Plans have been revealed for a new 18-storey tower in Manchester city centre, complete with a rooftop pool.
The Alberton will be the latest development from Bruntwood, who want to build a ‘revolutionary’ workspace and leisure destination.
The £93m development would replace the existing Alberton House on St Mary’s Parsonage, the site of the first Manchester Gas Works.
Plans include a rooftop holistic wellness centre, which would house the UK’s highest workspace pool as well as a hydrotherapy vitality pool, hot and cold treatment rooms, a fitness studio, a yoga terrace, a physio room, and shower and changing facilities.
On the 17th floor, there’ll be a panoramic roof terrace with views across the city, and a food and beverage outlet.
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The Alberton. Credit: Supplied
The Alberton would be the flagship building for Bruntwood Works’ Pioneer programme
It’s being designed by EPR Architects, who are creating a ‘modern reimagining’ of Manchester’s Victorian cotton mills.
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The work on the site is set to begin later this year ahead of an early 2025 completion.
Taking place nearby, also within Manchester City Council’s St. Mary’s Parsonage Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), is the redevelopment of the grade-II listed Kendal Milne building, Bruntwood’s Blackfriars House, and King’s House, which is currently undergoing redevelopment.
The Alberton’s 17th floor roof terrace. Credit: Supplied
The plans propose the demolition of the existing Alberton House, which has been identified as an energy-inefficient 1960s office building.
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When complete, The Alberton’s ground floor will connect the Trinity Bridge walkway and Motor Square, with a hospitality offering across the entire floor including a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.
Completing the plans are a screening and cinema room, a flexible event space, a cycle hub with showers, and Brompton bike lockers, as well as the 17th floor roof terrace.
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, commented: “The Alberton is going to revolutionise workspace, not just in Manchester but across the UK. It is a development that supports integrating wellbeing into customer’s daily lives to encourage a positive work/life balance.
“This is evident in our plans to create a holistic wellbeing centre that will act as the focal point of the entire development, including a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
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“We understand that the way we work and live has changed for the long-term, so we wanted to give our customers a space that suits their changing needs and helps to promote a working environment where they can thrive professionally, but also personally.
“Our Pioneer programme has always recognised the need to incorporate best-in-class wellness and amenity credentials within the workspace, and The Alberton will offer the pinnacle of this. We are proud to be able to deliver a world-class workplace and leisure destination to Manchester as it continues to compete on a global stage for inward investment.”
Featured image: Supplied
Property
Government extends ‘lifeline’ household support fund over winter
Emily Sergeant
Vulnerable households in England are set to receive support for the cost of essentials this winter, the Government has announced.
As summer draws to a close and the autumn and winter months edge closer towards the end of the year, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has this week announced an extension to the Government’s already-successful Household Support Fund for the next six months up until April 2025.
The Government says the £421 million extension “gives certainty” to local Councils and authorities across England over the winter months.
As the cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide, the Government is urging pensioners and anyone struggling with the cost of energy, food, and water over the colder months to contact their local Council to see what support may be available to them.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced an extension to the #HouseholdSupportFund for the next six months
As well as covering the cost of winter essentials, many Councils also use the Household Support Fund beyond emergency support too – including working with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes, and items to improve energy efficiency in the home.
The extension of the Household Support Scheme for a further six months comes after the Government has unfortunately revealed that around 1.3 million more people have fallen into poverty since 2010/11 – with living standards falling by the largest year-on-year drop since records began in 2022/23.
With the new Government continuing with its work to “deliver growth in the long term”, the extension of the Fund will help Councils to prevent vulnerable households from experiencing “an immediate cliff edge” of support with a tough winter ahead.
The Government has announced an extension to the ‘lifeline’ household support fund over the winter / Credit: Pixabay | pxhere
“We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months, because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living,” explained the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall.
“The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago.
“This Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society, and at the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.”
Council Leader @bevcraig has welcomed the extension of a multi-million pound which gives a vital lifeline to thousands Manchester people struggling with the cost of living.
Manchester’s City Council leader, Bev Craig, has welcomed the Fund’s extension.
“While we continue long-term work to address the causes of poverty, there is no doubt that extra short-term help is still urgently needed for those feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis on top of 14 years of austerity,” Cllr Craig commented.
“Today’s announcement will ensure we can give that extra support to those who need it most and we will work with the new government to tackle the long-term root causes.”
Featured Image – Aldi UK
Property
Plans unveiled to turn old Oxford Road HATCH site into new ‘entertainment hub’
Emily Sergeant
Exciting plans have been unveiled to create a brand-new “entertainment hub” in the heart of Manchester city centre.
One of the UK’s fastest-growing leisure chains, STACK – which already has several similar successful sites across the country in places such as Newcastle and Sunderland – has announced that it has now taken control of the former HATCH site beneath the flyover on Oxford Road, and will be transforming the space into a “dynamic blend” of street food, bars, and live entertainment.
The proposed new venture, which will be called STACK Manchester, has been designed with a gateway arch entrance from Oxford Road, leading to an expansive open plaza surrounded by street food vendors and bars.
Forming a permanent feature of the Oxford Road Corridor if approved, STACK Manchester will be housed in repurposed shipping containers, and arranged over two levels.
Developers say the design of the new site will incorporate “ample” glazing and pavement seating to create a “lively frontage that connects seamlessly with the street”.
Central to the development is a large stage, which will be a focal point for daily live entertainment that ranges from family-friendly events and quiz nights, to mass sing-alongs and dog shows, and in addition to this, there’ll also be two new outward-facing retail units and a dual-aspect coffee shop.
Former traders from HATCH are encouraged to apply for a place in the new STACK Manchester, and will be given priority during the selection process.
Speaking as the plans for the new development were unveiled this week, Neill Winch, who is the CEO of STACK, commented: “We believe this site is the perfect fit for our concept, and we’re excited to bring our blend of street food, bars, and live entertainment to Manchester.
“Subject to planning approval being granted, we are confident STACK Manchester will become a much-loved venue for local residents as well as a successful visitor attraction.”
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2022 
