£400m development unveils name and marks major construction milestone

A milestone has been marked, and the name unveiled, of Manchester’s latest co-living development.

Liverpool-based developer, Downing, said construction of the façade is starting this month at the site on First Street, which will be known as Square Gardens.

The name of the £400m mixed-use scheme draws inspiration from Garden Street which previously lay in the middle of the site and owes to the abundance of green space residents will benefit from.

The vibrant new neighbourhood features three stunning tower blocks comprising 1,772 apartments and boasts one of the largest outdoor spaces in the city connected to residential, including 17,000 sq ft of commercial, leisure and retail.

Square Gardens will complete the regeneration of First Street and provide a new community with a mix of accommodation types and price points, ranging from private studios to five-bedroom apartments, as well as conventional one- and two-bedroom apartments, curated for the modern renter.

Downing said its latest development prides itself on offering affordable, hassle-free living in the city centre while offering plenty of outdoor space and amenities to create an urban oasis where residents can benefit from a work-life balance and forge new relationships.

The towers, designed by architects Simpson Haugh Partnership, are now in the next stage of construction with the installation of a façade by Focchi Group.

The entire façade is prefabricated off site, which limits waste and improves both quality and installation time. A key element of the design is the glass unitised curtain walling which will give a light reflective quality that responds to different weather conditions and times of the day while providing unrestricted views of the city for residents.

Landscaping works will commence later this year with the scheme incorporating 9,900 sq m of new landscape, of which 5,800 sq m is accessible to the public along with the addition of more than 140 new trees. It is hoped this will boost biodiversity, improve air quality and aid in the mental health of, not only the residents, but the wider First Street community.

George Tyson, projects director of Downing, said: “We are delighted the façade works have started as planned, which we felt was an opportune point to unveil the name of our development, Square Gardens. The façade will see the buildings start to take shape as a landmark project right in the heart of Manchester, accentuating the important regeneration of the area.

“We are creating more than just a place to live for our residents with a focus on delivering a neighbourhood with unrivalled outdoor and shared community spaces which will make this development one of the most desirable places to live in the city.

“Ultimately, our goal is to provide the best place to live in central Manchester where residents simply move in and have everything they need to make the most of city living.”

Downing will construct and manage the property with completion of phase one scheduled for August 2024 and phase two scheduled for delivery in March 2025.