Manchester has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years as a generation of mid-century office blocks has given way to modern, sustainable workplaces. Buildings such as Oddfellows House, Brazennose House and the BBC’s New Broadcasting House, which were renowned in their time, have been replaced by striking new office developments. CoStar looks at its extensive archive to reveal the outdated stock that has given way to high-spec offices.
Oddfellows House becomes 11 York Street
Oddfellows House, a mid-1960s multilet office building on York Street, was once home to the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows and later became a multilet office building let to a diverse range of small and medium occupiers. The building was demolished in 2017 following its acquisition by Kier Property.
The site, which is in the heart of the city near Spring Gardens, has been turned into 11 York Street. Completed in 2021 and built to BREEAM Excellent and EPC A specification, it is now fully let to a strong roster of corporate tenants, including Rolls-Royce, real estate advisor Avison Young and flexible workspace provider Gilbanks.
Quay House becomes No1 Spinningfields
Created by one of Manchester’s renowned architects, HS Fairhurst & Son, Quay House was a familiar presence in Manchester’s Spinningfields district for decades. Built in the 1960s, the office block reflected the utilitarian architecture of its era. However, as Spinningfields evolved into one of Manchester’s premier commercial districts, Quay House became increasingly outdated.
Following its demolition in 2015, it was replaced with No1 Spinningfields in 2017– Allied London’s 20-storey office tower that redefined the Manchester skyline. It is home to leading corporate firms, including PwC and law firm Squire Patton Boggs and has high-end amenities such as rooftop restaurant 20 Stories.
Eversheds House becomes Havelock
Bought by Credit Suisse in 2019, 70-76 Great Bridgewater Street, formerly known as Eversheds House, had a relatively short life cycle. Originally constructed in 2001 and occupied by law firm Eversheds, the building became vacant after the firm relocated to Two New Bailey in Salford.
In 2022, the property was stripped back to its structural frame and has been transformed into Havelock, a grade A office development designed to meet the highest sustainability and workspace standards.
Grange House becomes The Island, John Dalton Street
Grange House on John Dalton Street was built in the 1960s and occupied for decades by a mix of professional firms. Like many mid-century office blocks, it eventually fell behind modern standards for sustainability and workspace design.
In 2022, Grange House, along with neighbouring buildings, was demolished to make way for HBD’s flagship development, The Island, which reached completion in 2024.
That year, Virgin Media announced that it would relocate several regional offices, including its Concord Business Park location near Manchester Airport, to Manchester city centre. Virgin occupies half of the John Dalton Street development, with the other half still available for lease.
BBC headquarters becomes Circle Square
The demolition of New Broadcasting House on Oxford Road marked the end of an era for Manchester’s media sector. Built in 1976 as the BBC’s North West headquarters, the building served as a regional broadcasting hub until it was vacated in autumn 2011, when operations relocated to MediaCityUK in Salford Quays.
Its removal paved the way for one of Manchester’s most ambitious regeneration projects, Circle Square. Developed by Bruntwood, construction began in 2016 and with the latest phase completed last year, Circle Square is now home to major occupiers, including the streaming giant Roku and automotive marketplace AutoTrader, reinforcing Manchester’s position as a leading hub for the tech sector.
Brazennose House becomes The Lincoln
Lincoln Square, created in the 1960s after the clearance of buildings along the east side of Brazennose Street, became home to Brazennose House as part of the development. Another Kier purchase in 2016, it was demolished two years later to make way for The Lincoln, which was completed in 2021.
In 2023, flexible office provider Cubo became the building’s first tenant, setting the tone for subsequent deals with leading occupiers, including Alvarez & Marsal, Jacobs and the Professional Footballers’ Association. The Lincoln contributes to the wider revitalisation of Lincoln Square, which includes significant public realm improvements and a new piazza.