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.”
Great stuff. I hope all the green space comes through. I hope it is actually green, not all paved with a couple of planters. I hope it’s more like Mayfield Park than Deansgate Square.
It was such a shame the 3rd potato wharf tower was built over the path. It really spoils that side of the river.
By Anonymous
Fantastic. Please make the towers different to G Jackson Street Cluster though, it would really help to break it all up and make that whole side of town less monotonous
By Bob
This would be really good.
By Verticality
Looks great, lets hope this goes ahead
By Manchester Dan
How are these schemes to connect with Trinity Way bisecting the 2 groups of 2 Reneker towers?
By MJC
As a local resident, bring it on, but don’t block out all the sun and for the love of the skyline, please, not more dreary Simpson:Haugh towers… let someone else have a go.
By Bring it on
Echo what others have said, looks like an excellent plan but let’s move away from the Renaker/SH checkerboard parade. It’s done us well but with several more on the way at The Green and Lighthouse I think it’s time now to try something a bit different for the city.
By Anonymous
I agree with anon at 12.18pm. Please can we have a real park, not three lollipop trees and a couple of forms.
By Elephant
Yes please! This is exactly what we need. The city centre needs parks. But please make sure that they are orientated so that they can actually get sunlight, especially in summer afternoons when people might want to catch the rays after work! 🙂
By Anonymous
I live just round the corner. I’m one of the Deansgate Ward Labour councillors and along with colleagues Anthony McCaul and Marcus Johns are very happy to see residents’ wishes for more green space on the table. We’re at early stages and, given Bev Craig’s support, we’re expecting to see a decision to proceed to public consultation within a week. We guess there’s loads of ideas out there.
By Joan Davies
Great to hear more green space planned but like others have said, lets hope this is an actual park people can enjoy rather than some token green space. Also hopefully no more glass boxes – this area definitely needs something different to differentiate it from the four glass towers across the way and be more in keeping with the heritage of Castlefield.
By Anonymous
Wow what an unexpected but very welcome surprise! If this goes ahead it will be truly transformational for the area. Any ideas around who might be developing these residential towers?
By WJ