Manchester

Inside One Port Street, the luxury new skyscraper that’s the tallest building in the Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter has never been fancier.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th February 2026

Manchester has a new luxury skyscraper, and while we’ve become pretty accustomed to seeing this pop up by now, this one’s a little different – because it’s in the Northern Quarter.

The city’s creative heartland has a new tallest building, a whopping 32-storey giant that’s home to features like a swimming and spa pool, skyline views, a state-of-the-art gym, and plenty more too.

It might sound like a new luxury hotel – but it’s actually a building that’s bringing hundreds of brand-new homes to the northern side of the city centre.

One Port Street is now open, and is the first premium residential community to open in the Northern Quarter.

Select Property’s £195m flagship development has 477 premium open-plan apartments, plus some awe-inspiring amenities for those who like the finer things in life (but don’t want to live in Deansgate Square).

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Those features include a 2000 square foot swimming and spa pool that looks like a James Bond lair, with integrated changing rooms, as well as a huge state-of-the-art gym that’s free for residences, which has TWO yoga and barre studios.

You’re greeted at the entrance to the building with a 360-degree fire pit, with cosy co-working spaces and a hidden ‘Hideout’ room, which has its own projector.

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The 360-degree firepit
The 360-degree firepit
The 'Hideout'
The ‘Hideout’
The One Port Street gym
The One Port Street gym

There’s outside space too, including a landscaped garden and 22,000 sq ft of new public realm.

Going up to the seventh floor, you’ll find the Panganini’s resident lounge and roof terrace, named after a historic tavern that once stood nearby, with an exclusive dining room and more space for work from home days.

From open-plan apartment to communal spaces, you’ll spot artwork from independent artists and luxury finishes.

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The apartments themselves have open plan layouts and the highest specification fixtures and fitting, all styled by Select Property’s in-house design team.

The huge new landmark is on Port Street, right on the doorstep of the Northern Quarter’s many bars, restaurants, gig venues, and businesses, and a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly.

One Port Street apartments
One Port Street apartments
One Port Street apartments
One Port Street apartments

Launching alongside the opening of the building is the One Port St Collective, a residents’ programme with a dedicated resident app, that gets members exclusive access to One Port St partners and curated discounts.

Adam Price, CEO, at Select Property, said: “One Port St is a major landmark for the city of Manchester, representing everything we believe modern residential living should be: design-led, community-minded and deeply connected to its surroundings and local heritage.

“One Port St is about redefining what modern rental living can be. It’s not just about beautiful apartments – it’s about how people live, connect and experience the city around them. Positioned at the gateway to the Northern Quarter, this is a place shaped by its surroundings and designed for modern city life.

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“The Northern Quarter has long been the heart of Manchester’s creativity and culture, and One Port St celebrates that identity and brings something totally new to the area. With apartments now open and available to rent, and residents moving in, this is a big milestone for us and a proud moment for our entire team.”

Panganini’s resident lounge and roof terrace

Ian Simpson, Co-founding Partner, SimpsonHaugh added: “One Port St presented an opportunity to elevate residential provision in one of Manchester’s most characterful districts, creating a design that mediates between the Northern Quarter and the wider city.

“Our ambition was to create a building that respects and responds to the Northern Quarter’s rich industrial heritage. The result is an elegant landmark development that combines considered design, outstanding amenities, and enhanced public realm to form a welcoming and connected place to live, visit and enjoy.

“We’re proud to see the building now open and becoming part of the evolving story of this iconic neighbourhood.”

The building is officially open with apartments now available to rent – you can find out more HERE.

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The Northern Quarter has never been fancier – One Port Street apartments are ready and waiting for you

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

Heaton Park announces death of its two donkeys following ‘complex’ health and age-related issues

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Heaton Park has made the devastating announcement that two more of its beloved donkeys have sadly passed away.

