111 Piccadilly refurb completes 

Bruntwood Works, the offices arm of the developer and asset manager, has opened what it claims is “Manchester’s most tech-enhanced workspace” as part of its £50m Pioneer refurbishment programme. 

Features of the new-look, 50,000 sq ft 111 Piccadilly commercial building in Manchester city centre include: 

• The installation of a ‘central nervous system’, a smart technology platform that connects a physical space with the people, processes and systems within it 
• A circadian lighting system – designed to replicate a 24-hour cycle of sleep, wake, hunger, alertness, and body temperature  
• Sensors to monitor air quality, space utilisation and energy usage to drive operational efficiencies  
• A digital kiosk providing guidance and wayfinding advice to help regulate traffic and monitor footfall, as well as providing live transport timetable information 
• The Gem: a sculptured feature that will provide an exhibition space for local artists 
• A 200ft-high photovoltaic lighting installation that will illuminate three sides of the building and be visible across the city centre.
• An independent cafe and lounge, operated by retailer Ancoats Coffee and due to open to the public in 2021 

A 200ft lighting installation forms part of the refurbishment

Located close to Manchester’s Piccadilly station, the 11-storey 111 Piccadilly already has several lettings deals confirmed, including with IT firm DMW Group, part of Credera; telematics specialist Trak Global Group, and publisher HarperNorth, part of HarperCollins Group. 

Andrew Cooke, strategic director of Bruntwood Works, said: “The technology we’ve introduced at 111 Piccadilly will transform the building and its environment for the benefit of the people within it.  

“By collating real-time data about how and when the building is used, we will be able to provide a better customer experience, and create more efficient and sustainable workspaces.” 

The refurbishment was designed by architect 3DReid and carried out by Workspace D&B. 

Bruntwood Works’ Pioneer programme, designed to upgrade its existing office stock, has included refurbishments of two other Manchester assets – Blackfriars House on Parsonage and Lowry House. 

The refurbishment of  Blackfriars House is complete, while work on the 16-storey Lowry House on Marble Street, which will be rebranded as Bloc, began in September. 

View Bruntwood Works’ sites on the Place North West Development Map