Torsion makes Manchester debut with plans for £4.5m city centre resi
The Leeds-based outfit has acquired a plot off Little Peter Street from a pair of private investors and plans to redevelop it into a residential block.
Torsion Homes has exchanged contracts with the vendor for the site, which is located in Castlefield close to Manchester’s growing skyscraper cluster, and is now working up plans for its redevelopment with Ollier Smurthwaite Architects appointed to lead on design.
The project is Torsion Homes’ first in the North West, and comes after the business opened an office in Stockport earlier this year.
The scheme will be known as Velvet Cutters and rise to five storeys comprising eight to 10 flats, depending on final designs.
WT Gunson acted for the vendor. Torsion was unrepresented.
The developer intends to lodge a planning application for the project in the next 12 weeks after positive pre-app discussions with Manchester City Council.
Ian Worthington, managing director of Torsion Homes, said: “The acquisition of Torsion Homes first Manchester development is a huge milestone for the business and for me personally as Manchester is my local city.
“This builds on our expansion as we look to expand into further high-value areas in the North West.
Nice little development. Completely in-keeping with what’s around.
By Tom
I had to do a double take. At first glance I thought this was a refurb of an existing building. Great stuff! Well done Ollier Smurthwaite
By Andrew
image is 6-storeys not 5?
By Curious
Nice design.. and high ceilings too.
By Anonymous
Just keep on building stuff like this from now on and bring Manchedter back to its roots.
By Anonymous
Awkward site this, and was on the market for some time if I recall, but it’s a shame it’s not something decent and modern that has a conversation with the historic stuff round about rather than a pretendy olden times thing previously housing imaginary tailors.
By Anonymous
OSA are getting a lot of gigs for a reason. Their designs are respectable to context, localist but never mawkish. Bravo!
By Rye
Great to see modern, progressive architecture unlike the dated checkerboard stuff STILL being trotted out by certain architects
By Anonymous
It lovely little classic building I really love those design keep it and look after of course they actually do. Wonderful
By G J Kitchener
Really nice design. Not everything needs to be big towers and this is one of the best looking development proposals I’ve seen in a while.
By Simon
Looking good
By Tannoy
Good to have local architects Ollier Smurthwaite doing such a good job here. I know smaller buildings are easier to deal with but some of this consideration in some of the many towers would be welcome.
By Anonymous
Does seem a bit ‘stage set’ ish when referencing past vernacular but better that than the bland modern glass boxes Manchester Planning seem to favour. The best option would be modern architecture that is inventive and original like a Rem Koolhaas but we can but hope.
By Pete
More of these please.
A taller version would also be welcome.
By MrP
I do agree that Manchester needs more of this on a bigger scale. Very good design. Makes a change from the boring and oppressive glass boxes of S.H. It would be nice to see more of Smurthwaite’s work in Manchester.
By John
Really nice design. 5 plus the roof terrace suits it well. Thank god it’s not another glass tower like the monstrous designs in Manchester, as this design will look cool in another 50 years.
By Pete
Great looking scheme. This developer just seems to get it.
This is a scheme I’d buy off plan on as it’s a nice size and Mancunian feel.
By Anonymous