Serviced office provider, Gilbanks, wanted to create a new workspace in Manchester which would inspire workers back to the office and allow professional communities to thrive. Following the success of its flagship location in Leeds, Gilbanks chose a 21,600 sq.ft space split across two floors at 11 York Street, one of Manchester’s most sustainable and prestigious office buildings, for its second location.

Working closely with the team from Jones Hargreaves, ADT Workplace, was responsible for the full office design and build. We also completed a thorough value engineering process to ensure we could deliver on budget, without compromising on the quality of design and finish. As Gilbanks had tenants ready to occupy the space, it was essential to complete the project within a fast-track timescale of 14 weeks.

Manchester office vision

It was crucial that Gilbanks could provide its tenants with first-class, flexible office space in Manchester city centre. As well as top-quality communal facilities and agile work settings, the office design needed to incorporate bespoke private workspaces ranging in size, and meeting rooms and event spaces, to provide a solution to suit the needs of any business.

Unrivalled quality was central to the vision, to ensure Gilbanks was able to set themselves apart from other serviced office providers. The space needed to have a premium feel, promote professional comfort, and surpass expectations of the contemporary workplace; this would, in turn, encourage tenants to actively invite clients and peers to share the experience.

Adaptable serviced office

The first floor welcomes visitors into a high-class business lounge, featuring marble fixtures and fittings and luxurious furnishings. There is ample planting, and the Gilbanks logo is also skillfully incorporated into the office design in a unique lighting feature. A bespoke joinery feature acts as a partition, leading into an open-plan kitchen and informal workspace equipped with a coffee bar, as well as a range of agile settings such as private booths, pods, and banquet seating. Similarly, on the second floor, the central space offers an alternative working area to the private offices, including lounge seating, zoom pods and a central spine table to encourage a more relaxed and collaborative environment.

With impeccable attention to detail, these communal areas are beautifully designed to provide a classic and timeless workplace. This is conveyed through various luxury finishes such as herringbone floor, bespoke joinery, and intricate feature lighting, as well as occasional pops of colour, adding a playful touch to the corporate space.

Surrounding this central area on both the first and second floors, are various private serviced offices which accommodate from two to 60 people. These rooms all benefit from the highest quality ergonomic furniture, such as sit/stand desks, to promote an agile and comfortable environment, as well as being insulated with commercial-grade acoustic paneling. Providing a workplace that had natural light was also essential for Gilbanks, so a space plan was strategically designed to ensure all offices had a window, which boosts employee well-being, satisfaction, and productivity.

Furthermore, executive boardrooms, meeting spaces and large presentation rooms on both floors all feature HD screens and video conferencing facilities to ensure seamless connectivity for users.

Commenting on the project, Alex Duckett, managing director of Gilbanks, said: “The project was delivered against a tight schedule, and the team at ADT Workplace proved to be proactive and professional throughout the process. The finished product has raised the bar on expectations for premium corporate workspace in Manchester. It is already attracting fantastic customers from across the region and further afield.”