Morgan Ashurst regenerates historic Ancoats buildings
Contractor Morgan Ashurst has completed preservation work on three early Victorian buildings in Ancoats, Manchester, for the North West Development Agency.
The NWDA is investing £68m in the revival of the historic industrial Ancoats area as part of an 'urban village' masterplan.
New Little Mill, a six-storey Grade II-listed former textile mill, received preservation work including a new temporary roof cover to help protect the existing roof. It also needed repairs to the external brickwork and original steel supporting columns throughout. Improved ventilation also now allows the building to breathe and minimise damp.
The structure of Jactin House on Hood Street, formerly a hostel providing accommodation for workers in the surrounding mills, also needed extensive underpinning. The four-storey Victorian building was strengthened using steel beams and a new concrete slab over the basement. The brick walls and original terracotta windowsills were repaired.
The two-storey red brick 87 Great Ancoats Street, once a small Victorian shop, also received roof and brickwork repairs as well as steel bracing and improved ventilation.
"All three buildings are being revitalised as part of the regeneration of the Ancoats district," said Colin Fearns, Morgan Ashurst business development director in Manchester. "The buildings were in a derelict condition and needed to be made structurally sound in order to protect them from further weather erosion and create a safe environment for future development of the buildings."
Martin Lloyd, head of property at the NWDA, said: "This important restoration work will enable the NWDA to take forward the redevelopment of the buildings, which are earmarked for a mix of commercial and residential uses that will significantly add to the area's appeal as a place to live and work."
