And perhaps nothing quite illustrates this more than the ever-changing skyline around us, with even more new skyscrapers, towering apartment buildings and office blocks set to further transform the city as we know it heading into the new year.
Several major projects are expected to break ground in 2021, while others that have long been in the pipeline could be completed.
Most of the development will continue to come out of the city centre in areas that have been earmarked for regeneration for several years – such as Deansgate, Mayfield, and NOMA – but some schemes have been given planning permission in the past 12 months.
Here’s how we can expect the face of Manchester to change once again this coming year.
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First Street
Downing
Co-living proved to be one of the most controversial concepts to enter the planning conversation in Manchester this year, and developer Downing’s plan for a vast co-living scheme on the edge of the city centre near Hulme was at the heart of the debate.
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The developer’s proposals for more than 2,000 apartments across four residential blocks – including a 45-storey tower – prompted backlash from housing campaigners and councillors who feared the buildings would become “slums of the future”.
But Downing received planning permission in September, and work is expected to start on-site in early 2021.
Blade and Cylinder
Crown Street
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SimpsonHaugh / Renaker Build
As part of the latest phase Renaker’s Crown Street development on the edge of the city centre near Mancunian Way, two new 52-storey skyscrapers will provide 855 apartments, a new 210-place primary school – with a rooftop playground – and a public park will sit between them, also set to house one, two and three-bedroom properties.
The towers – nicknamed ‘Blade’ and ‘Cylinder’ – will be joined at the base by a large podium, which will include concierge areas, a lounge, gym sauna and shops.
The scheme will also form part of the wider regeneration of Great Jackson Street.
Oxygen
Piccadilly
Russell WBHO
The £85 million Oxygen development in Piccadilly has reached a milestone this year.
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The landmark 36-storey tower – along with its neighbouring 16 and 10 storey neighbours – topped out over the summer, and the three buildings will house 372 one and two-bedroom apartments, and 12 ground-level townhouses with their own gardens.
A five-star spa will include a 25-metre luxury pool, while residents will also be able to enjoy a private cinema, gym and fitness studio.
Developers are aiming for the entire scheme to be fully completed in 2021.
The first phase of development centres around the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park – which will include a bridge over a restored section of the River Medlock currently buried beneath the former industrial estate – and two office buildings – The Poulton and The Republic – will reach 13 and nine storeys high respectively to provide 319,900sq ft of workspace.
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An 11-storey car park with 581 spaces will also be built as part of the first phase, and it is hoped the majority of the park will be built within two years, so it could be open by early 2023.
New Victoria
New Victoria Scheme
Construction of the £185 million mixed-use scheme – close to Manchester Victoria Station – finally began this year, more than four years after planning permission was originally granted, and the Network Rail-Muse Developments joint project will see three towers built in place of a surface level car park on Corporation Street.
Two of the towers – 20 and 25 storeys high – will provide up to 520 one, two and three bedroom apartments for rent, and the third eight-storey building will house 150,000sq ft of Grade A office space.
NOMA
NOMA
NOMA will continue to take shape in 2021.
Around 563,000sq ft of office spaces have already been built or are under construction at the £800 million city centre site – including Amazon’s first UK headquarters outside of London – and some residents have also already moved into Angel Gardens – the 36-storey tower promising luxury living through its 458 high-end apartments – but this year, Manchester City Council signed off on plans to expand development within the 20-acre site centred around Angel Square to include more offices, retail and leisure space.
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Running slightly ahead of schedule, 4 Angel Square – the 11-storey office block expected to house around 2,000 workers – has already seen construction begin ready for a 2022 completion date.
The building will sit at the corner of Corporation Street and Miller Street.
StayCity Aparthotel
Deansgate
Ask Real Estate / SimpsonHaugh
Following the winning of planning approval back in June, work on the 22-storey hotel next to the Grade II listed Castlefield Viaduct in Deansgate is expected to start next year, and it will be the fourth StayCity branch to open in Manchester, with the aparthotel chain already operating in St Peter’s Square, Mason Street, and near Piccadilly station.
The 310-room hotel will be built in a small half-acre plot sandwiched between the viaduct and The Deansgate pub, which will be retained.
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Two arches running underneath the viaduct will also be opened up for use by businesses.
