Manchester looks to finish Water Street regen zone with quartet of towers
With Potato Wharf complete and Trinity Islands progressing, the city council is increasing its ambitions for the redevelopment of the 4.4-acre Manchester Industrial Centre, which sits between the two.
Plans published by the city council indicate a vision for four towers on the plot, as well as a park.
To nudge these ambitions forward, Manchester is seeking to update the strategic regeneration framework for the area, which was last updated in 2017.
Since then, Potato Wharf, located immediately south of the site, has completed and Renaker has secured planning consent and made a start on site for two towers north of Water Street.
The earlier SRF set out a preferred option for the council-owned Manchester Industrial Centre made up of five blocks, with the tallest rising to 31 storeys, and around 900 homes.
Manchester’s 2026 update sets out plans for a taller and denser development. Exactly how tall the buildings could be and how many homes the site could accommodate was unclear at the time of publication. Place North West has approached the city council for this information.
As well as buildings, the updated vision for the site features a park which is “potentially similar in size” to the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park, according to the city council.
The scheme features four towers and a park. Credit: via MCC
The revised SRF includes a commitment to affordable homes as well as active ground-floor uses for retail, hospitality, and community amenities.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have major ambitions for this area – one of the last corners of our city centre that remains underused.
“Right now, the area feels fragmented and disconnected. But we have a real opportunity to create a thriving new neighbourhood connecting into the historic Castlefield and linking into the vibrant new St Johns area, with another big new city centre park and other green spaces – an inclusive place with affordable homes.”
Manchester City Council has been criticised for not pushing for private sector developers to deliver more on-site affordable homes. Renaker’s neighbouring Trinity Islands development comprises 1,950 homes across four towers but no affordable provision.
Craig said the commitment to seeing discounted homes delivered at Water Street is a sign the city council is “demanding more” from partners.
“Another brand new public park and more genuinely affordable homes are part of our ambition to make the city centre more attractive and more affordable.
“Water Street reflects that ambition – delivering new homes, including lots of affordable housing opportunities, green spaces and neighbourhoods that Mancunians can be proud of.”
