Wates appointed to complete GPA’s £105m Manchester hub

Providing 130,000 sq ft of workspace for civil servants at First Street, the office is due to be ready for occupation in autumn 2026.

Wates Construction’s fit-out division Smartspace has been appointed by the GPA on a £527,000 contract to complete the Cat B fit-out after BAM handed over the Cat A project in February.

Georgina Dunn, the GPA’s interim director of Capital Projects, said: “Appointing the Cat B contractor was the final major hurdle to overcome before the home straight of delivering this exceptional building.”

The nine-storey building will be occupied by around 2,600 civil servants from government departments including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Business and Trade, the Office for Standards in Education, and the Department for Education.

“The hub will provide a state-of-the-art office space for thousands of civil servants and will be one of the largest cross-departmental hubs outside London,” Dunn said.

“It also has enviable sustainability credentials with the building achieving a NABERS 5.5-star rating – ranking it among the most sustainable buildings in the UK.”

The scheme, forward funded by PIC, developed by Ask Real Estate, and designed by Jon Matthews Architects, is earmarked for completion in autumn 2026.

Wates’ appointment marks a continuation of its relationship with the GPA. The firm has previously worked on schemes including Darlington Economics Campus and 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon.

Scott Camp, managing director of Wates’ fit-out and refurbishment business, Smartspace, said: “Securing the contract for the Cat-B fit-out at Manchester First Street is a testament to our expertise in delivering high-quality, modern office environments.

“This project will provide thousands of civil servants with a state-of-the-art workspace, enabling them to foster collaboration and efficiency. It also reinforces our commitment to our purpose – ‘Reimagining places for people to thrive’ – by creating another exceptional workspace that supports productivity and well-being.”