IQ sets out Manchester vision

The student accommodation provider has earmarked three of its sites for potential redevelopment as part of a 15-year estate strategy, including potentially building a 55-storey tower near Piccadilly station.

IQ Student Accommodation’s first site earmarked for work is on Granby Row in the city centre and comprises student apartment blocks Fairfield House and Lambert House, plus Bainbridge House, a vacant office building the company owns. 

IQ wants to build a “landmark” 55-storey building on the Bainbridge House site, which could provide a combination of hotel and co-living accommodation. 

The strategy also sets out plans to reactivate the ground floor units of Fairfield and Lambert House with commercial uses. 

Meanwhile, IQ’s Manchester Gardens and Daisy Bank Hall in Victoria Park, close to Manchester Royal Infirmary, could be redeveloped to provide 300 affordable homes. This site presents an opportunity to “reinstate a residential community in the heart of the Victoria Park Conservation Area”, according to IQ. 

A third site, Weston Hall and the Pendulum Hotel on Charles Street in the city centre, could see the redevelopment of the area to include purpose-built student accommodation alongside private residential units and ground floor retail and commercial uses. 

Under IQ’s vision, accommodation lost at Victoria Park would be relocated to the city centre.

A public consultation on the draft development framework, drawn up by IQ with architect SimpsonHaugh and Turley as the planning consultant, begins today and runs until 24 July. 

IQ owns and operates more than 3,600 student beds across 11 sites in Manchester.