Manchester’s Commercial Property Agents: find the right company for your office space

Demand is driven by Manchester’s expanding tech, media and professional services base, alongside major regeneration zones such as NOMA and Oxford Road Corridor. Within this ecosystem, Manchester’s commercial property agents vary in reach and remit. National full-service firms, such as CBRE, JLL, Knight Frank and Savills, deal in major non-residential properties across the UK and beyond, while regional players, such as Sixteen Real Estate, Canning O’Neil and Legat Owen, focus on local markets and transactions.

In this article, WRKPLC profiles these key players and the core dynamics shaping this commercial agency market.

What is the role of a commercial property agent in Manchester?

A Manchester commercial property agent helps occupiers, landlords and investors understand and navigate this highly competitive commercial property market. Their role blends market intelligence, negotiation and strategic guidance tailored to Manchester’s fast moving office, retail, industrial and mixed use sectors.
Part broker, part strategist and part market analyst, a Manchester commercial property agent enables clients to make informed decisions in a city where location, timing and positioning are key. In particular, they offer services aligned to Manchester’s impressive array of submarkets and development areas (see below). 

How to find the right commercial property agent in Manchester

Finding the right commercial property agent in Manchester isn’t about luck. It’s about identifying those who meet your specific needs and add genuine value. Here are a few key steps you need to follow:

Refine your requirement

Before you speak to an agent, you need to define and refine your requirement. For example, you need to think about which location will best suit your business. In Manchester, there are a range of submarkets linked to specific industries and growth areas. These include prime commercial districts, such as Spinningfields, and mature, high-intensity growth areas such as Manchester city centre. There are innovation-driven clusters, for example Circle Square and Oxford Road Corridor, or major strategic locations, like Salford Quays/MediaCity. There are also established creative neighbourhoods, such as Northern Quarter.

Do you want to be located among your industry peers, with access to sector-specific hubs and like-minded professionals? Or would you rather strike out somewhere new? 

You also need to consider the size of the space you require. How big is your workforce? Is your business growing? Do you need additional space to support innovation and creativity? Does your workspace need to flex in the future to accommodate talent inflows or plans for expansion?

Finally, you need to determine whether you intend to buy or lease your workspace and, just as importantly, establish the budget you have available – the factor that ultimately sets the boundaries of your workplace ambitions.

To reach clear answers, it’s worth carrying out a workplace analysis exercise: a structured process that helps organisations understand how work actually happens day to day. By examining the tasks, behaviours, systems, bottlenecks and cultural patterns that influence performance, an analysis exercise allows you to map the underlying dynamics and identify opportunities to enhance workplace effectiveness. As you work through it, you’ll almost certainly explore questions of location, operational priorities and the spatial conditions your organisation requires.

Do your research

It’s essential you do your research on the different types of commercial property agent out there, focusing on those that will best suit your needs.

For example, do you need global a commercial property agency, which offers reach and scale? Or do you need a national specialist with local expertise and focus?

The distinction is important. Global commercial property agents operate across multiple countries, offering cross‑border market intelligence, international portfolio management and access to multinational clients. National agents, meanwhile, focus on domestic markets, providing deeper local insight, regional networks and nuanced understanding of local planning, regulation and sector dynamics.

In Manchester, independent commercial agents and specialists are likely to have more in-depth knowledge of the local market and submarkets. Their services will also be more tailored and targeted, with more personalised client engagement.  

Bigger agencies, on the other hand, will have access to a greater range of properties, but there might be cost and service implications to consider. Some larger firms may target higher-end commercial real estate, which will have a greater rental price tag. Client volume may also mean they can’t give you the time and attention you need.  

You also need to consider whether an agent is occupier focused or whether they offer landlord and investment expertise. Occupier‑focused commercial property agents concentrate on the needs of the business that will be using a particular space: securing the right location, negotiating favourable lease terms, optimising layouts and ensuring the workplace supports productivity and culture. Landlord and investment‑focused agents work on the owner’s side, maximising asset value through leasing strategy, rent reviews, tenant mix, marketing and investment positioning.

Talk to a specialist

Many agents position themselves as generalists, offering a broad menu of services without the depth of qualification or experience needed to navigate the legal and financial complexities of commercial property.

That’s why it’s essential to work with a true specialist; someone who deals routinely with commercial leases, VAT, business rates, rents and service charges. A specialist brings the technical expertise and negotiation strength required to engage confidently with landlords and investors, ultimately securing you the best possible terms.

When assessing a potential agent, you should check their credentials and affiliations with recognised professional bodies. You should also prioritise local market knowledge, as the best commercial agents are those who truly understand your target area. Other considerations include basing your decisions on quality, not fees, as bargain rates often ending up costing you more over time. And remember – clear, confident communication is central to building a productive relationship with your agent.

All these issues are explained in full in WRKPLC’s article on London-based commercial property agents.

Types of commercial office space in Manchester

There are four main types of commercial space you need to be aware of in today’s property market. These are:

• Traditional leased office
• Serviced office          
• Coworking space
• Managed office space

Again, detailed commentary on these office typologies can be found in our article on London-based commercial property agents. 

