Based in Manchester’s creative Northern Quarter district, the five-storey John Swift Building was first constructed in 1914 as the showroom for a local fruit merchant’s wares, but has long-since been converted for commercial office use.
Following a series of refurbishments to the building’s office spaces, the John Swift Property Company called on SLG to create a website which would promote the available premises, while helping it to stand out against other unique properties in the area.
Focusing on functionality and visual appeal, a streamlined yet striking theme was adopted for the site’s design, featuring a sleek grey and white colour palette with contrasting chartreuse elements.
The website’s copy and content were inspired by both the history of the John Swift Building and the culture of the city around it. Themes of creativity, humour and honesty engage and entertain, while remaining relevant and appropriate – a balance which resonates with the target audience.
But it’s the John Swift Building itself that takes centre stage. Drone-filmed footage showcases the period-original exterior, while stylish photography gives a clear indication of each floor’s layout and interior design.
The outcome is a forward-thinking yet informal property website, designed to attract forward-thinking tenants – an objective which has been successfully achieved, as each of the John Swift Building’s office spaces is now occupied, with tenants ranging from outdoor clothing specialists and video production companies to high-tech telephony providers.
