Oval submits second set of plans for Albert Bridge House regen
The developer’s updated proposals for the redevelopment of the Manchester site feature an additional residential tower and 100,000 sq ft reduction in office space compared to the plans approved in 2023.
Having reworked proposals for the Albert Bridge House site earlier this year, Oval Real Estate has now submitted a planning application for the Studio Egret West scheme with Manchester City Council.
Oval’s scheme proposes 800 apartments in towers reaching 37 and 49 storeys and a 17-storey office block featuring 250,000 sq ft of workspace.
The office building would front the junction of Bridge Street and St Mary’s Parsonage with the residential towers benefiting from a river frontage.
The office building fronts the corner of Bridge Street and St Mary’s Parsonage. Credit: Studio Egret West
Oval’s decision to demolish the 1950s modernist office building currently rising to 18 storeys on the site has proved unpopular with a section of Manchester’s built environment enthusiasts.
Oval claims the building “doesn’t offer the potential for a successful renovation…[and] its layout and design just don’t meet modern office occupier requirements.”
Place North West revealed last year that Oval was taking a second look at the scheme due to viability constraints.
The changes in quantum reflected in the latest plans – – more than double the number of flats and 100,000 sq ft less office space – demonstrate how the market has changed since Oval lodged its first proposals back in 2022.
On unveiling the updated plans in March, Oval stated that “the financial landscape has shifted significantly”, presenting “challenges…[and] the opportunity for innovative solutions and a fresh perspective.”
- Credit: Studio Egret West
- Credit: Studio Egret West
- Credit: Studio Egret West
I still maintain that it’s a tragedy to demolish Albert Bridge House. It is a FINE building both in terms of design and materials
By Anonymous
These plans are better than the original proposals, however I’d rather see the beautiful Albert Bridge House saved and refurbished.
By Anonymous
What do all of you reckon about those Albert Bridge House site design? I just don’t know to be honest…
By G J Kitchener
Prefer these towers to the original proposal but think i preferred the previous office proposal. Good scheme overall though, hope it gets built
By Bob
A huge improvement on the first design but I’d still say that office block leaves a lot to be desired – whilst I appreciate the materials will be of much higher quality it does kind of look like a homage to that god awful residential building at the Green Quarter (“Which god awful residential building at the Green Quarter”? I hear you ask..)
By Anonymous
Inoffensive and will probably look good from the river.
By Elephant
The Albert Bridge House was built with utility solely in mind. Once a building that is designed on those principles is no longer fit for use, it has no purpose and will need to be demolished to make way for a more efficient use of space.
This new design not only provides more housing and office space, but it also has a garden area between the buildings and waterfront.
By Anonymous
Sorry Albert Bridge is dated and contributes nothing to the new Manchester landscape.
By mcleod
Nobody likes Albert Bridge House, stop pretending
By Anonymous
The existing building should be retained and renovated potentially demolishing some or all of the two smaller buildings on either side of the main one to allow more public realm and permeability through the site. The key benefit of the proposals is the public realm which looks great, but the fear is that as is typical it will be value engineered and end up looking nothing like the CGIs
By Anonymous
@Anonymous June16th 2025 at 5.23pm
Yeah totally agreed with Anonymous, two towers would go head build up and 1950 office building would be refurbished it sound perfect idea.
By G J Kitchener
More interesting, I suppose. Just struggling to get excited by it.
However, really don’t get the outpouring of love for Albert House—it’s been an eyesore for years.
By Tom
@Anonymous (which you ask?) – I agree the public realm benefits will be key, but I fear the CGIs are over-cooking the reality. Will they really pay to upgrading the area outside Crazy Pedros? A very generous act for a developer with viability issues!
By Rich
It may be because I worked in Albert Bridge once but I have no real love for it. It was very much a ‘then’ building for me but not a ‘then’ that I would wish to see now. Too functional too ugly.
By Anonymous
Good to see Albert Bridge House getting demolished, what an ugly building! I like the new design, just wish the buildings were taller and hitting the skyscraper threshold!
By MC
Better interaction with the river would make people more excited. Whoever is in charge of the Irwell River Park needs to get their finger out.
By Anonymous
Let’s not get carried away with the whacky shapes. These look like student halls of residence. Really cheap and frankly alien looking things that we’ll live to regret.
By Anonymous
Decent designs as long as they get the cladding right, cgi’s rarely tell the story. Glad that they are removing Albert Bridge house if indeed that goes ahead , and making better use of the river side is a must.
By John