A planning application has been submitted for an “outstanding, dynamic and creative” workplace development in the New Islington neighbourhood of Manchester.
With nearly £8m of social value set to be generated for the local community over a five year period, developers say the project will “set a new standard for social impact in the city”.
Subject to approval from Manchester City Council, developer General Projects will create a five building campus that will ultimately bring 3,500 jobs to the area, alongside over 100 SMEs together with a mix of innovative blue-chip companies.
General Projects’ vision for Pollard Street – which is its first development in the city – is for “an inclusive, modern, innovative and sustainable commercial destination” with space available within the campus ranging from micro-units, to Grade-A creative innovation offices, meaning it will appeal to ambitious start-ups, fast growing SMEs and more established businesses.
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All organisations located at the development will share a common commitment to supporting local people through “community give back” initiatives, such as mentoring, training, employment or supporting apprenticeships.
Located alongside the Ashton Canal and inspired by the city’s historic cotton and textile mills, the development – which is designed by architects Hawkins\Brown and landscape architects Planit.IE – will deliver over two acres of “new, exceptional public space” as the area benefits from a £5m investment into landscape and green space to create a better, healthier and safer environment.
The sustainable credentials of Pollard Street will be underpinned by its car free policy, low carbon transport links and an innovative low-carbon approach to construction and operation.
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Over 50 new trees will be planted on site and 550 bike spaces will also be provided as the development delivers a 30% net gain in biodiversity.
General Projects
General Projects’ vision is further emphasised by its commitment to “setting a new standard for social investment through the built environment” and this includes forming a new Community Wealth Partnership with Manchester City Council, which will see the delivery of a range of targeted social initiatives, including:
Mentoring programmes for local young people and businesses.
Free workspace for local start-ups.
Apprenticeship and internship programmes to tackle local unemployment.
Commitments to generate over 5,000 hours of community voluntary work per year.
A programme of regular events including school open days to skills and training events.
General Projects has adopted a ‘Manchester-first’ procurement policy – with at least 25% of supply chain spend in Greater Manchester – and during construction, an estimated £200,000 in social value will be generated from apprenticeships, work experience days, site open days and other voluntary, community and social enterprise commitments.
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It has already forged links with local schools, grassroots organisations and community charities to ensure that social value will directly benefit the immediate area as part of the company’s commitment to creating a lasting legacy in the city.
Jacob Loftus – Founder and CEO of General Projects – said: “We are thrilled and excited to be bringing our plans for Pollard Street forward. We have been eager to work in Manchester for a long time and while we know the pandemic will bring challenges for the local economy in the short term, it remains a city alive with an extraordinary buzz of enterprise, innovation and culture.
“At Pollard Street, we see the opportunity to do something unique and with a very significant social impact to really drive the recovery forward by creating new opportunities for start-ups, entrepreneurs and local people.
“We hope to set a new benchmark for delivering transformative social value through the built environment [and] we’re currently liaising with Manchester City Council and other local partners in order to ensure every aspect of the scheme helps support the local area, whether that’s through job creation or improving the local environment.
“We see our role as developer and building operator and also an enabler in terms of community engagement and social impact by removing many of the barriers that prevent a lot of businesses wanting to put something back into their local area from doing so.”
You can find more information about Pollard Street via the General Projects’ website here.
Property
Work has already begun to transform old Debenhams building into £70m retail and office space
Daisy Jackson
The company behind the £70m transformation of Manchester’s former Debenhams building have issued a new update, saying that work is already underway at the site.
In a new statement, global real estate investment firm AM Alpha said that the main works will kick in in 2023 – the building is set to complete in early 2025.
The plans for the iconic Grade II-listed Rylands building include a four-storey extension on the roof, facilitating 10 floors of office space, plus a shopping arcade and a leisure area.
There’ll be space left for restaurant businesses when the refurbishment completes.
The building, which stands on the corner of Market Street and High Street, has been empty since 2021 when the department store collapsed.
The stunning art deco building has become something of a heartbreaking eyesore with its boarded-up windows in such a prominent location.
The four-storey extension to Debenhams planned by AM Alpha. Credit: AM Alpha
But AM Alpha’s complete refurbishment and modernisation is set to bring it back to life, with enabling works underway now.
Stephan Schmid, Senior Vice President at AM alpha: “Working with listed buildings is always a great privilege.
“We are proud to be able to give this historic Manchester landmark a new future and restore Rylands to its former glory in a very sustainable way. In this way, we are also helping to achieve Greater Manchester’s 2038 carbon neutrality target.”
