New images of what Manchester’s former Debenhams building could look like once its £70 million transformation is complete have been released.
You may have already heard that the iconic Grade II-listed building in the heart of Manchester city centre on the corner of Market Street and High Street is to undergo “extensive modernisation” into a mixed-use development of retail, leisure, and office space.
Work is gearing up to begin this year, with an expected completion date of 2025.
But before it all gets underway, developers AM Alpha have released new CGI images showing what the building – which has been named ‘Rylands’ – will look like inside and out after the £70 million transformation is complete.
What Manchester’s Debenhams building could look like inside once its £70 million transformation is complete / Credit: AM Alpha
The ambitious project of works will include the full redevelopment the existing building.
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The upper floors of the building are to be converted into high-quality office space, while a shopping arcade is also to be created on the ground floor.
AM Alpha has also revealed plans for a four-storey extension to be added to the current building, which would eventually mean that Rylands boasts 10 whole floors of mixed-use space for business, commercial, and leisure use.
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The iconic Grade II-listed building is to undergo “extensive modernisation” / Credit: AM Alpha
The Rylands building has been designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon status.
With local construction company, Russell WBHO, acting as a construction partner for the project – developers AM Alpha say that after the renovation of the historic building is completed, a certification for sustainable construction according to Breeam Excellent or Nabers 5* is planned.
“Working with listed buildings is always a great privilege,” commented Stephan Schmid, Senior Vice President at AM Alpha.
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“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.”
There will be 10 floors of mixed-use retail, leisure, and office space / Credit: AM Alpha
Russell WBHO specialises in listed and sustainable projects, and says its excited to help make the Rylands vision become a reality.
Commenting ahead of the refurbishment works getting underway, Gareth Russell – Founder and Managing Director of Russell WBHO – said: “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
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.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money back into working people’s pockets and making a simple dream a simple reality.”
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Property
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
4th April 2023 