The Factory
The Factory
The Factory – the landmark arts complex, which has been beset by rising costs and delays – was supposed to open next year, but construction will continue throughout the coming months with contractors eyeing up a late-2022 opening.
Construction on the nearby Manchester Goods Yard, the 400,000sq ft office block- which will house Booking.com’s new headquarters – did however begin this year.
It is also expected to finish in 2021.
St John’s
Water Street
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Vita / Denton Corker Marshall
A new £1.3 billion project is expected in 2021.
The St John’s neighbourhood – based in and around the former ITV Granada studios – will continue to take shape in the coming year, with two towers – one 36 storeys high and the other 32 storeys – built by the Vita Group providing 1,600 co-living flats off Water Street in Manchester city centre.
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Manchester United reportedly leading the race for Matheus Cunha after multiple ‘hints’
Danny Jones
Manchester United may have come crashing back down to reality after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but they may have left with a consolation prize as multiple so-called ‘hints’ and the latest transfer rumours have it that Matheus Cunha is in their sights.
Cunha has been one of the best players in a struggling Wolves side over the past couple of seasons and was one of the most effective on the pitch once again as the visitors did the double over Man United for the first time since 1979/80.
It may have been an impressive free kick from Pablo Sarabia that got Vitor Pereira’s squad over the line after the home team missed a number of chances in front of goal, but many fans felt it was somewhat of a second audition for Cunha, who scored and assisted for both goals in the reverse fixture.
Notwithstanding his latest performance, if you’re inclined to believe the latest transfer rumblings from reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, it sounds like United are pushing hard for Matheus Cunha already and that the signs are looking promising.
Manchester United hold positive contract talks on Matheus Cunha.
Wolves want £62.5m release clause paying in full, but open to instalments.
Ruben Amorim + #MUFC execs aligned on target for No 10 position.
Even prior to Stockport-born United journalist Laurie Whitwell’s report on Tuesday morning, numerous outlets were quick to hop on what is becoming an increasingly intriguing saga.
Transfer expert Romano had already claimed that there were “good feelings” following early contact between the two clubs, noting that discussions around personal terms are underway with United fully aware that Cunha will have plenty of suitors given his relatively reasonable release clause in this climate.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, the Italian reporter went on to insist that the club are now leading the race and pushing hard to get a deal done early, adding that a source has told him there “great connection” between all interested parties.
Cunha, 25, was also at the centre of a mini media storm of his own making earlier this month too, after sharing an Instagram post which read: “Time to be happy. I will follow my dreams and yours… So stay cool.” It was deleted shortly after.
Romano also went on to state that “the feeling between Matheus Cunha and Ruben Amorim is excellent”, with supporters from both clubs spotting that the fellow Portuguese speaker was quick to put his arm around the Wolves number 10 once again after the full-time whistle.
• 26 Dec 2024 Amorim and Cunha at full-time
• Today Amorim and Cunha at half-time
I'm telling you now that we're signing Cunha this summer. Couldn't be more obvious that Amorim likes him. 👀😁 pic.twitter.com/LeKESZPSQS
Whether or not the Man United head coach was putting in his own additional effort to try and tap up Cunha or at least bend his ear on the situation, only time will tell, but it seems with the microscope fully on the Brazilian attacking midfielder, virtually everything he does is being closely scrutinised.
For instance, other eagle-eyed fans noticed that the former Red Bull Leipzig star and Olympic gold medallist did something rather intriguing when walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off this past weekend.
Make of that what you will…
The fact that he was spotted not just waving and acknowledging supporters both before and after the game, but even stopping to take pictures outside Old Trafford, has also added fuel to the fire.
All evidence appears to point towards transfer and player contract talks already progressing, even if they are still in their early stages, and there seems to be a belief that Cunha himself would be keen on the move, especially with Wolves lingering just above the drop zone.
At the very least, it’s clear that there will need to be outgoings in order for Man United to undergo any real activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The question is, would you like to see Cunha swap ‘old gold’ for red?
You can watch the highlights from the defeat at Old Trafford down here.
Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.
It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.
Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.
Kevin De Bruyne has revealed his shock at not being offered a new contract with Man City and has not ruled out joining another Premier League club 📝 pic.twitter.com/ymUDaI4CvJ
As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”
Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.
Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.
After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.
Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”
Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.
One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.
While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”
It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:
The Manc -
30th December 2020 
