Amazon narrows options for 70,000 sq ft requirement

The online retail giant is understood to be honing in on NOMA’s Hanover House for a requirement of around 70,000 sq ft after previous contenders, including No8 First Street, dropped out the race.

Codenamed ‘Project Oasis’, Amazon’s search for a city centre office has been ongoing since last year, with the retailer reported to be considering either a move to No8 First Street or Hanover House in August.

However, No8 First Street is close to full with engineering giant WSP poised to relocate its three Manchester offices into 60,000 sq ft, while Gazprom was the building’s first pre-let, taking a 60,000 sq ft in 2015.

Earlier this year, Odeon also agreed a deal to take 26,000 sq ft, leaving only around 24,000 sq ft remaining, ruling it out for Amazon’s requirement. After a series of delays following the collapse of cladding contractor Lakesmere followed by main contractor Carillion, the office is due to complete in the summer.

The online retailer is also understood to have considered 100 Embankment, the 166,000 sq ft sister office to 101 Embankment, which is being brought forward by Ask Real Estate, the Richardson family, and Tristan Capital Partners, supported by Salford City Council.

However, office agents contacted by Place North West suggested Hanover House had emerged as the favourite, owing to its earlier completion date.

Currently undergoing a comprehensive £34m refurbishment by contractor Russells, the building will provide 90,000 sq ft of Grade A office and 18,000 sq ft of retail and leisure at ground floor level, and is due to complete in September this year.

Floor plates range between 17,800 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft over six floors. Cushman & Wakefield is acting for Amazon on its search for an office, while JLL and Colliers are the agents on Hanover.

Other options previously rumoured for Amazon’s requirement included One St Peter’s Square, but this building is filling up with Irwin Mitchell the latest to sign up for 33,000 sq ft. Other tenants include CBRE, WeWork, KPMG, DLA Piper, Addleshaw Goddard, and Mazars.

Amazon, Colliers, and JLL have been approached for comment.