The arches are located close to FEC's recently completed Gate and Stile buildings. Credit: PNW

Overhaul planned for clutch of Manchester railway arches

13 April 2023 09:13 Dan Whelan Comments (1)

The Arch Company has lodged plans to spruce up 32,000 sq ft of units beneath the viaduct off Corporation Street to create space for a host of occupiers.

The arches, which range from 740 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft, are located within the £4bn Victoria North masterplan, which is being developed by Manchester City Council in partnership with Far East Consortium.

The 10 arches can be found in a section of the viaduct that carries both rail and Metrolink lines out of Manchester Victoria train station.

ArchCo wants to revamp the arches “to allow maximum flexibility for future tenant fit-out”, according to a design and access statement by SGP Architects + Masterplanners.

The viaduct acts as a dividing line between Red Bank, one of the neighbourhoods within the Victoria North masterplan, and Meadowside, FEC’s recently completed 756 home development.

Once the 20-year Victoria North masterplan is more advanced, Corporation Street leading to Dantzic Street will become one of the key links between the city centre and the new development.

Precedents for what ArchCo is bidding to achieve on Corporation Street can be found across Manchester, including at Deansgate Locks and Whitworth Street, where plans were recently approved for the creation of an artist training facility.

ArchCo is owned by Telereal Trillium and Blackstone Property Partners. The JV took control of 5,200 properties, the majority of which are converted railway arches, from Network Rail in 2018 in a £1.46bn deal.