Crown House Interior Photography by Bevan Cockerill 11

Orbit

Client

Orbit

Location

Manchester

Project Duration

2 weeks

Project Size

1,000 sqft

Sector

Landlord / Investor

Project Background and Objectives

 
Orbit tasked us with refurbishing the reception areas in several of their key buildings across Manchester. The objective was to transform these front-of-house spaces into standout destinations that would attract future tenants while giving each building its own unique identity.

With refurbishment budgets ranging from £25k to £50k per project, our challenge was to create visually impactful and functional designs that reflected Orbit’s premium standards. Additionally, as these were live buildings, we had to ensure minimal disruption to tenants and visitors throughout the process.

Bridgford House Office Photography by Bevan Cockerill 7
Crown House Interior Photography by Bevan Cockerill 1
Highbank House Interior Photography by Bevan Cockerill 1

Challenges

  • Live Building Environment: Conducting refurbishment work while buildings remained operational, requiring careful planning to minimise noise and disruption.
  • Budget Constraints: Achieving bespoke, high-quality designs within varying budget ranges for each building.
  • Consistent Portfolio Identity: Designing each reception to align with Orbit’s overarching brand while giving each space its own distinct character.
Hattons of London Office Design & Fit Out (3)
Bridgford House Office Photography by Bevan Cockerill 16
Crown House Interior Photography by Bevan Cockerill 6

Solutions and Approach

 
We adopted a creative and cost-conscious approach to meet Orbit’s goals and overcome the challenges:

  • Feature Acoustic Walls: Installed striking acoustic walls in each reception area to enhance aesthetics while improving sound quality and reducing noise.
  • Biophilic Design Elements: Introduced artificial plants to bring a fresh, welcoming feel to each space, aligning with modern design trends.
  • Bespoke Joinery and Reception Counters: Delivered custom reception counters and bespoke joinery tailored to each building, ensuring both functionality and style.
  • Café-Style Seating: Added cost-effective bench seating and laptop tables to encourage flexible use of the space, making it practical and inviting for tenants and visitors alike.
  • Tailored Accessories: Curated finishing touches to personalise each reception area while maintaining a cohesive look across the portfolio.

Results and Benefits

  • Tenant Attraction: The transformed reception areas have become key selling points for Orbit, attracting prospective tenants with their professional and welcoming designs.
  • Creative Budgeting: Delivered impactful refurbishments within the specified budget range of £25k–£50k per project, maximising value while maintaining quality.
  • Minimal Disruption: Successfully completed each refurbishment with minimal impact on tenants and building operations.
  • Portfolio Enhancement: Established a consistent standard of excellence across Orbit’s portfolio while ensuring each reception area had a unique and appealing identity.
Bridgford House Office Photography by Bevan Cockerill 6

Key Takeaways

  • Tenant-Centric Design: Demonstrated how thoughtful reception refurbishments can elevate a building’s appeal and attract premium tenants.
  • Cost-Effective Creativity: Highlighted the ability to deliver bespoke, high-quality designs within strict budgets.
  • Professional Execution: Ensured all projects were completed efficiently, on time, and with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

Orbit’s upgraded reception areas now reflect their status as a forward-thinking landlord committed to providing premium, tenant-focused spaces. These refurbishments are part of a broader programme to roll out similar enhancements across their entire portfolio.

Discover our Reception and Communal Areas service – click here to learn more.

Contact Opus4 today to learn how we can transform your building’s potential!

Start your project today

    Branded Graphic
    Get In Touch