Local construction company Russell WBHO, which specialises in listed and sustainable projects, will act as a construction partner for the project, while local property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove have been appointed as letting agents.
“It’s fantastic working with AM alpha on such an exciting project in our home town. Rylands is a well-known, impressive building,” says Will Lewis, founding director at OBI. “The property is close to bustling areas such as Piccadilly Gardens and the Northern Quarter and will appeal to many local businesses. Due to the sought-after location, we already see a lot of interest from potential future tenants.”
Gareth Russell, founder and managing director of Russell WBHO: “We are delighted to be working with AM alpha to revitalise the historic Rylands building and position it in the market as a highly sustainable building. With our extensive experience in historic preservation and sustainable building, we will make AM Alpha’s vision a reality.”
Featured image: AM Alpha
Property
10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | November 2022
Emily Sergeant
Every month, we show you some of the hottest properties currently on the market in Greater Manchester.
And you all seem to love them.
It’s safe to say that Mancunians love a good nosey around other peoples’ houses, and after all, Greater Manchester is a brilliant place to live.
When it comes to property types in the region too, you really couldn’t get more diverse, as the traditional terraced streets make up the fabric of many inner city and borough town areas, while the wide range of leafy suburbs is where you’ll find some of the more sought-after and pricier family homes.
But what can your money currently get you in the area?
In our monthly Hot Property series, we scour the internet to find 10 more of the most diverse, jaw-dropping, accessible, and beautifully-presented homes currently on the market in Greater Manchester for you to take a look at.
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Houseman Crescent
West Didsbury, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20
Strike
Houseman Crescent / Credit: Strike
Townhouse | x3 Bedrooms | x3 Bathrooms
Offered to the market with no onward chain is this immaculately presented, three-bedroom townhouse on a quiet road just a short stroll from the cafes and bars on Burton Road in the centre of West Didsbury village, as well as all of the other amenities, good schooling options, and transport links that makes the area so highly-sought-after.
With viewings highly recommended by the estate agents, the property benefits from spacious rooms across each of the three floors, and tastefully-modernised accommodations throughout.
Externally, to the front of the property is a double driveway with off-road parking for multiple vehicles, while to the rear, there is a well-maintained garden.
Houseman Crescent / Credit: Strike
The property is currently on the market with the Manchester branch of online estate agents Strike for £500,000.
Situated in the picturesque Edenfield village of Ramsbottom, surrounded by countryside walks yet still close to well-regarded schools, local amenities, and cafes, bars and restaurants, is this immaculately-presented, two-bedroom detached home that has been fully refurbished and tastefully-modernised, which makes it ideal for a couple or a small family.
This property is deceptively spacious – with two double bedrooms, a spacious attic room, modern and bright interiors, and there’s even a good-sized cellar that has potential for conversion.
There is also an enclosed rear garden to the rear of the property.
Market Street / Credit: Keenans
The property is currently on the market with the Rawtenstall branch of local independent estate agents Keenans for £325,000.
Part of the prestigious The School House conversion on the popular Clevelands estate in the highly-sought-after Heaton and Lostock area of Bolton, which is close to a wide range of amenities, excellent schooling options, and public transport and motorway links, is this stunning two-bedroom first floor apartment.
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Estate agents describe the apartment as “bursting with elegance and style” throughout, with high ceilings, light and spacious accommodations that have been immaculately presented by the current owners.
The building benefits from lift access internally, while externally, there are well-maintained communal grounds and two off-road parking spaces assigned to the property.
The School House / Credit: Price & Co
The property is currently on the market with Bolton-based independent estate agents Price & Co for £235,000 (Offers in the Region of).
Situated on a quaint street in the popular residential area of Grasscroft – which is just a short walk away the surrounding villages of Saddleworth and Mossley with all of the amenities they have to offer, as well being nearby to several schooling options and transport links across Greater Manchester – is this four-bedroom stone-built terraced family home.
With accommodations set over four floors, the property has been extended and fully-renovated by the current owners throughout, while still retaining plenty of period features.
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Externally, there is a tiered, low-maintenance rear garden.
This is a truly beautiful family home, with viewing highly recommended as estate agents expect it won’t stay on the market for long.
Mossley Road / Credit: Purplebricks
The property is currently on the market with the Oldham branch of leading online estate agents Purplebricks for £375,000.
