In 2022, ADT Workplace was selected as the preferred partner to deliver a new sustainable office in Manchester for global commercial real estate company, Avison Young.

Taking just over 11,700 sq.ft, the office is situated in one of Manchester’s most forward-thinking buildings, 11 York Street, which has recently been named the best new build outside central London. Following a lease expiry at its existing office, Avison Young was looking for a new location that the team could transform into one of the coolest spaces in the Avison Young UK portfolio, with leading sustainability credentials and amenities which support employee wellbeing.

Working with a full professional team from Avison Young, including an in-house designer, ADT Workplace advised on the mechanical and electrical strategy. We also worked closely with interior specialists, Sandoms, to create a bespoke joinery solution. With time of the essence due to the impending lease expiry, we delivered the office fit-out to a fast-track programme, completing the project in 12 weeks.

Avison Young’s Vision

Creating a progressive and sustainable office, which promotes wellbeing in the workplace, was at the heart of Avison Young’s vision. The team was looking to collaborate with a partner it could trust to deliver this vision to a high-quality finish, within the tight timescale.

Offering people choice in how and where they work, including providing a range of collaboration spaces, was crucial to increasing connectivity and productivity, as was providing a professional look and feel. Creating a sustainable office was also a key project driver, with the project targeting BREEAM Excellent and SKA Gold.

Office transformation

Visitors are welcomed into the office directly into a client lounge, which delivers the wow factor from the offset. A stunning branded moss wall incorporating bespoke joinery greets guests, which leads into a large, informal meeting area featuring a unique Olive tree which fills the centre of the space. The contemporary lounge offers the ideal area for colleagues and clients to meet either formally or informally, and includes a well-equipped kitchen and coffee bar, a brainstorm area, booths, a variety of meeting rooms. There is also a large conference room with integrated bleacher seating and the latest tech to accommodate team meetings and events.

Occupying around two thirds of the floor space and separate to the lounge and meeting area is the open plan office, which includes a combination of fixed and drop-in desks, project areas, quiet working pods, and a collaboration zone, providing employees with the choice to work in whichever setting they prefer for the task at hand. All spaces are equipped with the latest tech to ensure connectivity between colleagues, and overlook panoramic views of the city, delivering a light, modern and motivating workplace.

As well as creating an efficient working environment, amenities to support employee’s health, wellbeing and inclusivity were crucial for Avison Young. A relaxing wellbeing room and reading nook encourage an escape from the fast-paced office environment, and a multi-faith room offers a safe environment for prayer, reflection and meditation. Mixing harmonious colours that support those working with neurodiversity, planting throughout and low lighting in a range of breakout areas, for either working or relaxing, the whole office ethos is progressive and considerate to post-Covid ways of working.

By working in close collaboration with third-party experts, Element Sustainability Ltd, and the Avison Young team, we were able to ensure the project was delivered as sustainably as possible, whilst not compromising the overall high standard of the office design and delivery. With sustainability credentials to rival even the newest of buildings, the office fit-out is expected to achieve a RICS SKA Accreditation Gold standard and is targeting a BREEAM Excellent certification.

In addition, ADT Workplace helped coordinate a number of client partners and suppliers throughout the process, supporting the delivery of furniture, AV and planting, to ensure Avison Young’s vision came to life.