Glenbrook unveils plans to breathe life into Manchester ‘dead space’
The developer has launched a consultation on its plans to redevelop the Northern Quarter’s Church Street multi-storey car park into around 300 homes.
Manchester City Council selected Glenbrook to lead the redevelopment of the site, last summer having owned the car park for more than 50 years.
The developer has now unveiled its thinking for the 1.5-acre plot, which it describes as a “dead space” that limits the area’s permeability, in the first of two public consultations to be held this year ahead of the submission of a planning application for the project.
Designed by Tim Groom, the project would see the car park demolished and replaced with a range of homes with 20% earmarked as affordable.
Enhanced public realm and spaces for retail and F&B operators also feature.
LDA Design is leading on landscape, Deloitte is the planning consultant, and Levrant is advising on heritage matters. RLB is the social impact and sustainability lead, and Republik of Ideas is leading on the consultation. Renaissance is the structural engineer and Hilson Moran is the acoustic and environmental consultant.
Jamie Sutton, senior development manager at Glenbrook, said: “We are now at a point where we can invite the community and wider stakeholders to contribute and hear their views on the proposals.
“This ensures that, as the scheme progresses, it does so with input from those who live, work, and spend time in and around the area.
He added: “Glenbrook and the wider team will be in attendance to discuss, debate, and listen. and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible across the two events.”
The initial round of consultation will run from today until the end of March. Those interested can view the proposals online or attend one of two in-person drop-in events on Tuesday 10 March from 3.30pm – 8pm and Tuesday 17th March from 2pm – 7pm at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter.
A second round of consultation will be held in early summer.
Can’t wait for this to come forward. I live nearby and it will be so cool to have this redeveloped. Please add some spaces I can sit and soak up the occasional Manchester sun…..
By Anonymous
Great to see the back of this multistory carpark can the Arndale centre multistory carpark be next please.
By Anonymous
So refreshing to see construction which holds the community central to its values. I wish you all well
By Anonymous
But where will the new residents and their visitors all park? Perhaps a car park nearby is required.
By Bernard Fender
If the arndale centre multi-storey carpark is next for the chop, where are shoppers and workers supposed to park? Metrolink isn’t comprehensive enough to replace the car yet.
By RS
“Metrolink isn’t comprehensive enough to replace the car yet”. I suppose it depends where you live and work/play. It’s interesting as this is the exact same argument brought up by the residents of Soho as to why not to pedestrianise parts of their neighbourhood. Yep – the residents of Soho, who live in the centre of one of the greatest public transport networks the world has ever seen. I’m afraid if you’re waiting for a tram to take you from your front door to your office front door then you might be waiting a while, and it isn’t the job of Manchester and its taxpayers to subsidise your expensive roads and car parks simply because you can’t be bothered using a park and ride.
Get rid of the Arndale car park eyesore. And while we’re at it, get rid of every car park inside the ring road (like this one!) and turn them all into income generating uses which contribute to local productivity and give something back – instead of waste of space car parking.
By Anonymous
Get the bus, train, tram or cycle, most people have no need to drive into the city centre.
By Anonymous
That car park has been an eyesore for decades.Glad to see the back of it . If we’re talking The Arndale however can we prioritise getting rid of the tower and tarting up the car park. I want to see none of it again ..forever.
By Anonymous
I think this is going to be a cracker and a real game changer for this area of the NQ! cant wait for it to get started and get rid of this monstrosity!
By Anonymous
Been a while coming but the plans look great. As a local business owner it’s so important this area is developed and improved to the right level and without unnecessary delay.
By Richard
Great stuff. Now time to get rid of all the surface car parks dotted around town. Either developed into resi / commercial or, even better, converted into much needed green space and public realm. Manctopia.
By Anonymous