Midia proposes 20-storey Bolton tower
Plans have been revealed for a £45m, mixed-use development including a residential tower on a plot next to Bolton’s rail and bus stations, brought forward by a consortium led by developer Midia and designed by JM Architects.
The scheme, dubbed Trinity Gateway, is led by the 20-storey tower, set to include 150 one and two-bed apartments targeted at young professionals, commuters, and growing families.
Alongside, the developer is proposing a 500-space multi-storey car park and a 30,000 sq ft office block. A planning application is expected for the project in the spring.
The plans are being brought forward by Bolton Regeneration Limited, led by Midia. The company’s three directors, according to Companies House, are Midia director Alec Colbeck, along with Dennis Bate and Andrew Richards.
A spokesperson for the consortium said: “This is a landmark mixed-use project of the highest quality and design, which will be the first in a series of transformational schemes for Bolton, reflecting the council’s ambitions to regenerate the town centre.
“The project will have local employment, training and apprenticeships at its core, as will all future developments delivered by the consortium.”
Midia added there had already been “significant institutional funding” attracted to the project.
The proposals have been welcomed by Bolton Council, and deputy leader Cllr Ebrahim Adia said: “The designs for the residential tower are striking and will change the landscape of Bolton town centre. It has been designed to offer something different, using brownfield land for housing, which is our priority.
“The image will be a talking point, and these are early designs. The developers will also hold a full and thorough consultation on the final plans for the area, as part of the planning application process.
“Trinity Gateway shows that developers have confidence in Bolton and demonstrates the commitment that investors are prepared to make. It is a key site in the council’s billion-pound town centre masterplan and we are really pleased to be working with BRL on plans for the area.”
Midia, through Bolton Regeneration Limited, is also involved with plans for the Crompton Place Shopping Centre, bought by Bolton Council last year for £14.8m. Working with BCEGI, plans are being worked up for a new retail and leisure development on the site.
Along with Crompton Place, plans are moving forward at Church Wharf, where Muse is the council’s development partner. Working with architect AEW, Muse’s plans feature a residential-led mixed use development including around 320 homes as well as the potential for a hotel, offices, and ground-floor retail and commercial space. There will be a mix of one, two, and three-bed flats along with duplexes and townhouses.
Another boring design! Dull beyond words
By Steve
More absolute tat. This is not what Bolton needs!
By Acelius
Bolton’s young professionals have already left the town.
By Kewyed
Like the nuclear bomb being detonated somewhere in Manchester in the background. Or is it Rochdale that’s being bombed?
Maybe that’s why all the cars are racing to escape.
By Trevor
The cost to build these will exceed their value.
By Tony
Remember the 23 storey Modus Tower planned for Wigan 12-13 years ago ?
Still a patch of dirt and always will be based on end values !
By Tha'knows
Tony is correct….
So many negative comments and often from people who never have anything positive to say, it appears. I’m not saying that the design is world class; it isn’t and wont be given the team engaged; however, at least they’re having a go in a part of the world that deserves to be regenerated.
By anonymous
Bolton is on life support. Rather than sanction the building of silly towers they should start by cleaning up the place. I drive up Deane road on a daily basis and you cannot believe that you are in Western Europe. It is shameful. Do Boltonians have any pride?
By Elephant
Classic ‘Anonymous’ judging ironically anonymous people. Elephant, thinking that all of Eastern/Southern/Northern(?) Europe is some sort of apocalyptic dystopian vision of economic poverty, that you should be ashamed to be associated with.
By Clue
I’m all for regeneration and believe that building a decent town Centre will lure people back and that includes the young professionals and families. But I agree also with all the comments here- this tower is not what that area of Bolton needs. Why don’t they try and regenerate the whole of Bradsgawgate and Manchester Road. (Along with other areas of course). Why not build a car park so that commuters and everyone else can use the Bolton Interchange for free. That would get many things and people moving and I think would fuel regeneration much more.
But yes unfortunately I agree with all of the comments here – please don’t build the tower!!
By Chris
Clue. Bolton 30 years ago was the best place in GM to shop outside the city centre. It is now the worst.Explain, as you appear to be so culturally aware. Even during the Thatcher reign of terror in the North, it stilled remained prosperous compared to Oldham, Rochdale and before the tram Bury. So what happened?
By Elephant
Yep what did happen? I guess some of it is the fact that people are using the internet more and not going shopping. But Manchester seems busy enough. High rents for businesses must have played a part, for example the Costa Coffee shop in Victoria Square was forced to close, or decided to close, after their rent was significantly increased. Maybe we need the sort of shops Manchester central has? I’m really only thinking out loud here. But I still think the tower is a bad idea. Also no respectable people venture into Boltons night life. People won’t reside in the tower as it would be right next to it. I’m not a snob but it’s got to be a true fact.
By Chris
Has any planing been concidered with this project for road improvement. This junction is already one of the congested junctions. This planning if past will only lead to further traffic problems here without some radical road planning.
By Brian Grimshaw
I have a sneaky suspicion that this fantasy, spun by fantasists, will never happen.
By Strangely Brown
The demographic is totally different in Manchester. As Chris rightly points out the nightlife in Bolton is dire, unless you want Bogof drinks and fights everywhere. The entrance to the town from the A666 is absolutely ghastly. It looks like a shanty town with filthy streets and broken pavements. There is nothing whatsoever to attract the people needed to create prosperity.
By Elephant
I call top of the market.
By Marketman