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The Government Property Agency (GPA) has confirmed it has accepted the handover of its new hub in First Street after the building reached practical completion of its Category A (Cat A) fit-out and lease commencement. Works were completed by BAM Construct UK appointed by developer Ask Real Estate.
This latest milestone continues the countdown to ready for service, with the nine-storey c.12,000 sq m building now ready for the internal fit-out to commence.
Once complete the hub will accommodate around 2,600 civil servants from departments including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED), and the Department for Education (DfE). It is expected that more than 150 roles will be relocated to Manchester from across several different Government departments and agencies once the hub is operational.
The building forms part of the Government Hubs Programme supporting economic growth across the UK. The programme is rationalising the government’s estate in towns and cities across the UK, playing a pivotal role in delivering modern, customer-focused and varied workspaces where civil servants can thrive. The design recognises that different types of work require different spaces to enable collaboration, creativity and community regardless of how people choose to work.
Georgina Dunn, the GPA’s Interim Director of Capital Projects, said: “It’s very gratifying to reach this significant stage in the programme. This new state-of-the-art office will provide a home for civil servants from across the government in Manchester, making it one of the largest hubs for cross-departmental collaboration and operation outside London. The GPA remains immensely proud of the industry-leading sustainability, accessibility and workplace standards delivered by the Government Hubs Programme.”
John Hughes, Managing Director at Ask Real Estate said: “Bringing the GPA hub to practical completion is a huge testament to our commitment to driving sustainability in the workplace sector. By achieving a NABERS 5.5 Design for Performance rating the first building in Manchester City Centre to reach this milestone – supports the high ambitions set by HM Government.”
A competitive tender process for the subsequent fit-out works, has completed with the GPA due to make an announcement in the next few weeks.
The £105 million development was forward-funded by Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, which will use the secure, long-dated and index-linked cashflows to pay the pensions of its policyholders over the coming decades.
On 27 February FMJ will be hosting a webinar in partnership with workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking, to discuss the challenges posed by managing hybrid work models, meeting sustainability targets, and dealing with economic pressures, which have long required a fine balancing act for Facilities Managers. This is set to become more complicated this year with the Government announcing plans to allow staff to work more flexibly.
The webinar will bring together the digital experts from Matrix Booking alongside a panel of workplace thought leaders to discuss how FMs can create the perfect balance.
Can’t make it no problem… Simply sign up below and after the webinar has been broadcast, we will send you a link to watch the recording. Register for the webinar by clicking here.
