Cotton Square

Ancoats is one of Manchester’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Over the past decade it has undergone a complete transformation from a shadow of the industrial age to a thriving independent neighbourhood, and one of the city’s most desirable places to live.

We were appointed by Step Places to create a new mixed used development that would add another layer to the area’s growing living and leisure offer.

Our designs followed the masterplanning principles and combines original, industrial features with new design to create 23 contemporary city-centre apartments and townhouses, alongside workspaces and eateries.

The new build residential development comprises of three storey town houses which respond to the historic building rhythm and footprint of terraced houses previously built on the site, and an apartment building which form the corner to Cutting Room Square.

Access to the townhouses is provided through a Victorian inspired ‘secret street’ set in their own private mews. Landscaped urban gardens outside each home provides outdoor amenity space while rooftop terraces offer residents views across Manchester's skyline.

On ground floor level, commercial workspaces have been created, providing an animated street frontage.

This mixed-use scheme also included the revival of the 200-year-old, derelict Edinburgh Castle. The pub has been sympathetically restored to provide a new leisure destination for residents and the wider community, adding to Ancoats' growing reputation as a hub for some of the city's best restaurants and bars.