Demolition begins for second NOMA square
Work has begun on the demolition of the former Co-operative Group garage, as the NOMA redevelopment of Manchester City Centre takes the initial steps towards the creation of the second stage of the project's public realm.
The garage and annexe, which is at the rear of New Century House on Mayes Street, will make way for a proposed pedestrianised square around Redfern Street, Dantzic Street and Hanover Street.
Penine Demolition is clearing the site. Planit-IE is the appointed landscape architect for the public realm at NOMA.
David Pringle, director of NOMA, said: "From the beginning NOMA has promised to bring something new and different to the Manchester cityscape, a program that began when the multi award-winning One Angel Square opened last year alongside the first area of public realm next to Miller Street.
"The second public square will create a focal point, bringing brands, eateries and events to NOMA that will in turn help to generate a real buzz at the heart of this evolving neighbourhood. We are really excited by this next phase of the scheme and look forward to sharing our design plans in the coming months."
Demolition of the garage block should be complete by the end of March, whilst outline designs for the public realm will be available in the summer, when a consultation event will be held for stakeholders including residents and local businesses.
Construction work, which is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year and be completed by summer 2015.
