilbanks and CBRE acted for Relentless.

Andrew Cowell, in the transactions and asset management at OBI, said: “Our mandate was to find the best-in-class building in Manchester for Gilbanks and St Michael’s fully delivers against this brief. St Michael’s is lifting the standard for new build office developments in the city and will become a flagship location for Gilbanks to grow their portfolio of high-quality managed workspace.”

Joe Rigby, senior director at CBRE, said: “Our client recognised that a provision of the high-quality flexible workspace was a critical consideration in creating a thriving ecosystem and community for a development of this scale. Gilbanks was quickly identified as the preferred flexible workspace partner owing to their reputation and quality of clients which fully complement the vision for St Michael’s as a destination for ambitious professional businesses in the city.”

“It’s really important we select partners that reflect our huge ambitions for this scheme and we’re confident Gilbanks will do that when they move into the building at the end of the year.” 

Contractor Bowmer+Kirkland is due to complete the office block later this year. Relentless is developing this part of the project in partnership with investor KKR.

The second phase, No2 St Michael’s, comprises a 41-storey tower featuring 217 W branded 217 apartments and a 162-bedroom five-star hotel from the same brand.

The tower is being delivered by Relentless in joint venture with developer Salboy.