Rise of proposed flats for sale complements PRS
In a reminder that high-rise towers for private rent are not the only residential schemes being built in and around Manchester, three smaller projects designed by some of the best-known architects in the city are currently making their way through the planning process.
PROPOSED
In the Northern Quarter, developer Real Estate Investment Trust is preparing a planning application to be submitted by the end of June, for the corner plot at 42-50 Thomas Street.
Containing 21 apartments, the design by 5plus Architects pays homage to the heritage of the Northern Quarter, with a mix of building typologies, and references to both Victorian and Georgian architecture.
In the style of Victorian warehouses, the building will be made predominantly of brick, which will be load bearing and exposed internally. All the flats will be for sale.
The site is currently occupied by Shopfittings Manchester Ltd, which has been in residence since 1864, and sold the properties in order to relocate.
According to Jon Matthews, director at 5plus, the project “celebrates the primary form of construction, which in this case is concrete and brick.”
Despite the traditional methods, Matthews said that the Thomas Street block would retain “the character of a Victorian building, with the benefits of modern space. Unashamedly modern, but referencing old techniques.”
PLANNING SUBMITTED
English Cities Fund, the joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and the Homes & Communities Agency, has proposed 22 townhouses in addition to its Salford Central development masterplan.
Designed by Buttress Architects, the homes would be built in three terraces off Oldfield Road, on a site that is currently open land.
Buttress is also the architect behind Timekeepers Square, ECf’s development of 36 Georgian-style townhouses being built off Chapel Street.
Other projects in the Salford Central development include Vimto Gardens and New Bailey.
APPROVED
McCauls has gained planning consent for the residential redevelopment of the old German Warehouse in Ancoats, to be known as Warehaus Ancoats.
Warehaus Ancoats is made up of seven two- and three-bedroom townhouses and 25 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. In keeping with the scale of the retained historic warehouse building, a four storey block is positioned along George Leigh Street, while a taller six storey building is positioned on Silk Street. The three blocks enclose a central landscaped courtyard.
The project was designed by OMI Architects, and the properties will be for sale. Start on site is due in September 2016.
They can’t knock down the Shopfittings building! It really adds to the feel of Thomas St and matches the buildings on the opposite side of the road and the opposite side of Kelvin St. The red brick is characteristic of Northern Quarter. There are about 20 surface carparks around Northern Quarter, turn some of them into apartments instead of knocking down old buildings!
By Simon-T
There is also a historic air raid shelter in the basement of 42-50 Thomas Street where all the workers from Smithfields Market used to go in the war during a raid. This proposed design is ugly and looks totally out of place in this ‘supposed’ conservation area. I will be submitting an objection
By David
On the Thomas Street/NQ scheme: good to see they’ve gone for structural brick which will be exposed, which is in-keeping with the area. Does look a bit out of place still – probably easily fixed with a change of brick colour from black to red/brown?
By creep
The Thomas St scheme is totally inappropriate in scale and materiality with seemingly little consideration to context or the conservation area. I, like David, will be submitting an objection.
By Bradford