Farrells appointed to co-ordinate £1bn Northern Gateway
International design and architecture practice Farrells has been appointed to spearhead the Northern Gateway – a pioneering £1bn investment partnership which will provide 10,000 new homes across Manchester over the next decade.
It will co-ordinate the partnership between developer Far East Consortium (FEC) and Manchester City Council.
It will unlock the residential development potential of more than 300 acres of land north of Victoria station, through the neighbourhoods of New Cross, Lower Irk Valley and Collyhurst.
Founded by Sir Terry Farrell – who was born in Sale, Cheshire – the globally renowned company provides expertise in architecture, urban planning and design, interior design, project management, and other specialist areas, operating from offices in London, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Manchester, and Hong Kong.
Farrells will place an emphasis on design quality and sustainability, open space, reactivating the vicinity of the River Irk, and enhancing public transport infrastructure which will include green walking trails and cycling routes.
The over-arching vision of the scheme is to create a series of distinct yet clearly connected communities. This approach will maximise the area’s hidden and often ignored natural resources as well as its prime location close to Manchester city centre.
In doing so, Northern Gateway will allow Manchester city centre to expand northwards by providing an optimal mix of high quality housing in well-planned new areas.
Gavin Taylor, regional general manager of FEC, said: “We are proud to be working closely with Manchester City Council to deliver the vision for the Northern Gateway.
“At FEC, our aim is to create communities for future generations and this is made possible by building strategic partnerships and working with highly experienced, globally renowned firms.”
Cllr Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is an important milestone and marks the start of more detailed consultations on how we transform this part of the city with new neighbourhoods to make sure we can meet a significant demand for world-class housing.
“The city continues to grow and expand and we will be talking to existing residents, business and other stakeholders about our shared vision and ambition.”
Masterplanners from Farrells will join the FEC team at its new project office in the Northern Assurance Buildings overlooking Albert Square in central Manchester.
Also appointed to Northern Gateway are planning consultancy HOW, landscape architect Planit IE, engineering, transport, remediation and sustainability specialist Arup, socio-economic specialists Regeneris, cost consultant Turner & Townsend and Buro4 as project managers.
FEC is playing a major role in the transformation of northern Manchester and recently launched MeadowSide, a landmark scheme of 756 apartments, penthouses and townhouses bordering Angel Meadow park, the largest open green space in the city centre and part of the 20-acre NOMA neighbourhood north of the city centre.
