How New Builds Are Influencing Offices To Rent In Manchester

We’ve seen the demand for high-quality offices to rent in Manchester grow massively over the last few years as the city’s status follows the same trend. ITV have previously relocated to Greater Manchester (Media City, Salford) with other huge brands such as Channel 4 and Puma set to follow suit with city centre offices this summer.

Other developments such as Circle Square, No.1 Spinningfields, 50 Fountain Street, and the NOMA regeneration have also begun to shape the future of workspaces in Manchester. 

The growing number of businesses looking to establish a presence in Manchester and reports suggesting the city’s population will surge to 150,000 over the next decade, means that demand for space is only going to increase.

The current landscape of office space for rent in Manchester

An estimated 320,000 sq ft of office space in Manchester was snapped up in the first quarter of 2025, which for context, contrasts the ~1.2 million sq ft which accounted for the whole of 2024.

If this trend continues, 2025 will break another record and likely push the cost per sq ft for Manchester office space up into the very rainy clouds. With this, businesses are turning to refurbishing their existing space to achieve the modernised interior design features offered by some of the city’s latest developments.

Manchester office design trends

The most popular Manchester offices to let will feature large open-plan workspaces with desk banks positioned for collaboration, but more importantly, they’re designed around people, with wellbeing and sustainability elements at the core of the space.

Suppliers, such as the ones we work with, who can provide 100% recyclable and plastic-free packaging, contractors which use 100% renewable electricity and Manchester fit out companies with strong sustainability policies are at the top of the list for designing new office space. 

These policies can be seen throughout workspaces in Manchester that are refurbished, as a new fit out can help businesses achieve some of the modern design trends offered by new builds.

Some of these modern design trends seen in Manchester workspaces are:

Biophilic Elements

One of the most effective ways to create a workspace with an organic and naturally calming feel is by introducing biophilic designs, such as feature walls, overhead greenery and nature-inspired centrepieces.

Biophilia can help reduce stress, improve productivity and have an overall positive impact on the wellbeing of your team.

Wellness Areas

Providing ‘break away’ spaces for individual employees to themselves is extremely important in modern workplaces, as they show consideration for your team, including the neurodiverse who may need a quieter environment to focus.

From mental health support areas to relaxation zones, including these in your space can go a long way in supporting your team. 

Smart & Sustainable Technology

Smart technology integration can not only help your team and allow them to work more efficiently, but it can also contribute to your sustainability policies. Systems which automatically manage lighting and heating, for example, can prevent energy wastage and only activate when certain areas of your space are in use.

Your Manchester office space is gold dust

If you currently have office space in Manchester and look to hold onto it for the long term, you’ve made a smart decision. Updating your workspace with a full office refurbishment can put you on the same level as new build developments – and as the years roll by, you can watch the value of your space go up and up… and up.

Manchester build-to-rent (BTR)

Commercial build-to-rent schemes follow the same model as residential BTR, with high-quality, modern furnishings, on-site amenities and round-the-clock full-service support. These types of spaces are built with long-term leasing in mind, rather than being sold to a single person/business.

There are pros and cons to this model, of course, but for startups and businesses with ‘pop-up’ offices around the country, this model can make high-quality workspace very easily accessible, and with no long-term contracts to worry about.

Get in touch with us in Manchester

If you’d like some advice on how to navigate the landscape of offices to rent in Manchester or have a space that you’d like to refurbish, we’d love to help.

You can get in touch via our website or by speaking to one of our Manchester team directly.

Manchester // Ryan King – ryanking@c-b-i.co.uk 

Manchester // Sarah Morriss – sarahmorriss@c-b-i.co.uk