“It is with great sadness that today we announce the passing of Bonnie and Josh, our beloved donkeys, following advice of a vet and The Donkey Sanctuary who visited our Animal Centre,” Heaton Park & Hall announced on its official social platforms at the end of last week.

The death of Bonnie and Josh comes after two of the park’s other donkeys, Ralph and Lenny, also sadly passed away in June and October of last year, respectively.

Both donkeys were born at Heaton Park, and had been steady companions for each other over the last three decades.

Heaton Park announces death of its two donkeys following ‘complex’ health and age-related issues / Credit: Heaton Park & Hall

Josh managed to reach 29, and Bonnie an incredible 33 years of age before passing, and considering that The Donkey Sanctuary says the average life expectancy for a donkey is just over 30, reaching this age was said to be a ‘significant achievement’ for all who cared for Bonnie and Josh.

However in their later years though, both Bonnie and Josh were living with ‘complex’ health and age-related issues.

Ultimately, these complications were what led to them passing away last week.

“They were such kind and gentle souls, and this loss will be felt deeply by all staff, past and present, alongside our visitors,” Heaton Park’s statement continued.

Heaton Park staff closed out their statement thanking everyone who has ever visited the donkeys over the past couple of decades, and particularly the Donkey Welfare Advisers at The Donkey Sanctuary who have supported them and their donkey herd, especially in recent years.

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Many tributes to Bonnie and Josh have been flooding in on Facebook over the past few days.

Featured Image – Heaton Park & Hall

Manchester

Northern Quarter institution announces store closure after almost 20 years

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Northern Quarter institution announces store closure after 20 years

Thunder Egg, a Northern Quarter institution, has announced its sad closure after almost two decades in the neighbourhood.

The boutique gift shop and fashion retailer is known for its colourful, kitsch and quirky products, whether you’re after some bold knitwear or some statement costume jewellery.

Brands stocked here include loads of different British brands, like Daisy Street clothing, Ohh Deer art prints, and Little Moose jewellery.

As the Northern Quarter has changed rapidly on all sides, Thunder Egg has been a constant ever since its launch onto Oldham Street in 2018.

When it opened, its neighbours included Dry Bar, Magma, and a lot of adult-only sex shops – all of which have now closed for good.

And now Thunder Egg will also be bidding farewell to its flagship store in the Northern Quarter (though you’ll still be able to shop their collections inside Afflecks and online).

In a statement shared online, Thunder Egg said that the ‘considerable rise in interest’ from large retail names moving into the Northern Quarter would drive rents so high that the increase would be ‘too big to swallow’.

Thunder Egg will be closing its Northern Quarter flagship store
Thunder Egg will be closing its Northern Quarter flagship store
Thunder Egg will be closing its Northern Quarter flagship store

They also cited ‘rocketing’ business rates, plus ‘relentless’ theft, and increasing online competition from cheap retailers.

Thunder Egg said that with their lease coming to an end this year, the time is right to depart.

They wrote: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person, from customers to past & present staff, for making the last 2 decades in this location so magical!

“We are devastated to be leaving this space, but you can read more about why we’ve made the decision to on the 2nd image. We have nothing but fond memories here.”

Explaining the closure of their flagship store, they added: “It is with great sadness that we are announcing that our current flagship branch of Thunder Egg on Oldham Street will be closing after 20 years.

“Our current lease was coming to an end this year and surviving as a small independent business in the UK is HARD right now.

You can still shop Thunder Egg in Afflecks
You can still shop Thunder Egg in Afflecks
You can still shop Thunder Egg in Afflecks

“There has been a considerable rise in interest from large national & international retail names for shop spaces in the Northern Quarter in recent years. The proposed rent increase that would come with renewing our lease here was just too big to swallow this time.

“Business rates are rocketing, theft is relentless, competition from cheap online retailers is growing… all of the above combined together to push us into our decision to depart.”

Thunder Egg is set to remain open for at least the next couple of months, with no official closing date announced just yet – so get down to Oldham Street and show them some love.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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