Finding the right office accommodation to suit the needs of smaller businesses, whether looking for space to grow or just starting out can be a daunting task. At Exchange Quay, we are breaking the ICE with smaller businesses in mind.
Our 26,000 sq ft of Grade A refurbished offices and café lounge bar at ICE was introduced last year to boost our existing occupier offer and to create a more collaborative corporate community. We are now splitting the building into smaller office suites which is adding appeal to SMEs and start-ups.
So what do smaller businesses and new enterprises want from their office space? Isn’t it the same as more established companies, to be seen in the right location, in an environment that presents a professional image in a corporate setting and to impress customers and visitors alike? Is it scope and space to grow, as well as an inspiring working environment that attracts and retains the best talent pool? We think it’s all of these things and more.
Our ICE building redesign was developed to create a more coherent family of buildings with dedicated social meeting and bar space; bookable meeting rooms, a co-working zone and five upper storeys of top quality lettable office space. By splitting up the space into smaller accommodation, we want to back enterprise by appealing to a diverse range of small and growing businesses to our people-focussed and progressive development.
Ultimately SMEs want a base that their employees look forward to working in and are proud of with a range of places to meet both professionally and socially. They want to work somewhere that is accessible and has a wealth of amenities and facilities with good connectivity, great technology and offers the right health and wellbeing attributes – space they can make their own.
Exchange Quay has fast become one of Manchester’s premier business locations and is great for tenants and potential occupiers looking for Grade A corporate offices combined with co-working space; experiential uses, space for future expansion; a 3,000 strong community of engaged tenants; hospitality services; top connectivity and building sustainability all under one roof in an unrivalled waterside location.
Values in the workplace are changing, which in turn means that what occupiers want from an office building is also evolving. A successful working environment must cater for a fully diverse workforce with the employee work-life and wellbeing experience becoming pivotal to finding and keeping great people.
Exchange Quay supports its tenant base on how they choose to work and provides a haven to come together – to work, meet, talk, network, present, eat, shop, drink, relax, entertain and socialise at ICE.
Take a look at the Exchange Quay office availability.
Author – James Dickinson, Director, Canning O’Neill
