Delivering seamless, cost-effective connectivity to Salford’s landmark Grade A office development
Client: Ask Real Estate, Salford City Council & Tristan Capital Partners
Solution: Node Connect & Converge building networks
The Challenge
100 Embankment is a prestigious Grade A office development located in Salford’s Greengate district, completed in 2020 as part of a major urban regeneration initiative led by Ask Real Estate, Salford City Council and Tristan Capital Partners. The nine-storey building offers approximately 167,000 sq ft of flexible office space and a striking glass façade that sits atop a Grade II listed sandstone viaduct. The architecture masterfully blends contemporary style with historic character, while providing panoramic views over Manchester and the River Irwell.
Engineered to the highest standards, 100 Embankment holds a BREEAM “Excellent” rating, EPC B, and WiredScore Platinum certification, establishing itself as a landmark of Manchester’s evolving commercial landscape.
However, early in the project, a major connectivity challenge emerged. An ISP quoted over £30,000 simply to install services into the building, presenting a significant financial and logistical hurdle that threatened to delay tenant onboarding and limit operational flexibility. Recognising the need for a smarter, more cost-effective solution, the client turned to Node to eliminate these barriers and deliver a future-proof digital infrastructure that would support both current needs and long-term growth.
The Solution
Node deployed Node Connect as the building’s central connectivity backbone. This included:
Key features include:
- A purpose-built communications room.
- A resilient fibre network providing tenant connectivity.
- Landlord-managed LAN and full building-wide common area Wi-Fi, extending even to the rooftop terrace.
- A truly ISP-agnostic infrastructure enabling tenants to choose from multiple providers without costly or time-consuming wayleave negotiations.
- Integrated smart technologies and mobile signal boosting with capacity for future upgrades.
By delivering plug-and-play connectivity and consolidating legacy systems into a single, manageable infrastructure, Node transformed not only tenant connectivity but also internal building operations.
The Results
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Cost savings
Over £50,000 saved in upfront ISP installation costs. -
Reduced Tenant Connectivity
Tenant connectivity setup time reduced from 6 - 8 weeks to under ten working days. -
Efficiences
Support for multiple Tier 1 ISPs via agnostic fibre backbone.
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Reduced Support
40% reduction in third-party support callouts. -
Increased Uptime
Faster fault diagnosis and improved BMS uptime through a unified IP-based network. -
Improved occupier experience
Enhanced occupant experience with full building Wi-Fi, including rooftop access.
Smart, sustainable and future-ready
103 Colmore Row is not just Birmingham’s tallest office building – it’s also one of its most tenant friendly, intelligent and sustainable:
- BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ rated.
- Connected to Birmingham’s District Energy Scheme, the building utilises low and zero-carbon technologies.
- Integrated smart app (Cureoscity) offers contactless access, meeting room bookings, real time travel updates and energy performance data for tenants
- The app provides the on-site management team with real-time data on building usage and energy consumption, enhancing operational efficiency
- Managed flexible workspace (x+why) and exclusive occupier amenities including the Eighteen members’ club and top-floor restaurant with panoramic views.
What the client said:
From day one, our vision for 100 Embankment was to set a new benchmark in technical excellence and occupier experience. Node began by streamlining ISP onboarding, cutting both delays and costs. Since then, they’ve become integral to the building’s digital backbone - managing internal networks, delivering seamless Wi-Fi throughout (including the rooftop) and enabling data-driven occupiers through a resilient, high-performance infrastructure. “Their agnostic approach has been a true differentiator, ensuring the flexibility and reliability needed to uphold the premium standards expected at 100 Embankment."
Jamie Hills, Development Director, Ask Real Estate
Future-ready & Efficient
100 Embankment’s integrated digital infrastructure has future-proofed the building for the evolving needs of modern occupiers. Node’s solution enables rapid tenant onboarding while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience – solidifying the building’s status as a premier commercial asset in Manchester’s dynamic market.
Today, 100 Embankment stands as a high-performing, digitally robust environment built to meet the demands of tomorrow.