Fresh 35-storey proposals for Manchester’s stalled Hotspur Press
London-based developer Manner is progressing plans to redevelop the site into a 550-bed student scheme.
The revised plans for Hotspur Press, located off Gloucester Street, come almost five years after an earlier proposal for a 171-home, 28-storey residential development was approved by Manchester City Council’s planning committee.
Since then, there has been little progress on the project, which was put forward by Elmloch – a joint venture between MCR Property Group and Blue Dog Property.
In 2020, two years after planning approval, Place North West reported that the joint venture was having difficulties delivering the scheme and was seeking to pivot from apartments to student units amid viability concerns.
Three years on, Manner has picked up the scheme, launching a consultation on its plans for a taller, 35-storey building featuring 550 student beds.
View the consultation and give feedback
The historic façade of the former printing press fronting Gloucester Street would be retained under the plans, with the tower built behind it.
Hodder + Partners has been retained as the architect for the scheme and Turley has taken over from Deloitte as planning consultant. Fresh Student Living is lined up to operate the development and Macgregor Smith is advising on landscape design.
Richard James, managing director of Manner, said: “As part of our regeneration of The Hotspur Press, we will conscientiously restore the façade of this truly iconic building, and deliver a new public space within its grounds, which we hope will become a natural destination for the local community.
“Our aim is to create an environment that is welcoming, safe, and accessible for our residents and our neighbours to enjoy, with thriving independent businesses bringing a special character to the place.”
James is the former head of co-living capital markets at JLL. His company is also behind a 369-bed student scheme called the Store House in Leeds.
The first stage of consultation on Manner’s Hotspur Press plans will run until 26 October 2023. A public webinar, which will provide more information about the proposals, is taking place on Thursday 19 October between 6-7pm.
Oh come on this is hideous, we might as well write this area off now.
This stretch of Whitworth street could’ve been incredible if they’d stuck to the original vision for Macintosh Village and ensured the new developments tied in to the industrial aesthetic. Instead we’ve got an absolute cacophony of building styles and cladding types, this latest one seemingly inspired by that hideous, bright yellow First Street car park next door. This by far and away the ugliest part of the city centre. A raging bin fire of cheap and ugly new-builds.
By Anonymous
This part of first street has been looking grim for too long. It is good that there are now new plans for the site. The design is not great but its better than the current condition of the place.
By Mr Local
Refurb the Mill and build the block elsewhere, Manchester is not short of land. There is no need to knock down heritage architecture like this. It will be regretted in decades to come.
By Loganberry
It sort of looks like a giant wafer. Also 35 storeys for a prime city centre location is a little low, I was hoping for at least 50 here
By Giant Skyscraper Fan
Replying to Loganberry but also generally, from memory there were some real issues with head height in the existing mill, which was covered in some detail in the previous proposals. It is a very challenging building to convert to a modern use.
By Bradford
This shouldn’t be knocked down at all! What a waste of a great existing building!
The previous plans connecting it with first street was perfect. This shouldn’t be approved.
By Anonymous
Maybe just restore the mill?
By Anonymous
As much as I would have liked the old building to have remained and somehow incorporated into the bigger project, I can understand why not. It’s also not that great a building. The facade is probably enough
By EOD
Instead of preserving existing buildings, we’re getting another pile it high cheap accommodation box.
By Paul
I think MCC should step in with some sort of policy on design when it comes to city centre especially. At this point Manchester is at risk of looking like a massive council estate full of unimaginative, cheap looking blocks. It’s such a contrast to the beautiful old architecture of Manchester. I’m definitely not opposed to skyscrapers in the city centre but let’s not built more ‘Arndale towers’.
By Michael
Looks dull and uninspiring. At 35 stories it also lacks ambition
By Bernard Fender
Nowhere near good enough for such a prime site, especially if they’re not retaining most of the mill.
By Anonymous
This has been designed by a past president of RIBA!! I suspect they know much more about architecture than virtually everyone else who comments on here. You need to learn some respect
By Pleasestopthisnonsense
Pleased to see the beautiful and very Mancunian facade being retained but the tower is pretty poor. It doesn’t look good in the renders so I’m worried about the final result. I also think from a sustainable economy point of view we need more full-time residents at this location. The area is very quiet in the summer months, which isn’t great for local businesses.
By Mancunian
This design is dull as dishwater, we should expect better from the former president of the RIBA.
By Anonymous
On the basis that the past president of RIBA is apparently incompetent what would Anonymous 8,50 propose as an alternative. Derogatory throw away comments have no place on a supposedly sensible site
By Appalled
It’s good to see more apartments going up but they are all for 20 something’s who enjoy nightlife, not much to keep people here when they hit thirty and don’t want to go out drinking anymore
By Cal
Being a former president of any organisation does not make you immune from criticism, the design is dull.
By Anonymous
One thing I do know Anonymous 1.29 is that your knowledge of design is miniscule if you think you can judge it on that kind if illustration!!! I invite you if you are not the other anonymous to tell us what you would prefer to see. Cheap shots about something being dull is pretty infantile
By Appalled
As if you stop going out after 30. Manchester is a fun city and if you didn’t want to enjoy the city centre anymore you would probably move elsewhere.
By Anonymous
Another joke speculative development – just what the city needs
By Anonymous