C&C hails East Village opportunity as Crusader work begins
Main contractor Artez has started work at Crusader Mill for developer Capital & Centric, the news coming as the developer announced a further site acquisition at Adair Street, increasing its investment in Manchester’s East Village regeneration area.
The £50m Crusader project will see the 1830s grade two-listed building converted to loft apartments for owner occupiers, and will be the first new project to reach completion in the East Village, now being promoted as a key gateway as HS2 plans increase in substance. East Village forms part of the wider Piccadilly strategic regeneration framework being promoted by Manchester City Council.
C&C has also announced the acquisition of a 0.25-acre brownfield plot at the junction of Adair Street and Great Ancoats Street. It is understood to have paid around £2m to a private owner for the site.
Architect Allies & Morrison, the firm behind London’s Kings Cross masterplan, has released a new CGI of the East Village, which with its proximity to the HS2 part of the proposed Piccadilly station changes is one of the city’s biggest opportunities, according to C&C.
Co-founder Adam Higgins said: “We’ve championed the potential of the East Village for years and are the first to invest in this emerging district. It means our Crusader residents will blaze the trail for a new wave of city dwellers who’ll call the East Village home.
“It’s always been a quirk of Manchester that despite an amazing location right next to Piccadilly, it’s remained unloved and its potential untapped. We’re doing something about that.
“This is ultimately the HS2 gateway to the city and is already many people’s first impression of Manchester coming in by train. Crusader will be an awesome first development in the East Village but we need other developers to follow suit and create inspiring architecture with life and soul rather than simply designing by spreadsheet. Let’s create a proper community.
“This district will have some of the best connectivity in the city, the experience of living and working there should match.”
Plans for Crusader Mill
