Arbeta reaches practical completion

Manchester Creative Digital Assets has announced the £10m refurbishment of One Central Park, now known as Arbeta, has achieved practical completion.

The block was previously three buildings, which have been combined to make one office through the addition of a foil roof. This created an atrium to be used for communal working and events. A steel staircase has been added to link three floors, with new walkways around each level.

The 138,000 sq ft office is aimed at digital, tech, creative, and media businesses.

Arbeta will offer spaces from 1,400 sq ft to 71,900 sq ft. The building includes cycle and car parking spaces, 24/7 access, event spaces, meeting rooms, and an on-site café.

Arbeta’s operator, MCDA, is part of Manchester City Council. MCDA also operates The Sharp Project, Space Studios and Screen Manchester.

Colin Johnson, managing operations director at MCDA, said: “Arbeta joins our successful family of workspaces designed, curated and managed to encourage the growth of the creative industries in Manchester. More importantly local people have found training and employment opportunities through The Sharp Project and Space Studios and we see Arbeta as an opportunity to continue that success.

Andrew Cowell, transactions and asset management at for OBI, said: “Arbeta is going to be a fantastic addition not just to The Sharp Project Family but to the Manchester market. The creative workspace and amenity will attract occupiers from the tech, creative and media sectors and this will be a place to support innovation and creativity and for ambitious businesses to have the space to grow.”

Arbeta was designed by PRP Architects, with OBI acting as the leasing agents. Vinci Construction was the main contractor on the project, with a second phase of work on the building’s outside to be completed later this year.

CGI for Arbeta’s external works, set to be completed later this year.