VIDEO | The Astley tops out
Developer Mulbury and contractor Bardsley have reached a construction milestone at a £27m private rented apartment scheme on Port Street, which will be known as The Astley.
The contractor has reached the fifteenth storey of the Northern Quarter development, its highest point, ahead of completion in summer 2018. The building, designed by Tim Groom Architects, is split between elevations of eight and 15 storeys.
The project is Mulbury’s first private rented scheme in Manchester, and has been named The Astley after the pub which formerly stood on the site.
It will provide 135 apartments, a rooftop garden, and 6,000 sq ft of commercial space at ground floor level. It is understood tenants are close to being announced for the ground floor space.
The project has been funded by M&G Real Estate, which will manage both the apartments and the retail units once the building completes.
The professional team also includes Cidon as concrete frame contractor; Rider Levett Bucknall as quantity surveyor; Deloitte as planner; and Scott Hughes Design as structural and civil engineer.
Martin Bury, a director of Mulbury, said: “When we first identified this site, we knew we could deliver a spectacular scheme, offering a building that reflects the true values of the private rented sector. We’re incredibly thankful to M&G Real Estate to buying into this vision.
“The exceptional quality of the design is reflected already in the quality of the build. When finished, this development will provide a landmark building for this part of the city centre. It will play a key role in keeping young professionals in the city.”
Alex Greaves, head of residential investment at M&G Real Estate, added: “This is our first entry into the North West market and is a signal of our intent to invest further in the strong regional markets of Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.
“It is our hope that the involvement of institutions such as ours will lead to further homes being built and an increase in standards. We want our residents to be proud renters because we and our partners Mulbury have developed high-quality homes.”
Roly Bardsley, chairman of Bardsley Construction, said: “As a Greater Manchester-based contractor, we’re pleased to be playing a key role in the ongoing transformation of the Northern Quarter as we celebrate this key stage in the delivery of what will be a statement scheme by Mulbury.”
Bardsley is also currently on site at Mulbury’s second private rented development in the city, a £30m project on the corner of Blossom Street and Great Ancoats Street.
Also designed by Tim Groom Architects, the Blossom Street scheme is due to complete in May 2019.
