McGoff plans 145 flats next to Manchester’s Marble Arch
The well-known Rochdale Road pub’s new neighbour would rise to 17 storeys and makes up the second phase of the developer’s Downtown Victoria North scheme.
Work on phase one of the Manchester project – a £50m, 237-home BTR scheme featuring 11- and 13-storey blocks – is nearing completion and McGoff is now turning its attention to phase two.
A consultation on its plans for 145 flats within 10-, 15-, and 17-storey elements next to the Marble Arch pub is now underway ahead of the submission of a planning application.
- To learn more about the project, view the consultation.
As part of the development, the former Victoria Inn, which has most recently been used as a convenience store, will be refurbished into a modern commercial unit.
The plans have attracted objections from Marble Beers, which owns the Marble Arch, as well as ward councillors.
Cllr Jon Connor Lyons, chair of Manchester City Council’s planning committee, described the project as “reprehensible” in a joint statement with Cllr Sam Wheeler, according to the MEN. The pair called for a rethink.
However, McGoff maintains the scheme would support several council ambitions by delivering new housing on a brownfield site and restoring a historic building.
Chris McGoff, director at McGoff Group, said: “Our proposed plans for Downtown Victoria North 2 will have a hugely positive regeneration impact on this key gateway, representing the start of the council’s ambitions plans for the Victoria North corridor.
“We plan to transform this underutilised land by providing circa 145 much-needed new homes, a commercial unit and new public realm, which will include tree-lined pathways, lawns, and seating areas.”
He added: “The whole redevelopment of this brownfield land will improve the visual quality and street scene of Rochdale Road, a key objective of the council.”
WSP is advising on planning, Jon Matthews Architects is leading on design, and Planit is advising on landscape. Booth King Partnership, Davies Partnership, and S&C Engineering are also advising on the scheme.
copy paste architecture, delightful
By Jonty
Good God.
How much is enough in this city?
By Anonymous
It’s not very pretty and a public square would be nicer for the pub but it’s not very clear what the ‘reprehensible’ element of this is.
There are ways to improve the proposal though – an architectural style more in keeping with the pub (although forcing residents to have sloping floors might be a bit much), ensuring that the beer garden isn’t egregiously overlooked, and banning any new residents from objecting to ‘noise’ from the pub during long-established trading hours…
By Salfordian
Ugly and uninspired.
By Heritage Action
Whilst I’m sure the plans will pass, brownfield etc, it’s like zero thought has been given to compliment the side that faces the pub. Lines, materials. The best example was the office next to Barton Arcade that gave real thought to it (sadly still hasnt happened)
By Tomo
Anonymous – do you honestly expect there to be day when Manchester is “finished” with building and expanding? This isn’t how any city worldwide operates.
By what
Would be helpful if the article explained why the pub and cllrs think the scheme is reprehensible. Hard to reach a balanced view otherwise.
By Anonymous
Manchester needs new architects. Even those from abroad. This is dreadful and the city is full of them. Things never change
By John
Hopefully they’ll knock the pub down and build more flats on there, get the numbers up. This is a residential area after all.
By Anonymous
Anon – I know right. How DARE they build buildings…. in a city of all places.
By Vader
It is hardly inspirational but it’s Rochdale Road, not the Champs Elysees. I am sure when the tolls start ringing in the Marble Arch, the protests will dissipate.
By Elephant
Just such poor architecture, really disappointed. A city that’s completely disregarded the human scale of buildings, put up rubbish. Just square bland rehashes, that’ll be tore down in 10-15 years.
By Dan
Dated design, and zero balconies. Yay
By M. I. Grant
Just knock down the old convenience store and build on that maybe? It’s one of the most gorgeous pubs in the UK, with its own brewery. A gem! Don’t start bullying up right next to it. The landlords have a garden right next to the building. Pop a nice little garden next to it and build next to that. Simple?
By LM
Tills not Tolls.
By Elephant
No idea why it is made of two slightly different bricks, one very slightly set-back from the other. Just thoughtless design.
By Anonymous
Why do they keep making ugly designs like this? The Checkerboard square style is old now and there’s a ton of them in Leeds please don’t use this Design Here! IT’S UGLY
By Supertall speciality
If it looks this bad in the drawings, you can guarantee it’ll be 10 times worse in real life!
By Tom
Not a fan of this one, they should respect the cultural heritage of their neighboring pub
By Anonymous