Federation House, which has been redeveloped by the Co-operative Group in partnership with NOMA, has welcomed its first teams from the Co-op Digital division.
Digital product teams have moved into the top two floors of the building, which was built by the Co-operative Wholesale Society between Federation Street and Dantzic Street in Manchester. The eight-storey building (including two basements) covers 71,300 sq ft and has previously been used as a warehouse, showrooms, offices and training facilities.
“We’ve cleaned it out, cleaned it up with our colleagues in NOMA and we’re moving our first digital product and engineering teams over there,” said Mike Bracken, the Group’s head of digital and membership.
“What we’ll see is a much more productive and creative, digital engineering environment.”
Co-op Digital, employing staff from different existing Co-op departments, will occupy the fifth and sixth floors. How the rest of the building is to be occupied will be announced later this month.
Mr Bracken said one reason for the move is that the Group’s Angel Square HQ is full. “We don’t have the right space or set-up to get these teams working together,” he said.
The refurbishment is designed to facilitate collaboration, with groups of desks intersected with moveable whiteboards, portfolio walls, showcase areas and casual seating located across the open floor.
“Manchester is increasingly becoming an attractive location for small and large businesses alike, on account of its connectivity, culture and the breadth of skills on offer,” said Ben Tolhurst, asset manager at Hermes Investment Management, which partners the Co-op Group in the NOMA project.
“We’re delighted that Federation House and our other refurbished buildings are coming online and look forward to welcoming many digital pioneers helping shape the future of NOMA as a leading UK innovation district.”
