Auto Trader finalises Manchester HQ move
Bruntwood SciTech has confirmed Auto Trader as its most recent office occupier at No.3 Circle Square in Manchester.
The parties entered into talks early last year after the digital automotive marketplace indicated its intention to vacate its existing base at Abrdn’s 1 Tony Wilson Place on First Street.
Auto Trader will occupy almost half of the 267,000 sq ft office tower. The building, designed by Bridge Architects, features 15 floors of workspace dedicated to occupiers in the science and technology sectors. Amenities include a rooftop terrace, bike storage and wellbeing facilities.
Bruntwood SciTech has confirmed Auto Trader as its most recent office occupier at No.3 Circle Square in Manchester.
The parties entered into talks early last year after the digital automotive marketplace indicated its intention to vacate its existing base at Abrdn’s 1 Tony Wilson Place on First Street.
Auto Trader will occupy almost half of the 267,000 sq ft office tower. The building, designed by Bridge Architects, features 15 floors of workspace dedicated to occupiers in the science and technology sectors. Amenities include a rooftop terrace, bike storage and wellbeing facilities.
The deal was signed on a 10-year lease at around £40 per sq ft, according to market sources.
No.3 Circle Square, which has a gross development value of £87m, is the latest phase of the Oxford Road neighbourhood’s development, following the completion of the fully let No.1 and No.2 Circle Square. Bruntwood SciTech has broken ground at the latest office block in July 2023.
Josh Whiteley, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “We’ve seen first-hand how the support we offer and community we’ve built at Circle Square forges connections and promotes knowledge-sharing between large, well-established businesses, start-ups and scale-ups, from the Tech Incubator through to the large-scale new buildings.
“As work at No.3 Circle Square progresses, we’re looking forward to welcoming even more forward-thinking businesses to the neighbourhood with more to be announced in the coming months.”
Alison Ross, chief people and operations director at Auto Trader, said: “To continue to grow, we not only need more space to house our expanding data and technology teams, but also facilities which can support their pace of innovation and ambition.
“The relocation of our head office to Circle Square within the heart of Manchester’s thriving tech community will help us to deliver this growth, and it reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the city.”
GL Hearn advised Auto Trader; JLL is the retained leasing agent for Circle Square; Shoosmiths provided legal advice.
