Property

This Ancoats mill could soon turn into 300 canalside flats and houses

Brunswick Mill on Bradford Road in Ancoats is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 1840s - but redevelopment could be on the horizon.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th May 2021

New £58 million plans to turn one of Manchester’s largest and oldest mills into a development of almost 300 canalside flats and townhouses have now been submitted.

Brunswick Mill on Bradford Road in the heart of Ancoats is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 1840s and is currently being used by a range of tenants, including textile businesses, a rehearsal space for musicians, and more.

But under these newly-submitted plans, developer Maryland Securities would convert the building into 153 apartments and 124 properties.

There would also be two new-build blocks on adjacent land.

Being a building that boasts a great deal of historical architecture, the proposals – which have been designed by architect Hodder+Partners – will see the central courtyard retained, as well as the trussed ties and vaulted ceilings.

Brunswick Mill is currently tenanted by textiles businesses, musicians and more / Credit: Hodder+Partners

It is hoped that developing the site will help link together New Islington and the Etihad Campus.

The plans for the project – which is valued at around £58 million – include approximately 20,000 sq ft of workspace and community space on the ground floor of the refurbished mill.

This is “to help bring activity and vibrancy to Bradford Road”, Maryland says.

A convenient, well-lit and publicly accessible route through the site to the Ashton Canal towpath will also help provide “a revived sense of place”, the developer adds.

A viability assessment for the project has also been lodged, and Maryland has confirmed that its ‘relocation consultants’ have been in contact and have discussed the future of the building with all existing occupiers of the mill, adding that: “This engagement will continue throughout the planning process.”

The courtyard and some significant architectural features are to be retained / Credit: Hodder+Partners

Speaking on the submission of the plans, Stephen Hodder – Chairman of Hodder+Partners – said: “The main ambition of this scheme is to celebrate the listed Brunswick Mill, which is a key part of Manchester’s industrial heritage.

“The two new buildings for the site are designed to complement the mill and ensure its prominence in the area is not lost in future years.

“We want to create a sustainable and characterful neighbourhood that will enhance the local environment.”

Maryland has said it estimates that the project will create 376 off-site and on-site construction jobs, with the new residents and commercial occupiers creating an annual economic benefit of £25.5 million over the first five years.

The developers also said the new ground floor workspace and community accommodation would also support 155 jobs, which is a 45% increase compared to the current occupation.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Property

No-phones nightclub Amber’s has announced it is relaunching its second room

Danny Jones Danny Jones Amber's nigthclub upgrading second room

Manchester’s famous no-phones nightclub, Amber’s, is preparing for a relaunch of its second room, just over half a year on from the venue’s opening week.

The smash hit, semi-censored space, which enforces a strictly no-device policy to ensure those in attendance maximise their amount of in-the-moment enjoyment without any risk of distraction, has just announced that they will be reworking ‘Room 2’.

Confirmed just in time for the rest of summer ‘season three’, where plenty of people will be opting to rave instead of splash their cash on Oasis and/or festival tickets, the soon-to-be-refreshed space will partner with audio specialists to provide an experience set to rival the main room.

Sharing a post featuring blueprints for the fixtures and some of the top-end equipment, new-look second room opens its doors early next month.

Writing on social media, the venue wrote: “Amber’s is proud to announce the relaunch of Room Two, featuring a brand new custom soundsystem designed by Norwegian pro-audio specialist NNNN and OJAS, and installed by Neuron Audio Visual.

“The collaboration between Amber’s and NNNN is the first time that the Oslo-based company, which specialises in innovating the future of audio, has created a speaker system for use in the UK. Amber’s will be the first venue in the country to house the state-of-the-art system.”

“The partnership furthers our commitment to world-class sound and creating a truly unique club space in the heart of Manchester. Room Two also now boasts a brand new lighting system and has received bespoke acoustic treatment.”

Reacting to the news, plenty of punters and artists alike are already stoked to see what they have in store; promoters ABB Events simply said, “We can’t wait to test this out 26 September.”

Speaking to The Manc, a regular visitor of Amber’s Manchester told us: “Room Two at Amber’s always felt a little forgotten – a space with potential, but lacking the same pull as the main room. With this new Soundsystem they’re putting in, it finally feels like it’s getting the love it deserves.”

@jeremy_abbott The concept of Saturdays at @Amber's is simple… We’ve been blown away by the reponse to our opening month. We cant wait to share what we have in store 🧡📴 #ambersmanchester #manchester #nightclub #ravetok #ambers #electronicmusic #dancemusic ♬ original sound – Jeremy

While we understand the urge to document those ‘unforgettable’ gig moments – that does kind of go against what we build them up to be, hence why the Amber’s concept has gone down so well.

Teasing a lineup of “the best in house, techno and groove”, Amber’s Room Two 2.0 will debut on 2 August, and regulars are buzzing for it.

As always, the headliner remains unannounced to keep that allure, as well as that further added feeling of anticipation and excitement.

Have you tried Manchester’s no-phone club yet?

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

Property

Inside One Port Street, the Northern Quarter’s luxury new 32-storey apartment block

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The view from the top of One Port Street. Credit: The Manc Group

A towering new development in the Northern Quarter has revealed its open date – and given a sneak glimpse inside the luxury apartments.

One Port Street is a £195m development on the doorstep of both the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, standing at 32 storeys tall and boasting 477 open-plan apartments.

And this major new development will also be home to a 2000 sq ft leisure facility with a swimming pool, a spa pool, and an urban garden, with a total of 22,000 sq ft of public green space.

The building’s hit a major milestone this month, finally confirming an opening date of February 2026.

One Port Street has been developed by Select Property in partnership with prestigious architects SimpsonHaugh.

Inside, each apartment will offer an industrial aesthetic with exposed textures, and apartments ranging in size from one bed to three.

There’ll be glass balcony balustrades, with a pattern inspired by textile patterns from the Whitworth Art Gallery.

As well as the apartments, One Port Street will have high-spec indoor and outdoor working and socialising spaces, such as a 360° firepit, state-of-the-art gym and yoga studios, and co-working spaces.

One Port Street in Manchester. Credit: Select Properties
One Port Street in Manchester. Credit: Select Properties
CGIs of how One Port Street will look when it’s completed. Credit: Jon Parker Lee

On the 7th floor, there’ll be a resident lounge and external terrace, named after a tavern which stood on Port Street 200 years ago, plus a secret room for residents called The Hideout.

Ian Simpson, Founder Partner at SimpsonHaugh, said: “One Port Street embodies the rich architectural diversity of Manchester.

“This development offers more than just a place to live, work, and socialise – it’s a sanctuary within the city’s most creative and lively neighbourhood. It’s a true example of what a sustainable, modern community should be.”

Inside a One Port Street apartment
Inside a One Port Street apartment
Inside a One Port Street apartment
Inside a One Port Street apartment. Credit: The Manc Group

Adam Price, CEO at Select Property, added: “One Port Street is set to be a true landmark for Manchester and represents everything we believe modern residential living should be – design-led, community-minded and connected to its surroundings and local heritage.

“The Northern Quarter has long been the focal point of Manchester’s creativity and culture and this new development takes inspiration from that while bringing something new to the community.

“The response so far has been phenomenal, and as we enter the final phase, we’re proud to be collaborating with local artists and independent businesses to bring the finishing touches to life, ahead of welcoming our first residents. Make sure you join the waitlist to be part of this exciting story.”

One Port Street is set to complete in February 2026 and you can see more here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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