Commercial property agents in Manchester

Here we profile 21 commercial property agents in London you should have on your radar.  

Regional agents

Sixteen Real Estate

Sixteen Real Estate provides tailored real estate advice across the Manchester market and the North. ‘Specialists in opportunity’, the team offers a range of services and sectors, from industrial and workplace to professional and building consultancy. First and foremost a Manchester agency, Sixteen Real Estate provides niche property guidance both locally and nationally. Working for clients on the landlord and occupier side of things, the firm’s services span everything from sales and leasing to strategic land acquisition and investment guidance and support.

• Founded: 2016
• Office location: Manchester
• Total number of employees: circa 15
• Operational focus: Manchester, the North, UK
• Website: www.sixteenrealestate.com  

Canning O’Neill

Specialising in Manchester workspace and commercial properties in the North West, Canning O’Neill has a sound and trust-worthy reputation with extensive local market knowledge. Manchester-based, the team offers a wide range of offices to rent, let or for sale across Manchester city centre, Salford Quays, Media City, Old Trafford & Trafford Park, South Manchester, Warrington & Birchwood, Wigan and the wider region. Their portfolio ranges from small offices for start-up companies and serviced office space, to large offices for corporate occupiers, with flexible rental leases to suit all budgets and styles.

• Founded: 1997
• Office location: Manchester
• Total number of employees: circa 10
• Operational focus: Manchester and the North West
• Website: www.manchester-offices.co.uk/

Worthington Owen

Worthington Owen is a Liverpool-based agency providing commercial real estate services across the North West. Specialising in office agency, investment agency and occupier services, the team adds real value through its unrivalled, microscopic knowledge of local markets. In office agency, Worthington Owen leverages years of experience finding tenants for unoccupied spaces. In investment, it helps clients sell or acquire commercial property, while in the occupier market it excels in finding the right locations for corporates. This locally focused commercial property consultancy is known a trusted and authoritative partner for businesses navigating the North West’s real‑estate landscape.

• Founded: 2015
• Office location: Liverpool
• Total number of employees: 6
• Operational focus: Liverpool, Manchester and the North West
• Website: www.worthingtonowen.com/

Legat Owen

Legat Owen provides expert, professional and personal advice across the whole spectrum of commercial property, including industrial, offices, in- and out-of-town retail, leisure and land. With offices in Chester, Nantwich and Liverpool, the firm advises corporate and private clients on all aspects of agency, investment, development, management, building surveys, rent reviews, lease renewals and valuation. Geographically, the practice acts across the whole of the UK with particular emphasis on the North West of England and Wales. With an emphasis on client relationships, the team are still involved with many of the clients for whom they first acted nearly 40 years ago.

• Founded: 1986
• Office location: Chester
• Total number of employees: 40
• Operational focus: The North West of England and Wales
• Website: www.legatowen.co.uk/

OBI Property

OBI is a niche, Manchester-based commercial real estate consultancy known for its integrated ‘360‑degree’ model spanning transactions, asset management, workplace strategy, building consultancy and creative studio services. OBI focuses on office leasing, tenant advisory, business relocations and project delivery, combining technical expertise with brand‑led workspace design. Its ethos centres on creating a new legacy for the city of Manchester through partnership‑driven, modern real‑estate solutions that help organisations move faster, work smarter and shape high‑performing environments.

• Founded: 2013
• Office location: Manchester
• Total number of employees: 30
• Operational focus: Manchester
• Website: www.obiproperty.co.uk/

National agents

CBRE

CBRE’s market-leading Manchester team advises on a broad range of real estate, including investment, development, agency, asset management, valuation, building consultancy, rating and planning. It offers specialist advice on alternative sectors such as leisure, student accommodation, healthcare, hotels and residential.

As a global business, CBRE is Headquartered in Dallas, offering integrated services across property leasing, investment sales, facilities management, valuation, workplace strategy and ESG advisory. Known for its data-driven insights, CBRE supports clients around the world through every stage of the property lifecycle, from acquisition and development to operations and portfolio optimisation. 

• Founded: 1906
• Manchester office location: St Peter’s Square
• Total number of employees: approx. 140,000
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK & Global
• Website: www.cbre.co.uk/offices/manchester  

Colliers

From its Manchester office, Colliers provides a range of commercial real estate advisory services across the North West, covering Manchester, Bolton, Oldham, Stockport and Wigan. The firm’s tailored client solutions are based upon a comprehensive knowledge of local markets and the opportunities they offer to business tenants, land owners, property owners and developers.

Colliers operates across the office, industrial and retail sectors, providing expert advice and support in leasing, capital markets, valuation, project management and occupier strategy. Combining deep market intelligence with innovative real estate solutions, the firm is also a leader in ESG advisory and workplace transformation, helping businesses align real estate with sustainability goals. 

