Ball pits, indoor gardens and slides - why work anywhere else?
Gone are the days when sticking a ping-pong table in the corner of the room validated your office as ‘trendy’. Blame it on millennials if you like, but the reality is that attitudes to work are evolving; from flexible working abolishing the traditional 9-5 to the recent statement by the TUC that a four-day week would be beneficial for the economy. With agile working on the rise, work spaces need to evolve too.
Today’s contemporary office spaces harness the potential of agile working, bring the outdoors in to tackle increasingly wellness concerns and offer employees far more than their own desk.
From indoor gardens to creative playgrounds, these are the top ten offices in Manchester that you wish you worked in. Apply within.
Buffalo 7
With the quest for wellness being of increasing concern for many modern workers, the demand for soulful working spaces is on the up. One office space that has risen to the challenge is Buffalo 7. With help from local interior designer Jolie Studio, the Powerpoint presentation design agency has created an inspiring setting that marries nature with modern tech in its loft-style offices.
Find Buffalo 7at The Treehouse, Floors 3&4, 127 Portland St, Manchester, M1 4PZ
This Is The Space
Meeting rooms with ivy-lined ceiling suspended by rose-coloured walls. Design-lead break out areas in a tempting trio of hues that are far from corporate. And enough plants to make any millennial giddy. When it comes to stylish office spaces, This Is The Space is the stuff instagrammer’s dreams are made of. The co-working hub is home to a host of creative start-ups as well as operating as a hireable event space. It even comes with an office dog. Instagrammable offices don’t get much better than this.
Find This Is The Space at 68 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3EJ
Social Chain
The masters of viral marketing certainly know how to create a social media storm. And the design of their office is no different. Ball pit? Check. Slide? Check. Ping pong tables, office dog, office bar… check, check, check. The company has even recently appointed a Director of Happiness to ensure employee wellness. Innovative surroundings with a focus on employee enjoyment, Social Chain HQ is a playground for digital creatives.
Find Social Chain at 127 Portland St, Manchester M1 4PZ
Evergreen Life at Hubble HQ
Luminous green grass carpets, red phone box meeting rooms and an idyllic picket-fenced reception – welcome to Hubble HQ, home to Evergreen Life. The digital health care app known for its DNA lifestyle testing may be anchored in the health industry, but their offices are far from clinical. The offices reflect the sustainability-focused business goals, with plenty of greenery, Manchester murals, picnic benches and colourful meeting pods.
Find Evergreen Life at The Edge Business Centre, Clowes St, Manchester M3 5NA
Auto Trader
The car magazine turned online market place is a haven for car lovers. Vintage cars race along corridor walls, refurbished camper vans serve as meeting rooms and classic cars including a 1977 Jaguar XJ and 1987 Audi Quattro pay tribute to the company’s 37-year rich car history. There’s even an on-site ski lodge, a library and touch-screen writing walls designed to redefine the 9-5.
Find Auto Trader at 1 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN
ALL Work & Social – XYZ Building
Gone are the days of fixed desk spaces and regimented working routines, according to ALL Work & Social. The co-working hub based at the XYZ Building has created boutique work spaces designed to suit exciting start-ups at a premium Spinningfields location. With a thriving community, plenty of collaboration opportunities and a full calendar of events designed to excite and engage, ALL Work & Social is far more than just office space.
Find ALL Work & Social at The XYZ Building, Ground & First Levels, 2 Hardman Boulevard, Manchester, M3 3AQ
Sorted Group
Whilst logistics and delivery experience might not sound like your typical creative industry, Sorted Group have ensured their office space is a hub for breeding innovation. The Albert Square office uses bright open spaces, contemporary design and an emphasis on collaborative working to encourage creative potential.
Find the Sorted Group at Sorted House, Third Floor, The Union, Albert Square, Manchester, M2 6LW
Missguided
From the sugary sweet pink décor that sweeps floor-to-ceiling, to neon mantras proclaiming “don’t worry Be yonce”, to the swings that replace meeting room chairs – Missguided HQ is the ultimate millennial office. Unicorn motifs, selfie tunnels, pink blossom trees… if it’s been on your favourite influencer’s feed, its in the Missguided head office. Top marks for commitment, guys.
Find Missguided HQ at 75 Trafford Wharf Rd, Stretford, Manchester M17 1ES
BBC North
When the BBC announced plans for a northern base at Media City, the pressure was on to pave the way for Salford Quays as a creative business hub. Fortunately, BBC North shone as a beacon for promising things to come with an inspiring work space that has so far stood the test of time. Over 3,000 staff occupy the creative community, which has been designed around agile working with colourful breakout pods in the impressive atrium.
Find BBC North at Dock House, The Quays, Salford Quays, Salford M50 2LH
LJ Real Estate - Canada House
A contender on Prolific North’s inspiring spaces, Canada House is a stunning restored textile warehouse on Chepstow Street. Once home to mills and engineering works, the impressive Art Nouveau-style building is now a hub for modern business, housing a host of popular brands including sportswear giant PUMA. The building is also home to the Clink café, an initiative that breaks the cycle of criminal activity and homelessness through food and beverage training.
Find Canada House at 3 Chepstow St, Manchester M1 5FW
WeWork Spinningfields
Nestled in the heart of Spinningfields reigns WeWork, Manchester’s newest sky-rise. A contemporary co-working space that is redefining the way people work, WeWork is a go-to for freelancers and business-owners alike. Pet-friendly and with a host of wellness rooms, activities on offer and a lobby café, creative co-working spaces don’t get much better than this.
Find WeWork Spinningfields at Quay St, Manchester M3 3JE
E3 Creative
Offices that use the occasional office plant as an attempt to ‘go green’, take note. E3 Creative agency has an internal garden structure, designed to bring the outside world in to its employees. The office space is centred around a walled garden, offering employees a connection to nature all year around. So, perhaps you should consider getting a bigger office plant…
Find E3 Creative at Queens House, Queen St, Manchester M2 5HT
