Our Smartspace division has been awarded the fit-out contract for GPA’s First Street Hub in Manchester
Our Smartspace division has been awarded the fit-out contract for GPA’s First Street Hub in Manchester
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has appointed our Smartspace division to carry out the Category B (Cat B) fit-out of its First Street Hub, a new government office in Manchester city centre, following a competitive tender process.
We will be responsible for the hub’s fit-out works, ensuring the nine-storey building is fully functional for office use. This marks another key milestone in the programme, following the recent practical completion of the Category A (Cat A) fit-out and lease commencement.
Launched as part of the GPA’s Government Hubs Programme, the Manchester First Street Hub will accommodate around 2,600 civil servants from departments including the Ministry of 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). The project is set for completion in Autumn 2026.
Appointing the Cat B contractor was the final major hurdle before the home stretch of delivering this exceptional building. The hub will provide state-of-the-art office space for thousands of civil servants and will be one of the largest cross-departmental hubs outside London. It also boasts enviable sustainability credentials, targeting a NABERS 5.5* rating — ranking it among the most sustainable buildings in the UK.
“We are proud of the progress we continue to make as we work to provide high-quality and sustainable workplaces for civil servants across the UK.”
Georgina Dunn
Interim Director of Capital Projects, GPA
The £105M development, forward-funded by the Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), supports the Government Hubs Programme’s aim of driving economic growth across the country. 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 flexible workspaces where civil servants can thrive.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Oxford Road and Deansgate rail stations, First Street Hub has been designed to be class-leading, meeting inclusive and accessible design standards. The 12,000 sq m building is tailored to accommodate different styles of work, fostering collaboration, creativity, and community, regardless of how people choose to work.
We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with the Government Property Agency, following our work at Darlington Economic Campus and 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon. Securing the contract for the Cat B fit-out at Manchester First Street is a testament to our expertise in delivering high-quality, modern office environments.
“This project will provide thousands of civil servants with a state-of-the-art workspace, enabling collaboration and efficiency. It also reinforces our commitment to our purpose ‘Reimagining places for people to thrive’ by creating another exceptional workspace that supports productivity and well-being.”
Scott Camp
Managing Director, Wates Smartspace
Photo credit: Jon Matthews Architects
