BCO Northern Awards recognise the region’s outstanding workplaces

Recognising workspaces that champion design excellence, wellbeing, and sustainability at the BCO Northern Awards 2026

Tag ( building, offices, awards, North, Manchester, workplace. BCO, workspace, News, construction )

By BCO Media

May 07, 2026

The North’s most outstanding workplaces have been named, with BCO Awards presented to six landmark office buildings across the region. On Wednesday 6 May 2026 at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower, the BCO’s annual Northern Awards recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector.

Adam Tillis, chair of the BCO Northern Awards 2026 judging panel and operations director at Dragonfly Contracts, said: “What struck the judging panel most this year was the outstanding quality of the projects and the rigorous consistency of thinking underpinning them. This year’s categories were exceptionally competitive, particularly among the Fit Out and Refurbished/Recycled projects. The sheer volume of submissions, coupled with a consistently high standard of excellence across the board, made the selection process more difficult than ever.

“There is a definitive, positive shift occurring within our industry. Sustainability is no longer a ‘tick-box’ exercise but a core driver of commercial success, while ‘retrofit first’ creativity is now leading the way in building reuse. With people at the heart of every design, from neuroinclusive environments to wellbeing focused hubs, the office has officially evolved into a destination where people genuinely want to spend time.”

No.1 St Michael’s, the Manchester development brought forward by Gary Neville’s Relentless, picked up two awards at the ceremony – Commercial Workplace and ESG.

Judges said the building, which is fully electric, has a BREEAM Outstanding rating and NABERS 5* design certification, had been a catalyst for regeneration in Manchester.

“By activating a long-underused site with vibrant public squares and destination F&B, No.1 St Michael’s has created a new cultural and business quarter that truly “lifts the spirits” of the city.”

Capital + Centric’s refurbishment of a 1960’s former civic centre in Wigan into 33,000 sq ft of aspirational workspace also captivated judges this year, who described the work as a masterclass in the “replicable power of conservation-led retrofit”.

The judges said: “Ultimately, Civic stands as a symbol of optimism for Wigan, proving that intelligent commercial design can catalyse economic renewal, secure a sustainable future, and truly “lift a town’s spirits” without erasing its history. It is a gold standard for the adaptive reuse of 20th-century landmarks”’

The BCO Regional Award winners in each category for the North were:

Projects up to 2,500 sqm: Chancery Place, Manchester
Refurbished/Recycled Workplace: Civic, Wigan
Fit out of Workplace: DLA Piper, Leeds
Corporate Workplace: Lloyds Banking Group, Trinity Road, Halifax
Commercial Workplace: 1 St Michael’s, Manchester
ESG: 1 St Michael’s, Manchester
Innovation: Renold Building, Manchester

Highly Commended workplaces were:

12 Wellington Place (JLL), Leeds (Projects up to 2,500 sqm)
Renold Building, Manchester (Refurbished/Recycled Workplace)
Lloyds Banking Group, Trinity Road, Halifax (Refurbished/Recycled Workplace)
Hill Dickinson, No.1 St Michael’s, Manchester (Fit out of Workplace)

Alex Stork, chair of the BCO Northern committee, said: “These workspaces represent the very best of contemporary office design, demonstrating how innovation in wellbeing, sustainability and community engagement can combine to create high‑quality commercial environments and employee satisfaction.

“The North continues to deliver an outstanding breadth of office development, underpinned by strong collaboration between forward‑thinking businesses, local authorities, and highly skilled design and construction teams.”

Samantha McClary, BCO chief executive, added: “As we continue the BCO’s journey across the UK celebrating best-in-class offices, when it comes to excellence, the UK has it in spades. What is clear from all the winners so far – and especially in the North – is a commitment to delivering workspaces that don’t just deliver for the companies that occupy them, but that cater to the human beings that use them and that positively add to the communities in which they sit.”

The Northern region winners will now compete for the BCO National Awards on Tuesday 6 October 2026. More details will be announced soon.

The BCO Awards are supported by Gold sponsors, AET Flexible Space, and Troup, Bywaters + Anders. Estates Gazette is media partner.

The winners:

Projects up to 2,500 sqm

Overbury’s Manchester office at Chancery Place was hailed by the judges a standout example of how a compact 634m² floorplate can be transformed into a high-functioning, client-facing workplace.

They were particularly impressed by the “retrofit-first” strategy, which achieved a value-driven Cat B fit out, while retaining major base build infrastructure and over 60% of existing furniture. The design’s strength lies in its zoning, which successfully balances high energy collaboration areas with restorative spaces like the “quiet library,” wellness suite, and a parent/prayer room with wudu wash.

