Mackie Mayor restoration on track

Muse Developments is due to complete restoration works on the grade two-listed Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter by November, making the building suitable for potential retail, commercial or leisure uses.

The 12,700 sq ft property in Swan Street is the only remaining fully intact building from the former Smithfield market. Opened in 1858, it was originally used as a meat market, later diversifying to also sell fish and fresh produce.

In 1974 the markets were relocated to East Manchester and the Smithfield complex was closed. The building has been empty since the early 1990s.

Contractor Galliford Try is undertaking a range of works to make the structure of the building wind and watertight. This includes replacing the entire roof, including all slates and extensive areas of new glazing, as well as internal refurbishment and decoration.

The building is a solid sandstone structure with an open central atrium, supporting a cast iron frame and mezzanine first floor level. The works will restore and emphasise the architecturally significant features of the building such as the ornate cast iron columns and beams that form the structure of the building internally.

The new slate roof is almost complete and glazing has been installed to the upper section, with lower roof glazing now being put into place. Stonework repair and replacement should be completed by the middle of September.

Once the first stage is complete, Muse will be able to market the building to potential occupiers.

Subject to planning the building could accommodate a range of future uses such as leisure, retail or commercial.

Muse’s Smithfield regeneration scheme has delivered more than 350 apartments, two hotels and more than 30,000 sq ft of ground floor space across the Northern Quarter. Its sixth phase, a ten-storey residential building comprising 77 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, has recently completed.