Fusion rejigs Manchester student block to add second staircase
A proposed 28-storey building will lose 5% of its planned rooms as the developer looks to meet the demands of emerging fire safety legislation.
Fusion’s Deansgate South student scheme in Manchester – which was granted planning consent at appeal last year – was originally designed with one staircase.
Now, the government is preparing to rubber-stamp new legislation that will require all new buildings taller than 18 metres to have a second staircase, prompting the developer to take another look at its scheme.
“While there is currently no policy requiring a second staircase in buildings of this height, we recognise that this may change in the future,” said Paul Miles, development director at Fusion Group.
“Therefore, we have proactively submitted a non-material planning amendment to introduce a second staircase in our student accommodation building with a slight reduction in rooms. This will ensure that our scheme is at the forefront of safety standards and that our residents can feel secure and protected in their homes.”
The incorporation of a second staircase will see the number of proposed student rooms reduce from 534 to 509.
“We place the utmost importance on the safety and well-being of our residents,” Miles said.
“To maintain the high standards we have set for ourselves, we constantly look to the future and consider emerging policies and best practices.”
Changes to fire safety legislation in the UK come as a direct result of the Grenfell disaster and are aimed at making high-rise residential blocks safer by banning certain types of dangerous cladding.
The Building Safety Act is also designed to shield leaseholders from having to pay for defective buildings to be remediated.
Designed by Corstorphine + Wright Architects, Fusion’s scheme was refused by Manchester City Council in 2021 before the Planning Inspectorate overturned the decision at appeal.
Should not be allowed, it’s too windy round there already, grim
By Gilly
Those smaller blocks on the right look much nicer to live in thanks to the private outdoor space provided
By Balcony Warrior
Really can’t wait for this one. It’ll be so dominant right at the base of Deansgate when coming in from the south!
By Anonymous
Balcony Warrior et al once again blighted by their own motives to spot the plant pot provisions for each project; seemingly unphased by the fact that this is once again another high rise student accommodation block and thus providing undergrads with a 22nd floor balcony isn’t the brightest of ideas..
By Anonymous
I thought the second staircase requirement kicked in at 30m.
By Rich X
They are aimed at Students so temporary accommodation Balcony Watch/warrior no point in adding balconies. I know it’s something of an obsession but do try and keep up.
By Anonymous
Love the look . That’ll be the second Flat Iron type building in the city centre. About time they made a comeback.
By Anonymous
@Balcony Warrior there are no need for balconies on student blocks.
By Balcony watch
Are students not worthy of balconies?
By Balcony Monitor
When St Michael’s,Viadux,and the Great Northern towers are built, the drive up Chester Road is going to be world class. This fits in well into that slot.
By Elephant
This will contrast very well to the wall of glass. Should be quite impressive when the different materials start coming into play.
By Anonymous
Poor design like so much of what we’re seeing in Manchester.
By John
Wonderful, glad they got it through, nice perspective from that corner.
By Tom
Loved the design before now even better with two staircases.
By Anonymous
People seem fixated on cladding and scale without actually thinking through the impact of 500 student bedrooms on a mature residential community in terms of noise, nuisance, traffic and litter. Look too how it looms over Deansgate Quay – this used to be Manchester’s most exclusive city centre block given its location at the end of Deansgate, award winning architecture and position overlooking the canal basin. With this block it now risks becoming much less desirable a building for a long term owner occupiers and turning into yet another block for students or short term rentals.
This would be a hideous outcome and just demonstrates why city centre living will remain unattractive prospect for most families and mature households.
By Stop obsessing with cladding!
Great design, wish we could get a bit more of this in Liverpool, 28 floors is tall.
By Joe
You’ve clearly not been a student Balcony monitor/ watch/ warrior….! read the comments!
By Anonymous
This will look great next to Deansgate Square. Please start it already!!!
By Anonymous
Fantastic Scheme. Sustainable location next to the train/tram. Will add variety by adding another set of materials to the glass at Great Jackson Street. That view facing the flatiron will be impressive. Imagine the helicopter footage along the 10k route in a few years!
By Great Scheme