SpaceInvader completes Virgin Media O2 North West HQ at Island Manchester

Bleacher stair and social hub at Virgin Media O2 Manchester HQ

SpaceInvader has completed Virgin Media O2’s new Manchester North West HQ, delivering a nearly 50,000 sq ft workplace across five floors at Island on John Dalton Street. Designed for performance, wellbeing and a strong sense of place, the new workplace brings together multi-skilled customer service operations and corporate teams in one connected home.

“SpaceInvader was selected for its outstanding creativity and deep understanding of the culture of the city of Manchester.” — Barbara Johnston, Senior Property Programmes and Project Manager, Virgin Media O2

The relocation marks a major investment in Virgin Media O2’s Manchester presence, moving from the existing Wythenshawe office into Island, a new net zero carbon workspace in the city’s central business district. Following the signing of the tenancy agreement in October 2024, SpaceInvader was appointed for the fit-out and began with co-creation workshops with end users to understand what worked, what didn’t, and what the new workplace needed to do better from day one.

8th Floor meeting room with lighting detail

Virgin Media O2’s brief set clear priorities, creating a high-performing Manchester HQ that supports hybrid working and operational needs, while also providing amenity and lifestyle services that support employees’ daily lives. The workplace also needed to reflect Mancunian culture and promote the local community, alongside ambitions to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum accreditations and embody a focus on sustainability and wellness.

“It’s been a genuine pleasure working in partnership with SpaceInvader throughout this scheme. The result is a new workplace that not only meets our needs today, but will support the wellbeing, collaboration and success of our people for many years to come.” — Rodney Hogg, Property Director, Virgin Media O2

That sense of place is expressed floor by floor. SpaceInvader asked employees what best defines Manchester, with sport, science and industry, pop culture, music and venues shaping the themes, materials and palettes across the workplace, supporting identity and subtle wayfinding throughout.

7th Floor workspace with ‘Ribbon of Oxygen’ with biophilic ceiling feature

Wellbeing and choice sit at the heart of the scheme, including the “Ribbon of Oxygen”, a continuous biophilic element woven through open-plan areas that guides occupiers towards spaces for focus, collaboration and restoration. A feature bleacher staircase connects teams vertically and creates a shared setting for gatherings, town halls and informal working, strengthening connection across multiple floors.

Sustainability was approached through both retention and responsible specification, with Cat A general lighting retained throughout the Cat B fit-out and ventilation and MEP equipment retained where possible. Material choices were assessed for durability and long-term performance, supported by manufacturers offering take-back schemes and circular practices, with whole-life value guiding the specification.

Delivered in close collaboration with Virgin Media O2 and the wider project team, this fast-paced Cat B fit-out was coordinated from design through to site, supported by clear decisions and strong information management throughout.

7th Floor collaboration lounge and meeting point with hospitality-led design

Explore the full Virgin Media O2 Manchester workplace project to see how we translated a people-led brief into a high-performing workplace with wellbeing, sustainability and day-to-day usability built in.

To discover more of our workplace work, visit our Project page.