Work starts on £16.5m final phase of Victorian mill development

Work has started on the £16.5m final phase of the redevelopment of Manchester’s Vulcan Mill in Ancoats, with the construction of a new-build seven-storey apartment block.

Russells Construction has been appointed as the contractor for The Loom, which will comprise 101 one and two bedroom apartments at the vacant site in Malta Street.

Designed by MPSL for Artisan Investments, the new building will sit adjacent to the original Vulcan Mill, a former Victorian machine works, which was refurbished in 2007 to create 120 apartments.

Moya Ball, managing director of Artisan Investments, said: “Ancoats has been completely transformed since we first started developing properties in the area, and this is the final piece of the jigsaw. It’s great to have Russells on board and it’s incredible to see the second part of the Vulcan Mill project now underway.”

The derelict site, which overlooks a basin of the Ashton Canal and lies between the original mill and Albion Works in Pollard Street, was until recently used as a temporary car park.

Externally, the space between the buildings will be landscaped and linked to Albion Works and the wider New Islington residential area.

Gareth Russell, director of Russells Construction, said: “We were extremely pleased to have been approached to assist with the design and build of the Vulcan Mill project for Artisan Investments. We know this area well, having been involved with earlier phases of the wider Ancoats residential regeneration, building The Cube and The Mews for Manchester City Council and Peel joint venture.

“Together with Artisan, we’ve developed a scheme which will bring another 101 new homes to the city centre and continue to regenerate and revitalise this part of the city.”