Orchard Street’s Bauhaus is first UK WELL Gold refurb

Orchard Street Investment Management’s Bauhaus Office scheme in Manchester has been awarded WELL Gold accreditation by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The certification makes Bauhaus the only refurbished building in the UK to have received the accreditation, and just one of only three UK buildings to have achieved WELL Gold.

Orchard Street acquired Bauhaus, located on Quay Street, in 2013 and comprehensively refurbished the nine-storey building. Orchard Street said the project focused on optimising the occupier experience, both through improving the building’s sustainability and wellbeing credentials. Another objective was to create a robust digital infrastructure platform. The building has also been awarded a ‘Platinum’ Wiredscore certification for digital connectivity.

Other features include flexible ground-floor co-working space, a full concierge service, a large roof terrace where there is space for activities such as exercise classes. The building also has informal working and entertaining space and amenities include cycle and showering facilities and car parking with electric vehicle and cycle charging. An intelligent building management system increases energy efficiency and optimises working conditions for occupiers while decreasing costs.

“The significant refurbishment of Bauhaus provided us with an opportunity to deliver a prime office asset at the cutting-edge of health and wellness driven design, something increasingly in demand from occupiers who are evaluating their post-pandemic space requirements,” said Orchard Street Investment Management asset manager Sarah O’Connell.