The first images of the brand new £250m waterside garden neighbourhood ‘KAMPUS’ have been published.
A joint project by Capital & Centric and HBD, the city centre development boasts over 500 fresh apartments – including 1 and 2-beds built with high ceilings, panoramic views across the city and huge suntrap terraces.
Described as a “bold new addition to Manchester’s skyline”, the KAMPUS North Block has been built with distinctive pixel windows, Lancashire red brick and exposed concrete features.
Interior design work has been crafted by the award-winning YOUTH Studio.
Sat alongside two beautiful Victorian shipping warehouses and a 1960s brutalist tower, the KAMPUS complex is set to become a new home for the city’s creatives and independents – featuring two floors of independent bars, restaurants and shops.
ADVERTISEMENT
A canal-side garden full of trees, plants and flowers sits at its centre.
Residents can access a gym, yoga terrace, private cinema and dining room on site.
ADVERTISEMENT
KAMPUS also occupies land once owned by the famous ‘Spanking Roger Aytoun‘ – who remains one of Manchester’s most peculiar cult characters from history.
Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD, said that “each building at KAMPUS has its own distinct character”.
“Whether you fancy living in a rooftop village with unbeatable views across the city or an exposed brick loft is more your thing, we’ve got something for everyone,” he explained.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There’ll be loads of places for you to meet your neighbours. As KAMPUS grows you’ll find independent shops, bars and eateries by the lush garden.
“You can catch a film in the rooftop cinema, host a dinner party or have drinks in the lounge or join in a yoga class on the terrace. We’ve even got the Bungalow – an ex-security cabin on stilts overlooking the canal which is our village hall.”
Liam McGroarty, co-Founder at YOUTH, said his company designed KAMPUS interiors to “make them to feel like home”.
“The design is understated with simple details,” he explained.
“Wall colours that add warm tones, floor colours that don’t dictate what you do with the space, furniture made from natural materials. It’s not a white box, but neither is it too much.
ADVERTISEMENT
“You bring your own style.”
KAMPUS apartments are described as having ‘no deposit or hidden fees’.
The complex is pet-friendly with a 24-hour on-site team and superfast broadband access.
Tenancies are available from 12 months to 3 years.
Prices begin at £1,125 for a 1-bed apartment and £1,605 for a 2-bed.
Apartments in North Block are available to view from April. To book a viewing visit the Kampus website.
News
Historic hidden library in Manchester city centre reveals £11m transformation plans
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to transform one of Manchester’s greatest historical hidden gems have been announced.
Founded all the way back in 1806, The Portico Library – which is hidden in plain sight on Mosley Street, in the heart of the city centre – played a central role in Manchester’s rise as the world’s first modern city, and since then, it has been serving as a window into the past and a providing a place of inspiration for anyone who needs it.
But now, these new transformation plans, titled The Reunited Project, will ensure the building not only survives, but also thrives as the UK’s most sustainable historic library for generations to come.
The Portico Library‘s transformational scheme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will look to ‘reunite’ the historic building’s three floors for the first time in over a century, creating a fully-accessible and sustainable cultural library.
Crucially, plans will see a step-free entrance and lift installed to make the library accessible to all.
There’ll also be new exhibition and event spaces introduced as part of the scheme to explore the stories of Manchester’s communities and the city’s heritage.
There will a Northern Bookshop, showcasing regional and emerging writers, and independent publishers, as well as a creative Portico Kitchen, which will celebrate the city’s food culture, writing, and history.
A place for school groups, families, and all people to explore Portico’s collection and experiment creatively also forms part of the plans.
“Portico Reunited is about more than restoring a building,” explained Dr Thom Keep, who is a Librarian & the Chief Executive of the Portico Library, after the transformation plans were submitted to Manchester City Council.
“It’s about opening doors to stories, ideas, heritage and communities across Greater Manchester.
“These plans secure Portico’s future, unlocking the power of heritage to inspire Manchester’s visitors and residents to explore, share, and celebrate their stories and the city’s literary and global heritage.”
If the plans are approved by the Council, The Portico Library will close for around 18 months for construction, during which it will continue to engage the public through its ‘Portigo !’ pop-up programme.
Featured Image – Portico Library
News
Government announces homebuying overhaul to fix country’s ‘broken’ housing system
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced what it’s calling the biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history.
In a bid to ‘rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership for thousands nationwide, the Government has today (Monday 6 October) unveiled proposals that it says will speed up the long-drawn out and costly process of buying a home by four weeks.
The Housing Secretary says this will not only save people money, but unnecessary stress too.
The proposed new plans would see sellers and estate agents required to provide buyers with ‘vital’ information about a property upfront – including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move.
It’s hoped this will help end any last-minute chain collapses and ultimately give greater confidence to first-time buyers when they’re making one of life’s most important decisions.
The Government has announced plans to fix the country’s ‘broken’ housing system / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Binding contracts could also be introduced to stop people walking away from agreements after buyers painstakingly spend months in negotiations to hopefully halve the number of failed transactions.
The new reforms are also proposing that prospective buyers are provided with side-by-side information on estate agents and conveyancers, including their track record and expertise, alongside new mandatory qualifications and Code of Practice to drive up standards and work to rebuild trust in the industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to Twitter this morning to address the proposed new homebuying overhaul, commenting: “I promised that my Government would fix the broken housing system.
“Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives. That’s national renewal.”
I promised that my government would fix the broken housing system.
Buying or selling a home will be faster, unlocking the dream of homeownership and allowing hardworking people to focus on the next chapter of their lives.
The Manc -
15th March 2021 
