northerngroup completes Ice Plant apartments
MANCHESTER-based developer northerngroup has completed the construction of 82 new apartments at its Ice Plant scheme at Ancoats.
Ice Plant is a £12m mixed-use scheme which combines the facade and original features of an old ice-making warehouse with three new-build blocks, including an eight-storey tower, which has been built around a glass atrium. It also features a penthouse of more than 2,000 sq ft offering 360-degree views of the city.
The scheme had stalled due to the economic downturn and received almost £1.8m from the Homes & Communities Agency to facilitate its completion.
The Ice Plant scheme overlooks the new and St Peter’s Church, which is now a rehearsal space used by the Halle orchestra. It also features five ground floor retail/office units ranging in size from 2,000-7,000 sq ft.
northerngroup is retaining all of the properties and offering them for rent rather than selling them in the current market.
northerngroup’s director Nathan Ezair said: “We believe we have created some of the highest specification – if not the highest specification – apartments in the city centre and are bringing a fresh approach to the rental market.
“The current economic climate means demand for rentals is higher than ever but that does not mean that communities have to be transient. We are catering for long-term tenants who want to make the property their home and not just a stop-gap – replicating the rental model of mainland Europe and cities like New York.”
Deborah McLaughlin, North West executive director for the HCA, added: “I’m delighted that our investment and support has helped bring about this important, innovative and high quality development that is now providing such vitally-needed new homes in the heart of the city.
“The completion of Ice Plant marks an important milestone in the exciting redevelopment of Ancoats and looks set to play a key role in the on-going regeneration of this fantastic, historic area of Manchester.”
