Pioneer Group, the life science real estate firm, has appointed Carter Jonas, alongside Track Real Estate, as leasing agent on its Hexagon Tower facility. Hexagon Tower in Blackley is the Manchester site of Pioneer Group’s wider life science network, which includes over 645 businesses across Europe, providing occupiers with opportunities to collaborate, network and connect. 

Located next to North Manchester General Hospital, Hexagon Tower is one of the city’s significant R&D landmarks. Designed by the renowned modernist architect Richard Seifert, the ten-floor, 165,000 sq ft building opened in 1973 and has become one of Manchester’s premier incubators for growing life science businesses. The site is home to a number of key international life science companies, including Intertek, Lonza and Fresenius. 
 
A £10 million refurbishment has recently completed, which includes the creation of additional CL2 wet labs with individual suites from 300 sq ft to 2,400 sq ft, capable of accommodating requirements up to 15,000 sq ft, targeting early-stage companies.
 
Matt Lee, Head of Science and Technology, Carter Jonas, said: “Manchester is a key hub for the life science, clean tech and advanced materials sectors, and Hexagon Tower is central to this, providing a supportive environment for businesses with shared goals of driving scientific advancements. Through effective management and a deep understanding of Manchester’s strong legacy of science and technology innovation, Pioneer Group has established a leading location for life sciences, attracting an impressive occupier list, including strategically important companies and growing life sciences brands. 

“This is the second site where we are partnering with Pioneer Group, and we are excited to collaborate with their team on a long-term strategy to raise further the profile of this facility whilst continuing to attract the very best companies to Hexagon Tower. With its proximity to North Manchester General Hospital and a strong cluster of companies, we see this as a great opportunity for specialist innovators who want to access this unique ecosystem." 
 
Jeroen Houtzager, Director, Pioneer Group, said: “We are delighted to have Carter Jonas on board as co-agents on Hexagon Tower. Blakely continues to be a growing cluster for life science in Manchester and the North West region and Carter Jonas is the perfect partner to help us grow Hexagon Tower as a destination for exciting companies spinning out of leading North West universities, owing to their strong relationships with the NHS and academic institutions.
 
“A successful life science destination requires a collaborative environment, space to grow and access to growth capital. Hexagon Tower provides the facilities for ‘grow on’ space which includes lab space and office space, manufacturing facilities, storage facilities, and point of care services. These facilities sit alongside an exciting cluster of life science companies that benefit from being co-located with the NHS. Finally, Pioneer Group can provide the growth capital through our accelerator programme and access to venture capital.”