The building has achieved a NABERS 5.5 Design for Performance rating. Credit: Bardhok Ndoji via Shutterstock.

The UK’s Government Property Agency (GPA) has been handed over its new civil service hub in First Street, Manchester.

The nine-storey, approximately 12,000m² office building is now prepared for the next phase of development, which includes the internal fit-out.

BAM Construct UK, a construction and property services company, completed the works after being appointed by developer Ask Real Estate.

Ask Real Estate managing director John Hughes said: “Bringing the GPA hub to practical completion is a huge testament to our commitment to driving sustainability in the workplace sector.

“Achieving a NABERS 5.5 Design for Performance rating – the first building in Manchester City Centre to reach this milestone – supports the high ambitions set by HM Government.”

The building’s practical completion marks a crucial step towards its operational status, indicating progress within the Government Hubs Programme aimed at fostering economic growth and modernising workspaces across the UK.

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The hub, located in Manchester’s city centre, will house approximately 2,600 civil servants from various departments.

These departments include the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Business and Trade, the Office for Standards in Education, and the Department for Education.

The hub is expected to bring over 150 roles to Manchester when it becomes formally operational.

The design of the hub is intended to support different work styles by offering varied working spaces.

GPA has completed a competitive tender process for the subsequent fit-out works and is set to announce the selected contractor shortly.

Funded by Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) with an investment of £105m ($130.4m), the development will provide secure, long-term cash flows to support the payment of pensions for its policyholders.

PIC real estate origination head James Agar said: “We are delighted to have reached practical completion on such an important project for PIC. The First Street hub is a great example of what can be achieved through public-private partnerships.

“The sustainability and ESG [environmental, social and governance] focus of this best-in-class building are clear to see, these were a key element of our investment case for the asset which will help us to pay the pensions of our policyholders.”