GPA’s Havelock letting makes up 40% of Manchester’s Q1 take-up

Some 286,000 sq ft of office space was transacted in the city across 51 deals in the first three months of 2026, according to the Manchester Office Agents Forum.

The Government Property Agency’s 114,000 sq ft deal at Credit Suisse’s Havelock – the retrofit of the former Eversheds office on Great Bridgwater Street – was by far the largest deal of the quarter.

Other notable transactions in January, February, and March included flex space provider X & Why securing 25,000 sq ft at The Hive – the operator’s second Manchester site – and Jacobs taking an additional 9,000 sq ft at M&G’s The Lincoln, according to MOAF.

Additionally, architect Sheppard Robson moved into 9,000 sq ft within Bruntwood SciTech’s recently renovated Pall Mall, a scheme the practice designed.

The quarterly take-up figure is down compared to the same period in 2025 when 320,000 sq ft was transacted thanks, in part, to AutoTrader’s 130,000 sq ft deal to take half of Bruntwood SciTech’s No 3 Circle Square. However, the Q1 2026 figure is in line with Manchester’s five-year average.

Of the 51 deals completed in Q1, 42 were 5,000 sq ft or under, MOAF noted. This highlights SMEs’ confidence in the city, according to Rosie Veitch, associate director of Sixteen Real Estate.

“This is supported by the city’s strong talent pool, excellent transport links, and the high-quality office space being delivered by landlords with 34% of all deals under 10,000 sq ft being fully fitted and furnished,” she said.

“There also remains a number of large requirements in the market from both existing Manchester occupiers and new entrants, which we expect to transact later in the year.”

South Manchester saw 82,400 sq ft deals across 64 transactions, down by around 50,000 sq ft year-on-year, while Salford Quays and Trafford notched up a combined 35,500 sq ft, an improvement on Q1 last year when less than 30,000 sq ft of deals were signed.

Simon Roddam, head of OBI’s regional and out-of-town office situated in Warrington, said: “The Q1 figures underline that demand remains resilient outside the city centre.

“While occupiers are taking a more considered approach, South Manchester, Salford Quays & Trafford and Warrington continue to perform well by offering the right blend of quality accommodation, flexibility, and competitive occupational costs.”

MOAF is made up of Avison Young, BE Group, CBRE, Colliers International, Canning O’Neill, Cushman & Wakefield, Edwards, Fisher German, Hallams Property Consultants, TSG Property Consultants, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH, OBI, Savills, and Sixteen.