Manchester eyes This City acceleration

Sites for the city council’s housing vehicle’s next 1,500 homes have been identified, while an investor partner to “kickstart and upscale” delivery could be appointed early next year. 

Established two years ago, This City’s 128-home first scheme in Ancoats is underway.  

Wates Construction’s arrival on site at Rodney Street means attention can now turn to future projects. 

The demolition of ageing warehouses on Postal Street will pave the way for the second This City project, as first revealed by Place North West. 

A report to Manchester City Council’s economy and regeneration scrutiny committee states that demolition will begin this month. 

The scheme, which is being designed by Hawkins\Brown, will comprise 100 apartments. 

Work has also been ongoing to identify sites for future This City schemes. 

Work to demolish the Postal Street warehouses is due to begin soon. Credit: via Manchester City Council

Postal Street and Rodney Street form the first phase of the programme, while six more sites have been earmarked for up to 1,567 units over the coming years. 

Two sites in Piccadilly Ward and another in Ancoats could accommodate up to 650 homes and plots Ardwick and Longsight are earmarked for up to 150 each.  

The largest single site the city council has identified is in Harpurhey, and could be redeveloped into between 464 and 625 homes, according to the report. 

In order to speed up the rollout of the programme, Manchester City Council is looking for help from the private sector. 

The city council has recognised there is an “opportunity to kickstart and upscale the delivery of This City through partnership with an investor partner or partners,” the report states.  

The authority is looking into the possibility of forming partnerships with investor groups, developers, and/or fund managers and has appointed PWC to lead a procurement exercise. 

A partner could be selected by Q1 next year.