This four-bedroom detached dormer bungalow sits in the heart of a highly-sought-after Stalybridge residential, just a stone’s throw away from a wide range of local amenities, good schooling options, and transport links across Greater Manchester, which makes it an ideal home for a growing family as well as those looking for the ease of single-floor living.
Presented to the highest of standards by the current owners, the property has been extended to offers spacious and versatile living accommodations throughout – benefiting from three reception rooms, and a newly-fitted kitchen.
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The property also boats well-maintained gardens to both the front and the rear, as well as a driveway providing off-road parking for multiple vehicles.
Early Bank / Credit: Home Estate Agents
The property is currently on the market with independent Stalybridge-based estate agents Home Estate Agents for £400,000 (Offers Over).
Set in the heart of the leafy Worsley village, with a wide range of amenities, well-regarded schools, transport links, and beautiful canalside walks and strolls through Worsley Woods all right on the doorstep, as well as being close to the new RHS Garden Bridgewater, this picturesque three-bedroom semi-detached cottage is a truly unique property to the market.
Beanfields was originally an Ellesmere Estate workers cottage, and has been inhabited by members of the same family from the day it was built.
Offered to the market with the potential to extend and add a driveway, subject to planning permission, the property boats spacious rooms packed with character internally, while externally, there are beautiful garden areas to the front and rear.
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Beanfields / Credit: Hunters
The property is currently on the market with the Worsley branch of estate agency chain Hunters for £425,000 (Offers in the Region of).
This unique, individually-designed four-bedroom detached family home is a rare opportunity to get your hands on a property on a little-known private road positioned just off Pemberton Road in Winstanley that comprises of a handful of homes which rarely come onto the market.
Brimming with kerb appeal, offering superb open views across Winstanley Park and towards Rivington in the distance, and with a wide range of amenities right on the doorstep, the property is set across two floors and is immaculately-presented throughout – with lots of natural light, open rooms, and well-planned living space.
The mature gardens to the front and rear are another key feature of the home, as is the recently-built timber bar / home office.
The property also benefits from driveway parking for several vehicles, and a large double garage.
Springpool / Credit: Regan & Hallworth
The property is currently on the market with the Wigan branch of estate agency chain Regan & Hallworth for £620,000.
Close to the centre of Littleborough, with a number of independent shops, excellent schools, and bars and restaurants nearby, as well as having easy commuter access across Greater Manchester, and benefitting from being only a few minutes away from Hollingworth Lake nature reserve this beautifully-presented five-bedroom detached converted stable block set in a private picturesque location next to a river and forest.
While it may look like a quaint cottage from the outside, on the inside, the property has been fully-renovated throughout to be tastefully modernised, while still retaining plenty of its original charm and character.
Externally, the property boats eight acres of land situated off a quiet country lane with access via a private road, a large driveway to the front, and two garden areas to the rear.
Ealees / Credit: Andrew Kelly
The property is currently on the market with Littleborough-based independent estate agents Andrew Kelly for £525,000 (Offers in Excess of).
Broomfield Lane is a highly-sought-after residential road in the heart of Hale village, and this five-bedroom semi-detached period family home is just a short walk from all the bustling bars, cafes and restaurants the area has to offer, as well as being close to top-rated schools and being in the heart of the Greater Manchester commuter belt.
A beautiful Edwardian home built in 1910, but meticulously-extended and refurbished for modern family living throughout, the property boats flexible accommodation arranged over three floors – with character and charm having still been retained through the improvements.
Externally, the property benefits from driveway parking for up to four vehicles, as well as a well-maintained South-facing rear garden.
Broomfield Lane / Credit: Stuart Rushton & Co
The property is currently on the market with the Knutsford branch of local independent estate agents Stuart Rushton & Co for £1.25 million (Guide Price).
Located on a peaceful cul-de-sac in the ever-popular residential community of the The Heatons in Stockport, benefitting from being nearby to lots of local amenities, schooling options, transport links, and access to the surrounding countryside, this imposing six-bedroom semi-detached family home blends period features with modern components.
As well as boasting spacious and flexible living accommodations throughout, Externally, the property has well-maintained gardens, a driveway and integral garage providing off-road parking, and attractive views both at the front and rear.
Estate agents say this unique family home must be viewed to be fully appreciated.
Leegate Gardens / Credit: Julian Wadden
The property is currently on the market with the Heaton Moor branch of local estate agency chain Julian Wadden for £1.15 million (Guide Price).
Emily Sergeant -
7th October 2020 