Judges noted: “Sustainability is deeply integrated rather than performative, evidenced by SKA accreditation, the use of UK sourced materials, and a commitment to future disassembly. Ultimately, the project’s success is validated by its users; with an 88% post occupancy satisfaction rate confirms that this is a workplace where people truly want to succeed. It serves as a powerful working showroom that perfectly embodies the professional standards of its occupants.”

Refurbished/Recycled Workplace of the Year

Judges were captivated by Capital+Centric’s Civic development in Wigan, describing it as a masterclass in the “replicable power of conservation led retrofit.”

By transforming a neglected 1960s Brutalist civic centre into 33,000 sq ft of aspirational workspace, they noted how the project successfully fills a major void in the town centre while celebrating its architectural heritage.

The project’s environmental credentials are exemplary, achieving both BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating. Beyond technical performance, Civic acts as a vital “interface between commercial and civic life.” The inclusion of a public facing café, gym, mini cinema, and roof terrace coupled with enhanced green space reconnects the site to the community.

Fit Out of Workplace

Judges were highly impressed by DLA Piper’s new Leeds headquarters at City Square House, describing it as a “physical manifesto” of the firm’s values.

By merging two offices into an 83,000 sq ft workspace, this project sets new standards for law firm design. Judges noted features such as link staircases, higher ceilings, and added bike and shower facilities developed from DLA Piper’s requirements. The “One Vision, One Space” approach creates a transparent, collaborative workplace, with spaces like the Client Suite and rooftop terrace easily shifting from business to events with city views.

The design incorporates inclusivity and neurodiversity through colour-blocked wayfinding, quiet tech-free zones, and varied sensory areas. Sustainability is addressed by using recycled suit fibres and British wool, reflecting Leeds’ heritage and achieving BREEAM Excellent certification.

Judges said: “Ultimately, the project sets a new benchmark for the sector. By balancing operational excellence with an authentic sense of place, DLA Piper has created an exceptional environment that truly “lifts the spirits” and fosters a genuine sense of pride for its people.”

Corporate Workplace

Lloyds Banking Group’s Trinity Road offices in Halifax received the Corporate Workplace award for its landmark achievement in heritage led transformation, proving that a Grade II listed, 1970s concrete frame structure can be reimagined as a high-performance, future-ready campus.

The judges were particularly impressed by the sensitive restoration of its iconic façade and the conservation of original timber paneling alongside major technical upgrades.

A “retrofit-first” strategy earned an EPC A rating by using fully recycled metal and glass for curtain walling and improving thermal stability. Replacing gas boilers with ground source heat pumps powered by renewable electricity cuts 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Judges said: “This modernisation supports 3,500 hybrid workers through inclusive, neurodiversity friendly zones, varied collaboration settings, and premium wellbeing facilities. With 66% furniture reuse and a £20m social return on investment, Trinity Road serves as a “gold standard” for sustainable, civic-minded corporate workplaces.”

Commercial Workplace and ESG

No.1 St Michael’s earned the double at the BCO Northern Awards, winning both Commercial Workplace and the ESG awards.

The judges were particularly impressed by its status as the first office building in Manchester to achieve full pre-let status prior to completion in over 15 years, praising the remarkable feat in a challenging post pandemic market.

The building is fully electric, with a BREEAM “Outstanding” rating, NABERS 5* Design Certification, and a “fabric first” strategy that achieved an upfront carbon intensity of 578 kgCO2e/m². The design combines the historic Portland stone façade with a modern structure featuring honeycomb glazing and biophilic terraces.

Judges said: “Socially, the development has been a catalyst for regeneration, generating more than £27m in local economic and social value. By activating a long-underused site with vibrant public squares and destination F&B, No.1 St Michael’s has created a new cultural and business quarter that truly “lifts the spirits” of the city.”

Innovation

Judges described the reinvention of Manchester’s historic Renold Building as a masterclass in the circular economy and a “bold awakening” for a 1960s university landmark.

By transforming this Brutalist icon into a dynamic, multi-tenant innovation hub, the project demonstrates how neglected educational infrastructure can be repurposed to drive Manchester’s modern Sister innovation district.

The panel praised the project’s strong focus on sustainability, highlighted by a 71% reduction in embodied carbon through refurbishment, creative reuse of salvaged furniture, and recycled materials. Its “fabric-first” strategy and targeted MEP upgrades preserve architectural character while meeting modern standards.

The Renold Building is also an active community hub, featuring public amenities like a gallery with Victor Pasmore’s mural, a plant nursery, and a community kitchen. With £1.84 million in verified social value and neurodivergent-friendly, adaptable spaces, judges recognised it as a resilient, inclusive model for sustainable urban renewal.