New plans unveiled for ‘historic and under-used’ corner of city centre
Consultation has been launched on plans to rejuvenate an historic and under-used corner of Manchester city centre.
Manchester-based developer Property Alliance Group is progressing its proposals for a net zero carbon in operation office redevelopment at the Reedham House site, on the corner of King Street West and St Mary’s Parsonage, which it acquired in 2019.
The site covers a block of six interlinked commercial and former industrial buildings, encompassing an historic 19th century Carriage Works towards the rear of the site as well as a series of later, 20th century additions on King Street West.
Working with Jon Matthews Architects, Alliance has developed, what it says is an ambitious, yet sensitive scheme, which will realise the potential of this site within the St Mary’s Parsonage Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) area.
The redevelopment proposals build on the vision in the SRF to establish this part of the city centre as a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood with a distinctive character and sense of place.
The proposals put the historic Carriage Works at the heart of the scheme. This hidden gem will be enhanced and celebrated as part of the redevelopment, repurposed as a modern workspace with ground floor retail units.
The inner courtyard, another historical feature reflecting the site’s history as a carriage manufactory and showrooms, will also be conserved as part of the redevelopment.
On the King Street West side of the site, the proposal is to replace the 20th century buildings with a striking new 13-storey building, a colonnaded ground floor opening giving space back to the street.
As well as a landmark design that contributes to the character of the area, the proposals include new retail and commercial space and improvements to the surrounding streets and public spaces. In particular, the redevelopment would enhance and activate Motor Square as a key focal area of public space.
Alex Russell, managing director at Alliance, said: “From the moment we first walked around the site, we could see the potential to breathe new life into the historic Carriage Works and courtyard and create a truly unique workspace.
“This sensitive, heritage-led approach to conserving the most valued and historic parts of the site will be facilitated by the removal of the buildings to the front of the site and the addition of a sensitively designed taller building, which will complement the new developments coming forward in this burgeoning part of the city centre.”
He added: “We are looking forward to discussing our proposals with local people.”
Alliance wants to hear feedback on the proposals from the local community before submitting a planning application later this year. The consultation is open until Wednesday, August 3, with further information about the proposals available at: www.reedham-house.co.uk.
As part of the consultation process, Alliance will also be presenting information about the proposals at a drop-in event at Reedham House on Tuesday, July 19, from 3.30-7pm.
Alliance has played a key role in the transformation of Manchester over the past 30 years. This latest project comes hot on the heels of the completion of its Oxygen residential development on Store Street, the new Clayton Hotel on Portland Street, Manchester’s first double stack hotel at No3 St Peter’s Square, and its ongoing redevelopment of the high profile former Renaissance hotel site.
