Developer plans to regenerate former factory site with office and resi scheme

Generation, the Manchester-based property developer, has launched plans to regenerate a former leather goods factory into office space and town houses.

The site, at Virgil Street in Cornbrook, is designed by Nick Moss Architects and will create more than 8,600 sq ft of office space and four new-build town houses.

Plans are also in place to improve the adjoining open space, creating improved access to the neighbouring park.

The scheme is in an area of major regeneration, convenient for the Cornbrook tram hub and directly next to St George’s Park, a large public open space.

The new townhouses will be more than 1,700 sq ft and maximise their duel aspect, with private back gardens and roof terraces providing generous outdoor space overlooking the park and city centre beyond.

As it will be speculative, the office space has been designed to potentially sub-divide in a number of ways.

It will have its own private garden, a secure parking area and direct access to the public park.

Shehzad Chaudhri, from Generation, said: “The proposed development will be the next step in the expansion of Manchester city centre, providing opportunities to live and work in greener environments, whilst still remaining highly connected to the city centre.”

Nick Moss, from Nick Moss Architects, said: “It’s always a pleasure to work on schemes that regenerate an existing area, that are sensitive to context and history, whilst adding something new and unique. The repurposing of the adjacent existing building is a great way to contribute to sustainable development.”

A number of Generation’s other schemes in central Manchester are at various stages of development. These include a scheme for 85 apartments at Duncan Street in Salford which received planning approval in March, working up a planning application for a housing scheme on a site in Hale acquired in April, an apartment scheme also in Cornbrook which has been sold and recently completed on site, and another apartment scheme due to start on site in Brunswick later this year.

In addition, Generation is currently providing development management support on a number of other projects in the city, including a £5m community centre in South Manchester due to complete this summer.