IMAGES | Latest CGIs show ‘lush’ Kampus gardens
Developers Capital & Centric and Henry Boot Developments have released a new set of artist’s impressions showing the public realm and restaurant spaces they are planning to deliver as part of the £250m Kampus project in Manchester.
The scheme is currently under construction by Mount Anvil at Aytoun Street, and is the regeneration of the former Manchester Metropolitan University site.
On completion, the project will deliver 533 loft and new-build PRS apartments, and 40,000 sq ft of commercial space.
The developers are planning two floors of independent bars, restaurants and shops around a garden, also bordering the canal. The grade two-listed Minto & Turner and Minshull House buildings are being converted into apartments on the upper floors with the shop unit beneath. The space will also feature the Bungalow, a salvaged concrete box on stilts overlooking the Rochdale canal, which will be a pop-up events space.
Drone footage showing the work under way has also been released.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital & Centric said: “This year’s blistering summer has highlighted how little green space there is in the city centre where people can enjoy a coffee, beer or bite to eat.
“The garden will be lush and overgrown, with loads of spaces to hang out. We want to create a really laid-back space for Manchester that embraces that European culture that the Gay Village has historically nailed.”
The cobbled Little David Street will also be restored as a shop-lined alley, with outdoor seating.
Mount Anvil has been on site for over 18 months, with the project currently on track to complete in 2020. Architect Mecanoo advised on the scheme up to achieving planning permission, and Chapman Taylor is advising on delivery. Exterior Architecture designed the public realm.
Higgins continued: “Our site is almost a little forgotten part of the city. It’s so central to the city, right on the doorstep of Piccadilly and The Gay Village, but it’s been sat empty for years. By including heaps of communal space and greenery, we want to create a really exciting neighbourhood that captures peoples’ curiosity and draws them in.
“The area around Kampus is known and loved for its character and diversity and we want to embody that. So rather than chain restaurants and bars we’re talking to independent businesses that will create a unique and vibrant destination for residents and visitors.”
Click any image to launch gallery
Looks great. Let’s hope there’s 24 hour security and a good maintenance programme in place
By Steve
Hopefully it’s delivered as per the images if so it will be a great destination.
By BDay
Superb.
By Thumbs Up.
Really excellent stuff
By Anonymous
Nailed it
By Anon
Wow! One of the developments I’m most looking forward to in Manchester. Capital Centric, along with DeTrafford are leading the way when it comes to design in this city. Too many developers are just building as cheaply as possible because they can get away with it rather than trying to make a better city. The DeTrafford developments over in Castlefield are an exception, great architecture and they are delivering on their promises. Love the banner on this site “We don’t trim our bushes” although I’ve only just realised the relevance having seen these images!
By Derek
I think UrbanSplash and Capital&Centric are the best from a design and architecture perspective, I doubt they make as much money as the other developers though. That said, these plants and trees will cost a fortune to maintain so the apartments wont be cheap….
By Danny Boy