Grosvenor, the global property giant owned by the Duke of Westminster and known for creating the transformative Liverpool ONE complex, has commenced its first directly managed flexible workspace outside London. The company's UK property arm has started work on a property in Manchester's Northern Quarter under its £40 million regional refurbishment programme. It has appointed premium property specialist and workspace provider x+why to operate more than 22,000 square feet of flexible workspace within the Lever Street building, known as The Hive.
Expanding Partnership to Manchester
Grosvenor already collaborates with x+why in London, where the operator has run the social impact-led flexible workspace at Fivefields in Victoria since 2023. The Manchester redesign will be led by x+why's in-house design team, whydesign, and will feature contributions from local Manchester designers and artists, including Aiden Donovan, Jesse Cracknell, Matt Dennis, and Mima Adams. Fittings from former occupier The Arts Council will also be reused in the design to preserve the connection to The Hive's creative past.
Launch and Amenities
The redeveloped building, set to launch in August, will include a new deli and restaurant fronting Lever Street. The Hive is part of Grosvenor's approximately 500,000 square foot regional office portfolio, which launched in 2020 and now includes sites in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Leeds. The company aimed to leverage its experience in the London market to create best-in-class offices in the UK's most economically active regional cities, and reports that its regional estate is now 90% occupied.
Market Momentum
Grosvenor noted good momentum in the Manchester market, with Ship Canal House nearing full occupancy after several lettings and renewals. Fergus Evans, office portfolio director at Grosvenor Property UK, said: “The Hive is a strong example of what our regional offices strategy is designed to deliver, taking a prime asset in a great location and repositioning it to meet the evolving needs of today's occupiers. Across the portfolio, our ambition is to deliver best-in-class workspace that combines high-quality design, strong sustainability credentials, hospitality-style service and a compelling amenity offer. Manchester continues to perform strongly for us, and our investment in The Hive reflects sustained demand for well-located, high-quality offices, particularly from the city's growing digital and creative economy.”
Rupert Dean, CEO and co-founder of x+why, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Grosvenor again to bring The Hive into its next chapter, following our successful partnership at Fivefields in London. It's a building with a strong identity and history within Manchester's creative community, and we see a huge opportunity to further that legacy. Our focus is on creating spaces where work, hospitality and community come together seamlessly. The Northern Quarter is one of the most exciting and entrepreneurial parts of the UK, and The Hive will reflect that energy, offering a workspace that is not only functional, but inspiring and socially driven.”
Grosvenor designed and built the massive Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex, which opened in 2008. It sold its 23% stake in the development in 2024.