• Founded: 1976
• Manchester office location: Chancery Place
• Total number of employees: 19,000+
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and Global 

Website: www.colliers.com/en-gb/united-kingdom/cities/manchester

JLL

JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) has over 50 years’ experience operating across the North West of England. With an office in Manchester city centre, the company has more than 160 professionals in the region experienced in all asset classes.

Also operating globally in over 80 countries, JLL delivers integrated solutions across leasing, investment, valuation, project management, workplace strategy and sustainability. In the UK, JLL is a leading advisor in the commercial, retail and residential sectors, among others, providing services to landlords, occupiers and investors. JLL has a reputation for leveraging its strong ESG advisory and PropTech innovation to support resilient, high-performing real estate portfolios. 

• Founded: 1783
• Manchester office location: Oxford St
• Total number of employees: 100,000+
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and Global
• Website: www.jll.com/en-uk/locations/manchester

Knight Frank

As one of Manchester’s most experienced consultants, Knight Frank advises on all commercial property assets in the North West of England. Across the UK and beyond, the firm plays an integral part in bringing together a network of experts to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through a deep understanding of key markets and sectors, the firm is dedicated to meeting clients’ property goals. It promotes a culture of high performance and genuine passion, providing a service that’s locally expert and globally informed to enhance people’s lives and environments.   

• Founded: 1896
• Manchester office location: Marsden Street
• Total number of employees: 20,000+
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and global
• Website: www.knightfrank.co.uk/offices/commercial-agents-manchester

Lambert Smith Hampton

Based in the heart of Manchester’s financial service district, Lambert Smith Hampton’s chartered surveyors and property consultants combine unrivalled local knowledge with detailed sector expertise. The firm covers the whole of the North West, including Manchester city centre and out-of-town markets, as well as the regions of Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside, North Wales, Lancashire and Staffordshire.

One of the UK and Ireland’s leading and most progressive property consultancies, Lambert Smith Hampton operates across a network of 29 offices with over 1,000 staff. Its teams provide consultancy and transactional services to major stakeholders across the private and public sectors, ranging from local authorities and leading developers to property companies and occupiers.

• Founded: 1988
• Manchester office location: Spinning Fields
• Total number of employees: 1,000
• Operational focus: North West England, UK and Ireland
• Website: www.lsh.co.uk/explore/directory/offices/manchester  

Savills

Savills has had a presence in the Manchester market since 1996 and covers the entire North West region. Over the past 30 years, the team has grown to become the largest multidisciplinary estate agent to work on both commercial and residential property in Manchester.

Savills also operates internationally as a real estate services provider, offering comprehensive advisory across residential, commercial, rural and mixed-use property. In the UK, the company specialises in office leasing, investment, development consultancy, valuation and property management. The firm combines deep sector expertise with a strong client focus, advising landlords, occupiers, investors and developers on complex real estate strategies.

• Founded: 1855
• Manchester office location: Booth Street
• Total number of employees: 40,000+
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and Global 
• Website: www.savills.co.uk/estate-agents/north-west-england/greater-manchester/savills-manchester.aspx  

Avison Young

As specialists in Manchester commercial real estate, Avison Young helps clients understand the growth and change happening across the region – not just where demand exists today, but where it is likely to emerge next. By combining local market knowledge with national and international perspectives, the firm helps occupiers, investors and landlords make decisions that are aligned with both market conditions and long-term objectives.

Globally, Avison Young operates a team of commercial real estate advisors who share a commitment to making great places for people. With nearly 4,500 professionals around the world, the firm is constantly bringing new ideas to the table and thinking differently about the challenges that face diverse communities and industries.

• Founded: 1978
• Manchester office location: York Street
• Total number of employees: circa 4,500
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and Global 
• Website: www.avisonyoung.co.uk/locations/manchester  

Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is a major force in Manchester and the wider North West, with over 100 commercial property estate agents providing expertise across all aspects of the market. The firm’s Manchester office provides strategic advice to help property owners, investors, developers and occupiers respond to the region’s opportunities. Working with both public and private sector clients across the North West, Cushman & Wakefield unlocks the delivery of homes, offices, industrial units, educational facilities, retail and leisure. It also provides access to investment that can drive projects forward, helping to transform towns and cities into great places. Globally, Cushman & Wakefield provides real estate and property management services to clients around the world, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

• Founded: 1917
• Manchester office location: Marsden Street
• Total number of employees: 52,000
• Operational focus: Manchester, London, UK and Global 
• Website: www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-kingdom/offices/manchester

Final thoughts

Finding the right commercial agent in Manchester can feel overwhelming, so start by grounding your search in what your business genuinely needs. Clarify your priorities, your criteria and the type of support you expect. You may prefer the scale and reassurance of a global firm with a strong Manchester presence, or you might lean toward a boutique agency that specialises exclusively in the city’s local market.

You’ll also need to factor in the specific workspace types you’re considering, and these should sit at the heart of your search criteria.

So, which Manchester agent will help you find the commercial space you need? 

If you require guidance on finding the perfect commercial property agent, or would like to discuss your office space search options or workplace requirements, get in touch with us. 

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