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August 28, 2025
Alex Timperley
5 mins
The UK’s office market recovery continues and signs of positive progress can be seen. Recent research from Savills shows that combined take-up in the Big 6 regional office markets is 4% higher than the five-year average, demonstrating the market's resilience.
Manchester is playing a big role in this. It’s been tough in the city this year for various reasons, but we saw new office developments breaking ground in July and a series of big moves.
August is a traditionally quiet time, but the moves have continued and momentum keeps increasing:
· Tax advisory firm completes one of the biggest MediaCityUK deals this year
· Halifax House acquired and filled by Shenton
· Law firm Browne Jacobson doubles its floorspace in the city centre
· Central Manchester building Peter House is up for sale
· Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) expands at Sunlight House
Ryan Property Tax Services has signed a 10-year lease at Orange Tower in the heart of MediaCityUK. The company has taken the sixth and tenth floors of the building, a total of 32,000 sqft of space.
Orange is now full and Ryan Property Tax Services is the latest company to benefit from the building’s recent £1.8m refurbishment. They join existing tenants including ITV, Kellogg’s, Intelligent Lending and the University of Salford.
Tom Shave, president of European and Asia-Pacific operations at Ryan, said: “As client demand fuels our growth, this expansion positions us to attract and retain top talent while creating an exceptional environment to foster stronger connections with our clients.”
Shenton Group has made the second and third floors of Halifax House its latest purchase in Manchester city centre. The 12,400 sqft space was bought from EMM Properties and is let to two occupiers: M R Negotiations and Desk, a serviced office provider.
As reported by Place North West, Shenton Group is now embarking on a refurbishment of the common areas as part of the purchase.
Colin Shenton, chief executive at Shenton Group, said: “Halifax House is a highly prominent and well-known building on the corner of Deansgate and Bridge Street. Our Manchester city centre commercial portfolio exceeds 200,000 sqft and is 93% let.”
Browne Jacobson is a significant national law firm with a major presence in Manchester. They expanded their team here in 2023 and have now almost doubled their office space at No. 1 Spinningfields.
The company’s new 10-year lease covers the whole of the building’s 15th floor, with a total floorspace of almost 12,000 sqft. Growth like this is a ringing endorsement of Manchester’s professional services sector, the talent in our city and the way that large firms like Browne Jacobson view the future here.
Pete Allen, Brown Jacobson’s head of the Manchester office, said: “The North West is home to some of the most dynamic changemakers in the country, including some of the most innovative tech and healthcare businesses, established and ambitious corporates, and financial services and private equity leaders.
“Our new and expanded presence allows us to work even more closely with these leaders to support them in driving real change in their sectors, communities and beyond.”
Peter House is one of Manchester’s most recognisable office buildings. It’s on the corner of St. Peter’s Square and is fully let to flexible workspace operator Spaces. On the ground floor, Italian restaurant Giovanni’s has become an institution in the city.
Now, the 94,564 sqft building is up for sale as owner BP Pension Fund is ready to sell for £28m+. There is sure to be a lot of interest for this building and it’s likely that a buyer will be found in short order.
Dominic Pozzoni, head of national offices at Colliers, said: “It’s a great building in a great location, with St Peter’s Square being one of the gems of Manchester. Peter House is a brilliant asset, offering benefits in the short, medium and long term.”
Finally, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has expanded its space at Sunlight House in the city centre. The building is in the final stages of a major refurbishment and will welcome the CPS into 22,000 sqft of Grade A space on the seventh and eighth floors.
It’s the latest move in Manchester from the Government Property Agency, following other completions and acquisitions throughout 2025.
The refurbishment has significantly improved the sustainability rating of Sunlight House and also delivered best-in-class amenities for occupiers. It’sa future-proofed workplace that reflects what modern employers and their workforce want.
Julien Buronfosse, Managing Director at building operator Karrev, said: “Securing a substantial letting is a significant milestone. It demonstrates the market’s appetite for premium, character-led workspaces.
“It’s rewarding to see such an important public institution reaffirm its commitment to the city centre and this address. Additional major signings should occur in the coming weeks enabling Sunlight to host clients ranging from starts up to established international company and local players”.
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