Developer to build houses on derelict land in central Manchester

Developer Capital and Centric has announced it is to build more homes in the emerging district close to Piccadilly station.

The firm wants to build the homes on land next to their Crusader Mill and Phoenix developments.

The ethical developer has purchased a 20,000 sq ft site on Chapeltown Street from Transport for Greater Manchester.

Award winning architects shedkm are drawing up plans for the scheme, which is set to include apartments and amenities including a café-bar and a co-working space.

The development will also have an outside public space with plans for a small park also being considered.

Originally bought by TfGM to build the Metrolink line, the site has been cleared and lain derelict for years.

A consultation on plans for the site is expected in the next couple of months with submission of a planning application planned for the summer.

Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital & Centric

Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital and Centric, said: “With this new site we’re bringing more homes but also the public space that’s so important to making a proper community, like a café-bar, co-working hang outs and a little green pocket park. We’ve lined up shed km, who designed Crusader and Phoenix, so expect more of that understated industrial chic.”

The firm has spearheaded the regeneration of Piccadilly East, with owner occupier communities arriving at Crusader and Phoenix later this year and the jenga-inspired Leonardo Hotel due to open in 2021.

Plans for further apartments in the neighbourhood, by Olympian Homes and AECOM, were approved last month with a council regeneration framework in place that will deliver more homes and masses of public open space.

Adam added:“We’ve always believed that Piccadilly East is going to be the next big thing in Manchester and that’s why we keep on investing here.

“We’re starting to see a proper neighbourhood emerge with our owner occupier communities moving in at Crusader and Phoenix soon and the Leonardo Hotel landing next year. The wider regeneration plans for Piccadilly East will also see lots of public and green space with vibrant ground floor activity, so it’s going to be pretty special.”