A planning application has been submitted for the development of a 118-home scheme on the corner of Poland Street and Jersey Street in Manchester’s Ancoats.
Designed for Manchester Life Development Company, the project will reuse an existing surface car park, creating a unique new residential location that will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the area.
The proposals aim to deliver a diverse range of homes ranging from one to three-bedroom apartments, catering for the needs of families, young professionals, the elderly and empty-nesters. At ground floor level, 5,800 sq ft of commercial space will be provided to create an active street frontage.
The designs seek to balance the needs of a contemporary, city centre building with the heritage context of the site, both in terms of the material palette used and the form and articulation of the building.
The site is simply arranged with three ‘blocks’ forming a U shape allowing the creation of a new residents’ courtyard at the heart of the site.
Two materials to define the form and arrangement of the building. Traditional red brickwork has been used for the two gable blocks, reflecting the material palette of the surrounding mills and former industrial buildings. A contrasting green profiled terracotta is proposed in the central section of the building, paying tribute to the former glassworks that would have been found in the area. Laser cut security screen and glass manifestations are also proposed at ground floor, creating an interpretation of the site’s historic character.
Associate Director, Matthew Burl, said: “The proposed development represents an ideal opportunity to integrate with the existing context and create a high-quality, residential-led development, which will act as a catalyst for the creation of a vibrant new neighbourhood.”
Eliza Yard is one of four projects the practice is currently developing in and around the Ancoats and New Islington area. The other schemes include, Ancoats Mobility Hub, a shared car and cycle facility; Downley Drive, a 68-home development for Great Places; and the redevelopment of Grade II listed Ancoats Dispensary into 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
