Bruntwood SciTech has submitted planning proposals for a £17 million transformation and expansion of Manchester One, the landmark office tower at the heart of Manchester’s innovation quarter.
The project, being delivered by Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund – will combine a comprehensive refurbishment of the existing 21-storey building with the addition of a new four-storey extension. Once complete, Manchester One will offer around 160,000 sq ft of workspace, alongside a range of new amenities aimed at supporting the health, wellbeing and productivity of its business community.
Manchester One is currently home to around 30 businesses across 131,000 sq ft. The proposals will see the building reimagined as a modern, sustainable workplace while retaining and celebrating its distinctive 1960s architectural character.
The four-storey extension will create a prominent new frontage on Portland Street and Sackville Street, including a double-height reception designed to encourage collaboration and interaction. The ground floor will feature a new food and beverage offering with independent street access and an outdoor terrace, while social lounges and open staircases will connect the new space vertically, blending work and hospitality environments.
A landscaped rooftop terrace at fourth-floor level will be available to all customers, providing space for breakout and relaxation. More than half of the roof area will be accessible, including a dedicated wellness zone linked to a new internal wellness suite.
The existing tower will undergo extensive modernisation, with new windows installed across all 21 floors and a refreshed facade. Office floors and building cores, including lifts, staircases and washrooms, will be refurbished on a rolling basis. New facilities will also support active travel, including secure cycle storage for 60 bikes, six showers and changing rooms, a heated drying room and locker provision.
Sustainability forms a central part of the proposals, supporting Bruntwood SciTech’s net-zero ambitions. Plans include replacing gas-fired boilers with efficient heat pump systems, installing a new electrical substation to enable increased use of renewable energy, and introducing smart building technologies throughout. Biodiversity and green infrastructure will be enhanced through soft landscaping, rooftop planting and improvements to the surrounding public realm, better integrating the building with nearby streets and green spaces.
The interior design will take cues from Manchester’s urban character, combining the building’s mid-20th-century origins with contemporary elements. The approach will feature exposed finishes, handmade details, locally sourced art and photography, and a mix of vintage and modern furniture.
Located within a five-minute walk of Oxford Road station and within easy reach of Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester One occupies a highly connected position within the city. The transformation will be delivered in partnership with Bridge Architects and Cubicworks, with works scheduled for completion in early 2028.
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