Move-In Mentality
Heralded as Manchester’s leading workplace campus, Exchange Quay lives up to its reputation. The tenant experience goes far beyond just lettable space. Set within a vibrant, landscaped garden campus, Exchange Quay offers a rich programme of events, from live music and social gatherings to fitness classes and even beekeeping, all designed to foster well-being and a strong sense of community.
Sector | Workplace
Completion | 2024 onwards
Client | Till AM
Operator | CBRE
“We have developed a strong and trusted working relationship with Jasper Sanders + Partners over the last six years. Continued collaboration at Exchange Quay has seen the campus transform into a revitalised destination, through innovative and careful design considerations. The team’s ability to harness a strong sense of place and community for global businesses is a testament to their ability to combine purposeful, innovative design within the requirements of multi-national corporate tenants.”
Les Lang | Director, Till AM
Sustainability
Across Exchange Quay projects, we typically retain or adapt around 90% of inherited elements. This careful, reuse-led approach enables us to deliver cost-effective, high-quality spaces ready for immediate occupation, supporting modern business needs while reducing waste and environmental impact.
Existing plasterboard and door sets reconfigured to suit the new layout.
Tea-point units retained and enhanced with new shelving; formed the basis of the neutral palette.
Existing low-energy grid lighting retained; supplemented with sustainably sourced LED feature lights.
Worn carpets were replaced with sustainable options from Interface (‘World Woven’, ‘Etched and Threaded’ and Forbo Marmoleum.
Task chairs replaced; workbenches, cabling, partitions, storage, and boardroom furniture refurbished. Orangebox Air³ pods were also retained and reupholstered in a neutral palette. Planters were introduced to enhance biophilia and workplace wellbeing.
Jasper Sanders + Partners has led the transformation of both the shared amenities and office spaces at this late 20th Century, curtain-walled development. As the workplace market has evolved, so too has the vision at Exchange Quay. The traditional approach of offering a basic Cat A fit-out, leaving tenants to manage design, build, and procurement themselves, has proven no longer fit for purpose. Today, many businesses lack the time or resources to undertake complex fit-out projects. In response, Exchange Quay has adopted a forward-thinking strategy: delivering highly functional, pre-fitted ‘oven-ready’ workspaces that allow tenants to move in with minimal delay. This ready-to-occupy model remains uncommon for larger floorplates, making it a distinctive and compelling offer for ambitious, growing organisations.
A close-knit team including the client, contractor, and quantity surveyor work collaboratively with a shared focus: attracting and retaining tenants. The success of this joined-up approach is evident in the growing campus population, seen in the daily buzz at Bean coffee, the well-used on-site wellness suite, and the vibrant lunchtime atmosphere on the podium at Quay Kitchen.
“Refurbishing existing buildings takes a particular skillset”, states Jasper Sanders. “It’s very different from new-build design as it requires a forensic approach to identify what can be retained and reused. With a ‘make good and mend’ mentality, we restore and repurpose wherever possible, reducing waste, cutting landfill, and lowering material costs. It’s not only more sustainable but also more economical, helping keep the overall budget down and supporting long-term commercial success. After all, every pound saved benefits the next tenant.” Refurbished office space responds directly to the needs of the modern workplace: from quiet, focused work settings to vibrant collaborative zones, supporting the full spectrum of activity for the businesses of today.
“Providing well-designed, ready-to-occupy office suites removes a major barrier to letting. It simplifies the process, and helps tenants quickly imagine themselves in the space. The schemes have been carefully considered so they’re not overly stylised, meaning brands can easily adapt and make the space their own.”
James Dickinson | Director, Canning O’Neill
Exchange Quay is not driven by trends or workplace gimmicks. It is founded on principles of functionality, vibrancy, community, and collaboration, designed to support thriving businesses through soft, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Finishes are selected with economy and subtlety in mind, eschewing bold branding or assertive colours in favour of a balanced character which feels reflective of the character of the campus. The result is a series of workplace settings that avoid feeling generic, yet remains flexible enough for tenants to envision themselves as an integral part of the campus community.