Kampus given go ahead for listed warehouses redevelopment

The redevelopment of two listed buildings as part of the £250m Kampus project in central Manchester has been given planning approval.

The joint venture between Capital&Centric and Henry Boot Developments will see a distinctive new city centre neighbourhood with apartments, restaurants and small-scale local retail.

The Minto & Turner and Minshull House buildings will also be revamped. Both are derelict 19th century former warehouses.

Many original features have survived intact and will be retained as part of the sensitive refurbishment of the buildings into 59 characterful loft apartments and circa. 14,000sq ft flexible commercial space.

Work on the listed buildings will begin in the coming months with the commercial units ready for fit-out and occupation in Spring 2019 and the apartments available to occupy from August 2019.

The scheme includes the re-opening of Little David Street, thought to be one of the only untouched cobbled streets in Manchester, to create a destination full of character and unlike anywhere else in the city.

Adam Higgins of Capital and Centric, said: “We’ve had tons of amazing feedback on our plans for Kampus to date, and getting planning on the two mills is the final piece of the jigsaw.

“Minto & Turner and Minshull House are an important part of the neighbourhood we’re building; they’re central to our ability to intertwine old and new to create a really interesting mix of spaces and streets, and, with planning now approved, we can continue on site to deliver these buildings at the same time as the works that have already started on the main site.

“I guess Kampus is a bit different to most other development schemes happening, and this lovely narrow route along the cobbled street between the two listed buildings is a really important entrance into Kampus from the main centre of the city, and an important link to Canal Street.

“We want to attract cafes and encourage the tables and chairs to spill out onto this space, a little like those beautiful old towns that we all enjoy abroad.”

Planning is being handled by Deloitte, and Shed KM is the architect.