Tootal
Manchester
When a Grade II Listed landmark needed its ground floor reimagined, the challenge was clear: create contemporary, high-performance workspaces without compromising the building’s historic character. The task called for precision, sensitivity, and an ability to deliver in a live, operational environment where every detail mattered.
Location
Manchester
Client
Savills
Size
Duration
6 months
CubicWorks carried out a three-phase refurbishment and reconfiguration of the building’s ground floor, transforming a single open-plan office into three distinct, purpose-built areas.
Phase One created a modern office environment featuring four meeting rooms, an open-plan workspace, and a stylish kitchen area. Contemporary finishes were carefully balanced with original features to meet listed building regulations while providing a productive, inspiring place to work.
Phase Two introduced a multi-use “town hall” space—complete with a dedicated yoga room for staff wellness, a bar and mini kitchen for social events, and two rentable meeting rooms to maximise flexibility.
Phase Three delivered a 4,910 sq ft office suite including a 10-person boardroom, an 8-person meeting room, three soundproof Zoom pods, refurbished toilet facilities, and a premium kitchen space.
Across all phases, the design and delivery were guided by the principle of harmonising modern workplace needs with heritage preservation.
Working within a Grade II Listed building meant every intervention had to respect the original structure and meet stringent regulations.
Asbestos was a particular challenge, especially when fixing into existing walls and soffits. The location—right beside the main reception—added another layer of complexity, as the building remained fully operational throughout. Noise, dust, and access all had to be managed with precision to avoid disruption to daily operations.
The CubicWorks Difference
Our combination of in-house expertise and a trusted specialist supply chain enabled us to navigate heritage and health-and-safety requirements with confidence.
Asbestos-related risks were managed through careful planning and scheduling much of the intrusive work outside of normal business hours. Close coordination with the client and occupiers, along with robust noise and dust control measures, ensured the building’s operations could continue uninterrupted.
The refurbished ground floor now offers a suite of spaces that serve a variety of functions—supporting collaboration, wellness, and client engagement while retaining the charm of the original architecture. The building’s occupants enjoy a seamless blend of historic elegance and contemporary workplace design, proving that heritage buildings can evolve to meet today’s demands without losing their identity.
Taking responsibility for heritage workplace transformation
This project demonstrates that with the right approach, heritage constraints aren’t obstacles—they’re opportunities to create something truly unique. By uniting sensitivity to history with practical modern design, CubicWorks delivered a workspace transformation that respects the past while enabling the future.
CubicWorks
