Hodder puts in plans for £32m Great Ducie Street apartments
Acting for developer Maryland Securities, the architect has moved forward with proposals for 129 apartments across two blocks opposite Manchester Arena.
The site borders Great Ducie Street and sits opposite the Manchester Arena; Breslyn Street separates the site, and a disused railway viaduct sits on the southern border.
Hodder + Partners is proposing a mixed set of blocks, ranging between 13 and nine storeys, including 129 apartments. The smaller block fronts Mirabel Street while the larger sits on Great Ducie Street, and also features two commercial units totalling 3,600 sq ft at ground floor level.
The Great Ducie Street block contains 84 apartments, while the second smaller block includes 45.
There is also a roof terrace proposed, as well as ground floor parking and 100% cycle parking provision.
The majority of the apartments are two-beds, with around two-fifths provided as studio or one-beds alongside a handful of larger three-bed apartments. None of these are proposed as affordable; according to consultants Cushman & Wakefield, any on-site provision of affordable housing, or any other Section 106 contributions, would “exacerbate” viability concerns.
“In order to promote delivery of the development it is recommended that the local planning authority grant planning consent, without the need for on-site affordable housing or further S106 or other planning obligations,” argued the viability statement put together by the consultant.
Maryland Securities’ proposals have a gross development value of around £32m and are expected to cost just short of £20m to build. A public consultation was held on the plans last summer.
The professional team on the project also includes Curtins; Paul Butler Associates; planner Deloitte; Clancy Consulting on M&E; Civic Engineering; AA Projects; and JGA Fire.
