0173 Neo

Full exterior and interior refurbishment of 15 storey office building located on the corner of Portland Street and Charlotte Street in Manchester city centre.

From the outset Neo was designed to be different. Working closely with the client, an evolved workspace concept was developed in parallel with the architectural and interior design. The building provides a sophisticated, informal and flexible working environment that gives users choice and helps to foster a sense of community; for people and businesses to connect. 

The importance of common parts played a huge part in the design concept for the building; unusually the ground and entire first floor of the building are given over to shared spaces that include a media wall for digital art installations, common lounge, previously inaccessible external terrace, meeting and co-working facilities. The upper floors include a range of conventional suites, and small serviced offices.

Externally, new curtain walling, repainted existing cladding and high level feature lighting serve to completely reinvent and reposition the building. Cladding colours were carefully selected to make the building appear as two distinct blocks, thereby improving the overall scale and proportions.

Neo won the ‘Refurbished/Recycled Workplace’ BCO award in 2018.

Neo was shortlisted for ‘Best Unbuilt Commercial Project’ at the 2016 MSA Awards.

The project was finished in early 2017 with 70% pre-let on completion.

Client:

Bruntwood

Value:

£8m

Structural engineer:

DW Consulting

Contractor:

Quest and Dragonfly