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Wates Smartspace has been appointed to deliver a £32.8m Category B office fit-out of a major government hub in Manchester.
The contract, issued by the Government Property Agency (GPA), will see the contractor carry out the internal fit-out of the First Street development in the city centre. The project is scheduled to run from 16 February to 23 November 2026.
The appointment was made through a call-off under a framework agreement. The contract is not suitable for SMEs or voluntary and community sector organisations.
Wates Smartspace’s fit-out work will form part of a wider GPA programme to consolidate public sector offices into regional hubs, intended to cut costs and reduce the government estate’s carbon footprint.
The First Street hub will accommodate around 2,500 civil servants across multiple departments. It will be one of several regional centres under the government’s Places for Growth programme, which aims to relocate civil service jobs out of London.
Outline planning approval for the 130,000 square metre First Street South site was granted in 2022.
The GPA agreed to take 18,000 square metres of office space at Plot 9A, which is being developed by Ask Real Estate in partnership with Tristan Capital Partners and listed investor Richardson.
The fit-out contract includes responsibility for detailed design, appointment of all designers and subcontractors, and delivery of the works. Contract documentation comprises a bespoke NEC pre-construction services agreement and an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Main Option A.