Malcolm Hollis achieves BREEAM ‘excellent’ rated fit-out for their new Manchester office

Due to continued expansion, independent commercial building consultancy Malcolm Hollis has relocated its Manchester office to a larger floorplate within the same building, with the newly refurbished space achieving a prestigious ‘excellent’ BREEAM sustainability rating.

BREEAM is considered one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods. It helps companies to manage and mitigate risk through demonstrating sustainability performance during planning, design, construction, operation or refurbishment, helping to lower running costs and maximise returns through market value and attracting and retaining tenants.

Anne Johnstone, Head of Environment, Energy and Sustainability for Malcolm Hollis, said: “Achieving the ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating has allowed Malcolm Hollis to demonstrate our real commitment to our own sustainability values. The fact that the office is set within a building constructed in the 1960’s has also shown the market that sustainable workplace practice can be realistically achieved within older properties, and not just new-builds.”

Malcolm Hollis’ specialist in-house team project managed the fit-out within The Lexicon Building, which faces St. Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre. The firm also provided in-house mechanical and electrical consultancy and CDM Principal Designer services. Local firm ‘Kin were appointed as interior designers and TMT Group successfully delivered the build on-site.

Dan Roberts, Project Management & Workspace expert in the North West said: “We feel we have achieved something special with this fit-out. The brief was to provide a cool looking space that is a comfortable and fun place to work that also enhances the wellbeing of our staff, and we have definitely achieved that. We addressed wellbeing through providing a range of different working, collaboration and social spaces, supporting flexible working practices, improving air quality, providing sit/stand desking and biophilia to name but a few.”

In order to gauge the success of the project, an internal staff workplace survey was conducted before and after the office move. The results showed a huge 58% increase in general workplace satisfaction, and a 10% improvement in staff mental and physical wellbeing following the move.

David McBride, Partner of Malcolm Hollis in Manchester, said: “The office is a great asset for all our staff working in Manchester. It is great to know that staff feel healthier in the workplace and have a space that works better for them, whilst also making improvements to the environmental performance of the office. Malcolm Hollis has maintained a strong presence in Manchester for over 27 years and the new space will help us continue to provide the best possible service to our clients. It will also allow us to continue attracting the best new talent to the business, as well as helping us retain the great staff we already have. In addition, designing the space efficiently, with agile working, allowed us to occupy less space.  The associated cost savings such as rent, service charge and dilapidations liabilities over our new lease term are significant. We are now busy helping our clients achieve similar benefits.”