Flex debutante signs for AEW’s Manchester block

AEW has signed a new flexible office operator to take on 30,000 sq ft at its 100 Barbirolli Square in Manchester. The opening will mark the first location for Koba, set up by Paul Nellist, the former managing director for Europe at Hana, and Rob Stewart. Koba has taken a 10-year lease on the ground and first floors of the 200,000 sq ft building, joining occupiers including law firms Brabners and Freeths and engineering group Stantec. The company will fit-out the space as private office suites for companies needing between 20 and 200 desks, as well as four-to-six person studios and one-person co-working desks. Nellist said: “It was incredibly important to mark the start of Koba’s journey with a venture that enables us to implement our sustainability manifesto and demonstrate that we can create premium workspaces that are demonstrably better for people and the planet. “Having worked closely with our partners to devise a design framework that focuses on the circular economy, we are excited that our vision will be realised at 100 Barbirolli Square.” OBI acted for AEW. View and compare lettings on Barbirolli Square >>